True, it might be a small US airport if it were in the US, but Ottawa is a fairly big Canadian airport and that was the standard of the post I quoted.

No such button on the machines at LAX or MCO last week. In any event, it was still much faster than waiting in the line to see an officer.

my interview in BOS was Jan 6.
I dont think I will get GE because I was arrested back in college days --see earlier posts--but I am just curious as to when people hear about the results on this

actually, I JUST got my answer--sadly--and should have sent my wife instead:

RE: Your Global Entry Program Membership XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear MM:

Thank you for your application to the Global Entry program of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Global Entry is a voluntary program available to travelers that pass a comprehensive background investigation. Applicants found to be ineligible for Global Entry participation may still be permitted to enter into the United States although they will not be permitted to use the Global Entry dedicated lanes.

We regret to inform you that your membership in Global Entry has been disapproved for the following reason(s):

You have been convicted and/or arrested for a criminal offense
Applicant is not eligible for the trusted traveler program.

If you believe the decision was based upon inaccurate information, you may contact the local trusted traveler Enrollment Center to schedule an appointment to speak with a supervisor. A list of locations can be found at: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/

If necessary, you may also write to the CBP Trusted Traveler Ombudsman at:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
PO Box 946
Williston, VT 05495
Attention: CBP Ombudsman

The review by either the Enrollment Center or the Ombudsman will be based on the information provided by you and should include any information to further clarify a record, explain an incident or arrest, or show the disposition of criminal charges. Please remember that the following circumstances may make you ineligible for participation:

Providing false or incomplete information on the application;
Convictions for any criminal offense or pending criminal charges to include outstanding warrants;
Violations of any customs, immigration, or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
Inadmissibility to the United States under immigration laws;
Receipt of a criminal pardon from any country; or
Other circumstances that indicate to CBP that you have not qualified as "low risk."

Sincerely,
Supervisor, Global Entry Enrollment Center
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

************

although not applicable in my case, it would sure stink if someone had been arrested for something they didnt do and then was later found to have never been deserving of that arrest.

I wrote up a brief post on my experiences of applying, getting interviewed, etc. My interview took 5 minutes. Application to approval was all done in about 2 weeks.

http://bit.ly/VH73L8

Does Charlotte still take walk-ins? Thinking of just showing up early next week. First available appointment is in May and I travel abroad next month

they took me today- painless, quick 4-5 minutes in and out- fantastic!

That's so nice to hear that.

When did they add Saipan (SPN) to Global Entry? It is now listed as having a kiosk but no enrollment center.

Just curious really. I saw it listed while surfing around on the GE site today.

I'll probably be going back for a few days this summer though I'll hop in from Guam. Interesting location to pick IMO.

The natural question would be "Why not Guam?"

But anyway, SPN would be the very first station where GE cannot save you from filling the customs form (and you cannot make declarations on the kiosk). I wonder if the CNMI Division of Customs lets you cut the line.

Which leads to the next question: What if you fly in from Guam without a passport? Does the GE privilege "require" that pre-registered document (the passport book)? If I were flying just between GUM-SPN, I'd be using a passport card. And when I registered, I or the LAX CBP guy saw no need of scanning the passport card (which I entered into GOES) into the system.

I disagree, I'd consider that a piggy back at best, but the supposed rumours of union of the CNMI and Guam VWP and transport depts might make it obsolete soon if it actual happens.

My last three Guam trips have all seen new rumours, and new procedures, which I am told CNMI wants to adopt.

Guam still has a seperate Visa waiver policy, correct, so maybe CBP doesn't want to make the investment.

'Tis a good question about the form, though my last few trips to the CNMI have involved flights with 8, 4 and 6 people respectively so it could still be a short process. Again, good question though.

Guam and CNMI already have exactly the same VWP--since 2009-11-28, the day CNMI immigration was taken over by the feds. However, a "parole authority" has been granted to tour groups from China and Russia into the CNMI--something that Guam does not have.

CNMI and Guam customs remain in the hand of the local government.

The combined VWP does not eliminate immigration control, however, because the CNMI is under a five-year (supposedly, likely to be lengthened) transitional period for foreign workers that the local government let in over the decades and the local economy still can't live without. Therefore, admissibility to the CNMI, to Guam, and to the States are three different things, hence the immigration control.

At GUM there are three ways to get to customs: From HNL, straight down escalators. From foreign points, through main CBP hall then escalators. From ROP/SPN, immigration at special arrival gate.

I haven't been to SPN since 2001, so I don't know if GUM arrivals are the same as international arrivals in terms of immigration.

Interesting. Good write up. My last trip to CNMI was IIRC in Dec 2011 and the rumour was the Guam VWP was to become the G/CNMI VWP in Jan 2012. I have some local biz literature they were handing out stating something similar at that time.

true, and for those that don't know US persons returning to the 50 US states and DC have special limits on booze and duties that are more offten generous than normal. I found that travelling with a local helped with customs in Guam (ditto AmSam)

Since you mentioned it, for those reading, American Samoa has different rules also. I could normally only stay <30 days when I was there opening offices a few years ago. Of course they are often only US Nationals and very protective of their jobs (and money from DC)

I've done all three, and at Andersen AFB. I found the most annoying questions after coming from HNL! YMMV

At SPN I saw them processing a plane from Japan and it looked friendly enough.

Anyway, I was surprised to see the listing for the kiosk at Saipan. Good discussion. THey did have one kisosk at the private terminal at FLL (I presume it is still there) so anything is possible. In one of their of Federal Register postings they mentioned wanting to expand the program more and more, so who knows where we might see them next.

So let me say I have a suspicion that the SPN kiosk cannot be used if you're flying in from GUM. It's not really an entry to the United States, at least for anyone qualified for GE. After all, I'm not sure if airlines have to supply APIS and other info like a true international flight.

Just approved an went online for an appointment- first one available in IAD is four months away in June, can I try and walk in at IAD or give them a call. Traveling later in this month.

I just noticed that Dulles opened up appointments for every Sunday from now through EOS. Looks like they have changed their operating hours to include Sundays. You might check again - tons of availability.