Automated passport control. LAX
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 4
Automated passport control. LAX
Hi
I have been looking on here and searched else where but cant find an answer. I have just renewed my passport and travelling to United States in January, I travel yearly to USA, but this is the first time with new passport. (Since APC has been available)
Can I still use APC, or do I need to go through normal immigration.
My wife was in the same situation a couple of months ago and had to use normal immigration.
Thanks
I have been looking on here and searched else where but cant find an answer. I have just renewed my passport and travelling to United States in January, I travel yearly to USA, but this is the first time with new passport. (Since APC has been available)
Can I still use APC, or do I need to go through normal immigration.
My wife was in the same situation a couple of months ago and had to use normal immigration.
Thanks
#3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,055
Everybody regardless of how many times you've visited uses a kiosk - there are no "manual processing queues" as such (and you can ignore the PA announcement Air NZ make because they simply haven't updated it in the 18+ months this has been in operation).
Once you have used the kiosk however you'll get X across your receipt it which means you'll be screened out at the next queue and sent to another CBP queues at the front and be subjected to having your photo and fingerprints taken again by CBP and asked 50 questions. Once you've done this the first time you won't be subjected to the same level of questions or data gathering by CBP on subsequent visits and (hopefully) won't get the X on your receipt.
For frequent travellers it's unfortunately a drama you have to endure with a new passport like I did this year. At least I'm sorted now for a few years!
Once you have used the kiosk however you'll get X across your receipt it which means you'll be screened out at the next queue and sent to another CBP queues at the front and be subjected to having your photo and fingerprints taken again by CBP and asked 50 questions. Once you've done this the first time you won't be subjected to the same level of questions or data gathering by CBP on subsequent visits and (hopefully) won't get the X on your receipt.
For frequent travellers it's unfortunately a drama you have to endure with a new passport like I did this year. At least I'm sorted now for a few years!
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BLQ / TRG
Programs: NZ*E, UA*1K, QF Plat
Posts: 1,071
As an APEC card user I always skip the machines and go directly through the crew lane.
In my situation I will always receive and X from the machines so there is no point in my heading that way.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,055
#8
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,649
#9
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,055
In the very early days of APC you needed to have visited the US once since 2008 on your current passport and ESTA to use APC. If you hadn't you needed to use the manual queues.
Now at airports such as LAX every ESTA holder (which in reality is going to be 99% of NZers) uses APC regardless of whether you've visited the US before and/or are on a new passport or ESTA. If you have visited the US before you'll have expedited entry, if you haven't you'll very likely get a big X on the paper slip and will be subject to further screening by CBP.
Air NZ make this confusing because their in flight messages now don't match up with how the process actually works.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Auckland NZ
Programs: NZ*E
Posts: 105
My wife and I will need new ESTAs as our existing ones will have expired when we next pass through LAX in May 2018. (We last visited USA in September this year). We have existing passports. Do we need to go in the "never been here before" queue at immigration, or do the renewed ESTAs automatically allow us to just join the "electronic" queue.
Incidentally, as compared with the rapid automatic immigration in New Zealand, where machines do all the work unless there is a problem, in both USA and Canada you are required to queue for the automatic machine approval, and then queue again for a "human" to check what the machine has done. So much for these advanced technological countries!
Incidentally, as compared with the rapid automatic immigration in New Zealand, where machines do all the work unless there is a problem, in both USA and Canada you are required to queue for the automatic machine approval, and then queue again for a "human" to check what the machine has done. So much for these advanced technological countries!
#11
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,055
My wife and I will need new ESTAs as our existing ones will have expired when we next pass through LAX in May 2018. (We last visited USA in September this year). We have existing passports. Do we need to go in the "never been here before" queue at immigration, or do the renewed ESTAs automatically allow us to just join the "electronic" queue.
#14
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,055
Have you asked why you get an X?
#15
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: Air NZ *E
Posts: 160
In the last 5 times Ive visited/ transited LA in the last 3 years( always with esta, always J class so quickly off the plane) its been the same. Use the kiosk, maybe get an X, maybe not. regards, end up an a queue with a bunch of other poor saps. Sometimes the X queue quicker than the other. Get asked same brief questions, though exhausted after queuing twice . Still takes forever. I try to fly through San Fran or Huston when ever possible.