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-   -   Is Global Entry worthwhile? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trusted-travelers/917913-global-entry-worthwhile.html)

nrr Feb 23, 2011 10:21 pm


Originally Posted by wilp888 (Post 15920596)
Happened to me last year in ORD. I knew it was my fingerprints because there was some sort of error message on the screen but it flashed really quick and I couldn't really see what it was. I took the "X" receipt to the nearest CBP officer and he asked me if I knew why I got the "X" so apparently there is no code on the receipt to indicate the problem. Anyway he asked me a couple of questions about cash, food, etc. and then told me I could go. I received an email a few days later asking for feedback about my experience. I provided the feedback and this was part of the reply I received from the Program Manager:

"Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the Global Entry program. We apologize for the difficulties that you encountered while using the Global Entry kiosks to enter the United States on February 22, 2010. On this date the kiosk failed to grant you passage, because your fingerprints were not properly recognized; the images captured by the scanner on this date were of poor quality.
We endeavor to improve the quality of the program and are examining alternate means of verifying the identity of program members. In the interim, please ensure that your four fingers are properly placed on the fingerprint scanner when the images are captured. This will allow the scanner to obtain a more accurate image of your fingerprints. We are also making modifications to the system to allow for a second attempt at fingerprint capture, should the first attempt fail."

You may receive a similar email.

I presented my "X" slip to the first available agent, he scanned my passport and then with pp (and customs slip, which I always have filled out--when I went for my interview the agent made that suggestion), I was escorted to a "special" room, but in a few minutes the agent cleared me to go (I was NOT asked any questions), I asked him why I got the "X", and his guess was fingerprints.
PS: The first agent drew a yellow or gold [I'm partly colorblind:)] line through it right after scanning my pp. [The color must have some significance...]

nrr Feb 24, 2011 9:30 am


Originally Posted by ESpen36 (Post 15921591)
Yes, I find I have to press really hard in order for the kiosk to report "Excellent" quality for all four fingertips. I hadn't thought of using my other hand to help press, but it's not a bad idea on a particularly stubborn machine.

They definitely should recalibrate the machines to allow for a second attempt. They also might slow down the time limit. I speed through the kiosk procedures because I've done them so many times, but newcomers might want to stop and read the text on each screen, and the counter might run out. I don't know why there is a time limit anyhow.

When I went for my interview (several months ago) the agent said to use 4 fingers (not thumb) of the RIGHT hand.

FlyMeToTheLooneyBin Feb 24, 2011 9:37 am


Originally Posted by nrr (Post 15924500)
When I went for my interview (several months ago) the agent said to use 4 fingers (not thumb) of the RIGHT hand.

Yeah. That's what I've been told, too. I've tried using my thumb to grab the ledge under the reader to give more pressure, but it's not as effective as using your left hand to press the right fingers down against the pad; less strenuous, too.

BobbySteel Feb 24, 2011 12:06 pm

If you get the 'X', just use the next available kiosk and retry. Most times that'll get you another slip w/o the 'x' so you can just trash the first one.

nrr Feb 24, 2011 12:30 pm


Originally Posted by BobbySteel (Post 15925522)
If you get the 'X', just use the next available kiosk and retry. Most times that'll get you another slip w/o the 'x' so you can just trash the first one.

I wasn't sure if this was valid or the "system" would "lock" you out after one attempt. [As I noted In my first post on this issue I realized that something was wrong when it didn't ask me to confirm the flight I arrived at and spit out an "X" ticket.]

FriendlySkies Feb 24, 2011 12:31 pm


Originally Posted by BobbySteel (Post 15925522)
If you get the 'X', just use the next available kiosk and retry. Most times that'll get you another slip w/o the 'x' so you can just trash the first one.

There are some reasons that you may get the "X" receipt. CBP has said that you may be pulled in for a random inspection. Just go to the nearest CBP officer and get it dealt with.

jcf27 Feb 24, 2011 3:45 pm


Originally Posted by nrr (Post 15925686)
I wasn't sure if this was valid or the "system" would "lock" you out after one attempt. [As I noted In my first post on this issue I realized that something was wrong when it didn't ask me to confirm the flight I arrived at and spit out an "X" ticket.]

Regardless of the issue, the system does lock you after one attempt. Happened to me when the receipt got stuck in the slot.

--J

FlyingHoustonian Feb 24, 2011 5:14 pm

Just an FYI-The 5 new Kiosks are up at IAH:

Updated article on the extra kiosks at IAH (I posted a similar story a month ago or so about Mexico adding to the program and IAH getting more kiosks)-


George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is a national leader in the Global Entry program as our user-friendly automated kiosks in Federal Inspections Services (FIS) facility allow travelers to bypass the traditional lines to clear customs. Houston offers the highest number of Global Entry kiosks in the nation with a total of 15 in place at the airport’s 784,000 square foot Federal Inspection Services facility. Five new Global Entry kiosks were installed in January 2011 at IAH.

Since the program’s inception in June 2008, Houston has maintained the highest number of Global Entry enrollments and kiosk usage in the nation. Before being pre-approved to participate in Global Entry, travelers must undergo an intense background check and interview process, as well as pay a $100 enrollment fee per person, which validates membership for five years, among various other requirements.

IAH was selected as one of three airports in the United States to launch the program. The FIS is the largest facility of its kind in the nation, can process up to 4,500 international travelers per hour, when fully staffed.

Ciao,
FH

GenevaFlyer Feb 25, 2011 6:13 am


Originally Posted by BobbySteel (Post 15925522)
If you get the 'X', just use the next available kiosk and retry. Most times that'll get you another slip w/o the 'x' so you can just trash the first one.

I'm wondering how soon that would get you flagged in the system .....

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

indo79 Feb 25, 2011 2:24 pm

I used GE for the first time last week at ORD. Arrived with other flights on the afternoon bank of EU flights. My friend did not have GE so she waited and I was in and out in about 3 mins.

Kiosk asked me to find my flight number and then select the city it came from. Flight number was found but not city, weird. No X on receipt and walked away. Balancing factor was wait for checked luggage but was waiting for my friend too. She waited about 25 mins at immigration line and our luggage came out just when she was coming over.

So without checked luggage very convenient, with checked luggage, could be hit or miss but still worthwhile to have it IMO

TheMadBrewer Feb 25, 2011 10:07 pm

Financial Solvency?
 
Just got my conditional approval notice (about a week after applying).

The notice said to bring proof of "financial solvency" if self employed (which I am).

There was some mention of this back on page 90 or so of this thread but nothing real definite. Are they looking for bank statements (my are all paperless so its just a computer printout), credit cards, car insurance, stack of $100 bills, ???

Any guidance appreciated.

SoFlyOn Feb 25, 2011 11:06 pm


Originally Posted by TheMadBrewer (Post 15934775)
Just got my conditional approval notice (about a week after applying).

The notice said to bring proof of "financial solvency" if self employed (which I am).

There was some mention of this back on page 90 or so of this thread but nothing real definite. Are they looking for bank statements (my are all paperless so its just a computer printout), credit cards, car insurance, stack of $100 bills, ???

Any guidance appreciated.

I'm the same. I brought last year's tax return and a brokerage statement with me. They didn't ask to see any of it.

mechteach Feb 26, 2011 5:08 am

I received my conditional approval late yesterday evening (about 10 days after submission), and I was able to schedule my interview for just slightly over a week from now, when I'll be passing through the international terminal at ORD. Unfortunately, that's for when I'll be returning from abroad, rather than departing, but the timing is still very good! ^

My husband submitted his application around an hour after mine, but hasn't received his conditional approval yet. Hopefully that will come through soon.

PDX-PLT Feb 26, 2011 9:20 pm

I used GE for the first time in DFW on Friday. I had some hard cheese with me and, given all the warnings here to always answer truthfully lest you lose your GE if your bags were inspected, I answered "yes" to the question as to whether I had "dairy" with me (I assumed a product made with milk counted as "dairy"). Naturally I got the X, and went to the agent and explained why. He gave me a sorta "why did you do that, you idiot?" look, scanned my passport again, and stamped the back of the X receipt with his oval-shaped "admitted" stamp. 'showed that to the Customs guy, who asked "is that the only food you have"?, and sent me on my way.

I guess the lesson is that if you have a milk productwith you that you know is APHIS-approved, it's not considered a "dairy" product for the purposes of the GE kiosk. Although they really should revise the kiosk question to clarify what, exactly, they are looking for.

mechteach Feb 27, 2011 5:28 am


Originally Posted by PDX-PLT (Post 15939447)
I guess the lesson is that if you have a milk productwith you that you know is APHIS-approved, it's not considered a "dairy" product for the purposes of the GE kiosk. Although they really should revise the kiosk question to clarify what, exactly, they are looking for.

Although this is not a GE-specific experience (obviously), we've had passport and customs agents give us the same eye roll for declaring hard cheese, dried fruit, etc., in the past. On the flip side, though, we once just had a chocolate bar (Cadbury, purchased at the airport before our flight) that I didn't bother to declare (um, because it is not restricted at all :rolleyes:). The passport agent absolutely FREAKED OUT at us, saying that we had to consider all food with any of the restricted ingredients in it. He ranted about this for 5 straight minutes. I'll take the 2 second eye roll any day after that!


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