Global Entry advice
 

Hello

I'm waiting for my global entry interview and thought I'd ask the veterans what it's been like having GE and also what the interview was like so I can prepare. Has it made a big difference for you, which airports, perks, pros/cons, etc. Thank you!

The interview is pretty simple. The agent asks you a few questions about your travel habits, what countries you visited in the last few years, and other general questions like your name, where you were born, etc. They scan your fingerprints and take a photo for their photo recognition system and give you a brief 'hands on" demonstration on how the GE Kiosks work. There's really "nothing" you have to prepare for. The whole process takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on how long it takes YOU to get familiar with how to use the Kiosk..

We've had GE almost since it's inception and it has saved us untold hours. We can usually clear Immigration in just a few minutes. We rarely have to wait for an "empty" kiosk. So, yes, it's made a big difference in how quickly we can clear Immigration & Customs. From the time we enter the Passport Control Center until we exit Customs is usually under 5 minutes (assuming we are doing only carry-on and don't have to wait to claim luggage). It's worth every penny.

You can find a list of the airports that have GE on their website: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-tr...ntry/locations

The perks & pros include: Ability to enroll in the TSA PreCheck program, ability to use the GE line when exiting customs, no waiting at Passport control when returning to the US from a foreign country. The are no "cons" as far as we are concerned.

Global Entry is great for busy ports of entry. I used to dread flying into JFK or MIA, for example, but with Global Entry, it is pretty much a non-event. The TSA PreCheck membership is great too.

The interview was nothing when I did it. They asked a couple of questions, nothing major. Mostly, it was a chance to show you how to use the machines.

My hisband whizzed tnroigh his interview. My border patrol agent fixated on my trip to Cuba which was a legally licensed cultural exchange. We love Global Entry. We have been theough in 5-10 minutes at JFK and EWR.

My interview (literally) less that 2 minutes. It took longer for the finger prints and photo. I was inside no more than 6 or 7 minutes total.

If your name shows up on any police records, you may well be asked about it. I'd had a youthful "indiscretion" a couple of years ago (1968, actually), and we had an interesting discussion about that during my interview.

SO's interview was like janisj's, super fast. He said they didn't ask him anything other than did HE have any questions. He loves having GE.

The only question in my interview was if the address on my ID was correct.
Love TSA pre-heck and global entry.
We've seen 500 people in the regular line returning to the US and 2 people in the GE line

Great! It looks like I wont have much to worry about. Hopefully they don't dig up my crazy history of parking tickets. Long squared away but if theyre looking at 1968 crimes, then I must really have my A game on.

With regards to GE card, do you get it same day or is it mailed, and how long before you receive? Thanks so much.

You can begin using GE same day but your card shows up a few days/weeks later.

Is it same day? I think perhaps you have to wait for an email confirming your acceptance into the program, but it only takes a day or two. Then the card shows up eventually.

You can use the program as soon as you get the confirmation e-mail. My card arrived nearly a month later.

FWIW, the card is not required for (nor even usable) at airport points of entry. It is only useful for using NEXUS and SENTRI lanes to enter the US from Canada or Mexico.

I thought the guy told me I could start using it immediately. Since I was flying domestically I didn't bother to check.

>>I thought the guy told me I could start using it immediately.<<

My e-mail confirmation was received first thing the next morning which is pretty immediate. But since it is used for <i>entering</i> the US, sort of irrelevant since one would have to first fly somewhere outside the States then enter again. So even if it took 2 or 3 days - that is more than immediate enough.

That's right. Maybe--maybe--if your application has complications, the confirmation email could take longer, I don't know.

I started using GE before I got the card - in fact, I've never had to show anyone the card at all.

My questions were pretty simple and the process was fast. I think it took me longer to walk from the parking garage at SFO to the GE office than it took me to complete the interview.

The thing to keep in mind is that they've done a background check on you before you set foot in the interview room. Depending on what that background check turns up, your interview might or might not be simple and quick.

<i>The thing to keep in mind is that they've done a background check on you before you set foot in the interview room. Depending on what that background check turns up, your interview might or might not be simple and quick.</i>

The flipside, though, is that if it is anything too bad, they would reject you outright.

You can also use the card (and would need to have it) to enter the country at Port Everglades from a cruise ship. Apparently it's a test and they may expand to other ports.