INPASS website
 

Not sure if this is new news or old news. But the DOJ finally put up an INPASS website.
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/la...ct/inspass.htm

It's old, but was very hard to find. Good info, though. And highly recommended (by me) for regular transborder travellers.

I'd avoid the Canadian equivalent -- the CanPass card. I've had one for about a year, and in about 18 attempts to use it, it has worked twice. I've probably lost more time than I save, especially since I end up much further back in the immigration line after wasting time at the machine. On top of that, it costs CAD$50/year.

The most absurd thing that has happened so far is that I received a replacement "Y2K compliant" card in December. When I tried to use it Jan 3, the machine "ate" the card. (There were several dozen cards in the box inside the machine when the agent opened it up to get mine out.) The stated reason for eating the card: the machine cannot handle the Y2K compliant cards. I suspect they'll have all the bugs worked out by the time Y3K rolls around.

Thanks for the great tip, seawolf. Having an INSPASS would save me a lot of time clearing customs at SFO. I think I'm going to apply for one.

dgolds,

my experience with acquring INSPASS wasn't stellar. the agent I got apparently didn't know what she was doing. It took half a dozen hand scans and 45 minutes before she figured out what she was wrong.

For those who are interested INSPASS is one facet of the US Govt. that actually is as useful and helpful as advertised. The process for getting one is really easy - you go the INSPASS office at a port of entry w/ your Passport and fill in a form, get your palm print taken, and get a picture taken. About ten minutes later you get a little credit card sized PORTPASS (funny but the card doesn't say INSPASS). It is definitely useful when you enter at SFO or EWR where palneloads of people enter at the same time. Iv'e had mine since it was a pilot program and it has saved me literally hours of standing in line http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I've actually made short connections just because of it!

BTW one caveat - it can only be used when your trip was for business.

[This message has been edited by indogulf (edited 01-11-2000).]

My understanding is that the INSPASS/PORTPASS is only available to person who make at least 3 business trips into/out of the US, each year. However, once you have the card, you can use it anytime, for business or personal travel. I've used it many times for personal trips, as recently as this Christmas, to SFO. Never had a problem.

I agree with KEN. I've had an INSPASS (PORTPASS) since they were first being issued. No one checks if you make 3 or more international business trips a year and the machine doesn't care if you are on business or pleasure. The biggest gripe I have is that the kiosk almost never worked when I was coming thru customs. True, you can go to the head of the adjacent line at that point. However, in my expereince, returning through EWR many times, US residents clear very quickly. Its different if you have a foreign passport. You can get stuck in a line behind someone entering from an obscure country and the wait can be considerable. For foreigners, INSPASS is a blessing. In fact, when I go annually to renew mine (Its due now), I tend to find mostly UK residents there renewing theirs.
IMHO, the best part of the INSPASS is that its cool. I get lots of stares when I use it to check in for flights and use it instead of a driver's licence for a govt issued ID document. I just tell the agents its an "electornic passport" (which it isn't) and they just nod and hand it back.

I didn't say they checked if you were using it for business or pleasure. However the official rules as conveyed by the agent who issued my INSPASS was that you could use it only for business. I've used it for both without problem but I suppose if they check what you marked on your customs declaration and it says pleasure instead of business they could in theory cause a problem. I doubt it but it could happen http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks for the link to the web site! I saw it once before but lost the URL. Glad to see that they are expanding and adding kiosks at other airports! I agree that the INSPASS program is a blessing! I've used it 6 times (LAX and SFO) with 5 successes so far. I've actually avoided coming back through DFW and SEA because they don't have INSPASS. The only thing I wish they'd add is an expiration date on the card, so I can renew it in time.

Also, regarding dgolds post earlier, INSPASS gets you thru immigration quickly, but you will still need to go thru the usual customs lines.

About 3 months before it expires, every time you use your INSPASS card you'll get a message saying "Your card expires in xx days."

KenHamer, is that the only warning I can expect prior to its expiration?

I tend to travel in spurts, and if there happens to be no activity (yeah, right) in the 3 months before it expires, the first time I'll find out is when I try to use the expired card, right? That's not very user-friendly...

Do you all know if DTW is included in the INSPASS locations? I thought I saw it on a brochure, but then it's not on the website.

Carberry

Carberry, I doubt it, although it may be available at the Detroit River crossings.

jl