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The dreaded "X" with Global Entry

The dreaded "X" with Global Entry

Old Dec 22, 2016, 8:08 am
  #136  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I appreciate each of the above entries explaining some experiences w/ the X. Thanks so much.
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Old Dec 23, 2016, 11:40 am
  #137  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Originally Posted by wilp888
I used to have the same problem with dry fingers until a CBP officer told me to try rubbing my fingers on my forehead before the scan. Haven't had a problem since.
Thanks for passing on that tip! I'll be sure to give it a try. Scanners for GE, Clear, etc. almost always have a hard time reading my fingerprints. But then, automatic faucets have a hard time detecting my hands, too!
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Old Dec 23, 2016, 11:44 am
  #138  
 
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I always get X'd, and the officers usually couldn't care less: one time I got the quick standard border questioning (how long are you here for, what are you doing), most of the time they just do the paperwork (and photo/fingerprints again).

I imagine they can see the reason on screen, if it's fingerprint or IT issues they'll probably deal with you without a second glance.
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Old Dec 24, 2016, 4:15 pm
  #139  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 506
Would it be bad security practice to ask you to try again like an iPhone does when it doesn't recognize your prints?

I've never had a problem with the GE machines yet but man there are days when my iPhone just doesn't want to unlock until I rub my fingers a bit. Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to let you try again or maybe even post a tip on the kiosk? <redacted>.

Last edited by TWA884; Dec 24, 2016 at 7:37 pm Reason: More appropriate for the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum
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Old Dec 25, 2016, 7:11 am
  #140  
 
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Originally Posted by dmo580
Would it be bad security practice to ask you to try again like an iPhone does when it doesn't recognize your prints?

I've never had a problem with the GE machines yet but man there are days when my iPhone just doesn't want to unlock until I rub my fingers a bit. Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to let you try again or maybe even post a tip on the kiosk? <redacted>.
It does. It'll give you a second chance if it doesn't read properly the first time.
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Old Mar 29, 2017, 12:37 am
  #141  
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
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I recently got sentri w/GE I was warned I would get an X a few times because of a juvenile arrest 20 years ago.

At customs today I just said juvenile arrest 20 years ago as I knew what was causing he issue. The agent laughed and said no problem, signed my GE receipt and I was GTG.

They were very nice and said the system just needs to update and it takes a while.


That being said I just flew PVR-OAK-SAN oakland had 3 international flights arrive at once with 1 customs line open. Loved having GE, huge difference. I previously only had TSA PRE.
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Old Apr 2, 2017, 5:14 pm
  #142  
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
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I get it all the time.. i just say the truth . arrest as a minor being flagged. they always just laugh, sign the form and im on my way.
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Old Apr 3, 2017, 3:29 am
  #143  
 
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Originally Posted by nbirnbaum2
I get it all the time.. i just say the truth . arrest as a minor being flagged. they always just laugh, sign the form and im on my way.
The way it's supposed to work is that if you have GE and prior criminal offenses, after six months of no issues the X should stop.

If you've had GE longer than six months, the flag should have been removed. If it wasn't, you need to visit a GE office and ask for "demotion." That is the correct term to remove the flag.
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Old Apr 4, 2017, 4:07 pm
  #144  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
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I got the X for the first time a couple months ago after arriving at ATL from Guatemala City on DL. I was late arriving at the GUA airport and had to go find the back office for Delta because the checkin agents were no longer at the counter... I had already checked in online for the flight but you must have a printed BP at GUA so I needed them to print me one. The agent gave me my BP's and I made the flight but the GE kiosk at ATL did not ask the usual question of "did you arrive on flight xxx from xxx?". The customs agent asked me where I came in from and if I had anything to declare... I told him, and said nothing to declare..and I was on my way.. no questions asked when leaving the customs are either.
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Old Aug 2, 2017, 3:05 pm
  #145  
 
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This might not be best thread but had an unusual experience with Global Entry at EWR today. Arrived on UA961 from FRA and went to GE kiosk. Answered questions and a gpbig "X" appeared on screen and kiosk spit out a receipt with a big "X". Agent escorted me then to a holding area where another agent scrutinized my PP AND THEN X-rayed my bag. Then I was left to leave. I asked but they would not say
Has anyone lose experienced this? Shed light on it? Thanks
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Old Aug 2, 2017, 4:19 pm
  #146  
 
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Originally Posted by manstein58
This might not be best thread but had an unusual experience with Global Entry at EWR today. Arrived on UA961 from FRA and went to GE kiosk. Answered questions and a gpbig "X" appeared on screen and kiosk spit out a receipt with a big "X". Agent escorted me then to a holding area where another agent scrutinized my PP AND THEN X-rayed my bag. Then I was left to leave. I asked but they would not say
Has anyone lose experienced this? Shed light on it? Thanks
This happened to me the first year of my GE membership. In my case, I was told that it was a random inspection to check compliance. My bags were x-rayed and then opened and checked by a CBP officer while another plain clothes officer stood with a clipboard. After the inspection, I was thanked for my cooperation and I was free to go. I have not had another "X" in the 6 years since that incident. I wouldn't worry too much about the inspection.
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Old Aug 2, 2017, 4:35 pm
  #147  
 
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Originally Posted by wilp888
This happened to me the first year of my GE membership. In my case, I was told that it was a random inspection to check compliance. My bags were x-rayed and then opened and checked by a CBP officer while another plain clothes officer stood with a clipboard. After the inspection, I was thanked for my cooperation and I was free to go. I have not had another "X" in the 6 years since that incident. I wouldn't worry too much about the inspection.
Thanks. Been GE since 2012 and this was an unsettling first
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Old Aug 3, 2017, 2:58 am
  #148  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Originally Posted by manstein58
Thanks. Been GE since 2012 and this was an unsettling first
I have been a member of GE since late 2010. Received my first X this week. As far as I can tell I did nothing wrong. I had been travelling for about 33 solid hours and was a little slow working the kiosk. But otherwise there was nothing in my answers or travel that would raise a flag. I had stayed in the Kruger NP area of South Africa.

Went to immigration line. Was asked where I was travelling from, purpose of the trip and did I have any animal and agricultural products (I had been in a rural/wild animal area for my travels and the question was pertinent) after asking about my trip to Kruger. Given a stamp on the GE receipt and on my way. Took less than a minute,

My guess is it was either triggered by my slow time at the kiosk or just a random check. Not worried about it as even if they did a full baggage inspection I had nothing that would have raised any issues.
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Old Aug 6, 2017, 9:02 pm
  #149  
 
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Reviving this old thread -- sorry.

Just wanted to add in, I received GE last year (June?) in San Antonio during a trip (saw a last minute availability, got lucky)

I was approved but asked about a juvenile arrest/misdemeanor.

Going through Montreal last September, I received the dreaded X.
Went up to the window, agent asked for my drivers license + passport, looked at his computer, then me, asked me what I was doing in YUL, how long I was here for, am I bringing anything in (I said no, but totally forgot about the maple syrup in my bag) -- could see my bag on his screen, and he sent me on my way and that was that.


Found it kind of odd, but it sounds like Juvenile record is flagged for 6 months after account opening.

Using it in a couple weeks, hope that I don't get the X again.
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Old Oct 16, 2017, 1:15 pm
  #150  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 8
I have used GE 4 times, all 4 I got an X. This last trip they sent my to secondary screening.

The officer asked a lot of questions. Then he asked for my cell phone, asked to unlock it and to return to my seat. After 15-20 minutes he called me back and handed my passport and phone, just said 'you can go'.

He opened text messages, contacts, file manager, chats, photo gallery (still open). Don't know if he looked at something else.

I saw people from my flight already after the check point and I had to wait 15 min line.

I may try the 'regular line' next time, to see if the officer ask me many questions and/or send me to secondary again.
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