SFO immigration now longer than LAX?
#31
Join Date: Nov 2017
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-James
#32
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There are also special GE lanes to enter transborder flights at select Canadian airports before security using your GE ID.
#33
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#34
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#35
Join Date: Nov 2017
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Safe Travels,
James
#36
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 710
+1. That was my experience as well. After several months of ever-changing procedures post-GE machine (does an agent double check, when is the paper slip collected), things have now settled in a a quick routine. An agent will collect the slip from you as you walk past the officer booths just past the GE machine. Once past that, there is no more interaction, most notably: no queuing after bag claim to hand over the slip. Nice and fast.
#37
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That has not been my experience at all! In December, I was flying YYZ->SIN (via ORD,NRT) on UA/NH and cleared US customs at T1 using just my passport. Prior to this I had YYZ -> SJU (via ORD) on UA and did the exact same thing. Perhaps things have changed since December 7, 2018 and now but would be surprised if CBP changed anything in the meantime!
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
#38
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Same way it's always been enforced. Primarily by dogs. You are also under observation during the entire entry process. And could theoretically be flagged by the CBP officer who takes your GE receipt, though the whole point of GE is that you're literally a "trusted traveler" and thus an unlikely candidate for secondary inspection.
I believe SFO has realized that having a separate officer who simply collects customs forms adds absolutely nothing substantive to the process.
I believe SFO has realized that having a separate officer who simply collects customs forms adds absolutely nothing substantive to the process.
#39
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#40
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-James
#41
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Same way it's always been enforced. Primarily by dogs. You are also under observation during the entire entry process. And could theoretically be flagged by the CBP officer who takes your GE receipt, though the whole point of GE is that you're literally a "trusted traveler" and thus an unlikely candidate for secondary inspection.
I believe SFO has realized that having a separate officer who simply collects customs forms adds absolutely nothing substantive to the process.
I believe SFO has realized that having a separate officer who simply collects customs forms adds absolutely nothing substantive to the process.
#42
Join Date: Jan 2019
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Another vote for Mobile App (if you are eligible). In my half dozen or so experiences with it at SFO I've gotten off the plane, while taxing or walking to the plane filled out the online form, and walked to the agent with literally no line or one person in line and been on my way in <45 seconds. I've never had GE, but it seems the mobile app is hard to beat (at least till everyone starts using it).
#43
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Mobile Passport app is an alternative to Global Entry if you are qualified, Global Entry vs. Mobile Passport App vs. APC
If you are eligible its the literal bomb. But don't say that to TSA.
#44
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
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Glad you were able to utilize mobile passport app. It is the best kept secret, best of all, it is free.
#45
Join Date: May 2007
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Posts: 5,453
Flew in on UA838 last Tuesday and walked right up to an officer (I have a visa that does not permit use of the kiosks). Interestingly, we beat the exactly similarly timed NH 77W off the ground at NRT by ~5 min, but the it beat us across the ocean and had already parked at G101 as we turned the corner around T3. That said, we parked at G94 and somehow beat most of the NH pax to the immigration hall.