OK, now I am confused. I thought that Global Entry changed from the sticker to the card. Sounds like you are saying that I need to be sure that I get BOTH the sticker and the card. I want the card to annoy TSA with when I'm asked for ID

How long after the interview do you get approved?

Seems like they were more interested in my travels to the near middle east than anything

Here's a question - Where is the ORD GE exit? I flew out of YXU recently, so I had to clear at ORD T5, and I couldn't see a lane. There was one lane that was packed with people who were picking up checked bags, then another that had a couple CBP dudes sitting on their thumbs. I went to ask one where the GE exit was, and he said "this is an exit" and started asking me stupid questions about where I'd been (Canada, duh) and the like. He then said "see ya" and tossed my GE receipt inside the podium. Was weird.

I used my GE today (first time) at MIA airport, 2 Kiosks but one was "out of order". Nobody was using it (just crew members).

Even better, the GE CBP folks at IAD also state that one must have a vehicle registered to use the GE card at land border crossings. Even told me that it did NOT work in the Nexus machines in the Canadian preclearance at airports.

There isn't such a thing. You have to exit with the folks getting their luggage. Your CBP sticker on the back of your PP should get you to the front of the line, but there's not an exclusive way out of ORD.

At least not that I'm aware of

Dave

They are correct. You must register a car to use the GE card when crossing the Mexican border in to the US.

The card doesn't work in the NEXUS machines. You need the NEXUS card for that. The big Canadian pre-clearance airports have GE machines now, I believe. At least YYZ, YVR and YOW have them.

The sticker is just something that they put on your passport to quickly indicate you are enrolled into global entry, it isn't required at all to have a sticker on your passport to use global entry, all the important information is tied into the computer databases with your passport number and fingerprints etc, not some square sticker with the letters CBP on it.

As for the cards, if you are coming into the US from Mexico or Canada they can be useful:

"these cards will be valid for use at the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes coming into the United States. However, Global Entry cards will not be valid for entry into Canada via the NEXUS lanes and kiosks; and members must use a passport or U.S. LPR card at the Global Entry kiosks"

Otherwise for all other global entry uses, you use your passport (doesn't matter if it doesn't have a sticker on it) at the Global Entry kiosks.

Unless you're doing land crossings from Canada or Mexico, I don't think (other than the "annoy TSA" factor, which is kind of fun) that the card has any real benefit. If you're signing up for Global Entry now, you'll automatically get the card as well. You get the sticker when you go in for your interview.

I arrived in MIA this past Sunday and I noticed that on approach to the immigration area, there are GE signs pointing to the left and to the right. I randomly went to the right, and there were four (I think) machines, all empty. After using the kiosk, I exited to the left, and I saw a bank of 2 machines with a few people in line.

So if you enter at MIA, might want to try checking the GE kiosks on the right side first.

Kind of clear now. I've got my interview scheduled for next Friday.
Another question - if I walk across the border to Mexico (like at Tijuana), does the GE work when I walk back to the US? I understand that I have to be in a registered car to use the GE lane, but if I'm not in a car...

You can use it to walk across either border. (When walking into the US).

You will utilize the SENTRI lanes when coming in from Mexico (as there are no GE lanes).

Folks at IAD said both borders....

With a car you can't. To use the SENTRI lanes, you have to be in an approved/inspected car. You can walk across in the SENTRI lanes at the pedestrian crossing.

Going Canada-->US you can drive through the NEXUS lanes.

Well, at least they're 50% right.