Global Entry Interview at DTW - One Question
 

My google Kung-Fu is weak.

I have a 3.5 Hour layover at DTW, and I scheduled my Global Entry interview during this time period. I will be flying in and out of the McNamara Terminal. The interview location is in the north terminal.

I see there is a tram the runs from the far end of the McNamara Terminal to the North Terminal (Near Gate A67).... but here is my question. Am I leaving a secured area? Do I have to go through security screening again?

Time management is my concern. If I am leaving a secure area I may just save the interview for a longer layover at Atlanta on my next trip.

Thanks!

The McNamara terminal and North Terminal are completely disconnected. The tram in the McNamara only serves the A concourse to enable people to get to the 'far' gates quickly from the central link.

To get to the North Terminal, you have to exit security and hop on a shuttle bus that runs pretty regularly. (There are a few). Be sure to pick up the bus on the lower lever of the parking garage--Not the Westin location. (If you go to the westin location, it circles around to the parking garage location before going to the the North.)

To be safe, Figure 15-20 minutes each way, including possible wait time. Your GE interview should take about 30 minutes so you've got plenty of time.

Hey, could you please provide a TSA update for the DTW North and McNamara terminals here and on tsastatus.net when you go? I'll be going there soon and for such a large airport there hasn't been much reported.

Thanks!

Hmmmm sounds a little close. My layover is after an international flight so I expect up to the first hour of it to be eaten up by the necessary CB&P activities.

Appreciate the information!

Did you decide against this, SporkLover? Has anyone else done this? I am thinking of doing the same with a 2-hour layover. I spoke with someone in DTW at the location, and she said to allow 1 1/2 hours. I don't think she was taking into consideration the security line back into McNamara, although I imagine DTW has a Sky Priority lane?

Any additional info from anyone would be great ~ Thanks!

Haven't done it myself for a GE interview, but have traversed the terminals and I'd recommend against it, or give yourself at least another hour. Working backwards:

You figure arriving 30 min at gate prior to your connecting flight, so you'd need to give yourself another 30 min to get back from the interview to the gate (15-20 min to transfer terminals, another 10 at security). That's an hour. Assuming you land on time, you have exactly 30 minutes to get to your interview. Assuming the interview lasts for exactly 30 minutes, you should just make it to your flight. Add in any delays inbound, and it just won't work. It'd be tight as is.

I agree ~ I have decided not to try it with only 2 hours.

I did it!
 

I was able to successfully finish the Interview Process for Global Entry between flights at DTW.

I arrived on Tuesday morning at 7:10am on Delta to the McNamara Terminal. I exited near the Westin Hotel and caught the Van with the changeable frontplate marking "North Terminal". It did go all the way around (perhaps it would have been better to go downstairs and not have to go all the way around) but it only took 10 minutes.

The Global Entry office does not open until 8:30 am and I arrived around 7:40 am. So I ate a breakfast sandwich and waited. They opened at 8:30 am sharp and took my passport and had me sit down. Then the agent called me after 1 -2 minutes and began my interview. Even though I was first in, my interview took the longest, because 2 or 3 people finished before me. I have traveled to 25 or more nations in the past 5 years which probably induced more questioning. I was getting nervous about the time since I had a 10:13 am connecting flight. At any rate, I was finally finished viewing their short video and left the office at around 9:13 am.

I hoofed it to the waiting vans (turn left as you go out the doors down on the same level as Global Entry Office) which are located where they dropped you off. The van ride back from the North Terminal to the McNamara Terminal was much shorter and took less than 5 minutes.

I went through security at the Delta Ticket counter and was at the gate around 9:30 am which was 35 to 40 minutes before they closed the gate. Remember I "lost" 50 minutes of time since my flight arrived early and I had to wait on the gate to open.

It is doable therefore if you have 2 hours between domestic flights. If you are arriving internationally as the OP, then you need 2 hours prior to your next flight after you clear immigration in DTW. Hope this is clear and helpful for those trying to schedule the elusive Global Entry Interview.

I did this exact same thing. Interview after an international flight. 30min for the bus (total trip, both ways) and 30 min for CBP, plus walking to and from the bus, etc. 1.5hrs Since my bags were in the lounge with my wife, security was no issue.

Global Entry Interview at DTW
 

Gurus:
I am thinking of getting my interview done at the end of this month when I fly from CLE to DTW. Quick Question ... is GE office inside secure area?

No, it is outside the secure area.