Originally Posted by
WilcoRoger
IMO it makes very little sense - install a technology, that solves no problems, because it must be compatible with legacy passports.
How about a fully automated system (as in many other parts of the world) with a sign "only for biometric passports" If the gates speeded up the entry procedure, it might even speed up the renewal of legacy passports, because frequent(ish) travellers would have some incentive to get one. And one could do away with the whole GE thingy for US citizens in a few years - who would need it, when you could enter your own country in 15 seconds? Sounds utopia? It works elsewhere...
Sadly, I think that this idea may get pushback from American citizens who don't fly internationally very often and who feel that without actually interacting with a live immigration officer, the floodgates of illegal aliens and terrorists will open. In other words, it's fine as long as someone else is being inconvenienced. Those who travel frequently realize that these fully automated systems are an incredible convenience that save time and money in the long run. Even with the implementation of these systems, there is nothing preventing CBP or any immigration officer from conducting spot checks/interviews on a random basis.