Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Dec 6, 2009 | 11:31 am
#526
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 22,651
If an "X" prints out on your receipt, proceed to the side of the nearest CBP officer. Make sure that your passport with the CBP sticker and the receipt with the "X" are visible. When he is done processing the current passenger, he will wave you over, in front of everybody else..
It may seem kind of awkward to cut the line, especially if there are a number of people. However, you had the sense to sign up for Global Entry, and they either didn't know about it or chose not to, so don't worry about it...
It may seem kind of awkward to cut the line, especially if there are a number of people. However, you had the sense to sign up for Global Entry, and they either didn't know about it or chose not to, so don't worry about it...
Last edited by FriendlySkies; Dec 6, 2009 at 11:19 pm Reason: typo
Dec 6, 2009 | 11:09 pm
#527
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 243
+100 in both cases; I've saved at least a half an hour in a brutal line at both airports thanks to Global Entry. Heck, I've had DL crew stuck in a long, slow crew lane at ATL glance longingly over at the GE kiosks.
Seriously, if someone flies overseas more than once a year there's no excuse to not have GE.
Seriously, if someone flies overseas more than once a year there's no excuse to not have GE.
uavking, may I ask if there is a separate GE line for customs at LAX T7, like the one in IAD? if not, did you get to cut in the front of the custom's line or waited like everyone else?
Dec 7, 2009 | 4:55 pm
#528
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MSN/HOU
Programs: DL Silver (0.239 MM), DL SkyClub Life, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,107
It didn't appear that there was a separate lane at LAX. With GE, though, I was able to beat the entire rest of my a/c (UA SYD-LAX), including F and C, to customs, to the extent that the two gals manning the desks were caught off guard. ^
Dec 7, 2009 | 4:58 pm
#529
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,879
Would have been painless at SFO this weekend, but for the fact that I had sealed duty-free candy, and since it was my first time, I didn't want to push it, so declared food and got the X. The immigrations officer working the crew/diplomat line waved me over immediately and basically told me that candy didn't count, so she marked my card such that I didn't have to go through secondary, and was on my way.
Greg
Greg
Dec 7, 2009 | 9:34 pm
#530
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Coconut Grove & Punta del Este
Programs: AA EXP 3.3MM; GE & IRIS
Posts: 381
Washington Post article on Trusted Traveler Program
Dec 7, 2009 | 9:46 pm
#531
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 22,651
Dec 8, 2009 | 12:36 pm
#532
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS, BA-Gold
Posts: 6,863
Used at LAX for the 1st time today. Got a big X. Went to the counter, he scanned my passport, said go on thru. Went to where they take the pass, said go back, they didnt stamp it. So I tell him that, the officer says, lets go to the machine. Machine says too recent to do another scan. He sends me to secondary, they told him to stamp my X paper. He stamps it and walks me to and thru where they collect the passes. What a hassle. My buddy who was in C w me, got thru alot quicker and beat me to the lounge. I m sure it will get better.
Dec 8, 2009 | 1:08 pm
#533
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
At ORD, my usual pointof entry, there is not only no separate line but I've never waited more than 30 second, even before I was Global Entry. They've never asked me any questions either.
Dec 8, 2009 | 3:31 pm
#534
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 243
thanks. although i do wish they have a GE lane at the customs. it gives me nightmares just to think about the customs line at LAX. 
Dec 8, 2009 | 4:36 pm
#535
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: ORD-JFK-EZE-MAD
Programs: AA LT PLT 4mm / Free Agent / GE / Secret Handshake
Posts: 868
Cheers....
--J
Dec 8, 2009 | 10:17 pm
#536
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
The agent at LAX even took my little receipt and cross checked it with some sort of printed list that she had squirreled away under other paperwork - I have no idea what it was.
Dec 8, 2009 | 11:32 pm
#537
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: ORD-JFK-EZE-MAD
Programs: AA LT PLT 4mm / Free Agent / GE / Secret Handshake
Posts: 868
Understood that they have the right to question, it just seemed like the process was lots more stringent at LAX - pretty much everyone being asked questions - than that it is at ORD where they generally wave everyone through. Quite a difference.
The agent at LAX even took my little receipt and cross checked it with some sort of printed list that she had squirreled away under other paperwork - I have no idea what it was.
The agent at LAX even took my little receipt and cross checked it with some sort of printed list that she had squirreled away under other paperwork - I have no idea what it was.
--J
Dec 10, 2009 | 4:05 pm
#539
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 22,651
It really depends on your record, and CBP. For my application, it took a week to be accepted. I applied on Thursday, and I found out the next Thursday that I was ready to schedule an interview... It shouldn't take more than a week of two...
Dec 10, 2009 | 4:32 pm
#540
Formerly known as I_Hate_US_Airways
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Big D
Programs: AA Plat, Avis Chairman's, Elite w/many a hotel chain
Posts: 2,573
Super Fast!
As an FYI, I did have the Clear card as well as hold multiple state CCW/CHL permits. So it's safe to say that Big Brother knows who I am...