Global Entry vs. Mobile Passport App vs. APC
Sep 30, 2016, 7:53 am
#76
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The last two times I have flown back to the US I noticed that for regular US Citizens they have the machines they can use. My colleagues who travel with me seem to get through the normal line at the same time I get through the GE one. The only difference was after getting your bag and being able to cut in front of the line to exit. With this has anyone thought about not renewing?
Because different airports have different arrangements and due to increased odds for PreCheck, I'm probably going to keep renewing GE.
Oct 4, 2016, 10:37 am
#77
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Does everyone qualify to use Mobile Passport? What if GE was revoked for an apple...does that preclude you from using Mobile Passport?
Oct 5, 2016, 6:30 pm
#79
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Oct 9, 2016, 9:03 pm
#80
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Can I use GE if I fill the app on landing?
I didn't see an answer to this. Can I fill the app when I land and choose between mobile and GE lines when I get to them?
Oct 27, 2016, 7:51 pm
#81
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Since no one seemed to know, I decided to try it today. Upon landing at SFO, I filled out the information in the app, but then went to the GE kiosk. The GE kiosk accepted me just fine (although, strangely, it made me go through a flight selection process that I don't normally have to do; I do not know if that's related or not. I doubt it).
Oct 28, 2016, 7:31 am
#82
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Since no one seemed to know, I decided to try it today. Upon landing at SFO, I filled out the information in the app, but then went to the GE kiosk. The GE kiosk accepted me just fine (although, strangely, it made me go through a flight selection process that I don't normally have to do; I do not know if that's related or not. I doubt it).
By the way, I have had to go through the flight selection process a couple of times in the years I have GE. System seems to mis-identify your flight once in a while, so I doubt it had anything to do with having filled out the app.
Oct 29, 2016, 3:42 am
#83
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Since no one seemed to know, I decided to try it today. Upon landing at SFO, I filled out the information in the app, but then went to the GE kiosk. The GE kiosk accepted me just fine (although, strangely, it made me go through a flight selection process that I don't normally have to do; I do not know if that's related or not. I doubt it).
Nov 2, 2016, 2:45 pm
#84
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My wife and I just got back from Italy last week with some permitted food. I tried to use Mobile Passport, but it wouldn't let me, presumably because I had marked that we had brought food. Instead, b/c only I have GE, we went to the APC kiosks to fill out our info. B/c I indicated that we had food, we had a stripe/mark on our receipt. Immigration and customs officers both barely gave it a glance.
Note: Since this was my first time using the kiosks, I didn't realize you could put both people on a single receipt. Instead, my wife and I each entered our info on separate kiosks. I don't think it added any time at immigration or customs, though.
Note: Since this was my first time using the kiosks, I didn't realize you could put both people on a single receipt. Instead, my wife and I each entered our info on separate kiosks. I don't think it added any time at immigration or customs, though.
Dec 22, 2016, 1:31 pm
#85
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What's the GE vs regular Kiosk and checking for earlier GE interview
Have any one successfully getting earlier interview dates in SFO lately simply by checking on the website often?
I was sent to Kiosk last year at SFO when I did not have GE. What's to gain with the GE I am applying now?
I was sent to Kiosk last year at SFO when I did not have GE. What's to gain with the GE I am applying now?
Last edited by Larch2017; Dec 22, 2016 at 1:32 pm Reason: to be consistent with the subject
Dec 22, 2016, 1:56 pm
#86
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As the US has increasingly allowed non-US and non-Canadian citizens to use the APC kiosks too, the lines to use APC kiosks have gotten longer and slower -- and its such that appreciation for GE and MPC only increases as it really does save a lot of time when things are busy.
Dec 22, 2016, 1:57 pm
#87
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I moved your question to the thread discussing the differences between the Global Entry, the Mobile Passport App and the Automated Passport Control programs.
As for your question concerning interview dates, please check the following threads:
And:
Global Entry Walk-In Interviews
SFO - San Francisco Int'l Airport - Int'l Arrivals Level
Note: It has been confirmed that there are six walk-in spots available twice a day: 7am & 3pm.
Obviously, to increase your chances of one of those spots, you will need to arrive earlier than those times.
Note: It has been confirmed that there are six walk-in spots available twice a day: 7am & 3pm.
Obviously, to increase your chances of one of those spots, you will need to arrive earlier than those times.
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Dec 22, 2016, 3:10 pm
#88
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The APC kiosk user experience can involve very long and very slow Lines, especially compared to GE kiosk user experiences.
As the US has increasingly allowed non-US and non-Canadian citizens to use the APC kiosks too, the lines to use APC kiosks have gotten longer and slower -- and its such that appreciation for GE and MPC only increases as it really does save a lot of time when things are busy.
As the US has increasingly allowed non-US and non-Canadian citizens to use the APC kiosks too, the lines to use APC kiosks have gotten longer and slower -- and its such that appreciation for GE and MPC only increases as it really does save a lot of time when things are busy.
Dec 22, 2016, 3:28 pm
#89
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APC does not. MPC often does. GE most often does. The post-baggage claim lines can make a difference, but the extreme variance in time there is not as bad as it is with the passport control lines.
Dec 23, 2016, 11:12 pm
#90
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Interesting. I guess it's worth downloading the MPC App in the event GE goes FUBAR (or you forget to add your new passport to your GE profile - doh! 
) However I have not had to wait more than a minute to use GE since they expanded the # of kiosks several years ago (at one time there were only 4 and not all in service!) And there are only 4 GE questions that are easy to check off. And my GE renewal fee gets rebated back by CSR. So I can't see any real incentive to use MP. At all.
At this point I find the longest lines and time wastage occurs when everyone funnels into one checkpoint @SFO where the CBP drone checks your customs form before permitting you to proceed into the baggage claim area. @SFO I have seen this back up by 20-30 people - you get someone with questions and it's a PITA as there is no workaround for anyone. At IAH they used to have a dedicated CBP agent to review the GE receipt and then you were on your way. But it does seem like a full employment act in places where you essentially have 2 CBP agents reviewing the receipt before baggage claim.
In terms of the customs inspection, the regular lines are all over the place. But sometimes they are quite long, and that's when I smile as I stroll down the GE lane.
We pay for our children to have GE status even though they never use it more than 2x a year. So I'm a bit biased, but I find it well worth the money. I'll pay $20 to avoid potentially waiting in a 1 hour line with kids any day. YMMV
) However I have not had to wait more than a minute to use GE since they expanded the # of kiosks several years ago (at one time there were only 4 and not all in service!) And there are only 4 GE questions that are easy to check off. And my GE renewal fee gets rebated back by CSR. So I can't see any real incentive to use MP. At all.At this point I find the longest lines and time wastage occurs when everyone funnels into one checkpoint @SFO where the CBP drone checks your customs form before permitting you to proceed into the baggage claim area. @SFO I have seen this back up by 20-30 people - you get someone with questions and it's a PITA as there is no workaround for anyone. At IAH they used to have a dedicated CBP agent to review the GE receipt and then you were on your way. But it does seem like a full employment act in places where you essentially have 2 CBP agents reviewing the receipt before baggage claim.
In terms of the customs inspection, the regular lines are all over the place. But sometimes they are quite long, and that's when I smile as I stroll down the GE lane.
We pay for our children to have GE status even though they never use it more than 2x a year. So I'm a bit biased, but I find it well worth the money. I'll pay $20 to avoid potentially waiting in a 1 hour line with kids any day. YMMV