Originally Posted by
Often1
This is simple. And it's the same advice repeated on innumerable other "should I list" threads relating to GE and CBP in general.
YES
If you want to get into it with the one CBP Officer who decides that the transit area of some particular airport is a "visit" go ahead and don't list your international connections. If the Officer determines that you have been less than truthful, you can appeal to the Ombudsman and three years later, maybe get your GE. You can always say that you read on an anonymous Internet board that somebody was told by some CBP Officer that he need not list those transit connections.
Or, since you know the countries, why on earth not list them?
The key to success in dealing with bureaucracies is not overthinking. The question really does mean what it says.
I agree. Last year I wasn't sure about this when I applied for GE last year and listed England because of a transit through LHR. Interview agent didn't say a word about a fairly extensive list of countries racked up over the past couple of years, including the apparently now sensitive Turkey, so I asked about the LHR transit. He said it wasn't necessary but then added that it didn't hurt to list it and if questioned it could be easily explained.