The dreaded "X" with Global Entry
Sep 18, 2014, 7:59 am
#61
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
Oct 6, 2014, 2:48 pm
#63
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 48
Never an X on my first 15 or so trips; have now gotten X's on my last two trips.
On the last one I asked the agent whether I had done something wrong. He said I had a common name and the computer wanted an agent to verify that I'm the right one with my name. That doesn't make sense, though: my name is not really common.
Any advice?
On the last one I asked the agent whether I had done something wrong. He said I had a common name and the computer wanted an agent to verify that I'm the right one with my name. That doesn't make sense, though: my name is not really common.
Any advice?
Dec 1, 2014, 1:36 pm
#64
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
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Same here. Once five years ago, then 30 or 40 entries without. Now after renewal twice in a row.
Same here. Once five years ago, then 30 or 40 entries without. Now after renewal twice in a row.
Dec 2, 2014, 6:51 am
#66
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
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Always get them. Probably has something to do with my I-20, since an agent once tried to stop me from always getting the X but was evidently unsuccessful. It's still fast, but annoying since I end up getting asked the same questions as though I hadn't used GE
Always get them. Probably has something to do with my I-20, since an agent once tried to stop me from always getting the X but was evidently unsuccessful. It's still fast, but annoying since I end up getting asked the same questions as though I hadn't used GE
Dec 2, 2014, 10:30 am
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Never in dozens of uses over the past 4 years at multiple entry points. However my Dad just got the X because he has dry fingers and the scanner could not get his prints. I advised him to slather some amenity kit moisturizer on his hands next time.
Dec 2, 2014, 11:40 am
#68
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,701
They need to mount sanitizers by the kiosks. Sometimes those fingerprint screens are so greasy it's disgusting - but it is what a lot of people have to do to get a good 'read'.
Dec 2, 2014, 12:36 pm
#69
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
All the time, I'm always declaring random things (usually food or electronics I bought abroad).
I have found for most food, they don't give a damn; for electronics there is no duty, so even if I'm over the duty free amount there is nothing to pay.
I have found for most food, they don't give a damn; for electronics there is no duty, so even if I'm over the duty free amount there is nothing to pay.
Dec 2, 2014, 12:50 pm
#70
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Silver, IHG Plat AMB, Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis Presidents Club; Caesars Diamond Plus
Posts: 641
All X's all the time
I always get them. My fingerprints are not terribly 'clear' and they never registered properly at the GE interview/enrollment. The officer said I'd always get an "X" and not to worry about it. He was correct. Never once have I not gotten the "X." Doesn't seem to be a problem, though. I just show my passport to the officer at the desk and am on my way. One tip for getting your prints to show up a bit better without having to use hand lotion -- touch your fingers to your forehead or face. Sometimes the natural oils from your skin are enough to do the job.
Dec 5, 2014, 3:23 am
#71
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
I always get them. My fingerprints are not terribly 'clear' and they never registered properly at the GE interview/enrollment. The officer said I'd always get an "X" and not to worry about it. He was correct. Never once have I not gotten the "X." Doesn't seem to be a problem, though. I just show my passport to the officer at the desk and am on my way. One tip for getting your prints to show up a bit better without having to use hand lotion -- touch your fingers to your forehead or face. Sometimes the natural oils from your skin are enough to do the job.
I asked the guy each time why I got the X and he had no idea, but didn't seem too concerned. He clicked something in the computer and let me straight through w/o any sort of questions.
I have noticed the machine takes a LONG time now. After I complete the questions, it counts down a good 30-45 seconds before giving me the X. Not sure why that is, but was not like that before I renewed.
Dec 5, 2014, 4:22 pm
#73
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
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That's definitely not my issue
Originally Posted by tonyfeuz
If you try and use GE and your passport is within 6 months of expiring, you will get an "X"
Dec 9, 2014, 5:05 pm
#74
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
I got the "X" for the first time last night. I was traveling back from the Dominican Republic via EWR. Didn't notice to X until I walked over, held up the paper to show the agent in the booth and he called me over. First thing he said was "have you ever been arrested" to which I replied No. He checked a few things on his screen and then handed my passport to another agent standing next to him who then escorted to a room. Waited for a few minutes and another gentleman came out with my passport. His question to me was "What do you do for a living". I told him and pulled out a business card to show as confirmation. He walked me out to the baggage area to get my bag. The bags hadn't started coming out as yet so he told me to wait and went back. He returned a few minutes later, gave me my passport and told me when my bags arrived that I should just get it and go. He indicated that a computer algorithm prompted the search. I told him that I recall there being a notice when I signed up for the program that I may still be subject to a search so I guess that was one of the is one of those instances.
In retrospect today, the incident didn't take long but it was pretty nerve wrecking (not in the 'I'm fearful' way but more in the 'what going on' way). I did leave me wondering if I have something to worry about which I why I'm hear today. Certainly haven't done anything wrong but it does sent one into a self reflection phase. I will say that I flight was booked last minute (it was a last minute birthday get a way) and I initially booked a flight to Bogotá Columbia before noticing the weather was bad then cancelled that flight and booked one to Dominican Republic where the weather was good. Starting wondering if that last minute booking, cancellation, and rebooking had anything to do with it. It's also odd that the person who started this thread had their fist X incident while traveling back from the Dominican Republic which is what happened to me as well.
In retrospect today, the incident didn't take long but it was pretty nerve wrecking (not in the 'I'm fearful' way but more in the 'what going on' way). I did leave me wondering if I have something to worry about which I why I'm hear today. Certainly haven't done anything wrong but it does sent one into a self reflection phase. I will say that I flight was booked last minute (it was a last minute birthday get a way) and I initially booked a flight to Bogotá Columbia before noticing the weather was bad then cancelled that flight and booked one to Dominican Republic where the weather was good. Starting wondering if that last minute booking, cancellation, and rebooking had anything to do with it. It's also odd that the person who started this thread had their fist X incident while traveling back from the Dominican Republic which is what happened to me as well.
Dec 10, 2014, 12:37 am
#75
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
As my post earlier this year stated, I felt that way too since my two out of the last three entries into the US received the X. (The third one doesn't count since I had goods to declare, so I got the O as expected.) There's nothing to worry about, and the X can happen for many reasons such as a bad fingerprint reading or random. Don't let the occasional X concern you at all. Just flag down a CBP officer when it happens and ask how to proceed.