The dreaded "X" with Global Entry
Apr 25, 2019, 6:20 am
#181
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Some X receipts for GE members coded for ER are based on the circumstances of travel or even random for selection during a block of time. I wouldn't worry about it if most of the times you're being treated the same as most other GE members and not getting much if any substantial delay because of the X receipts on most attempts to use GE kiosks.
Last edited by TWA884; Apr 25, 2019 at 8:12 am Reason: Off topic opinion/commentary, not trusted travelers advice/information
Apr 26, 2019, 6:57 am
#182
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 9
I’ve never not gotten the X. When I was in Vancouver last summer, I spoke to an agent, went in back and I thought they were going to take care of the X. I had my renewal, and mentioned this, and thought I was going to have better luck. Needless to say, my return was even worse this time.
I returned to DFW from India. When I went to the kiosk, I got my X. This time, I was escorted to secondary screening. I sat there for a couple minutes, never spoke to anyone and was told I was good to go. I can only assume it was because of my conviction. But even through regular re-entry, I’ve never been sent for more screening.
I go collect my bag, and as I am walking past the customs officers, I am singled out for review. It could have been a coincidence, but I’m not certain.
“Where are you coming from?”
India
”Did you stop at any pharmacies?”
No
”Please come with us”
I was put in a short line, where they went through all my possessions. I only wish I had time to do anything more than work. I didn’t even go to a convenience store, do anything tourist related, or even dine outside of my hotel and worksite.
Not sure what triggered my extra scrutiny this time. But it delayed the quite long day I had already had. Woke up at 3 am in India to make it to the airport and landed at DFW at 11 pm. All I wanted was to go home and climb into bed.
Perhaps my next trip will be better...
I returned to DFW from India. When I went to the kiosk, I got my X. This time, I was escorted to secondary screening. I sat there for a couple minutes, never spoke to anyone and was told I was good to go. I can only assume it was because of my conviction. But even through regular re-entry, I’ve never been sent for more screening.
I go collect my bag, and as I am walking past the customs officers, I am singled out for review. It could have been a coincidence, but I’m not certain.
“Where are you coming from?”
India
”Did you stop at any pharmacies?”
No
”Please come with us”
I was put in a short line, where they went through all my possessions. I only wish I had time to do anything more than work. I didn’t even go to a convenience store, do anything tourist related, or even dine outside of my hotel and worksite.
Not sure what triggered my extra scrutiny this time. But it delayed the quite long day I had already had. Woke up at 3 am in India to make it to the airport and landed at DFW at 11 pm. All I wanted was to go home and climb into bed.
Perhaps my next trip will be better...
Apr 26, 2019, 10:12 am
#183
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,060
The reason for the X matters to tell if it's simply a bad fingerprint read or another reason. I would request if it is possible to get a demotion if you're consistently getting the X for enforcement reasons. (I think that's the official term.)
Apr 28, 2019, 9:24 pm
#184
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
To close out my 100% “X” rate mentioned up thread, I contacted GE support via their website and got a reply within a few hours saying they’d found and fixed the problem with my account. Entered without an “X” after this.
Contact GE support via their website, they fixed things for me where the frontline agents couldn’t figure it out. The “X” handling at port of entry can be very intrusive as you’ve found.
I think I'm at the end of this rope. This feels like an opaque machine that not even those inside of it understand.
I came back in to the USA on FRA-ORD today. Yes the "X" makes its appearance, code ER. I spoke with the CBP officer, which this time actually led to a discussion. I asked him why this keeps happening, which lead to a long "what did you do?" conversation. I tried to try to calmly express frustration, that I didn't do anything. He asked me to review my criminal history, which was not at all enjoyable to be doing in a public forum. After lots of clicking and looking at his screen, he stamped it and let me in. No statements as to why.
I landed at DEN early due to the UA GS teams grabbing me an early flight, which was awesome. Instead of accelerating my shuttle I went over to the Global Entry office. The DEN office doesn't accept arrival interviews, and the wait to get an interview is awfully long. But fortunately they agreed to work me in. The GE officer took my passport and GE card, and then also did a lot of clicking and typing. Didn't ask me any questions - and after about 5 minutes he declares that he sees nothing wrong...at all.
He says that as long as my TSA Pre is working, I'm on the approved list. He speculated it was random, which doesn't make sense considering this is 12+ times in a row. In the end there wasn't much more I could say so I thanked him and left.
I have no idea how I ended up in this case. Funny enough I'm okay now with the "X", it is part of the entry workflow. 80% of the time they just look at it and let me in. But it feels less enjoyable to me when either I'm sent to detention like EWR, or when I have to defend myself that I'm not a criminal like today in ORD.
Thanks for all the advice. Maybe I'll let the dust settle and gather more data from in-processing CBP officer over time. Maybe it will unjam someday.
I came back in to the USA on FRA-ORD today. Yes the "X" makes its appearance, code ER. I spoke with the CBP officer, which this time actually led to a discussion. I asked him why this keeps happening, which lead to a long "what did you do?" conversation. I tried to try to calmly express frustration, that I didn't do anything. He asked me to review my criminal history, which was not at all enjoyable to be doing in a public forum. After lots of clicking and looking at his screen, he stamped it and let me in. No statements as to why.
I landed at DEN early due to the UA GS teams grabbing me an early flight, which was awesome. Instead of accelerating my shuttle I went over to the Global Entry office. The DEN office doesn't accept arrival interviews, and the wait to get an interview is awfully long. But fortunately they agreed to work me in. The GE officer took my passport and GE card, and then also did a lot of clicking and typing. Didn't ask me any questions - and after about 5 minutes he declares that he sees nothing wrong...at all.
He says that as long as my TSA Pre is working, I'm on the approved list. He speculated it was random, which doesn't make sense considering this is 12+ times in a row. In the end there wasn't much more I could say so I thanked him and left.
I have no idea how I ended up in this case. Funny enough I'm okay now with the "X", it is part of the entry workflow. 80% of the time they just look at it and let me in. But it feels less enjoyable to me when either I'm sent to detention like EWR, or when I have to defend myself that I'm not a criminal like today in ORD.
Thanks for all the advice. Maybe I'll let the dust settle and gather more data from in-processing CBP officer over time. Maybe it will unjam someday.
Last edited by TWA884; Apr 28, 2019 at 10:18 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts by the same member
Sep 8, 2019, 7:35 pm
#185
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 174
It turns out that my indiscretion from 20 years ago was the issue. I had a non-conviction arrest on my record. I had originally assumed that there was no way this was the issue since my first 5 years of GE was "X" free. Apparently the folks that did my GE renewal interview didn't do their job of processing it.
When CBP said it was due to my arrest, I provided them my FBI record showing my non-conviction. I conveniently had a recent one due to a foreign visa matter. They said this should be enough to work with to clear the issue.
This was late July. A month and a half later, two further "X" entries, it still isn't cleared. I have asked them upon each entry for status but it isn't going anywhere.
Gosh this is pretty difficult to resolve.
Oct 5, 2019, 9:30 am
#186
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 174
I did so based on your advice, and it was very helpful to start the process. But unfortunately I haven't been able to close it out.
It turns out that my indiscretion from 20 years ago was the issue. I had a non-conviction arrest on my record. I had originally assumed that there was no way this was the issue since my first 5 years of GE was "X" free. Apparently the folks that did my GE renewal interview didn't do their job of processing it.
When CBP said it was due to my arrest, I provided them my FBI record showing my non-conviction. I conveniently had a recent one due to a foreign visa matter. They said this should be enough to work with to clear the issue.
This was late July. A month and a half later, two further "X" entries, it still isn't cleared. I have asked them upon each entry for status but it isn't going anywhere.
Gosh this is pretty difficult to resolve.
It turns out that my indiscretion from 20 years ago was the issue. I had a non-conviction arrest on my record. I had originally assumed that there was no way this was the issue since my first 5 years of GE was "X" free. Apparently the folks that did my GE renewal interview didn't do their job of processing it.
When CBP said it was due to my arrest, I provided them my FBI record showing my non-conviction. I conveniently had a recent one due to a foreign visa matter. They said this should be enough to work with to clear the issue.
This was late July. A month and a half later, two further "X" entries, it still isn't cleared. I have asked them upon each entry for status but it isn't going anywhere.
Gosh this is pretty difficult to resolve.
Finally is resolved - I left them alone after the last "X" return figuring that maybe being a pain wasn't really helping my cause. Anyway, entered yesterday with MEL->LAX and it was the first time without the "X" in two years. Somewhat funny how something not really all that important can make your day. Anyway, thanks for all the advice on where to get this sorted out. I think patience, perseverance and being generally well mannered seem to be the keys.
Oct 22, 2019, 7:07 am
#187
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Perhaps some can shed some light on my issue. GE has been working very well for over 18 months.
This was until my L1 was renewed. Since then, I have received the dreaded X on at least 5 times, every time on entry. I have checked my I-94 and entry has been granted and updated on the I-94 until the end of my new L1A
4 of the 5 times the CBP office has taken the slip, asked me some questions to check who I am, then entered something into the computer and waved me on.
Last time, I was asked for the original I-129, I mean come on. It's 4 years ago!!! I did not have it one me, my bad, but did have a copy.
Of to secondary inspection, I went.
There I was informed that no I-129 next time, no entry. When I explained that this has only been happening since my L1 renewal and can I do anything, the look was like I was something he has just stood in. I now have the original I-129 in my bad for next week, just takes away the benefit of GE.
Any ideas?
Tks
This was until my L1 was renewed. Since then, I have received the dreaded X on at least 5 times, every time on entry. I have checked my I-94 and entry has been granted and updated on the I-94 until the end of my new L1A
4 of the 5 times the CBP office has taken the slip, asked me some questions to check who I am, then entered something into the computer and waved me on.
Last time, I was asked for the original I-129, I mean come on. It's 4 years ago!!! I did not have it one me, my bad, but did have a copy.
Of to secondary inspection, I went.
There I was informed that no I-129 next time, no entry. When I explained that this has only been happening since my L1 renewal and can I do anything, the look was like I was something he has just stood in. I now have the original I-129 in my bad for next week, just takes away the benefit of GE.
Any ideas?
Tks
Oct 22, 2019, 8:45 am
#188
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: one big Port of Entry...
Programs: CBP
Posts: 141
here I was informed that no I-129 next time, no entry.
that's incorrect.
just takes away the benefit of GE.
aren't you still getting through the GE line, and skipping the very long visitor lines?
Oct 22, 2019, 8:46 am
#189
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
Welcome to FlyerTalk @Jason_N!
There may be helpful information in the following thread:ETA: @maninblack, who posted as I was typing my response, is an experienced CBP officer at a major US international airport.
There may be helpful information in the following thread:ETA: @maninblack, who posted as I was typing my response, is an experienced CBP officer at a major US international airport.
Last edited by IBJoel; Jan 28, 2020 at 10:59 am
Oct 22, 2019, 9:02 am
#190
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Perhaps some can shed some light on my issue. GE has been working very well for over 18 months.
This was until my L1 was renewed. Since then, I have received the dreaded X on at least 5 times, every time on entry. I have checked my I-94 and entry has been granted and updated on the I-94 until the end of my new L1A
4 of the 5 times the CBP office has taken the slip, asked me some questions to check who I am, then entered something into the computer and waved me on.
Last time, I was asked for the original I-129, I mean come on. It's 4 years ago!!! I did not have it one me, my bad, but did have a copy.
Of to secondary inspection, I went.
There I was informed that no I-129 next time, no entry. When I explained that this has only been happening since my L1 renewal and can I do anything, the look was like I was something he has just stood in. I now have the original I-129 in my bad for next week, just takes away the benefit of GE.
Any ideas?
Tks
This was until my L1 was renewed. Since then, I have received the dreaded X on at least 5 times, every time on entry. I have checked my I-94 and entry has been granted and updated on the I-94 until the end of my new L1A
4 of the 5 times the CBP office has taken the slip, asked me some questions to check who I am, then entered something into the computer and waved me on.
Last time, I was asked for the original I-129, I mean come on. It's 4 years ago!!! I did not have it one me, my bad, but did have a copy.
Of to secondary inspection, I went.
There I was informed that no I-129 next time, no entry. When I explained that this has only been happening since my L1 renewal and can I do anything, the look was like I was something he has just stood in. I now have the original I-129 in my bad for next week, just takes away the benefit of GE.
Any ideas?
Tks
Oct 22, 2019, 9:45 am
#191
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
If this was your first time using the renewal L1 visa, then it’s not unusual to have to be manually processed the first time and getting an X for that reason. When are you next trying to use this more recently issued (L-1A) visa, next week? If it happens again (and again) and you get to secondary (and thus sort of undermining the benefit of time-savings you expect from GE membership use), then that would indicate to me that something else is going on that is not very common.
Oct 22, 2019, 9:57 am
#192
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
You are 100% correct in your reply.
To be clear. My first time after renewal, you have to have a manual entry. This was performed in LAX.
I do wonder if my coaching of the CBP official of what he was processing has something to do with this. There was a little of dear, headlamps, while I explained this was a renewal, the forms he needs to check are here, here and here. I just need you to stamp here and update the terminal.
Before that, GE was possibly the best $100 (+GBP 45) I have ever spent.
J
To be clear. My first time after renewal, you have to have a manual entry. This was performed in LAX.
I do wonder if my coaching of the CBP official of what he was processing has something to do with this. There was a little of dear, headlamps, while I explained this was a renewal, the forms he needs to check are here, here and here. I just need you to stamp here and update the terminal.
Before that, GE was possibly the best $100 (+GBP 45) I have ever spent.
J
Oct 25, 2019, 10:08 pm
#193
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Hi maininblack,
<redacted by moderator>
You are correct, on my last trip I did bypass the normal line, as these are mainly e-machines in Boston Logon, the line is not the old fashioned 90 mins line, more your 15 mins line. GE, as you are aware is a very quick 60 second affair normally.
However, after being escorted to secondary and all the being looked upon like a common criminal, until proven otherwise, plus the 90 min delay, the folks in the normal immigration lines have long left the airport, leaving me with a much larger delay and having paid money for the delay.
So I think the answer to your second question is no. There are no long lines. My initial ask was to see if others had experienced this issue and the if anyone could comment on the validity of the IO "You must present your I-129"
<redacted by moderator>
You are correct, on my last trip I did bypass the normal line, as these are mainly e-machines in Boston Logon, the line is not the old fashioned 90 mins line, more your 15 mins line. GE, as you are aware is a very quick 60 second affair normally.
However, after being escorted to secondary and all the being looked upon like a common criminal, until proven otherwise, plus the 90 min delay, the folks in the normal immigration lines have long left the airport, leaving me with a much larger delay and having paid money for the delay.
So I think the answer to your second question is no. There are no long lines. My initial ask was to see if others had experienced this issue and the if anyone could comment on the validity of the IO "You must present your I-129"
Last edited by TWA884; Oct 25, 2019 at 10:46 pm Reason: FT Rule 18: Comment on moderator's action
Oct 31, 2019, 3:11 pm
#194
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
I entered the US again yesterday. Dreaded X again via the GE Terminal.
As I approached the IO I pulled a huge pile of paperwork and placed it on the counter. I explained to the IM that I now always get this issue with the X.
They took a look at the computer, looked at my visa and explained that my visa is only valid until March 2019. I explained that no, it was renewed and as the expiration date on the visa is March 2021, as printed, there was no need for the issue of a new visa to extend the validity.
Another screen was looked at on the terminal and then "Oh, can I see your 797" - Handed 797, receipt number typed into the terminal.
Was then informed that it seems I will always get the X now unless I get a new visa issued due to the system, even after renewal the system shows the initial 3 year grant only, even tho it has been renewed. The passport was then stamped and I was on my way.
So after being told I need to show my I-129(not this time), now the I-797, what will I be asked for and told next time??
As I approached the IO I pulled a huge pile of paperwork and placed it on the counter. I explained to the IM that I now always get this issue with the X.
They took a look at the computer, looked at my visa and explained that my visa is only valid until March 2019. I explained that no, it was renewed and as the expiration date on the visa is March 2021, as printed, there was no need for the issue of a new visa to extend the validity.
Another screen was looked at on the terminal and then "Oh, can I see your 797" - Handed 797, receipt number typed into the terminal.
Was then informed that it seems I will always get the X now unless I get a new visa issued due to the system, even after renewal the system shows the initial 3 year grant only, even tho it has been renewed. The passport was then stamped and I was on my way.
So after being told I need to show my I-129(not this time), now the I-797, what will I be asked for and told next time??
Dec 25, 2019, 6:58 pm
#195
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 174
I entered the US again yesterday. Dreaded X again via the GE Terminal.
As I approached the IO I pulled a huge pile of paperwork and placed it on the counter. I explained to the IM that I now always get this issue with the X.
They took a look at the computer, looked at my visa and explained that my visa is only valid until March 2019. I explained that no, it was renewed and as the expiration date on the visa is March 2021, as printed, there was no need for the issue of a new visa to extend the validity.
Another screen was looked at on the terminal and then "Oh, can I see your 797" - Handed 797, receipt number typed into the terminal.
Was then informed that it seems I will always get the X now unless I get a new visa issued due to the system, even after renewal the system shows the initial 3 year grant only, even tho it has been renewed. The passport was then stamped and I was on my way.
So after being told I need to show my I-129(not this time), now the I-797, what will I be asked for and told next time??
As I approached the IO I pulled a huge pile of paperwork and placed it on the counter. I explained to the IM that I now always get this issue with the X.
They took a look at the computer, looked at my visa and explained that my visa is only valid until March 2019. I explained that no, it was renewed and as the expiration date on the visa is March 2021, as printed, there was no need for the issue of a new visa to extend the validity.
Another screen was looked at on the terminal and then "Oh, can I see your 797" - Handed 797, receipt number typed into the terminal.
Was then informed that it seems I will always get the X now unless I get a new visa issued due to the system, even after renewal the system shows the initial 3 year grant only, even tho it has been renewed. The passport was then stamped and I was on my way.
So after being told I need to show my I-129(not this time), now the I-797, what will I be asked for and told next time??
As a US citizen, I don't get the nuances of your situation without more research than I can give it. But I think those folks who are supporting it from it afar can help more than getting frustrated at the border.