Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Mar 1, 2011 | 4:37 pm
#1608
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles, Puerto Vallarta, Bangkok, Lisbon
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry
Posts: 846
Which Terminal did you arrive in?
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.
Mar 2, 2011 | 7:11 am
#1610
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
Mar 2, 2011 | 7:30 am
#1612
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN
Programs: COdbaUA MM, AA EXP, AF G, Bonbon Gold, Hilton G, All G, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis Presidential
Posts: 5,929
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.
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.
Mar 2, 2011 | 10:11 am
#1613
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Florida
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,923
Less than 5 minutes from the plane to fresh-air, a record for me so far. 
Landed mid-afternoon at ORD at the gate closest to immigration. Off the plane, down the escalator to the customs hall. The wait for non-GE people looked like about 10-15 minutes or so. For me, less than a minute at the kiosk and less than a minute walk to the exit (no checked bags), waived through.
GE is turning out to be one of the best $100 I've ever spent. Nice.
Landed mid-afternoon at ORD at the gate closest to immigration. Off the plane, down the escalator to the customs hall. The wait for non-GE people looked like about 10-15 minutes or so. For me, less than a minute at the kiosk and less than a minute walk to the exit (no checked bags), waived through.GE is turning out to be one of the best $100 I've ever spent. Nice.
Mar 2, 2011 | 10:48 am
#1614
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,972
I am describing the kiosks at TBIT. I saw no path to access the kiosk except waiting in the crew/disabled line. I don't remember the layout 100% as I had just come off of a flight from Australia that had been delayed 8 hours, but I do remember there being metal handrails separating me from the kiosk. I had to wait to get up to the CBP officer just to tell him I was waiting to use one of the GE kiosks. During my 5 minutes in the line I didn't see anyone else using them, so it was a bit frustrating just to stand there while they were unused compared to my experience at ORD. It was much better than the normal line, however.
Mar 2, 2011 | 1:22 pm
#1615
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
I am describing the kiosks at TBIT. I saw no path to access the kiosk except waiting in the crew/disabled line. I don't remember the layout 100% as I had just come off of a flight from Australia that had been delayed 8 hours, but I do remember there being metal handrails separating me from the kiosk. I had to wait to get up to the CBP officer just to tell him I was waiting to use one of the GE kiosks. During my 5 minutes in the line I didn't see anyone else using them, so it was a bit frustrating just to stand there while they were unused compared to my experience at ORD. It was much better than the normal line, however.
Could there have been an aisleway you missed?
Mar 2, 2011 | 1:46 pm
#1616
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,388
No checked bags is the only way you are getting out of T5 at ORD in < 30 minutes
Mar 2, 2011 | 1:50 pm
#1617
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA: Former CK (LT PLT), MB: PE (LT Gold)
Posts: 503
My experiences at JFK (8) and LAX (TBIT)
For JFK 8 (AA), it sometimes appears you have to wait in the regular line as the section between US citizens and Foreign passport holders that leads to GE appears roped off. If/when it is, I just open the gap between the stanchions and make my way to one of the two kiosks ... no one ever says anything when I do. <<<Last use in T8 was about 1 month ago.>>>
For LAX TBIT, I find it odd that there is only 1 kiosk for GE (all the way to the left as you arrive into the hall). I just walk around or cut the crew/special line and just walk up to the kiosk. I also find it odd that most other kiosks are placed immediately in front of the immigration desks. The one at TBIT is to the side (the very left aisle). I just mind my own business, check the appropriate boxes and no one every says anything about going straight to the kiosk. The GE line at the customs portion (after baggage claim) is just dumb. Why merge it with special services ... defeats the purpose. <<<Last use in TBIT was less than 3 weeks ago.>>>
For LAX TBIT, I find it odd that there is only 1 kiosk for GE (all the way to the left as you arrive into the hall). I just walk around or cut the crew/special line and just walk up to the kiosk. I also find it odd that most other kiosks are placed immediately in front of the immigration desks. The one at TBIT is to the side (the very left aisle). I just mind my own business, check the appropriate boxes and no one every says anything about going straight to the kiosk. The GE line at the customs portion (after baggage claim) is just dumb. Why merge it with special services ... defeats the purpose. <<<Last use in TBIT was less than 3 weeks ago.>>>
Mar 2, 2011 | 3:38 pm
#1618
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,972
It is possible. I will be back in March for a closer look.
I remember there being at least two kiosks. I followed the signs all the way down and was in the far right area of the hall. This was at the end of November. The kiosks were at the side of the special lane that I ended up waiting in.
Originally Posted by ktakahashi
For LAX TBIT, I find it odd that there is only 1 kiosk for GE (all the way to the left as you arrive into the hall). I just walk around or cut the crew/special line and just walk up to the kiosk. I also find it odd that most other kiosks are placed immediately in front of the immigration desks. The one at TBIT is to the side (the very left aisle). I just mind my own business, check the appropriate boxes and no one every says anything about going straight to the kiosk. The GE line at the customs portion (after baggage claim) is just dumb. Why merge it with special services ... defeats the purpose. <<<Last use in TBIT was less than 3 weeks ago.>>>
Mar 2, 2011 | 3:45 pm
#1619
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA: Former CK (LT PLT), MB: PE (LT Gold)
Posts: 503
Facing baggage claim, it was all the way to the left (also where special services was). Maybe they moved it recently?
Mar 3, 2011 | 10:31 pm
#1620
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG, MGM Rewards Gold, Hhonors ???, National Executive
Posts: 2,708
Once approved for NEXUS, is there anything I need to do on GOES before I try to use the Global Entry kiosks?
Earlier posts here mention clicking a few buttons on the site to add that program, but the approval text on the GOES page makes me think that I'm already enrolled in GE. But it's just confusing enough to make me wonder.
Earlier posts here mention clicking a few buttons on the site to add that program, but the approval text on the GOES page makes me think that I'm already enrolled in GE. But it's just confusing enough to make me wonder.