What the hell is going on at JFK? And thank you BA!
Jul 7, 2019, 1:01 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,447
I have GE. I only go to the US 4 or 5 times a year but its worth every penny, sailed straight through various US entry points that are notorious for taking forever to get through.
Last edited by tuonopepper; Jul 7, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Jul 7, 2019, 1:28 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
I’ve had to use the blue customs form twice in the last 2 months. Once coming from Hong Kong and the other coming in from London both into LAX. I have a green card and have GE, but the green card has expired (it has a 1 year extension sticker that is not machine readable) so I have to present myself to a CBP officer and that requires that I fill in a blue customs form.
I will find out what the procedure is for CLT next week when I fly back from Cancun. Given the estimated processing times for a green card renewal, I probably also need to find out the process to extend an extension sticker.
I will find out what the procedure is for CLT next week when I fly back from Cancun. Given the estimated processing times for a green card renewal, I probably also need to find out the process to extend an extension sticker.
Jul 7, 2019, 7:05 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 861
My experience on Friday - on the early BA flight:
- Global Entry now in the middle of the hall
- Several (new) machines roped off
- Some of the working machines did not actually work and so people had to use more than one machine
- All GE receipts checked with some people fingerprinted, photo'ed and questioned even with GE
- Staff allowed non-GE people to join GE queue where they had to be fingerprinted, photo'ed and questioned
- GE receipt takem by Immigration so could not be shown at Customs
- Through in 15 minutes from landing
- Global Entry now in the middle of the hall
- Several (new) machines roped off
- Some of the working machines did not actually work and so people had to use more than one machine
- All GE receipts checked with some people fingerprinted, photo'ed and questioned even with GE
- Staff allowed non-GE people to join GE queue where they had to be fingerprinted, photo'ed and questioned
- GE receipt takem by Immigration so could not be shown at Customs
- Through in 15 minutes from landing
for Diplomats and GE) who looked at passports, asked a few questions about the trip - the old school method. There was only one kiosk, so a second line formed at GE
and people, usually able to just walk through, were surprised by this procedure. This officer took our GE printout and we were done. But nothing streamlined about it.
Jul 8, 2019, 1:12 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,555
I avoid JFK like the plague - but like the plague, unfortunately sometimes you still encounter it!
Arrival experiences vary - from one time which took 4 hours to get through immigration (not BA though), to the immigration queue being backed-up onto the (BA) plane itself - particularly annoying since I had GE! Getting out of JFK is just as bad with much-delayed or even cancelled flights.
Arrival experiences vary - from one time which took 4 hours to get through immigration (not BA though), to the immigration queue being backed-up onto the (BA) plane itself - particularly annoying since I had GE! Getting out of JFK is just as bad with much-delayed or even cancelled flights.
Jul 8, 2019, 2:01 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,471
The Girlfriend's application took about two weeks - we're both first time applicants - but she's American and has other factors that might have sped it up.
Jul 8, 2019, 8:49 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 131
My experience on Friday - on the early BA flight:
- Global Entry now in the middle of the hall
- Several (new) machines roped off
- Some of the working machines did not actually work and so people had to use more than one machine
- All GE receipts checked with some people fingerprinted, photo'ed and questioned even with GE
- Staff allowed non-GE people to join GE queue where they had to be fingerprinted, photo'ed and questioned
- GE receipt takem by Immigration so could not be shown at Customs
- Through in 15 minutes from landing
- Global Entry now in the middle of the hall
- Several (new) machines roped off
- Some of the working machines did not actually work and so people had to use more than one machine
- All GE receipts checked with some people fingerprinted, photo'ed and questioned even with GE
- Staff allowed non-GE people to join GE queue where they had to be fingerprinted, photo'ed and questioned
- GE receipt takem by Immigration so could not be shown at Customs
- Through in 15 minutes from landing
Jul 8, 2019, 9:19 am
#37
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
I have heard nightmares like this with TSA Pre-check and Global Entry. I had my application pre-approved and have been hesitation getting GE since I hear about these problems all of the time. I ask myself what's the point of getting an expedited traveler program if it seems to be slower than non-GE?
Jul 8, 2019, 9:37 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,328
I have heard nightmares like this with TSA Pre-check and Global Entry. I had my application pre-approved and have been hesitation getting GE since I hear about these problems all of the time. I ask myself what's the point of getting an expedited traveler program if it seems to be slower than non-GE?
With GE it rarely takes me longer than 5 minutes to be clear of immigration and customs.
Entering LAX with my kids a few months ago took 2 hours in the 'normal' queue.
Jul 8, 2019, 9:40 am
#39
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
Jul 8, 2019, 9:42 am
#40
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,328
DFW I've seen relatively quiet, and LAS I've also seen with barely anyone there... but JFK, MIA and LAX are always an absolute zoo whenever I'm there. Certainly sounds like you've been very fortunate!
Jul 8, 2019, 9:52 am
#41
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,941
I can't think of any time in recent years where 'normal' immigration would have been faster than using my GE.
With GE it rarely takes me longer than 5 minutes to be clear of immigration and customs.
Entering LAX with my kids a few months ago took 2 hours in the 'normal' queue.
With GE it rarely takes me longer than 5 minutes to be clear of immigration and customs.
Entering LAX with my kids a few months ago took 2 hours in the 'normal' queue.
In terms of comparing the non-GE routes there have been times where I have seen little/no queuing for the non-GE route so possibly the GE was not much quicker, but there have been many occasions where I can see long queues for non-GE too. I would say I have found GE at a bare minimum the same and most of the times much quicker than the non-GE route.
Jul 8, 2019, 11:29 am
#42
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 479
Which has been what I’ve observed when entering the US in recent times.
I’m intrigued to know what the procedure is at airports where the blue form/GE receipt is not needed/given. From the responses above, it appears GE gets no priority/special treatment once through immigration.
Jul 8, 2019, 11:33 am
#43
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
I have heard nightmares like this with TSA Pre-check and Global Entry. I had my application pre-approved and have been hesitation getting GE since I hear about these problems all of the time. I ask myself what's the point of getting an expedited traveler program if it seems to be slower than non-GE?
Jul 8, 2019, 11:56 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
Jul 8, 2019, 12:00 pm
#45
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
And thanks for editing your initial response. Good call!