Is Global Entry worthwhile?
#1141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Because US FIS at Canadian airports operates under the Preclearance Act which LONG, LONG predates GlobalEntry. Any kind of modifications to the Preclearance facilities, such as to install GE kiosks, most likely would be a lengthy process of approvals by both US and Canadian authorities. Easier to keep the existing NEXUS kiosks in place.
Second, NEXUS long predates GlobalEntry too, as do the iris scanning machines. In fact, I believe that GlobalEntry was modeled off NEXUS given the success of the latter program for expediting processing of low-risk frequent travelers (and travellers!) between the USA and Canada. US CBP just decided to go with digital fingerprints instead of retinal scans (a good decision, IMHO).
(Note, however, that reverse access DOES work. NEXUS members who are US Citizens/LPRs may use GlobalEntry kiosks with minimal effort and without further cost, as long as their NEXUS membership remains in good standing. More Here)
Last edited by ESpen36; Aug 9, 2010 at 12:25 pm
#1142
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: Virgin Aus Platinum; UA 1K; Sofitel Platinum (A-Club); Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold / Premium Club
Posts: 490
I just love Global Entry -- it has saved my connections on multiple ocassions and gets me out of the immigration small talk (always feel awful about that when there is a long line behind me). Couple Global Entry with Smart Gate in Australia (I am a dual national) and I never have to wait in line when I move between AU and the US. For whatever reason -- Smart Gate seems to be a bit more secure (i.e. you are unable to just walk thorugh into the country). In addition, there is no registration -- it just works with the biometrics in your passport. A bit different from the US's Trusted Traveler -- but still a great solution!
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5831.asp
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5831.asp
#1143
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 195
Last week my flight from lhr was late and i almost missed my connection in chicago. Thanks to global entry i made it from gate m4 in ord to gate h14 on the other ord side to make my flight in ....no b.s.....seventeen minutes. Even the gate agents said i made a record. Of course, i did sprint through all runnable passages and was huffing and puffing. But global entry saved my tushie. And it was ord at 415 pm so security was busy and customs was packed.
I just love Global Entry -- it has saved my connections on multiple ocassions and gets me out of the immigration small talk (always feel awful about that when there is a long line behind me). Couple Global Entry with Smart Gate in Australia (I am a dual national) and I never have to wait in line when I move between AU and the US. For whatever reason -- Smart Gate seems to be a bit more secure (i.e. you are unable to just walk thorugh into the country). In addition, there is no registration -- it just works with the biometrics in your passport. A bit different from the US's Trusted Traveler -- but still a great solution!
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5831.asp
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5831.asp
#1144
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: UA Gold, AirBerlin Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 163
machine-readable?
Is machine-readable passport (required for enrollment into GE) the same as new, biometric passport?
My passport is pre-biometric, and still has 4 or so years validity on it, but I regularly see immigration officers sliding the first page through a reader. Do I need to "upgrade" my passport before I apply for GE or can I use the current one?
My passport is pre-biometric, and still has 4 or so years validity on it, but I regularly see immigration officers sliding the first page through a reader. Do I need to "upgrade" my passport before I apply for GE or can I use the current one?
#1145
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
Is machine-readable passport (required for enrollment into GE) the same as new, biometric passport?
My passport is pre-biometric, and still has 4 or so years validity on it, but I regularly see immigration officers sliding the first page through a reader. Do I need to "upgrade" my passport before I apply for GE or can I use the current one?
My passport is pre-biometric, and still has 4 or so years validity on it, but I regularly see immigration officers sliding the first page through a reader. Do I need to "upgrade" my passport before I apply for GE or can I use the current one?
I received my "golden sticker" with no issues.
Greg
#1146
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: UA Gold, AirBerlin Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 163
#1147
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Smyrna, GA
Programs: DL Diamond Medallion, AmEx DL Reserve Card, Marriott Rewards Platinum, SPG Platinum
Posts: 42
Conditional Approval within 72 hours
I applied for Global Entry through the GOES system this past Monday and received my Conditional Approval today. I've scheduled my interview for next Monday at the Atlanta Port Office (will save me from having to trudge through security at the airport and trek all the way to Terminal E at ATL) as I live in Atlanta a short drive from the airport. If all goes as planned, I'll have my sticker in my passport within 7 days of my online application!
#1149
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NYC, NY
Programs: UA 1K+1MM, MR Ttnm & lifetime PLT, Hilton Gld, IHG Pltn, Chi Dmd
Posts: 217
Non-GE Airports
Quick question:
Have a few arrivals (pre-clearance airports) coming up in Sept + Oct .. through canada and the bahamas..
does anyone know if the immigration officer sees (on their screen) that you are GE-approved when they scan your passport... thus avoiding long questioning... and just being waived through.
-thanks-
dd
Have a few arrivals (pre-clearance airports) coming up in Sept + Oct .. through canada and the bahamas..
does anyone know if the immigration officer sees (on their screen) that you are GE-approved when they scan your passport... thus avoiding long questioning... and just being waived through.
-thanks-
dd
#1150
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
Quick question:
Have a few arrivals (pre-clearance airports) coming up in Sept + Oct .. through canada and the bahamas..
does anyone know if the immigration officer sees (on their screen) that you are GE-approved when they scan your passport... thus avoiding long questioning... and just being waived through.
-thanks-
dd
Have a few arrivals (pre-clearance airports) coming up in Sept + Oct .. through canada and the bahamas..
does anyone know if the immigration officer sees (on their screen) that you are GE-approved when they scan your passport... thus avoiding long questioning... and just being waived through.
-thanks-
dd
Maybe Firebug4, as our resident CBP poster, can add some details.
#1151
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta 1 MM, Platinum. Marriott-Hilton Gold
Posts: 312
#1152
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,417
Is machine-readable passport (required for enrollment into GE) the same as new, biometric passport?
My passport is pre-biometric, and still has 4 or so years validity on it, but I regularly see immigration officers sliding the first page through a reader. Do I need to "upgrade" my passport before I apply for GE or can I use the current one?
My passport is pre-biometric, and still has 4 or so years validity on it, but I regularly see immigration officers sliding the first page through a reader. Do I need to "upgrade" my passport before I apply for GE or can I use the current one?
Anyway, as noted above you don't need a biometric passport for GE.
#1153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
The kiosk does not stamp your passport.
I don't buy that. As long as there is a network connection and power, CBP should be able install whatever they want in their pre-clearance hall.
I make a point of presenting my passport with the CBP sticker showing, and it makes no difference.
Interestingly, after extensive review of the cbp.gov WHTI web pages I determined that when using Canada pre-clearance, I could get away with presenting just my green card to enter the U.S. I did that on Monday from YYC, and not only did it work, but they question I got asked was "business or personal". This was the easiest entry into the US from Canada in at least 20 years. As my green card, and not my passport, is tied to GE, that might have something to do with it.
I'm never presenting my passport again when entering from Canada or Mexico.
Because US FIS at Canadian airports operates under the Preclearance Act which LONG, LONG predates GlobalEntry. Any kind of modifications to the Preclearance facilities, such as to install GE kiosks, most likely would be a lengthy process of approvals by both US and Canadian authorities.
Have a few arrivals (pre-clearance airports) coming up in Sept + Oct .. through canada and the bahamas..
does anyone know if the immigration officer sees (on their screen) that you are GE-approved when they scan your passport... thus avoiding long questioning... and just being waived through.
does anyone know if the immigration officer sees (on their screen) that you are GE-approved when they scan your passport... thus avoiding long questioning... and just being waived through.
Interestingly, after extensive review of the cbp.gov WHTI web pages I determined that when using Canada pre-clearance, I could get away with presenting just my green card to enter the U.S. I did that on Monday from YYC, and not only did it work, but they question I got asked was "business or personal". This was the easiest entry into the US from Canada in at least 20 years. As my green card, and not my passport, is tied to GE, that might have something to do with it.
I'm never presenting my passport again when entering from Canada or Mexico.
#1154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
It's not "their pre-clearance hall." CBP simply staffs it to process passengers, presumably paying some form of rent for its use of the space. Security is the responsibility of the local airport authority. CBP officers stationed at Pre-Clearance facilities in Canada have more limited powers than those stationed at facilities within the USA.
The Pre-Clearance inspection areas, and the holding areas beyond, are still Canadian territory and subject to Canadian law. It says so in small print on signs right at the entrance to the YYZ Pre-Clearance area, and I'm assuming all others as well. Entering a Pre-Clearance area does NOT mean legally entering the USA. Pre-Clearance areas are still under Canadian jurisdiction.
An intricate, 15-page law known as the Preclearance Act (S.C. 1999, ch 20) legislates how these facilities operate. It is available at http://laws.justice.gc.ca
For example, Canadian authorities CAN arrest travelers inside the Pre-Clearance area for offenses under Canadian law, even if those travelers have been processed and admitted to the USA, and even if the offenses in question would not be offenses under U.S. law.
So, I think it would not be easy for CBP to introduce some new technology into these areas without substantial work on the part of both governments.
#1155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Do you think CBP asked permission of the Canadian government to install cameras and fingerprint scanners when it introduced U.S. VISIT procedures? Do you think if CBP decided to install a GE kiosk in several of the unstaffed booths in Canadian airports, that the Canadian government's permission would be needed?
NEXUS is different because it is a joint Canada/U.S. program. GE, like U.S. VISIT is not a joint program.