GUWonder

At BOS, EWR, and even sometimes at ORD, I have sometimes found the MPC users in my travel parties going from the federal inspection hall to the landslide public arrivals area faster than GE users. It's infrequently the case, but it happens enough times that MPC has been useful even for some GE members like me. I would suggest that applicable GE members have MPC set up for use too -- all in the off-chance that the functioning GE machines and/or lines for it make it apparent that MPC may get the person around having to wait longer for a functioning GE machine or whatever line follows the machine use for the GE member using GE.

Curtis Miller

Good advice. I got Mobile Pass (for SEA) just before I got Global Entry. At SEA, Mobile Pass cuts in the front of the line for regular entry. And no kiosks and fewer people than GE. It has been excellent each time I used it. It has its own desk at customs as well. So easy and free of charge. Most of my domestic flights (SEA-PDX) automatically have pre-check. So, I probably will use GE primarily for pre-check on non-SEA domestic flights, unless the system changes under DT or mobile pass becomes too popular.

theise

Ok, I'm traveling from ICN with my wife (UA892 arriving Oct 22). I have Global Entry, and she just set up Mobile Passport for the first time.

Do these two two systems use different kiosks (I'm thinking yes); assuming yes, how far apart are they?

i'm wanting not to get separated from my wife (she's a very infrequent international traveller).

Thanks for your advice!

747FC

GE kiosks are to the left when entering the hall. Not close to Mobile Passport. Sorry.

theise

Thanks for the feedback! I went ahead and set up mobile passport for myself, so we wouldn't get split. I'm not sure it actually accomplished anything, as I ended up answering all the same questions at the kiosks.

Come to think of it, this was probably because I didn't look at all the options, and just scanned in my passport (the first option).

My wife muttered a bit, then scanned her passport too. I have the impression she tried the mobile passport and it didn't work for her.

At any rate, we got through quite quickly.

drewguy

Any chance that Global Entry users will be allowed to use the Mobile Passport app instead of the kiosks, but still use the GE line?

As things have evolved it seems like CBP pretty closely checks passports/identity anyway when exiting from the GE line, at least at IAD and a couple other places I've recently entered.

I wouldn't mind entering info on plane instead of at kiosk - because, you know, 45 seconds is worth something to me.

Michilander

I don't recall having my passport checked when exiting the GE kiosks any of the times I have entered at IAD. Did this happen recently?

drewguy

Yes - last three times through - December through early Feb. Cursory, but to confirm GE slip matches passport. (ONe was less than cursory - agent was questioning everyone for a bit)

GUWonder

joshwex90

Using GE, I've never had my passport re-checked. On the flip side, using MPC once, I was able to use the GE line to exit customs, having nothing to do with me being a GE member.

TWA884

A recent question about the Mobile Passport App which was not about a comparison between it and Global Entry or the Automated Passport Control kiosks was moved to the following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

TWA884

Several recent posts discussing procedures at several airports where there are no checks or inspections of Global Entry members upon exiting the baggage claim area and which did not compare Global Entry experiences to those using Mobile Passport App or or the Automated Passport Control kiosks were moved to the following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

TWA884

Several posts discussing CBP procedures at several airports where there is no separate checks at the exit from the customs hall after seeing the immigration official at the exit from the GE kiosks area were moved to the following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

richarddd

Is the best strategy to use the mobile app, then see which line seems faster, GE or MP? I see three issues:

1) There were references in this thread to issues with MP app when you are bringing in permitted food. Is that still the case?

2) There had been a question as to whether using the MP app would block you from using GE. This seems not to be the case, based on posts here and the FAQ for the MP app , which includes:

"It is great to use both the “Trusted Traveler” programs and the Mobile Passport app so you can choose the shortest line and breeze through Customs on your preferred program. Your results may vary depending on the airport and the time of day." https://mobilepassport.us/#question18

This seems to confirm that using the app doesn't shut you out from GE and that the answer to my question about the best strategy is "yes" - use the app, then pick the shortest line.

3) A prior advantage of GE was avoiding the customs line. Now that they've unified passport control and customs, this advantage is gone, at least in some airports. Discussion of this change is in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trus...screening.html

MojaveFlyer

I don't have GE. Should I sign up for Mobile Passport Control on my next trip? Is there a downside to using it and then finding that it makes sense to just go through the normal "automatic" machines that do the same thing (ask questions, scan pp, take selfie)? If it matters, my home port is BOS.

I see varied reviews online. Some say "as good as GE". Others say "They put you in the normal lines anyway, doesn't save any time". At BOS the wait is all in the time it takes between the APC machines and the human who looks at the passport. If using the mobile app just means you don't have to stop to use the machines on the way to the usually way-too-slow line, that's worth about 3 minutes, not a big deal. But I can't really figure out how it works. Any experience or does everyone who flies international frequently just go with GE?