INSPASS---Worth It?
 

Hi All. I am thinking about signing up for INSPASS, and was wondering if anyone here has experience using it? I am out of the country anywhere between 8-12 times a year, flying mostly out of JFK. This last trip on the way back, 3 International flights landed almost simultaneously and well, you can just imagine the lines at customs. (Seems like this has happened to me 3 out of the last 4 times at JFK, where each time only 4 of the 8 booths were open) Glancing over, I noticed the INSPASS machine standing there empty. In fact, I've never seen anyone use it at JFK. So, my question is...anyone out there have experience using the INSPASS? Is it all it's seemingly cracked up to be? How about the application process, how daunting was that? (Looked it up on Immigration web site and it looks fairly painless.) Any down sides that you know of? Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can offer.

The last I heard, the program has been discontinued, with a new program coming out this fall to replace it.

Last time I used it (June) it was working. If the machines are up, then it's worth it (saved my bacon one time at JFK when there was weather; I was first through & able to scramble to next flight before they shut down the airport). Depends on the airport though; if I recall correctly IAD it's never working. ORD doesn't have it at all. And sometimes even if the machine is down, flashing the card will get you to the front of the line (that's the luck of the draw, though, & not at IAD).

It's about a 10-minute process for the application - you fill out normal stuff & then they scan your hand a # of times. When that's done, you get a Costco like card w/ equally bad picture ;) If you're going to originate at JFK, you might want to go there early one time to apply.

If you're concerned about privacy & don't want your finger/handprints on record w/ gov't, then probably not for you. Since I had to be fingerprinted to work w/ the children in the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a volunteer, it didn't bother me. Having said that, I won't sign up for registered traveller program which requires iris scan, but that's a dif thread.

Cheers. Sharon

Yes and no...
 

The machines, when they work, are awesome.

You watch "The Simpsons?" Remember whenever someone does something stupid, and Nelson looks at them, points, and goes "HA, HA!"

That's the feeling I get when I walk through and INSPASS works, when there's a huge line waiting to go through immigration. They're all on line, and I'm through in 30 seconds. It takes all my restraint to not turn around as I'm walking towards customs and go, "HA, HA!"

Of course - this entails that the machines are in fact, working. That's a BIG if. More than 50% of the time, they're not. The benefit, though, even when they're not working, is that you're already in front, and can simply follow the directions of the machine when it says, "Please see the agent in lane 5," or whatever the lane it recommends. You're still tons of time ahead of the game. You can then also make small-talk about how the INSPASS machine never seems to work.

But yes - when it works, it's totally worth it.

It's also nice to have another piece of Government issued ID.

-Peter