Is Global Entry worthwhile?
Nov 26, 2010, 8:02 pm
#1351
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Los Angeles Area/South of France
Programs: UA Gold Million Miler , Hertz #1 Gold Five Star, Sixt Platinum and various hotel programs
Posts: 85
Proof of Financial Solvency??
Finally got conditionally approved--a week after my wife. Go figure.
Anyway, the confirmations of our appointments (printed from GOES) include the following language: "If your [sic] self employed, please provide proof of financial solvency."
Anyone had experience with this, and any thoughts on what they expect? Tax returns, bank statements, balance sheet???
Anyway, the confirmations of our appointments (printed from GOES) include the following language: "If your [sic] self employed, please provide proof of financial solvency."
Anyone had experience with this, and any thoughts on what they expect? Tax returns, bank statements, balance sheet???
Nov 26, 2010, 10:59 pm
#1352
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA, UA, DL,
Posts: 588
Finally got conditionally approved--a week after my wife. Go figure.
Anyway, the confirmations of our appointments (printed from GOES) include the following language: "If your [sic] self employed, please provide proof of financial solvency."
Anyone had experience with this, and any thoughts on what they expect? Tax returns, bank statements, balance sheet???
Anyway, the confirmations of our appointments (printed from GOES) include the following language: "If your [sic] self employed, please provide proof of financial solvency."
Anyone had experience with this, and any thoughts on what they expect? Tax returns, bank statements, balance sheet???
Yes, I have experience. I am self-employed (no spouse, no mates). I expected the worse: bank statements, income tax returns, property tax statements, etc.
I showed up at SFO and the TSA didn't ask for *any* of that information.
He quizzed me about where I've flown internationally, how long I was there, whether the trips were for business or pleasure. Then he showed me how the kiosk worked and I was on my way.
I expected to be interrogated with a high intensity beam and what I got was a very cordial and very professional interview.
After saying that, have tax returns, property tax statements, etc. handy just in case. (I'm a firm believer of "it's better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.")
David
Nov 26, 2010, 11:37 pm
#1353
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Los Angeles Area/South of France
Programs: UA Gold Million Miler , Hertz #1 Gold Five Star, Sixt Platinum and various hotel programs
Posts: 85
David Dapper
Nov 27, 2010, 7:39 pm
#1354
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 12
And I would expect, based on some postings and anecdotes, that that courtesy will go away very quickly the minute anyone appears to have violated the trusted traveler rules and regulations.
Nov 27, 2010, 7:41 pm
#1355
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
The interviewers are actually fairly forthright about this. When I interviewed, I was very clearly advised that any violation of the rules by a GE member would result in a strict application of the investigation and penalty mechanisms available.
Nov 27, 2010, 8:30 pm
#1356
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
I already had NEXUS when I applied for GE. The 'interview' was a formality and they did not give me a sticker.
I have used GE numerous times without a hitch. However, a couple trips ago I was in ATL at the right time, so I stopped by and got the sticker because I had read that I needed it if the kiosks were ever down.
So yesterday I land in ORD. Use the kiosk, clear immigration. No checked luggage, so I sail right through to the customs line. I hand the clerk my passport and card. He looks at my passport and says "I don't see your CBP sticker."
I finally put my passport in a clear plastic holder because it was getting covered with baggage claim tickets and those sticky little 'cleared' security stickers that leave a sticky residue behind when you remove them. Unfortunately, immigration at ATL put the CBP sticker on the passport itself and it was obscured by the security stickers on the plastic holder.
The point is, I had already gotten my ticket and cleared immigration. I wasn't even in an expedited GE customs line I've seen at some airports. But he wasn't going to let me pass until I produced the CBP sticker. I guess if I hadn't had it, I would have had to fill out the I-94.
With thought processes like these, this guy should be working for TSA, not Customs.
I have used GE numerous times without a hitch. However, a couple trips ago I was in ATL at the right time, so I stopped by and got the sticker because I had read that I needed it if the kiosks were ever down.
So yesterday I land in ORD. Use the kiosk, clear immigration. No checked luggage, so I sail right through to the customs line. I hand the clerk my passport and card. He looks at my passport and says "I don't see your CBP sticker."
I finally put my passport in a clear plastic holder because it was getting covered with baggage claim tickets and those sticky little 'cleared' security stickers that leave a sticky residue behind when you remove them. Unfortunately, immigration at ATL put the CBP sticker on the passport itself and it was obscured by the security stickers on the plastic holder.
The point is, I had already gotten my ticket and cleared immigration. I wasn't even in an expedited GE customs line I've seen at some airports. But he wasn't going to let me pass until I produced the CBP sticker. I guess if I hadn't had it, I would have had to fill out the I-94.
With thought processes like these, this guy should be working for TSA, not Customs.
Nov 27, 2010, 10:08 pm
#1357
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold, PF Chang's Warrior, Wine Century 100
Posts: 1,105
You'll want to take the air train (technically called the "ATS") from term 1 to 5. As soon as you step off the train at term 5, look for a set of stairs to the right that goes downstairs (not well marked, IIRC). Once on the lower (baggage claim level) look for the McDonalds, walk past that and there's the CBP office behind a drab gray door. All of this is outside security.
Nov 28, 2010, 11:01 pm
#1358
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Hello dpdapper,
Yes, I have experience. I am self-employed (no spouse, no mates). I expected the worse: bank statements, income tax returns, property tax statements, etc.
I showed up at SFO and the TSA didn't ask for *any* of that information.
He quizzed me about where I've flown internationally, how long I was there, whether the trips were for business or pleasure. Then he showed me how the kiosk worked and I was on my way.
I expected to be interrogated with a high intensity beam and what I got was a very cordial and very professional interview.
After saying that, have tax returns, property tax statements, etc. handy just in case. (I'm a firm believer of "it's better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.")
David
Yes, I have experience. I am self-employed (no spouse, no mates). I expected the worse: bank statements, income tax returns, property tax statements, etc.
I showed up at SFO and the TSA didn't ask for *any* of that information.
He quizzed me about where I've flown internationally, how long I was there, whether the trips were for business or pleasure. Then he showed me how the kiosk worked and I was on my way.
I expected to be interrogated with a high intensity beam and what I got was a very cordial and very professional interview.
After saying that, have tax returns, property tax statements, etc. handy just in case. (I'm a firm believer of "it's better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.")
David
One week ago I arrived mid-morning at LAX--TBIT. Maneuvered through a queue of astonished foreign crew members to get through to the GE kiosks. Through in 2 minutes. ^ Very busy immigration queues even for US citizens so saved about 20-30 minutes there. Waited for bag about 15 minutes then it got really fun for Customs. Every line open with CBP officer, but I kid you not, there must have been about 200-300 people in each of 3-4 lines. Snaking everywhere. Complete nightmare. I pulled my bag over to the far left where the GE line was, only to find access completely blocked by a very long solid line. Fortunately, a CBP roving officer popped through it and I asked her "Isn't the Global Entry line around here?" She said "Hey just come through here (parting the assembled queue like the Red Sea) and got me to the outside near the exit, sending me up to an officer just standing near the front, who checked passport and my (non-X'd) receipt, then out of there pronto. ^^ Saved me at least an hour at the Customs queues--I've never seen queues that long at LAX before, nor at any other airport, even JFK.
Of course, I could feel the eyes of hundreds of wrathful waiting people on my back, trying to figure out why I got "special" privileges.
Of course, I could feel the eyes of hundreds of wrathful waiting people on my back, trying to figure out why I got "special" privileges.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Nov 30, 2010 at 1:38 am Reason: merge consecutive posts
Nov 28, 2010, 11:21 pm
#1359
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA, UA, DL,
Posts: 588
Thank you for letting me know of that distinction... I thought "they" were melded... but there is a difference and now I know...
I honestly did not know.
David
Nov 29, 2010, 12:57 am
#1360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
NP - we're all learning ... it is an important distinction as they serve different functions and more importantly have different levels of authority (CBP having real authority where TSA is a bullying farce)
Dec 10, 2010, 7:38 pm
#1361
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K,SPG Plat,
Posts: 1,091
another anecdotal reason for GE: Yesterday at IAD, the flights from DXB, GRU, and ACC all arrived at about the same time. I made it through GE, with no checked bags, and on through TSA in about 4 minutes. A guy I was talking to after my next flight said he had arrived from GRU, and it took nearly 2 hours to clear customs and immigration.
When I told him about the 4 minute GE time, he decided that it was money well spent and said he would be looking into it.
When I told him about the 4 minute GE time, he decided that it was money well spent and said he would be looking into it.
Dec 10, 2010, 7:47 pm
#1362
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,505
I think the GE program is getting more popular. Last week at SFO, there was actually a line to use the GE kiosks. First time I have had to wait to use a machine in 7 trips through SFO this year!
Dec 10, 2010, 7:51 pm
#1363
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
I am worried that the machines won't keep up with that increase in demand, and there will be times going to the agent will be quicker than waiting in line for a machine. We have a while till we get there, but the demand (and publicity) for GE is definitely on the rise.
Dec 10, 2010, 7:53 pm
#1364
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I flew in to ORD this Thanksgiving break. I used the GE kiosks, wife used regular line. Since we were in J, we were among the first to exit the plane. I beat her by a minute; it's not a huge difference, but I suppose it's bigger if we were in Y.