US Global Entry for Germans
Sep 14, 2010 | 6:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,063
US Global Entry for Germans
I opened this new thread as I found a hint in the Swiss Forum that the US admin starts considering Germans now as a minor thread to America's safety. They apparently plan to allow them to apply for the global entry which would avoid the horrible waiting lines and times for "immigration".
(http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...kin19_ST_N.htm, dated April 23)
Any news on the progress ? The Dutch can apply for about 150 $/ annum, which I think is worth every penny if you can get into baggage claim in less than 5 minutes at all major ports of entry in the US.
(http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...kin19_ST_N.htm, dated April 23)
Any news on the progress ? The Dutch can apply for about 150 $/ annum, which I think is worth every penny if you can get into baggage claim in less than 5 minutes at all major ports of entry in the US.
Sep 14, 2010 | 7:48 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,032
After reading about this i tried to find out more. Nothing specific on the website. I called the LA office. Answer was: No, not possible for German citizens (as long as you are not also a US resident). Maybe in the future, but no information right now.
Sep 14, 2010 | 10:00 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC (home), DUS (office), XXX (customer)
Programs: LH, AB, SPG, CC, Sixt, EC
Posts: 6,332
I opened this new thread as I found a hint in the Swiss Forum that the US admin starts considering Germans now as a minor thread to America's safety. They apparently plan to allow them to apply for the global entry which would avoid the horrible waiting lines and times for "immigration".
(http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...kin19_ST_N.htm, dated April 23)
Any news on the progress ? The Dutch can apply for about 150 $/ annum, which I think is worth every penny if you can get into baggage claim in less than 5 minutes at all major ports of entry in the US.
(http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...kin19_ST_N.htm, dated April 23)
Any news on the progress ? The Dutch can apply for about 150 $/ annum, which I think is worth every penny if you can get into baggage claim in less than 5 minutes at all major ports of entry in the US.
Sep 14, 2010 | 10:37 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 176
Is it really worth it? I looked into this but decided that it wasn't. You still have to wait for your bags. I don't recall a situation ever where the bags were already waiting on the luggage carousel after I had cleared immigration. (And being a US citizen, I usually would get through rather quickly.) In other words, the overall time to pick up one's bags would still be the same. I don't really care if I spend part of the waiting time in line for immigration. This might be interesting, though, for people without checked luggage.
Sep 14, 2010 | 10:59 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,050
Is it really worth it? I looked into this but decided that it wasn't. You still have to wait for your bags. I don't recall a situation ever where the bags were already waiting on the luggage carousel after I had cleared immigration. (And being a US citizen, I usually would get through rather quickly.) In other words, the overall time to pick up one's bags would still be the same. I don't really care if I spend part of the waiting time in line for immigration. This might be interesting, though, for people without checked luggage.
By the time my luggage came out on the carousel, the only people present were the flight crew and people in wheelchairs. No one else had made it.
But yes, the main gain is when you do not have checked luggage.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Sep 14, 2010 | 11:00 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Disgruntled HON**, Indifferent EK Gold, skeptical BA Silver
Posts: 1,734
Is it really worth it? I looked into this but decided that it wasn't. You still have to wait for your bags. I don't recall a situation ever where the bags were already waiting on the luggage carousel after I had cleared immigration. (And being a US citizen, I usually would get through rather quickly.) In other words, the overall time to pick up one's bags would still be the same. I don't really care if I spend part of the waiting time in line for immigration. This might be interesting, though, for people without checked luggage.
Also do not forget: Global Entry allows you also to jump the line at baggage inspection! Especially when arriving on LX40 that alone is a big time saver.
For Frequent US Travelers I believe this is money well spent.
Sep 14, 2010 | 11:07 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC (home), DUS (office), XXX (customer)
Programs: LH, AB, SPG, CC, Sixt, EC
Posts: 6,332
Probably! Especially if through various airports like JFK that always has a long wait 
I agree though that there are some airports like EWR where you are most of the times through emigration faster than the bags through their maze.
I agree though that there are some airports like EWR where you are most of the times through emigration faster than the bags through their maze.
Sep 14, 2010 | 11:52 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,508
Just fly BA001 LCY-SNN-JFK, and clear Immigration in minutes in SNN.
I tried it last week and it was the best service ever!
You arrive at JFK as a domestic pax on the A318.
I tried it last week and it was the best service ever!
You arrive at JFK as a domestic pax on the A318.
Sep 14, 2010 | 12:30 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,032
Many years back there was the INSpass program. Similar system, apply for a card, they store the geometry of your hand. When arriving put the card in, put your hand on a scanner and 5 seconds later the immigration form prints.
Great service. Did often not work, but then they had a special counter where they processed you before everybody else.
My immigration experience is also mixed, a few times very quick, occasionally an hour or more, even arriving in the same city on the same flight. Very unpredictable. I would gladly spend the money even if it works only a few times a year.
Great service. Did often not work, but then they had a special counter where they processed you before everybody else.
My immigration experience is also mixed, a few times very quick, occasionally an hour or more, even arriving in the same city on the same flight. Very unpredictable. I would gladly spend the money even if it works only a few times a year.
Sep 14, 2010 | 12:50 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,508
INSpass was great, I used it many times until it got terminated. Worked like a charm esp in LAX, where immigration can be a nightmare when the Asia flights arrive.
Sep 14, 2010 | 11:36 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NY
Programs: LH SEN,
Posts: 110
Global entry is the best, I have used it in JFK and EWR, its like VIP service, and I dont mind waiting for bags, but waiting for Immigration is the worst.
Sep 15, 2010 | 5:53 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN
Programs: COdbaUA MM, AA EXP, AF G, Bonbon Gold, Hilton G, All G, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis Presidential
Posts: 5,929
Remember that you also save time in not waiting for the customs line (which can be even worse than immigration, given that everyone gets squeezed into the same line). GE has its own dedicated customs line.
Sep 15, 2010 | 6:01 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,050
Hi,
I tend to disagree with this one. Before GE, I've experienced 30-45 minutes wait for immigration. I have never waited more than 5 minutes for customs.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Sep 15, 2010 | 6:06 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN
Programs: COdbaUA MM, AA EXP, AF G, Bonbon Gold, Hilton G, All G, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis Presidential
Posts: 5,929
Must have never been to an airport that funnels to just one or two customs guys. I was connecting at IAD from ZRH, mixed with a bunch of other arrivals. The customs hall was absolutely full of people and the line wasn't moving at all. I strode up to the GE line and went right through. Others had to be waiting at least 20 minutes.