Is Global Entry worthwhile?
#226
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
Used it first time at ORD off a late afternoon LHR inbound. Lines were long everywhere, including several a quite long Crew line. Got to the kiosk and 20 seconds later I'm on my way.
A pilot I'd been talking to on the hike from M19 to CBP said he knows of several crew who are considering it to escape from the long crew lines that can sometimes form.
A great system, IMO.
Dave
A pilot I'd been talking to on the hike from M19 to CBP said he knows of several crew who are considering it to escape from the long crew lines that can sometimes form.
A great system, IMO.
Dave
#227
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MSN/HOU
Programs: DL Silver (0.239 MM), DL SkyClub Life, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,107
Used it first time at ORD off a late afternoon LHR inbound. Lines were long everywhere, including several a quite long Crew line. Got to the kiosk and 20 seconds later I'm on my way.
A pilot I'd been talking to on the hike from M19 to CBP said he knows of several crew who are considering it to escape from the long crew lines that can sometimes form.
A great system, IMO.
Dave
A pilot I'd been talking to on the hike from M19 to CBP said he knows of several crew who are considering it to escape from the long crew lines that can sometimes form.
A great system, IMO.
Dave
#228
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fla-home, work Aisa and Europe
Programs: UA
Posts: 5
July 10 - I applied Global Entry Program.
July 11 - I received an email advising was Conditional Approved and should schedule an interview
July 17 - I drove to MIA (about 3 ˝ hour drive from SRQ) for interview.
I was 20 minutes early for my scheduled appointment, thought “what the hey”, went in and at the worst they may just tell me to wait till my appointment time. No, the 2 agents were accommodating and started the process. Only 1 agent did the interview the other helped as needed.
It took all of 20 minutes had sticker on passport, fingerprinted, answered questions and was instructed on machine use.
The interview as previously discussed here, a few questions to verify I was the person that filled out the application and a few casual (on the surface appearing) questions about my work/travel habits.
The gentleman doing the interview and the Agent at the other desk were both very polite and business like.
As echoed here:
If the machine is not working you may go to nearest desk and wait in front of line till called.
If they do not have a machine you must go thru line like everyone else.
You do not need to fill out the Customs Declaration but if the machine is not working it may be helpful to have 1 filled out and in your pocket!
July 11 - I received an email advising was Conditional Approved and should schedule an interview
July 17 - I drove to MIA (about 3 ˝ hour drive from SRQ) for interview.
I was 20 minutes early for my scheduled appointment, thought “what the hey”, went in and at the worst they may just tell me to wait till my appointment time. No, the 2 agents were accommodating and started the process. Only 1 agent did the interview the other helped as needed.
It took all of 20 minutes had sticker on passport, fingerprinted, answered questions and was instructed on machine use.
The interview as previously discussed here, a few questions to verify I was the person that filled out the application and a few casual (on the surface appearing) questions about my work/travel habits.
The gentleman doing the interview and the Agent at the other desk were both very polite and business like.
As echoed here:
If the machine is not working you may go to nearest desk and wait in front of line till called.
If they do not have a machine you must go thru line like everyone else.
You do not need to fill out the Customs Declaration but if the machine is not working it may be helpful to have 1 filled out and in your pocket!
#229
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,113
#230
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
I would say yes, that qualifies for using the crew line. I think the key word for using the crew line isn't "broken machine" but "non-functioning machine." Try it and let us know how it goes!
#231
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 138
Global Entry is supposed to expand by the end of the year and there as some noted, the kiosks are already deployed. Here is the list:
CBP plans to launch the program at 13 additional airports by the end of 2009 including:
• Newark Liberty International Airport
• Honolulu International Airport
• San Francisco International Airport
• Orlando Int’l Airport
• Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport
• Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport
• Boston - Logan Int’l Airport
• Las Vegas - McCarran Int’l Airport
• Sanford-Orlando Int’l Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Airport-SEATAC
• Philadelphia International Airport
• San Juan-Luis Munos Marin Int’l Airport
• Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood Int’l Airport
CBP plans to launch the program at 13 additional airports by the end of 2009 including:
• Newark Liberty International Airport
• Honolulu International Airport
• San Francisco International Airport
• Orlando Int’l Airport
• Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport
• Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport
• Boston - Logan Int’l Airport
• Las Vegas - McCarran Int’l Airport
• Sanford-Orlando Int’l Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Airport-SEATAC
• Philadelphia International Airport
• San Juan-Luis Munos Marin Int’l Airport
• Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood Int’l Airport
#232
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Wirelessly posted (Apple iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)
Excellent news, especially about DFW! ^
Excellent news, especially about DFW! ^
#233
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond, Starwood Platinum Preferred
Posts: 290
I have had Global Entry for 2 months but no chance to try it. Came back yesterday through IAH and the one machine had a sign that it was unavailable. ARGH. The agent told me to go ahead and try it anyway. Worked like a charm. When I got my card for customs, I approached the exit and the lines were at least 50 feet long and moving slowly. A CO agent spotted my card and said, "Global Entry?" I said yes and she took me to the front of the line on the left side and I was through in 2 minutes. WOW! I am impressed.
#234
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA PLT/5MM; AS MVP GLD 75K; DL DM; EK SLV; HHonors DIAM; Marriott GLD
Posts: 4,092
#235
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond, Starwood Platinum Preferred
Posts: 290
#236
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: 3,540
Ciao,
FH
#237
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 332
I flew through SFO July 1 and the Global Entry machine was there, just not activated. Had to go through the normal people line. Can't wait till that one gets activated - I've been connecting through LAX just to take advantage of the GE benefit!
#238
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,505
I went through SFO yesterday and the G.E. machines are still not activated. I asked one of the CBP agents and he said nobody has any idea when the machines will go online.
#240
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 2K, Marriott Platinium, Global Entry, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 370
I don't think there were be any help in YYZ. They don't even have machines at most of the us based airports and YYZ is not on the list for new airports. At least you get to pre-clear customs in YYZ.