Passengers using APC must visit a primary inspection officer for identity and document verification. APC is designed to expedite primary inspection, not eliminate it.

How is that any different from what happens already at Primary? As I remember from going through inspection before I became GE, here is how it went:

1) Primary officer takes and swipes passport. (2 seconds)
2) Officer glances at screen to look at my record (3 seconds)
3) Officer writes a "1" and circles it on my paper declaration form. (1 second)
4) Officer stamps passport (sometimes, sometimes not) and customs form. (1-2 seconds)
5) Officer says "welcome back." (1 second)


Seriously! In the vast majority of cases, once I reached an officer, I was through in 10-15 seconds or less. VERY occasionally, the officer might ask "how long were you away?" or "what is your occupation?" But usually just Swipe, Glance at screen, Write a 1, Stamp, Welcome back.

Not sure how the kiosk is saving time, unless the Primary inspections have become more involved in the past five years. I also wonder if it might add to headaches for weary travelers just getting off long flights who might not be tech-savvy in using a kiosk. Especially for older travelers, or those with a language barrier.

You don't spend an hour (at some airports and at certain times of the day) waiting in a queue to get to the immigration desk and you don't stand in the long queue to get past customs.

I agree the Primary inspection itself does not take long; it's the wait in the queue to reach the inspector that can take so long.

Are the line wardens at ORD ensuring general US passport holders aren't trying to use the GE kiosks? (I'm not sure of the locations of the different kiosks as I have not cleared at ORD since the new kiosks were installed.)

I came into IAD last night (first time since receiving my GE card in early July). The kiosks were blocked with a sign that said "No Entry", so I got into the regular line. Asked the CBP person who was screaming at the line how I was supposed to use the kiosk. She lifted the rope and let me through. First kiosk failed to read my passport. So did the second. Manually entered my passport number and it said I wasn't enrolled. Got back in line and mentioned the problem to the immigration agent. He just shrugged and said "if it happens again, call the number on the website." Looked on the website, and can't find a number to call. It only took me about twice as long to process as my non-citizen wife.

Thus far, I can't say I'm terribly impressed with the program

But won't there be a queue to use the kiosks?

Unless the signs are new, there used to be a gate that looked like something you shouldn't go through, but above there's a sign that says "Global Entry and Crew" (or something) - you just have to push through the swinging gate.

On Saturday we spent 20m waiting in line at SFO because we had the misfortune to follow another plane (and my kids are still awaiting their "interviews" at SFO). There was no line at the kiosks, so we could have been through in about 1m per person. Of course, we would still have spent the same 20m waiting for our checked bags but the baggage claim area is much more pleasant and has chairs, bathrooms, etc.

As for older travelers I have relatives in their 70s and none have complained about the complexity of the machine, which is probably easier to use than an ATM. They all have iPhones too.

The only time I have seen a queue (extremely rare) was when 2 or more of the SFO kiosks were out of service. At IAH I saw something like a dozen kiosks so no line even with higher passenger volume.

Our family did our global entry all at once. For the kids, they did not take fingerprints or do a kiosk demonstration. They said it wasn't "necessary.". Seemed weird, but they were insistent.

Sure enough, when entering the USA for the first time and trying to use the kiosks, the kds were bounced and told to see an officer. It was a bit of a mess, because nobody knew the procedure for what to do when part of a family clears at the kiosk, but some don't. They made me fill out a card for the whole family and then stapled our two GE receipts to it. The guy at customs was befuddled when he saw that but ultimately let us through.

Any advice what to do? The kids are definitely GE enrolled, because they have GE cards and tsa pre gives them three beeps. Should we just try to wlk in to an interview location and see if they can take biometric data or otherwise get it so the kiosks work?

How old are your kids? Mine were 12 and 8 when they got GE, and they had to give their fingerprints at the interview. They use the kiosk fine (well, except for the youngest with the kiosk picture. He's short, and has to back up quite a distance). I would get an appointment (doesn't PHX have an interview site?) and bring the kids.

I am in the process of getting my passport renewed and see that I can update the document number and expiry dates online in my GOES account.

My driver license also needs to be renewed in the next few months but I don't see a similar place to update that document in GOES. What will happen when my current license expires in GOES and how do I update it? Will this block me from using GE or TSA_Pre? Do I have to go to an enrollment center with my new license - hope not?

Thanks to anyone who can offer guidance from experience.

You have to go in to an enrollment office to update your DL. I just did that last week. There is no way to update the DL on GOES and you cannot do it over the phone. I don't know what will happen if you don't update the DL.

Thanks. I will try to get in there. It's easy for us. I can't seem to figure out how to make an appointment though.

Well, if they started by policing UA staff shuttling Global Services customers to the officer at the top of the GE lines, it would be a start, but that's already much to ask in my experience.

GenevaFlyer

To update a DL for GE you do not need an appointment - just walk in an they'll take you ahead of everyone waiting for interviews (I just did it in Detroit in 4/13).