Bowling Green, New York City, 11:00 a.m. Absolutely, positively, does not accept walk-ins. Went through the metal detectors and asked the private security guards (which are shared with the Museum of the American Indian) where Global Entry was located (there are no signs, and apparently they come down to get you). They asked me when my appointment was, and I told them I had a "later" appointment (I didn't tell the 4 and a half months early), but was in New York and I thought I would try to see if they could accept me. They told me that they never accept walk-ins, but were friendly and trying to be helpful and suggested that I call up to them because they did not seem at all busy. They even gave me a phone number which was picked up by a human instead of the info line I had. The person on the other end of the line though was not at all friendly, told me that they don't do walk-ins, and was clearly not interested in being helpful or accommodative, or discussing the matter any further. I thanked the guards and left. I knew it was a longshot, but I'm traveling tomorrow and thought it would be nice if I could complete my application beforehand.

I must say that the application process of the Global Entry program is like a bad joke. Putting aside that the entire application website seems like it was designed in the 90s, the first appointment I was able to make in August for Bowling Green is in January, 2017. If a private company charged $100 for an Application Fee and failed to disclose that they don't have resources (in the largest City in the Country) to complete an application for almost 5 months, it would merit a class action lawsuit. Like most things having to do with DHS/TSA, and putting their questionable policy decisions to one side, the administration and management is beyond dreadful, and operated in a manner which suits their government employees rather than their customers -- what might have been expected in 1970s Moscow, and not 2016 USA. As we can see on this board, it is a huge effort to complete the application, as I don't know what my schedule will be 4 months in advance. The program should clearly be outsourced to a private company with some incentive to operate it more efficiently. Global Entry makes the Department of Motor Vehicles seem like a modern customer focussed organization.

With the mobile app for clearing I'm seeing less and less need for GE. Other then Precheck it seems MPC users are going through just as quickly.

I just applied for GE on Friday, of course still Initial Application Pending Review and in NYC but I'll will be willing to travel out to JFK, I'm there often enough.

Can't agree more with OP about that website application. I may even be denied. Did not notice the passport dates month/day were reversed and even after reviewing the data submitted my application incorrectly with the month as the day of expiration and day as the month.

Of well, there goes $100.

I found it to be an easy & painless process. While the initial appointment may be months out, people cancel all the time and that opens slots so that you can often hop in if you can be flexible.

Under the presumption that you travel a significant amount, you will also find that most of the airport locations do handle walk-ins even though they may say that they don't. If you show up and there is a slot, they will take you, especially if everything is in order and they realize that you will breeze through.

Given that Pre-Check alone costs $85, the extra $15 for 5 years seems worth it even if the website is clunky.

It was/is simple and painless. Your lack of planning and research does not make it any less so.

I forgot that I emailed CBP with a question through the website last year on 9/24. On Tuesday, I finally got a response. I got an answer elsewhere long ago. I didn't expect an immediate answer but I figured I would get something quicker than 11 months.

Well this morning emailed that my and my wife's GEOS application status has changed.
Approved for the interview. NYC Custom House nothing until January. JFK T4 nothing until late November so we took the first middle of October appointment at EWR at 8pm. Yah we live in Brooklyn but will be traveling for Thanksgiving so October it has to be.

I will be checking for open slots and if we have to have each of us on different days, so be it.