Global Entry Complaint
 

I've used my GE about 8 times so far, and really like how it's worked for me - until my visit at YUL. Up until this trip, I've only gotten the X across my ticket once (random I suppose) and even with that it was still a quick process. At YUL, I was the first in the GE line out of two, so myself and one other guy. I quickly get my ticket from the kiosk (no X) and am waived by a customs officer to approach her booth. Instead of waiving me on by, this woman asks me for my GE ticket and passport and then proceeds to ask me all of the same type of questions I would be asked if I didn't have GE. She even tells the guy behind me to "stand back behind the yellow line sir", in a commanding voice. He apparently thought that we were both going to be waived on by like I did. After my series of questions were answered, she told me to proceed. I waited for the guy behind me to see if the same thing happened to him. It did. He's used GE about 10 or 15 times and this has never happened. I'm wondering if this has happened to others, and why this would be happening? I paid for my GE permit to avoid this.....

Probably her boredom or someone from above instructed people in the field to question GE travelers.

I would've been more irritated about the "commanding" tone of voice than being asked redundant questions.

Have you read the T&Cs? I mean have you read them carefully?

There is sure to be a clause in there permitting the procedure to which you object.

Well, the officer that gave me my interview in Atlanta (where I was approved) told me that if you checked any of the items on the kiosk "yes", you would get an "X" across your ticket and would be questioned. The kiosk also can randomly generate an "X" on your ticket, which would also require you to talk with an officer. I don't recall reading any T&C's that said we can stop you at any time for any reason, although no doubt they can.

The officer who "interviewed" me in IAD told me that GE isn't an automatic, guaranteed, go-ahead pass. Audits can be done even if an "X" doesn't appear. However, he emphasized quite well that in the event you get an "X" that you should always proceed straight to an immigration booth and not wait in line, and that if there're no special GE lines at the final customs check, to politely waive your GE paper so that customs can bring you up immediately.

Sounds like the program is working as intended.

This is a "known issue" at YUL. Yes, of course under the terms of the program they can stop and question you at any time, but YUL seems to have completely missed the memo that this is a "trusted traveler" program and interrogates everyone every time.

There are more complaints about this on the main Global Entry thread.

I've heard that if you complain about this, the agent may be reprimanded because it truly is GE's purpose to exempt us from these annoyances.

Of course what she did is completely legal and within her rights, but her superiors might not like it.

the last 3 times ive gotten my card X'ed out -- checking NO to all the questions. previous 5 or so times ive used it, no problems at all.

its been a huge annoyance. noone could say why it Xed it out

I'm certain that they have the right to perform any of the normal inspection procedures on GE members at any time for any reason, or for no reason. What's troubling to hear is that certain ports apparently have the "corporate culture" of treating GE as a line pass only and still conduct full inspections on most GE entrants. Hopefully that won't last long if the pattern is widespread and it comes to the attention of higher-ups.

I've used GE 3 or 4 times now. On my last entry, the officer at the Customs checkpoint did ask me a couple of questions: what was my occupation and did I buy anything. No big deal. I would be disappointed if I got the full treatment every time.

A Word of Caution on Global Entry
 

If you have any arrests in your history, even if you were found innocent or no charges were ever pressed, and even if the record is legally expunged, by signing up for Global Entry and giving them your finger prints, you will forever be selected for additional screening (bodily and luggage search) every time you go through border control for any reason and in any line. It is NOT easier if you have any history whatsoever, innocent or otherwise. This is not made clear before the application process, and there is no way to undo it. There is no point to legally expunging an arrest record if everyone sees it and treats you like a criminal, even when you are innocent. This has happened to a family member of mine who was arrested as a teen 20 years ago, with an expunged record. The basis of the American legal system is that if you are found not guilty, then you are innocent. If no one ever presses charges, then you are innocent. And, if a record is sealed at great personal expense, then it is not able to create problems for life. The global entry was a colossal waste of time and money, and much worse, a huge violation of personal freedom.

The nature of the examination or inspection upon entry is broadly within the Officer's discretion. There is a randomness to this for a reason.

If the Officer was actually rude, feel free to complain. But, GE is not a guarantee of an exemption and selecting you for that is not worthy of or likely to generate action on a complaint.

Please follow the discussion as the thread moves to the Trusted Travelers forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Clarify something: was that person approved for GE and then having problems reentering the US?
If he was rejected, was any of the issues you note brought up at the interview? [There are posters here on FT who (seem) to have the problems similar to what you note and with proper documentation were approved?
He might consider contacting the ombudsman...the service is 'free".:p

You are 100%, absolutely, positively WRONG!!!!!!!!:rolleyes:

Utter rubbish. :)