Is Global Entry worthwhile?
#2476
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA CK/MM, Centurion
Posts: 338
Has anyone here had a successful appeal? I was denied because of what I can assume was failing to disclose traffic tickets, which are class C misdemeanors in Texas. I have a few from around 7 years ago and beyond, but no convictions since. I also may have got some dates and addresses wrong on previous residences, but I was kind of a gypsy during and after college. I moved every 6 months to a year up until 2 years ago, so recalling specific dates, addresses, and apartment numbers proves pretty difficult. Just kind of wondering if the appeal is a waste of time just to get denied again, or if people have actually had tangible success providing further detail into things.
#2477
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 574
Just having GE does not exempt you from random secondaries. I got one in the past year - and GE still saved me a total of about 24 hours of waiting in immigration lines and helped me make some very tight connections. If you call that "pointless", then you can just go back to those immigration lines by not renewing. Have fun.
This program has been fantastic for us. We've made international-domestic connections that left the gate agent for the domestic flight completely dumbfounded as to how we made it to the connecting gate so fast. Had we been pulled to secondary in those cases, we would have likely missed a flight or two, but overall we are FAR, FAR, FAR ahead of the game using this program -- 100% worth every penny, especially since we are in and out of the country a lot.
CBP should do random secondaries at all points in the process from time to time on everyone -- both from the GE process and afterwards. IMHO GE members should just accept it or leave the kisoks to the rest of us. Just because someone has received GE credentials, doesn't mean they won't cheat on the whole customs process, and I hope that occasional secondary screening process nabs some of them. The beagles are watching you.
As an aside, I have a friend who was getting pulled to secondary EVERY time they entered the country, before they enrolled for GE. The reason: a phantom visa overstay allegation (caused by a lazy agent not pulling a a visa form on a departure many years earlier). After almost 2 years of trying to get the issue fixed, an application, interview and acceptance into GE marked the end of that. This single issue being taken care of (through the help of the very competent CBP officer conducting the interview) though unadvertised and not relevant to most, has been worth many times the price.
Everyone's MMV, but our experience has left me with little patience for those who complain about a secondary now and then.
#2478
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,505
Do you know how the whole audit process works? The more people they nab, the more difficult it will be for the rest of us. These secondaries are used to create a compliance rate. Unlike you, I hope everybody is honest and nobody gets nabbed so CBP will feel confident that the program is working.
#2479
Join Date: Apr 2002
Programs: UAL MM, BA G
Posts: 1,757
Do you know how the whole audit process works? The more people they nab, the more difficult it will be for the rest of us. These secondaries are used to create a compliance rate. Unlike you, I hope everybody is honest and nobody gets nabbed so CBP will feel confident that the program is working.
#2480
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 574
Do you know how the whole audit process works? The more people they nab, the more difficult it will be for the rest of us. These secondaries are used to create a compliance rate. Unlike you, I hope everybody is honest and nobody gets nabbed so CBP will feel confident that the program is working.
Anyway, the larger point of my post is to agree with colonius which I take it you agree with as well? that secondaries are a reality in this program. And if someone wants to take their GE credentials as a license to carry a DYKWIA attitude around and then get upset because they are selected for extra screening, good riddance if they want to leave.
Happ
#2481
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold, PF Chang's Warrior, Wine Century 100
Posts: 1,105
Quick warning for anyone using the GE kiosk at YUL (and presumably other Canadian airports with CBP preclearance). I was accustomed to using GE at other airports in the US, but it works a bit differently in Canada.
You still head straight for the kiosk (2 at YUL as of yesterday, adjacent to NEXUS), but you must present your receipt to the CBP inspector at the passport control. This is different than in the US, where you bypass passport control altogether and just give the receipt after retrieving checked bags, probably because there are no CBP inspectors past the counter so immigration and customs checks are both handled there.
I was in a rush and walked ahead to bypass CBP altogether until I was barked at by a CBP officer.
But it's still nice to have the GE kiosks at YUL.
You still head straight for the kiosk (2 at YUL as of yesterday, adjacent to NEXUS), but you must present your receipt to the CBP inspector at the passport control. This is different than in the US, where you bypass passport control altogether and just give the receipt after retrieving checked bags, probably because there are no CBP inspectors past the counter so immigration and customs checks are both handled there.
I was in a rush and walked ahead to bypass CBP altogether until I was barked at by a CBP officer.
But it's still nice to have the GE kiosks at YUL.
#2482
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
Anyone know why the first appointment at ORD available today is in late July, while at DTW and JFK, appointments are still available tomorrow and every subsequent day? (I didn't check other locations.)
I know the GE web page says the wait will vary, but this seems like a hugely unbalanced allocation of resources. (It also looks like ORD is going to half-days only in the summer, i.e. no afternoon appointments.)
I know the GE web page says the wait will vary, but this seems like a hugely unbalanced allocation of resources. (It also looks like ORD is going to half-days only in the summer, i.e. no afternoon appointments.)
#2483
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: 9,388
I have no problem with random secondaries from GE. I have a problem with random secondaries after GE clears me.
I think if I had used the regular immigration line (at IAD that time there was no queue) I have had no secondary. If GE is going to increase the odds of a secondary then what is the logic to GE?
I think if I had used the regular immigration line (at IAD that time there was no queue) I have had no secondary. If GE is going to increase the odds of a secondary then what is the logic to GE?
#2484
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Boston, USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 234
Anyone know why the first appointment at ORD available today is in late July, while at DTW and JFK, appointments are still available tomorrow and every subsequent day? (I didn't check other locations.)
I know the GE web page says the wait will vary, but this seems like a hugely unbalanced allocation of resources. (It also looks like ORD is going to half-days only in the summer, i.e. no afternoon appointments.)
I know the GE web page says the wait will vary, but this seems like a hugely unbalanced allocation of resources. (It also looks like ORD is going to half-days only in the summer, i.e. no afternoon appointments.)
#2485
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Boston, USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 234
SeeBuyFly - I was just going to post something like this. I signed up for GE, and got conditional approval very quickly, thinking I'd pop into the customs office in BOS just before my next trip (next Tuesday). I was amazed to find out that the next available appointment is June 29, and after THAT not until *July 10*! What gives? This is a 15-minute process, no?
#2486
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
#2487
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 152
little reminder that you're not signing up for Global Entry; you're signing up for Trusted Traveler which GE is part of.
TT also includes Pre-Check for domestic travel meaning you can use a similar expedited process on AA, Delta and Alaska flights at certain airports (continues expanding)
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/escreening.shtm
TT also includes Pre-Check for domestic travel meaning you can use a similar expedited process on AA, Delta and Alaska flights at certain airports (continues expanding)
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/escreening.shtm
#2488
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NorCal - 1K 2MM
Posts: 2,089
SeeBuyFly - I was just going to post something like this. I signed up for GE, and got conditional approval very quickly, thinking I'd pop into the customs office in BOS just before my next trip (next Tuesday). I was amazed to find out that the next available appointment is June 29, and after THAT not until *July 10*! What gives? This is a 15-minute process, no?
#2489
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
But at ORD, that date is now early August, 2.5 months away. I am sure earlier dates appear occasionally as people cancel, but I haven't been able to 'catch' one yet. Meanwhile, at JFK, all dates are available.
#2490
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA - HNL, SEA, DEN, ORD, MCO, and all points inbetween
Programs: Way too many!
Posts: 1,188
GF used global entry fro first time in SFO.
She reported it worked incredibly well and she was through customs in under a minute.
Sounds worthwhile to have it in her case.
She reported it worked incredibly well and she was through customs in under a minute.
Sounds worthwhile to have it in her case.