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

nrr Feb 27, 2011 7:21 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 received an email from cbp, it wanted me to comment on the problems I encountered, it did not tell me why I had a problem. In my response (sent a few minutes ago), I asked several questions: (1) was my problem fingerprint related, (2) why couldn't the first agent immediately clear me, instead of escorting me to the special room, (3) are the glass (fingerprint) surfaces periodically cleaned?

xolinlevh Feb 27, 2011 8:10 pm

So random question, im thinking about applying due to a recent rise in my international travel. However i noticed on the GE requirements site it says that you may be disqualified due to criminal history, anyone had any problems with this? i have a juvie thing and one minor thing from a couple years back. Never had any problems entering other countries (except Canada which had a problem with my speeding tickets but i got in) been to a total of 10 countries in Europe, Africa, and the middle east in the past year. Im assuming it shouldn't be a problem with GE but just didnt wanna waste $100 if they are super strict....

greg99 Feb 27, 2011 8:15 pm


Originally Posted by xolinlevh (Post 15944546)
So random question, im thinking about applying due to a recent rise in my international travel. However i noticed on the GE requirements site it says that you may be disqualified due to criminal history, anyone had any problems with this? i have a juvie thing and one minor thing from a couple years back. Never had any problems entering other countries (except Canada which had a problem with my speeding tickets but i got in) been to a total of 10 countries in Europe, Africa, and the middle east in the past year. Im assuming it shouldn't be a problem with GE but just didnt wanna waste $100 if they are super strict....

To be honest, I'm reminded of one of the adages my father taught me at an early age: "Never ask a question to which you can't stand the answer 'No'."

You might want to consider that your minor issues may not have risen to the level previously that they would come to the attention of the federales. By applying for GE, you guarantee that they will become aware of them, and they may cause you hassles both in connection with routine entries into the US and (potentially) other countries with whom the US exchanges information.

Sure, they could always get access to that information, but that doesn't mean that they have/would in the ordinary course.

Just suggesting that you might want to take a broader look at the implications of applying, as not only might you not receive GE, but your travel experience might get appreciably worse.

Good luck,
Greg

Ari Feb 27, 2011 11:57 pm


Originally Posted by chollie (Post 15914475)
Two months later I came through ORD for the first time and the quy at the customs podium took my kiosk card and passport and demanded to see my sticker! I don't know how he thought I could get a kiosk card without being GE. I guess if I hadn't had the sticker, he would have sent me to the back of the customs line.


Originally Posted by kebosabi (Post 15915685)
Must be the same ORD customs guy I went through coming back from NRT a few days ago. I was wondering what this guy is so picky about running through the pages to check if I had a CBP sticker on the back page of my passport. Immigration I'd understand, but customs?

And like I said, it's not like this sticker is made out of space age material or anything.

ORD really likes the stickers! (By the way, how come everyone has theirs on the inside cover of their passports? Mine is on the back). Interestingly, at ORD when they see the sticker, they don't open the passport and look at the photo and name; at LAX and SFO they opened to the photo page and compared.


Originally Posted by chollie (Post 15921033)
I usually have to press really hard for the scanner to recognize my fingerprints. One agent suggested it was because my skin might be particularly dry (true).


Originally Posted by FlyMeToTheLooneyBin (Post 15921073)
I also have the same problem with my pinky. I was told by the CBP officer to use my left hand to hold down my fingers to get a better read. I do that now and it seems to work.


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.


Originally Posted by FlyMeToTheLooneyBin (Post 15924549)
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.

Your skin is dry after a long flight and that is a problem for the machine. The solution, as unhygenic as it is, is simply to breath on your fingers so they get a little moisture on them and then put them on the machine. That has worked for several clients who always had trouble before. Try it next time and report back; chances are it will work without pushing hard.


Originally Posted by indo79 (Post 15932813)
So without checked luggage very convenient, with checked luggage, could be hit or miss but still worthwhile to have it IMO

Arriving international checked baggage at ORD is always takes a long time to come out.


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.

Bring last year's tax return.


Originally Posted by xolinlevh (Post 15944546)
So random question, im thinking about applying due to a recent rise in my international travel. However i noticed on the GE requirements site it says that you may be disqualified due to criminal history, anyone had any problems with this? i have a juvie thing and one minor thing from a couple years back. Never had any problems entering other countries (except Canada which had a problem with my speeding tickets but i got in) been to a total of 10 countries in Europe, Africa, and the middle east in the past year. Im assuming it shouldn't be a problem with GE but just didnt wanna waste $100 if they are super strict....

Generally speaking, you have to have a conviction reported in NCIC in order to be rejected by the computer. (You can't lie on the application, though, so if you have a conviction that isn't reported in NCIC, you still have to answer the question as asked). If the disposition was something other than conviction (like supervision, conditional discharge, court diversion, nolle prosequi, etc), it shouldn't be a problem at all. Speeding tickets unless they are criminal in nature (like going 20, 25 or 30 over depending on the jurisdiction) are not problms.

Expungement is also a good option. May I ask what the two minor incidents were and what the disposition of each case was and where they took place? That might help answer your questions.

mechteach Feb 28, 2011 3:33 am


Originally Posted by mechteach (Post 15935592)
My husband submitted his application around an hour after mine, but hasn't received his conditional approval yet. Hopefully that will come through soon.

As a follow-up, Mr. M received his conditional approval on Sunday morning, so his application took more like 11 1/2 days.

German Expat Feb 28, 2011 5:53 am

Came in via ORD with no issues at all. Nobody cared about stickers. Only small issue I could see is if you got an X on the kiosk there was nobody manning immigration on the right side (landed at 10:45am before the afternoon rush).
I got the recommendation during my GE interview to rub my fingers on my forehead to make the reader work better.

norf9 Feb 28, 2011 6:58 am

Just returned to the country through LAX for the first time. Oddly enough after you went through the GE kiosk, they made you wait in the crew/disabled line for the CBP agent to check your sticker and passport. Is this common? Normally I go through DFW and have always just flashed the receipt to an agent standing next to the kiosks.

German Expat Feb 28, 2011 7:20 am


Originally Posted by norf9 (Post 15946408)
Just returned to the country through LAX for the first time. Oddly enough after you went through the GE kiosk, they made you wait in the crew/disabled line for the CBP agent to check your sticker and passport. Is this common? Normally I go through DFW and have always just flashed the receipt to an agent standing next to the kiosks.

Not normal, you don't even have to flash the receipt at IAD or ORD (at ORD there was not even an agent next to the kiosk).

Global_Hi_Flyer Feb 28, 2011 8:42 am


Originally Posted by German Expat (Post 15946513)
Not normal, you don't even have to flash the receipt at IAD or ORD (at ORD there was not even an agent next to the kiosk).

Likewise DFW and JFK. They did check passport against receipt at the CUSTOMS exit, but not at the immigration/border patrol desks.

Majuki Feb 28, 2011 1:02 pm


Originally Posted by norf9 (Post 15946408)
Just returned to the country through LAX for the first time. Oddly enough after you went through the GE kiosk, they made you wait in the crew/disabled line for the CBP agent to check your sticker and passport. Is this common? Normally I go through DFW and have always just flashed the receipt to an agent standing next to the kiosks.

I was wondering about this too. I followed the signs to the GE kiosks back in November and got in line. I then realized that I was in some special line, but it was the only way to access the kiosk. I got to the CBP officer and I said, "Are the GE kiosks open?" He told me they were and I just proceeded to them without showing my passport.

I don't know if there's a way to access the kiosks at LAX without standing in the crew line. The only other place I've used GE has been at ORD, and those kiosks are in the middle section. You can simply walk into the baggage claim area after you get your receipt.

Global_Hi_Flyer Feb 28, 2011 2:45 pm


Originally Posted by Majuki (Post 15948635)
I was wondering about this too. I followed the signs to the GE kiosks back in November and got in line. I then realized that I was in some special line, but it was the only way to access the kiosk. I got to the CBP officer and I said, "Are the GE kiosks open?" He told me they were and I just proceeded to them without showing my passport.

I don't know if there's a way to access the kiosks at LAX without standing in the crew line. The only other place I've used GE has been at ORD, and those kiosks are in the middle section. You can simply walk into the baggage claim area after you get your receipt.

Last time through Miami the kiosks were before the booths. You could show the receipt to an officer on a stool. I didn't use the kiosks, though, as there was absolutely no line for the booths.

nrr Feb 28, 2011 2:57 pm


Originally Posted by Majuki (Post 15948635)
I was wondering about this too. I followed the signs to the GE kiosks back in November and got in line. I then realized that I was in some special line, but it was the only way to access the kiosk. I got to the CBP officer and I said, "Are the GE kiosks open?" He told me they were and I just proceeded to them without showing my passport.

I don't know if there's a way to access the kiosks at LAX without standing in the crew line. The only other place I've used GE has been at ORD, and those kiosks are in the middle section. You can simply walk into the baggage claim area after you get your receipt.

At JFK T8 (American Airlines) the GE kiosks are right before the booths for the passport control agents, if you get a non-"X" slip you proceed directly to the luggage claim area (and if you have NO checked luggage) directly o the "customs" agent.

norf9 Mar 1, 2011 6:00 am


Originally Posted by Majuki (Post 15948635)
I was wondering about this too. I followed the signs to the GE kiosks back in November and got in line. I then realized that I was in some special line, but it was the only way to access the kiosk. I got to the CBP officer and I said, "Are the GE kiosks open?" He told me they were and I just proceeded to them without showing my passport.

I don't know if there's a way to access the kiosks at LAX without standing in the crew line. The only other place I've used GE has been at ORD, and those kiosks are in the middle section. You can simply walk into the baggage claim area after you get your receipt.

Yeah, it was very strange. Basically now they have you walk around that line and past some benches to the kiosks. There used to be an exit right next to them but it is roped off and there is a sign telling you to proceed to lane #4 (the crew aisle) with your receipt. It wouldn't be such a big deal, but they also process the wheelchairs in that line and each one takes ~10 minutes to get interviewed, fingerprinted, and photographed.

TheCount2 Mar 1, 2011 7:48 am


Originally Posted by chugger1 (Post 15913259)
Applied on 2/10, approval came today.

2 questions:

The GOES website says to bring a copy of your "Conditional Approval Notification." On the GOES message inbox page, there is just one line stating, "Your application for the Global Entry Program has been approved." Is this the page I print out and bring to the interview?

The earliest back to back appointments available (doing the family thing) were for 3/8 and we're flying internationally on 3/13. Will we be immediately approved at the interview and in the system?

Thanks.

When I received my approval notice with request to schedule an appointment for an interview, I would have been able to book time slots the same day, at Newark airport. If you can, try another location. I can't tell where you are located from your signature.

xolinlevh Mar 1, 2011 11:01 am


Originally Posted by Ari (Post 15945357)
Generally speaking, you have to have a conviction reported in NCIC in order to be rejected by the computer. (You can't lie on the application, though, so if you have a conviction that isn't reported in NCIC, you still have to answer the question as asked). If the disposition was something other than conviction (like supervision, conditional discharge, court diversion, nolle prosequi, etc), it shouldn't be a problem at all. Speeding tickets unless they are criminal in nature (like going 20, 25 or 30 over depending on the jurisdiction) are not problms.

Expungement is also a good option. May I ask what the two minor incidents were and what the disposition of each case was and where they took place? That might help answer your questions.


The first Was shoplifting as a kid, which I know is 'sealed' but always pops up on through vetting checks I've had to do. The second I'd rather not mention on here but I got a stay of imposition which I believe was that nothing would go on a public record if I paid a fee. Which i did. And of course like 4 speeding tickets, 1 was dropped I am fine just skipping GE as none of these have been issues in the past but if i can expedite customs at all I would love to.


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