Out of curiosity, has anyone ever had a retinal scan done as part of their GE processing? This came up on a discussion on cruisecritic, where someone was saying they'd been to their interview for GE and besides fingerprints, they had a retinal scan done, and were told that GE was starting to do that because it might be used in the future. They did their interview in San Fran, so it definitely wasn't a NEXUS thing.

Just thought it was an odd thing.

No retinal scan here.

I can see why someone might be confused and think it's a retinal scan, but it's actually just an iris scan, essentially a close-up photo of the iris of the eye.

Retinal scans generally require the eye to be dilated. They're only used for ultra-high-security operations, not routine identity checking.

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as an Retinal Scan, is in fact, Iris Scan + Retinal, or as I've recently taken to calling it, Iris Scan plus Retinal. Retinal scan is not a biometric unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning identification system made useful by the Iris scan, retinal image and algorithims comprising a full identity check as defined by the US Government.

Many computer users run a modified version of the IRIS Scan every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of Iris Scan which is widely used today is often called a "Retinal Scan", and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the IRIS Scan system, developed by the US Government.

There really is a retinal scan, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Retinal scans are the subset of scan: the specific type of biometric in the system that is matched by the machine's resources to the known information. The retinal scanis an essential part of a biometric check, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete biometric verification. Retinal scans are normally used in combination with the IRIS scan: the whole system is basically IRIS Scans with Retinal scans added, or Iris Scan/Retinal Scan. All the so-called "Retinal Scans" are really distributions of "IRIS Scan"/"Retinal Scan".

Ok... No retinal or iris scan.

Any past questions about GE applications for non-international travelers should be irrelevant now that it creates eligibility for pre-Check.

Anyway, easy answer is that "While I don't often travel internationally, I also would like eligibility for PreCheck."

May also encourage CBP to create a GE-lite program for PreCheck only. You can bring sausages on domestic flights without restriction.

The nexus machines with iris scan feature are great pain to use !!!! The GE kiosks are 10 times more easy to use.

Is Global Entry worthwhile?
 

Just came back from Spain and landed at EWR terminal 2. No line at kiosks but there was a long line (at least 30-40 people in the line) at customs. I thought I had to wait in line but found a line dedicated to global entry members. From landing to clearing customs only took 5 min. I do not think I can live without it. Totally worth a $100 fee.

^ +1

First time at IAD where the GE customs lane provided me a true advantage. Of course, people had blocked it with luggage carts and wheelchairs, but I squeezed past and whispered "so long, suckers" as I stepped to the dedicated agent.

double post deleted.

I had a similar experience, except it was an FA blocking the lane yapping away with other FAs. She wouldn't step aside after a polite request so almost had to shove her to get past her. IAD needs to rope this lane off to keep it unobstructed.

I have a question about the correct process to use Global Entry.

I was at PHL this week. After using the kiosk, was I required to go to the nearest immigrations booth effectively cutting in front of everyone in the regular line? I did and the agent said to keep moving if I did not have an X on my print out. It looked like there were lanes I could have used to bypass the agents altogether.

So, did I have to stop at immigration?

No, you do not stop and go to an immigration booth UNLESS you get a huge black "X" on your GE receipt. If you get an X, you just wait and someone will come out and get you and stamp the back of your receipt (after making sure you shouldn't be detained). If they don't, then just knock on the window of the immigration booth nearest to the kiosks (or cut the line yelling out "Global Entry coming through!").

Otherwise, keep moving! You're on camera and they are fully aware of who got an "X" and who did not. They were supposed to tell you the procedure after you were interviewed and got approved. Obviously, someone slipped up.

Interesting. I used the GE for the first time at CLT recently. There was some sort of notice on the window of the officer's booth near the Kiosk reading "show your GE receipt (not exact wording)." A guy infront of me waved the receipt, the immigration asked for something. Since I did not know the protocol to exit the area, I also waved the receipt. The office stopped processing the person on the regular line and asked to see my passport. There was no X on my receipt, so he let me go.

Also, the custom officer asked to see the passport after I handed the GE receipt. I have heard that people were asked to show passport when exiting the custom, but haven't heard the procedure to show the passport when passing the nearest immigration officer.

So, is it required or was it a local thing? What's your experiences at other POE?

Various experiences, and not even consistent at a single airport (perhaps because they keep changing procedures, usually to make it more stringent).

Initially with GE, got a clear receipt and headed directly to baggage claim/customs.

Then (some airports) there was an agent standing by the kiosks. Even when I was the only person there, the agent asked to see my freshly printed receipt, then waved me on.

Most recently (few months ago), at ATL, everyone had to go to the first available immigration agent and show receipt and passport, whether or not they got the 'X' (that hadn't happened to me before at ATL). This has happened occasionally at other airports. Not something tied directly to the photo, because it has happened before the photos were on the receipt.

At customs, I always hand the passport and receipt to the agent. Some just take the receipt and hand the passport back, some open the passport and check against the receipt. Only in ORD did the customs agent (NOT the kiosk agent) demand to see my 'CBP' sticker. (No checked bags, nothing to declare).