May 4, 2017, 12:01 am
Last edit by: drewguy
US Airports
Atlanta (ATL)
E concourse/transfer passengers
Global Entry kiosks are on the left wall as you enter the immigration area (the queues for the non-GE are to the right). After completing with the kiosk (facial recognition, no reset), continue to the far side of the room and turn right for the GE exit booths. Your face will be matched visually by the agent (against a line up of those recently through the kiosks) and you proceed to baggage claim. If you have no problems with your connecting flight (and no reason to open the bags) move them over to the drop off belt. There are two queues at security. Sometimes one is set up as TSA Precheck, sometimes they are both regular. Amusingly, when they have a Precheck line, there's usually nobody in the other one.
Boston (BOS)
All passengers follow a first hallway, then a bend, entering a second hallway; at that point you see the non-GE situation to your left through the glass. GE kiosks are at the far end to the left, with one (or two) immigration agents checking for slips with an X, then downstairs to baggage claim. GE customs exit, easy to miss, at far end (left side as you face luggage belts).
Charlotte (CLT)
No MPC. Customs exit has two booths. There is a dedicated GE customs lane with signage on the left. May have to walk past (and get dirty looks) general customs queue to see GE signage.
Chicago (ORD)
The kiosks are immediately apparent as you come down to the immigration/customs area, although sometimes long lines for "regular" immigration can slow access to the kiosks. After baggage claim there is a single exit to transfer/arrivals, with a specific desk for GE customers sometimes staffed.
Denver (DEN)
After the long walk from your gate, signs for global entry point you straight down the escalator (non-GE get forms checked and may queue). Kiosks to right using 2.0. If an X or to declare a sign points to agent. Otherwise proceed to baggage reclaim area. Give slip to agent at exit and proceed to airport main entrance.
Houston (IAH):
There is a single, roped off separate area on southern (terminal E) end of the arrivals hall with kiosks as you enter the hall, and an additional bank of kiosks near officers at a desk that check (and keep) GE receipts as one is entering the central immigration area. Proceed to the bag claim escalator past agents that may pull people for further questioning. After claiming bags downstairs, proceed directly to recheck. Agents in the area may pull you aside for bag inspection. There is no GE or standard exit queue.
Los Angeles (LAX):
International arrivals come into the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). After the walk to escalators, GE lines are well marked. LAX uses GE 2.0 facial recognition - just smile at the camera and it will tell you what to do next. You'll then go past an agent with whatever interaction they deem necessary. On to baggage claim and either taxis or a connecting flight.
Miami (MIA):
The kiosks are in the centre of the hall, between US and Tourists. Turn left when you have cleared and down the stairs/escalator to Customs. Turn left at the bottom and your GE Customs line is there.
New York (JFK):
T8
After receiving your "non-X" GE slip, you proceed to baggage area (if you have any), then head for the customs agent. There is a sign on a stand: "GLOBAL ENTRY EXIT", this lets you bypass any "others" waiting to see an agent.; There is a CPB agent who checks your pp (after collecting your slip). You then go to collect your luggage (if you have any), unless you are singled out for extra scrutiny, you are free to leave.
Once you are in baggage collection area, it seems all pax have "equal status" since GE no longer have their slips. [GE pax would still have their GE cards to show if needed.]
T7
Upon arrival in the Immigration area, the kiosks are on the back wall, facing the front of the inspectors booths. Turn left and you may have to walk right across the area to get to them. There is a special exit for Customs.
Philadelphia (PHL):
Global Entry kiosks are immediately on the right if arriving from an A-East gate (A2-A13). After successful facial recognition take your receipt to the Global Entry cubicle next to the kiosks. Hold up your receipt as your pass the GE officer in the cubicle and tell them if you have anything to declare. After claiming checked luggage, exit the FIS through the GE customs line, and give the officer your receipt.
San Francisco (SFO):
International arrivals G concourse - United/*A
Corridor from planes with floor and ceiling markings for different categories (GE, MPC, US, Foreign) that ultimately end up in lanes demarcated with tensa-barriers. GE is to the far left, where the kiosks are along the wall. Use kiosk, wait for agent, who will ask any questions, then pickup any bags and head past all carousels. Connecting flights to left; exit to right.
Seattle
Just before taking the escalator to the baggage hall the GE kiosks are on the right. New software so no receipts. After baggage collection join queue to the left for GE passengers. Agent asks questions as well as checks you for the GE kiosk record.
Washington (IAD):
Main Terminal
The kiosks are around the corner to the far right after you come down the escalator from the moon rover, behind a metal swinging gate marked for crew and GE.Starting Spring 2017 After using the kiosk, you'll enter a lane to for an agent to review your slip and to make any declarations (food, etc.), and then you proceed out a central door to the baggage claim area. There is no further check after this point. Post-2021: Using GE 2.0 and agents tend to take more time studying passport; door to baggage area a bit closer to GE checkpoint. Spring 2023: New facial scanners in place that are touchless - just look at screen, it images face, and directs you (in most cases) to proceed to the line. CBP agent confirms identity and checks passport, and asks if anything to declare.
Midfield (transfers) terminal (UA-UA only; limited hours)
The GE terminals are against the wall, on the left, immediately that you enter the arrivals immigration area. Do not join the barricaded area as you have gone too far. After you have your receipt you walk down the back of the inspectors booths to Customs. Note: No TSAPre available here.
Foreign Preclearance Airports
Montreal (YUL)
(All US bound flights)After CATSA security, the GE machines will be in your left. Facial recognition and no receipts will be issued just instructions to proceed to US or GE officer.
Vancouver (YVR)
(Most daytime US-bound flights. Not available for late-evening / night US-bound flights) GE/Nexus get expedited access to security, although it takes a bit of talking to convince the line guard to grant access because there is no reason to carry the GE card for air travel. Post security, the GE machines are in a dedicated area off to the left. After getting the receipt, you hand your receipt, passport and boarding pass to an available agent. Agent scans your boarding pass and if you have checked bags, a picture of your bag is displayed to the officer. American Citizens are waved past with ease. Non-American citizens are required to answer the standard "Where are you going / what are you doing" questions that apply to non-American citizen travellers. Non-American business travelers using GE at YVR can expect all the standard probing immigration-related questions regarding the nature of your business in the USA.
Dublin (DUB)
Preclearance:
After security, find 3 or 4 GE kiosks located on the left hand side. After getting the receipt, walk up to the CBP agent on the far left (from the passengers' point of view). Need to stop at CBP agent's desk and hand over passport + receipt + boarding pass. The BP is scanned to bring up picture(s) of bag(s) (in case bags were checked).
Atlanta (ATL)
E concourse/transfer passengers
Global Entry kiosks are on the left wall as you enter the immigration area (the queues for the non-GE are to the right). After completing with the kiosk (facial recognition, no reset), continue to the far side of the room and turn right for the GE exit booths. Your face will be matched visually by the agent (against a line up of those recently through the kiosks) and you proceed to baggage claim. If you have no problems with your connecting flight (and no reason to open the bags) move them over to the drop off belt. There are two queues at security. Sometimes one is set up as TSA Precheck, sometimes they are both regular. Amusingly, when they have a Precheck line, there's usually nobody in the other one.
Boston (BOS)
All passengers follow a first hallway, then a bend, entering a second hallway; at that point you see the non-GE situation to your left through the glass. GE kiosks are at the far end to the left, with one (or two) immigration agents checking for slips with an X, then downstairs to baggage claim. GE customs exit, easy to miss, at far end (left side as you face luggage belts).
Charlotte (CLT)
No MPC. Customs exit has two booths. There is a dedicated GE customs lane with signage on the left. May have to walk past (and get dirty looks) general customs queue to see GE signage.
Chicago (ORD)
The kiosks are immediately apparent as you come down to the immigration/customs area, although sometimes long lines for "regular" immigration can slow access to the kiosks. After baggage claim there is a single exit to transfer/arrivals, with a specific desk for GE customers sometimes staffed.
Denver (DEN)
After the long walk from your gate, signs for global entry point you straight down the escalator (non-GE get forms checked and may queue). Kiosks to right using 2.0. If an X or to declare a sign points to agent. Otherwise proceed to baggage reclaim area. Give slip to agent at exit and proceed to airport main entrance.
Houston (IAH):
There is a single, roped off separate area on southern (terminal E) end of the arrivals hall with kiosks as you enter the hall, and an additional bank of kiosks near officers at a desk that check (and keep) GE receipts as one is entering the central immigration area. Proceed to the bag claim escalator past agents that may pull people for further questioning. After claiming bags downstairs, proceed directly to recheck. Agents in the area may pull you aside for bag inspection. There is no GE or standard exit queue.
Los Angeles (LAX):
International arrivals come into the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). After the walk to escalators, GE lines are well marked. LAX uses GE 2.0 facial recognition - just smile at the camera and it will tell you what to do next. You'll then go past an agent with whatever interaction they deem necessary. On to baggage claim and either taxis or a connecting flight.
Miami (MIA):
The kiosks are in the centre of the hall, between US and Tourists. Turn left when you have cleared and down the stairs/escalator to Customs. Turn left at the bottom and your GE Customs line is there.
New York (JFK):
T8
After receiving your "non-X" GE slip,
Once you are in baggage collection area, it seems all pax have "equal status" since GE no longer have their slips. [GE pax would still have their GE cards to show if needed.]
T7
Upon arrival in the Immigration area, the kiosks are on the back wall, facing the front of the inspectors booths. Turn left and you may have to walk right across the area to get to them. There is a special exit for Customs.
Philadelphia (PHL):
Global Entry kiosks are immediately on the right if arriving from an A-East gate (A2-A13). After successful facial recognition take your receipt to the Global Entry cubicle next to the kiosks. Hold up your receipt as your pass the GE officer in the cubicle and tell them if you have anything to declare. After claiming checked luggage, exit the FIS through the GE customs line, and give the officer your receipt.
San Francisco (SFO):
International arrivals G concourse - United/*A
Corridor from planes with floor and ceiling markings for different categories (GE, MPC, US, Foreign) that ultimately end up in lanes demarcated with tensa-barriers. GE is to the far left, where the kiosks are along the wall. Use kiosk, wait for agent, who will ask any questions, then pickup any bags and head past all carousels. Connecting flights to left; exit to right.
Seattle
Just before taking the escalator to the baggage hall the GE kiosks are on the right. New software so no receipts. After baggage collection join queue to the left for GE passengers. Agent asks questions as well as checks you for the GE kiosk record.
Washington (IAD):
Main Terminal
The kiosks are around the corner to the far right after you come down the escalator from the moon rover, behind a metal swinging gate marked for crew and GE.
Midfield (transfers) terminal (UA-UA only; limited hours)
The GE terminals are against the wall, on the left, immediately that you enter the arrivals immigration area. Do not join the barricaded area as you have gone too far. After you have your receipt you walk down the back of the inspectors booths to Customs. Note: No TSAPre available here.
Foreign Preclearance Airports
Montreal (YUL)
(All US bound flights)After CATSA security, the GE machines will be in your left. Facial recognition and no receipts will be issued just instructions to proceed to US or GE officer.
Vancouver (YVR)
(Most daytime US-bound flights. Not available for late-evening / night US-bound flights) GE/Nexus get expedited access to security, although it takes a bit of talking to convince the line guard to grant access because there is no reason to carry the GE card for air travel. Post security, the GE machines are in a dedicated area off to the left. After getting the receipt, you hand your receipt, passport and boarding pass to an available agent. Agent scans your boarding pass and if you have checked bags, a picture of your bag is displayed to the officer. American Citizens are waved past with ease. Non-American citizens are required to answer the standard "Where are you going / what are you doing" questions that apply to non-American citizen travellers. Non-American business travelers using GE at YVR can expect all the standard probing immigration-related questions regarding the nature of your business in the USA.
Dublin (DUB)
Preclearance:
After security, find 3 or 4 GE kiosks located on the left hand side. After getting the receipt, walk up to the CBP agent on the far left (from the passengers' point of view). Need to stop at CBP agent's desk and hand over passport + receipt + boarding pass. The BP is scanned to bring up picture(s) of bag(s) (in case bags were checked).
How does Global Entry work for You?
May 30, 2018, 7:47 pm
#196
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,378
Of course, they might change the process and protocol a little bit every once in a while and maybe have an officer stand in, but I think I was the only one with GE going through that line as far as I remember. I thought the whole point of GE that you wouldn't have to talk to an officer unless it's a temporary protocol that happened every once in a while.
Take receipt and proceed
1. The kiosk will dispense a paper receipt. Take the receipt,
show it to the CBP officer assigned to the exit control
point.
2. If there is an X across the receipt, take it to the CBP
Officer in the nearest booth for further assistance.
1. The kiosk will dispense a paper receipt. Take the receipt,
show it to the CBP officer assigned to the exit control
point.
2. If there is an X across the receipt, take it to the CBP
Officer in the nearest booth for further assistance.
usually for me, if the line is long, officer typically has fewer questions. if line is short, you may get questions
May 30, 2018, 7:50 pm
#197
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado (anywhere between DEN DMM BAH)
Programs: United MileagePlus, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, NEXUS
Posts: 3,030
pdf: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/fi...info-guide.pdf
you still need to encounter an officer to verify your receipt (that your fingerprints/passport matched your GE record, AND nothing to declare/no secondary screening etc)
you still need to encounter an officer to verify your receipt (that your fingerprints/passport matched your GE record, AND nothing to declare/no secondary screening etc)
May 30, 2018, 9:16 pm
#198
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
As a Canadian with GE, at YYZ I'm just waved through. By contrast, at YVR I get the exactly the same customs & immigration questions from the CBP officer that a non-GE traveller would get.
Last edited by gglave; Jun 6, 2018 at 4:00 pm
Jun 6, 2018, 3:51 pm
#199
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
The one time I've used GE in January 2017, I flew from FRA to IAD and after I landed, used the GE kiosk, printed the paper ticket, went through the GE lane and didn't talk to any officer and went straight to baggage. I took my bag and showed the officer at the very end the ticket, and they didn't ask if I had anything to declare, and just immediately waved me into the U.S. Didn't talk to a single officer.
Of course, they might change the process and protocol a little bit every once in a while and maybe have an officer stand in, but I think I was the only one with GE going through that line as far as I remember. I thought the whole point of GE that you wouldn't have to talk to an officer unless it's a temporary protocol that happened every once in a while.
Of course, they might change the process and protocol a little bit every once in a while and maybe have an officer stand in, but I think I was the only one with GE going through that line as far as I remember. I thought the whole point of GE that you wouldn't have to talk to an officer unless it's a temporary protocol that happened every once in a while.
Aug 16, 2018, 4:56 pm
#200
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
GE Procedures
My last few international flights were before I had GE. We landed at LAX and went to the immigration area. Went to a kiosk, scanned passport, answered some questions, got picture taken, and then brought our receipt to an attendant at the Homeland Security booth. The whole process took about 10 minutes each time. (Granted, we were lucky that there weren't long lines).
Now that we have GE, I had a question about the kiosks.. I've read you still need to go to a kiosk. Still need to answer questions, etc. I guess I'm not understanding, what step in the process does GE expedite? Thanks.
Now that we have GE, I had a question about the kiosks.. I've read you still need to go to a kiosk. Still need to answer questions, etc. I guess I'm not understanding, what step in the process does GE expedite? Thanks.
Aug 16, 2018, 6:01 pm
#201
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,625
Hello @cheaptom,
Since the processing of Global Entry members vary at different airports and your question was not specifically about the Global Entry kiosk declarations or food questions, I moved your question to a thread discussing the GE members experiences at various airports.
You may also want to take a look at the following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Since the processing of Global Entry members vary at different airports and your question was not specifically about the Global Entry kiosk declarations or food questions, I moved your question to a thread discussing the GE members experiences at various airports.
You may also want to take a look at the following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Aug 16, 2018, 6:57 pm
#202
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Hello @cheaptom,
Since the processing of Global Entry members vary at different airports and your question was not specifically about the Global Entry kiosk declarations or food questions, I moved your question to a thread discussing the GE members experiences at various airports.
You may also want to take a look at the following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Since the processing of Global Entry members vary at different airports and your question was not specifically about the Global Entry kiosk declarations or food questions, I moved your question to a thread discussing the GE members experiences at various airports.
You may also want to take a look at the following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Aug 17, 2018, 8:06 am
#203
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: The Sunshine State
Posts: 145
My last few international flights were before I had GE. We landed at LAX and went to the immigration area. Went to a kiosk, scanned passport, answered some questions, got picture taken, and then brought our receipt to an attendant at the Homeland Security booth. The whole process took about 10 minutes each time. (Granted, we were lucky that there weren't long lines).
Now that we have GE, I had a question about the kiosks.. I've read you still need to go to a kiosk. Still need to answer questions, etc. I guess I'm not understanding, what step in the process does GE expedite? Thanks.
Now that we have GE, I had a question about the kiosks.. I've read you still need to go to a kiosk. Still need to answer questions, etc. I guess I'm not understanding, what step in the process does GE expedite? Thanks.
#1 - Much shorter dedicated lines to get to a Kiosk.
#2 - GE makes you eligible for the Mobile Pass app ( where available ) - you fill out the five question form on your mobile device while you are still on the plane ( no Kiosk at all ) get a QR code and show it to a scanner which prints the pass you normally get at a Kiosk - VERY fast of course but you still have to wait for luggage if you have any check baggage - otherwise you are DONE !
Aug 17, 2018, 9:01 am
#204
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,625
GE makes you eligible for the Mobile Pass app ( where available ) - you fill out the five question form on your mobile device while you are still on the plane ( no Kiosk at all ) get a QR code and show it to a scanner which prints the pass you normally get at a Kiosk - VERY fast of course but you still have to wait for luggage if you have any check baggage - otherwise you are DONE !
Aug 17, 2018, 10:32 am
#205
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
GE membership doesn’t make people eligible to use the Mobile Pass app at the applicable US air and cruise ports of entry. The Mobile Pass app AFAIK is still only applicable to U.S. citizens with a valid US passport and for Canadian citizens with a valid Canadian passport and coming in with B1/B2 visa status. GE membership is not required to use the app/MPC, and GE membership doesn’t make people eligible or ineligible to use the app/MPC.
Oct 12, 2018, 4:37 pm
#206
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Flying FCO-EWR-LAX in a few weeks. Just got GE and have never used it yet. Have the number loaded into my UA account. So a few questions please about GE in general and also EWR specifically.
When they hand out those immigration cards on the flight, do we still fill them out like always...and then hand them in once we get to a GE person at EWR? Should be arriving at Terminal B and then connecting in Terminal C. I read a few threads about the Mobile Pass App and how that fits in, but I'm still not clear how and when that comes into play...or if it's even worth using it.
Thanks for any advice.
When they hand out those immigration cards on the flight, do we still fill them out like always...and then hand them in once we get to a GE person at EWR? Should be arriving at Terminal B and then connecting in Terminal C. I read a few threads about the Mobile Pass App and how that fits in, but I'm still not clear how and when that comes into play...or if it's even worth using it.
Thanks for any advice.
Oct 12, 2018, 4:44 pm
#207
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado (anywhere between DEN DMM BAH)
Programs: United MileagePlus, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, NEXUS
Posts: 3,030
Flying FCO-EWR-LAX in a few weeks. Just got GE and have never used it yet. Have the number loaded into my UA account. So a few questions please about GE in general and also EWR specifically.
When they hand out those immigration cards on the flight, do we still fill them out like always...and then hand them in once we get to a GE person at EWR? Should be arriving at Terminal B and then connecting in Terminal C. I read a few threads about the Mobile Pass App and how that fits in, but I'm still not clear how and when that comes into play...or if it's even worth using it.
Thanks for any advice.
When they hand out those immigration cards on the flight, do we still fill them out like always...and then hand them in once we get to a GE person at EWR? Should be arriving at Terminal B and then connecting in Terminal C. I read a few threads about the Mobile Pass App and how that fits in, but I'm still not clear how and when that comes into play...or if it's even worth using it.
Thanks for any advice.
You don't need to fill them out because you're going to answer those questions on the GE kiosk/computer (which you'll need to trigger by scanning your US passport or your green card if you're a permanent resident), which will print out a card with the questions you answered on the kiosk and it'll have your picture. Whenever the printed card comes out of the kiosk, you go to the designated GE lane and an officer will take a quick look at the card then let you go get your bags. After you get your bags, you show that printed card again to the officer who's in charge of agricultural checks on your bags, and you're waived through. Make sure you follow any sign pointing to Global Entry as soon as you disembark the plane, and if you're confused just ask any officers or customs workers around and they should point you to the GE kiosks.
I'm not a US citizen so I haven't been able to use the Mobile Passport app, but given that you have GE, you don't need to use the app. I also never flew through EWR so I hope someone who's an expert on that airport will be of help.
Safe travels!
Last edited by Nayef; Oct 12, 2018 at 4:56 pm Reason: added details as I remembered them
Oct 12, 2018, 7:18 pm
#208
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
I've had GE for some years now. "Rarely / occasionally" the GE machines aren't working for some reason. What I do is to fill out the blue form on the flight - just in case. If GE works, I never use the blue form - I just shred it when I get home. But if GE happens to be unavailable, then I already have the blue form filled out, while other (unprepared) people are filling out their form and only then getting into line.
Oct 12, 2018, 7:41 pm
#209
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
I've had GE for some years now. "Rarely / occasionally" the GE machines aren't working for some reason. What I do is to fill out the blue form on the flight - just in case. If GE works, I never use the blue form - I just shred it when I get home. But if GE happens to be unavailable, then I already have the blue form filled out, while other (unprepared) people are filling out their form and only then getting into line.
Oct 12, 2018, 8:12 pm
#210
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado (anywhere between DEN DMM BAH)
Programs: United MileagePlus, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, NEXUS
Posts: 3,030
Thank you both for the replies. So it seems that I go to a GE self-serve kiosk, scan passport, and get a printout. I then take the print\out to an agent. The part I'm trying to grasp is this...It already sounds exactly like what I do now. Kiosk, Scan passport, collect paper receipt/form/talk to agent. I guess the benefit of GE is much shorter lines because only GE people can use GE kiosks and agents??
This travel editor's experience with GE is fairly accurate (with pictures!).