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Originally Posted by Oceanrider
(Post 13820007)
I wrote CBP on the subject as I almost always travel with food in my carry on and I found the responses at the NEXUS interviews and later with a CBP GE officer and here inconsistent .
Here are excerpts from their response: .... Response First of all, at the kiosk you must respond that you have food. If you do not, you can receive a fine of $300 and lose your NEXUS status. There is no such thing as a de minimis amount of food. So when the machine asks you, you must answer yes and then speak to the nice officer behind the counter. Those long lines make me want to do anything reasonable to avoid losing this benefit. |
I just wanted to give a timeline on my application for my NEXUS card.
I applied on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at about 10:30 PM Arizona time. I received my email stating my GOES account had been updated on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 9:07 AM Arizona Time. So, just under 10 days for my application to be reviewed and conditionally approved. Not bad. |
I used GE for the first time on May 14th. Flew CO35 from LHR to IAH. Last time I flew international into IAH was in 2001 and I don't remember the walk from the arrival gate to the immigration/customs area being so long. I think we had to walk a good 15 to 20 minutes.
They had a sign pointing to the GE kiosks located at the far end of the hall. There were six of them (2 banks of 3). I went through the entire process, but it got stuck on the last part. After 2 minutes it finally printed a X receipt. Turns out all the machines were doing this to everybody. They opened up the last two desks right next to the kiosks and were processing GE users. The CBP officer asked where I was coming from and how long I was there and then stamped the back of the receipt. I then went and picked up my bags which were already waiting for me. Proceeded to customs. They had a separate GE line. The customs agent held up the non-GE line and took my receipt. Overall it was a good experience. All of the CBP were professional and took care of the GE users as quickly as possible. GE would definitely have been worth it because my flight got in late from LHR (some idiots decided they didn't want to fly after we had already pushed back and had been disconnected from the tug) and I had to get over to terminal A for my flight to CLL... but it turns out that I would be waiting at IAH for 10 hours due to severe weather. |
Originally Posted by Nevsky
(Post 14035424)
I was told during my interview at EWR that if I had food (such as chocolate or baked goods), I could answer no at the kiosk, but should fill out a customs form (and note the food on the form) and present that with an explanation at customs.
I was told during my interview at ATL that packaged/processed foods like chocolate, cookies, crackers, etc., did not have to be declared at the GE kiosk. |
Originally Posted by uavking
(Post 14038689)
Gotta love the consistency of CBP's inconsistency. :D
I was told during my interview at ATL that packaged/processed foods like chocolate, cookies, crackers, etc., did not have to be declared at the GE kiosk. |
The GE kiosk question regarding food is very specific. It is clear (to me) that it differs from the standard blue customs form specifically to ignore food items that are okay.
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Used Global Entry at SFO today. Much different experience than IAD. I was a little disappointed that they only had two kiosks, but it took less than 30 seconds to process. Once I finished, I flashed my CBP sticker and the receipt to the officer next to the kiosk and was sent on my way to the exit area. One thing that SFO should have, that IAD did, is a separate exit line for Global Entry Members..
Glad to have used it for the second time, and talked up the program to my seatmates on SFO-SYD and SYD-SFO. Both guys traveled out of the country at least once per month... Hope this comes to DEN! |
Frustrated. What do you think?
So I had my sig other setup a Nexus / GE application 40 days ago. Their trip to YVR was this holiday weekend and was a perfect weekend to squeeze in an interview.
2 weeks ago I emailed the obudsman and inquired when it would clear and was told at 8 weeks. (That is a bit more than the "4" under normal circumstances) Sunday at 9pm it cleared and my sig other was flying out this morning. I knew it would be a long shot since no openings existed for 1 more week. But since they took an abnormally long time to process and since there was a shot, we inquired at the YVR Nexus/GE desk today. At 8AM there were 6 US CBP and what looked to be 4-5 Canadian officials staffing the desk. We asked if we could take advantage of this time and "schedule" for that moment or today at some point. The answer from the American side, was a resounding NO. "Absolutely not, this line is for appointments only" We were polite and explained our situation and did not press beyond that. However I felt the response was entirely unwarranted and rude. They could have said, yes we know we aren't busy at this time but we have to follow policy or something a bit more congenial. Instead they left us with a bad taste and now a 3 month wait until we have a chance to be in a northern state / province to schedule an appointment again. I am used to the CBP at Nexus/GE being friendly and welcoming (more so than the Immigration officers) Too bad that trend did not continue on this American Memorial Day. |
As far as your situation, I think you were more out of line than anyone you spoke with. If you read the rules (which it seems you did), you know the policy. Bummer it didn't work out with your schedule but that is your problem, not theirs. You asked for an exception, it was denied and then you get upset?
BTW - are canadians allowed into the GE program or do they only have Nexus? |
GoingAway, quickly reread my post. We did nothing out of line. We politely made a request and accepted their decision without any hesitation or negative response.
My frustration was with their monster sized attitude. I know they are not there to win a congeniality prize however they could have handled it differently. When I did my nexus interview in Vancouver downtown, walkins were permitted. As far as Canadian's using GE. As far as I know, the answer is they can't. It is reserved for USA Citizens, PR/Green Card Holders. So if you are a Canadian with a green card you could in theory get Global Entry. For our case I hold Nexus and GE. My girlfriend is applying for Nexus, once approved she will apply for Global Entry. Which now will be in 3-6 months as Nexus requires one is at a US/CAN staffed agency station, and she is based in California. |
Originally Posted by AMRivlin
(Post 14054749)
As far as Canadian's using GE. As far as I know, the answer is they can't. It is reserved for USA Citizens, PR/Green Card Holders. So if you are a Canadian with a green card you could in theory get Global Entry.
Originally Posted by AMRivlin
(Post 14054749)
For our case I hold Nexus and GE. My girlfriend is applying for Nexus, once approved she will apply for Global Entry. Which now will be in 3-6 months as Nexus requires one is at a US/CAN staffed agency station, and she is based in California.
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With 1000 posts now, wondering if there is anyone who wants to summarize as to whether it is "worth it" at specific airports?
For example at SFO I rarely find long lines, but others report the experience is quite different at IAD (apparently hasn't improved in many years). Of course it depends on how often you travel - saving 5 minutes in line might be worth $100 to somebody who transits once a month v. twice a year. According to the CBP website, Global entry kiosks are available at the following airports:
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Originally Posted by Boraxo
(Post 14057469)
With 1000 posts now, wondering if there is anyone who wants to summarize as to whether it is "worth it" at specific airports?
For example at SFO I rarely find long lines, but others report the experience is quite different at IAD (apparently hasn't improved in many years). Of course it depends on how often you travel - saving 5 minutes in line might be worth $100 to somebody who transits once a month v. twice a year. According to the CBP website, Global entry kiosks are available at the following airports:
As far as SFO, my upgrade did not clear, so I had 75 people from my flight in front of me. When we got to the customs area, we also had another 20-40 people in line, so by using GE, I cut out the waiting and went right through.. There may be some airports where GE is not really worth it. However, I think that $20 for five years is worth it if I can forgo speaking to a CBP officer, waiting in line, and filling out the customs form.. |
I just got my GE today. After my last entry at IAD (the third this year) where I spent between 1 1/2 - 2 hours getting through on each entry--with nothing to declare. I figure if GE saves me at least an hour each trip (and I travel 5-6 times a year) it is well worth the money.
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Knock on wood, all the times I've recalled I breezed through Immigration and Customs at LAX, PHX, MIA, CLT, ORD, and IAH.
However, last month, I spent over an 90 in the immigration line at ORD, plus another 40 min in line at Customs. It was quite annoying to have ran to make my connection. I was supposed to have a 3 hour connection... Also, my bags didn't make the connection either. Anyways, I convinced myself to apply for Global Entry today (6/1). I am anxiously awaiting the approval/interview process since my next international trip is 6/11. |
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