Used the new customs kiosks at ATL
Jul 7th, 2014, 06:25 AM
#1
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Used the new customs kiosks at ATL
How long have the kiosks been in place that replace the customs forms for US citizens?
We were apprehensive when no forms were distributed on the plane and we saw the rows of kiosks before Immigration. However, the line moved at the speed of the Immigration officers, so no hold up there despite our unfamiliarity with the machine and the process. Spotting an open machine because of the layout did slow the line. It took several tries to get the kiosk to read my passport, but it read my husband's on first try Then lining up face for photo took a short while after the long flight when my eyes don't focus so well.
It doesn't save on paper since it prints out receipt to give to customs and it didn't speed the line at the customs exit, but it does create a database.
We were apprehensive when no forms were distributed on the plane and we saw the rows of kiosks before Immigration. However, the line moved at the speed of the Immigration officers, so no hold up there despite our unfamiliarity with the machine and the process. Spotting an open machine because of the layout did slow the line. It took several tries to get the kiosk to read my passport, but it read my husband's on first try Then lining up face for photo took a short while after the long flight when my eyes don't focus so well.
It doesn't save on paper since it prints out receipt to give to customs and it didn't speed the line at the customs exit, but it does create a database.
Jul 7th, 2014, 07:31 AM
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I just used it entering the US via DFW. It was so easy. We had been given the usual customs form on the flight, but when I handed my passport, the immigration kiosk form, and customs form to the customs agent, he just took the kiosk form and said the other old customs form was a "souvenir". My bags were first off and I had no lines to wait in. The photo was awful though, but who cares?
Jul 7th, 2014, 08:31 AM
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We used them entering the US in Houston, and it was a PITA. The machine read our passports, but the system did not have our flight number, so after standing in line for a machine, and fussing with the machine for a minute or two, we were told, by the machine, that we had to go stand in the other line, with all the other people from our flight who had the same experience. When asked about it, the agents just shrugged and said "it happens".
We were not impressed. Looks like the government paid some contractor handsomely for totally unnecessary equipment.
We were not impressed. Looks like the government paid some contractor handsomely for totally unnecessary equipment.
Jul 8th, 2014, 07:51 AM
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< The system knows what flight you just came in on and displays that information.>
Except when it doesn't. Then, you've lost time; end up at the back of a long line when you could have been at the front (had you known); and that line moves slowly because the number of humans working has been drastically reduced.
Except when it doesn't. Then, you've lost time; end up at the back of a long line when you could have been at the front (had you known); and that line moves slowly because the number of humans working has been drastically reduced.
