Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Feb 23, 2011, 10:21 pm
#1576
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
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.
"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.
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...]
Feb 24, 2011, 9:30 am
#1577
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
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.
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.
Feb 24, 2011, 9:37 am
#1578
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
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.
Feb 24, 2011, 12:30 pm
#1580
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
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.]
Feb 24, 2011, 12:31 pm
#1581
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
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.
Feb 24, 2011, 3:45 pm
#1582
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: ORD-JFK-EZE-MAD
Programs: AA LT PLT 4mm / Free Agent / GE / Secret Handshake
Posts: 854
--J
Feb 24, 2011, 5:14 pm
#1583
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,541
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
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
Feb 25, 2011, 6:13 am
#1584
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Feb 25, 2011, 2:24 pm
#1585
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: CGK SIN PER ORD
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,813
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
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
Feb 25, 2011, 10:07 pm
#1586
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
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.
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.
Feb 25, 2011, 11:06 pm
#1587
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SFO, EZE
Programs: UA 1K 2.32 MM
Posts: 2,425
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.
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.
Feb 26, 2011, 5:08 am
#1588
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: Various
Posts: 6,526
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.
My husband submitted his application around an hour after mine, but hasn't received his conditional approval yet. Hopefully that will come through soon.
Feb 26, 2011, 9:20 pm
#1589
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: back to AA PLT, 1.6+MM
Posts: 771
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.
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.
Feb 27, 2011, 5:28 am
#1590
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: Various
Posts: 6,526
). 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!