I assume I can go to any GOES aiport then? I'll need to coordinate the interview with a trip and try to kill 2 birds.

That is the common strategy, and you can go to any GE airport, but you need to schedule the interview in advance at that airport, and leave yourself enough time to make your connection if there is a delay.

FYI, you did NOT sign up for GOES. You signed up for Global Entry. GOES is the Global Online Enrollment System, which is the website you use to sign up for Global Entry, NEXUS, FAST, etc..

I have used the global entry many times and love it. When I travel with spouse or kids who dont have it, I move by finger so fingerprints don't work and get the "front of line card" and then take kids and spouse with me and have had no problems. This is what one of the custom agents told me to do when they first came out.

In Amsterdam, have used the Privium card - would only get it if you fly there alot - and have enjoyed the lounge and essentially bypassed security. They waved me through. The last time was early in the year, don't know if they still do it or not.

sounds like a perfect reason for a MR. Have a UA voucher to burn so might as well make a trip out of it.

Once the interview is conducted, how long does it take to receive the card? I have several trips to europe starting in april, and would like to have the card ahead of the first trip.

thanks!

First there is no card, the only thing they do is put a sticker on your passport and they do this right at the interview (assuming you pass).
It will then take only a couple days for the system to be updated. When I got it I had the interview on the way to Europe and used it 5 days later on my return with no problems.
You can check online if the status changed to approved during you travel.

Thanks, dont know why I was under impression that a card was issued. Is the interview just based on the questions they already asked like where have you travelled, and why? And questions re: any past violations or issues re: travelling?

Be sure you know where the location is and leave plenty of time. At ORD is is a long distance from the domestic terminals, being on the lower level of T5 INTL (outside security). If you're a bit late they don't seem to care. For my interview I was stuck in terrible traffic, and when I called to let them know they said "just come when you get here, no problem."

It can be almost instantaneous. When I went through the process I had the interview they showed me how to work the machine and then they checked my status and I was already activated.

They look at their computer screen and seem to have a fairly comprehensive list of your travel habits. They questioned me since I had forgotten to put Canada on my list. Most of the interview was actually showing me the system, infortming me of the rules and regulations, etc. The whole process was fairly painless.

I suppose theoretically they can ask you about whatever they want (my ICE guy and I spent some time comparing travel notes :)).

But generally they want to eyeball you when you tell them you have never been convicted of a crime and that you've never violated customs or immigration laws (whether you were caught or not).

The session is also used to train you on the operation of the kiosk, either by showing you a video or by walking you through the process with a machine in the office.

As for the program becoming TOO popular, I think the fee and the fact that you have to give up your biometrics will keep all but frequent travelers from the process. My concern is that more and more airline employees are being moved to the system. 5 or 6 wide-bodies in an arrival bank means a LOT of FAs and pilots in the queue for the machine!

The machines are fast. And if it's FAs and pilots, they'll know the drill.

I just had cataract surgery in my left eye, and I hope this doesn't do anything to change my biometric eye retina scan, and cause me to not be recognized the next time I use the system. Does anyone know?

The retina scan is for NEXUS (GE uses fingerprints), so you might ask in that thread. In principle, the cataract/lens surgery shouldn't change your retina, but I have no idea if it changes how it looks to the machine.

I just applied for GE. I'm a fairly boring flyer: almost exclusively frequent US-UK (had 10 this year). I'm a little worried, because I had a trip to Nigeria earlier this year to visit a friend for a couple weeks. Are they likely to deny me GE because of that?

Did you do something illegal in Nigeria? I highly doubt they would deny you GE just because you visited Nigeria.. If conditionally approved, expect it to come up during the interview...

Heh! Nothing illegal, although I've no doubt that some of the restaurants that I went to were violating all sorts of health codes :P

That's cool. I'm happy to talk about it, it was just a trip to visit a friend from law school. I just wasn't sure if there were certain red card countries that took you off the eligibility list. Thanks :)