How do I get a INSPASS?
Dec 30, 2003 | 12:43 pm
#16
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Do you just go to the head of the line & say excuse me to the person waiting there, I get to go first? I've had INSPass work at LAX, but JFK in Nov not & Chicago doesn't have it. In those cases I stood in the regular queue. I renewed mine easily at LAX earlier this year.
Dec 31, 2003 | 7:49 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 953
I came in through Dulles yesterday, and the machines were down, as expected. There was no agent posted nearby, nor was any agent willing to take me to the front of the line.
In fact, the two agents I asked both stated they didn't know a thing about a policy allowing inspass users to jump to the front of the line when the machines were down. I checked the website later, and couldn't find that perk anywhere...though I was sure I'd seen it sometime in the past.
FYI, the lines moved very quickly and agents were good about directing traffic. They even turned some of the non-us resident stations into ones that us passport holders could use, once the eyeballed the number of people coming into each line.
In fact, the two agents I asked both stated they didn't know a thing about a policy allowing inspass users to jump to the front of the line when the machines were down. I checked the website later, and couldn't find that perk anywhere...though I was sure I'd seen it sometime in the past.
FYI, the lines moved very quickly and agents were good about directing traffic. They even turned some of the non-us resident stations into ones that us passport holders could use, once the eyeballed the number of people coming into each line.
Jan 1, 2004 | 10:52 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Laguna Beach CA
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Posts: 724
I've had INSPASS since the program started and it seems that I have been unable to use the machines in the last year regardless of the security alert level. INS and Homeland Security Officers say there is no support for the program at this time. Mine renews in March and I'll renew hoping that it comes back, sure was a time saver.
Jan 2, 2004 | 11:20 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
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I went to enroll at LAX some months back and was told I was not eligible as I am on H1B. But with new fingerprinting and photo requirements for visa holders visiting US, I will be (apparantly) photographed and fingerprinted anyway. So what gives? Why am I not eligible for INS PASS but still have to go through the same procedure anyway?
Jan 2, 2004 | 2:08 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Miami, FL USA
Posts: 134
INSPASS is completely inoperable at MIA. Kiosks are turned off and having a pass does not result in special treatment of any kind. The agents there say that this is (as far as they know) permanent at MIA. At least I got the first few months use of it.
Jan 2, 2004 | 3:40 pm
#22
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My best guess is the feds will can this program in the interests of "homeland security" and hire 5000-8000 more drones-on-chairs-in-a-booth to act overly pompus and bored as they "protect" us from the unseen and unknown and loudly stamp our passports with time-honored govermental authority. Anyhow, it make a great "government issued ID".
MisterNice
MisterNice
Jan 2, 2004 | 5:57 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2000
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by alect:
I went to enroll at LAX some months back and was told I was not eligible as I am on H1B. But with new fingerprinting and photo requirements for visa holders visiting US, I will be (apparantly) photographed and fingerprinted anyway. So what gives?</font>
I went to enroll at LAX some months back and was told I was not eligible as I am on H1B. But with new fingerprinting and photo requirements for visa holders visiting US, I will be (apparantly) photographed and fingerprinted anyway. So what gives?</font>
Jan 2, 2004 | 8:07 pm
#24
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Keep in mind when you talk to the average agent about this that they hate the machine. They are worried about job security and machines doing their work and taking jobs away.
I'll be returning to LAX in a couple of weeks. Hopefully we won't be in Orange anymore and I can use my pass in the UA terminal again.
I'll be returning to LAX in a couple of weeks. Hopefully we won't be in Orange anymore and I can use my pass in the UA terminal again.
Mar 11, 2004 | 2:31 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, 1.7MM, & RC of an AA employee, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 896
Can someone tell me where I go at SFO to apply. The site says it is under construction. Is there a place to mail the form (I already filled it out)?
Can I apply on my next flt as I enter the US? The apply part seems to be the most difficult aspect.
Can I apply on my next flt as I enter the US? The apply part seems to be the most difficult aspect.
Mar 11, 2004 | 3:00 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 171
Mar 11, 2004 | 3:08 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, 1.7MM, & RC of an AA employee, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 896
The problem is I only need to find out where to go. I have read numerous sites and the info is the same.
The two places that mentioned the address for SFO said under construction.
Many of the links that may contain the information that I need in your URL are out of date and I get a - 404 - Requested Page Not Found on Site
The two places that mentioned the address for SFO said under construction.
Many of the links that may contain the information that I need in your URL are out of date and I get a - 404 - Requested Page Not Found on Site
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by akap16isme:
Here is an informative site!
http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm...t-traveler.htm</font>
Here is an informative site!
http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm...t-traveler.htm</font>
Mar 11, 2004 | 4:22 pm
#28
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I passed through SFO twice in the last couple of months and both times the machine was down. I don't think they are working too hard to fix it. So perhaps they have closed the office too? Yet LAX's machines work fine and the office there is open during normal hours.
Also, you have to have your handprint scanned and your photo taken for the pass. So mailing it in won't do any good. You have to apply in person.
[This message has been edited by stimpy (edited Mar 11, 2004).]
Also, you have to have your handprint scanned and your photo taken for the pass. So mailing it in won't do any good. You have to apply in person.
[This message has been edited by stimpy (edited Mar 11, 2004).]
Mar 11, 2004 | 4:40 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, 1.7MM, & RC of an AA employee, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 896
The information for INSPASS is quite frustrating. Most of the links on the govt site are down. I had no problems finding and downloading the forms but no where have I found what exactly to do with the forms and what accompanies them.
Has any one near SFO applied recently and can tell me the process?
Has any one near SFO applied recently and can tell me the process?
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by stimpy:
Also, you have to have your handprint scanned and your photo taken for the pass. So mailing it in won't do any good. You have to apply in person. </font>
Also, you have to have your handprint scanned and your photo taken for the pass. So mailing it in won't do any good. You have to apply in person. </font>
Mar 11, 2004 | 6:39 pm
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 13,344
Mine is only 4 months old - I went in with a business card, the form filled out and then had my fingerprints taken and biometric scans taken (10 I believe). After that, my photo was taken and the card issued.
The last 2 times I tried to use it a YYZ, the machine was down and they do not let you cut to the front of the line, or any other shortcut - they make you wait like everyone else.
The last 2 times I tried to use it a YYZ, the machine was down and they do not let you cut to the front of the line, or any other shortcut - they make you wait like everyone else.