Global Entry (US Customs & Border Patrol Program)

[Douglas]

Anyone here a member?

I recently found out I'm eligible for Pre-Check, which is supposedly an expedited security clearance program for some frequent flyers. I'm not sure how I qualified; the e-mail I got about being auto-enrolled in the program came from United on account of my Mileage Plus membership.

As I fly internationally on a pretty regular basis, I've considered Global Entry to speed the immigration and customs clearance process, which sometimes is a real PITA, airport depending.

Anyone done this and found it worthwhile?

The cost ($100 for a five year membership) is not a big deal to me, but I am a bit more concerned about submitting to a "thorough background check." There is absolutely nothing alarming in my background, but I do fear sacrificing a tad bit of my freedom by submitting myself to such a check, and wonder what future implications that might have. All for the sake of cutting a line a few times a year.

 

[salisboss]

My wife and I are members. It is fantastic. It saves time at security and saved my wife and I an hour each at customs.

 

[Douglas]

Thanks, boss. Did you find the background check to be onerous in any way?

 

[Trompe le Monde]

imo, the government already knows as much about you as they need to know. probably more about you that you didnt know yourself
the application is quick and easy. the "interview" - i dont remember any actual questions. it was waiting in the lobby, get called up, get approved.
there is no surveys to your known associates to vouch for your. its not the same as getting a security clearance.
any minor glitch in your background tho, will DQ you for the program

 

[Mark from Plano]

I'm a member of both. My Amex platinum card offered to pay the $100 fee for GE a while back so I figured why not. I've never actually used the international part because I don't travel internationally that much. But it qualified me for precheck and I love that. Precheck is administered through the airline FF programs so it will only work on flights where you're flying on one you have a FF number with (United in your case).

It's great though. Shorter line, no shoe removal, don't have to take liquids, laptops, etc out of your bag, etc. you still obviously have to comply with the restrictions on what you can and can't carry on.

I like the program.

 

[globetrotter]

I love global entry. the TSA pre check does me no good, apparently if you have any open ticketed legs that are international, you can't use the pre-check line, which basically means I can never use it. global entry I use all the time, I can be out of O'Hare in 15 minutes after my plan touches down.

 

[taxgenius]

I've used it tons. Well worth it.

 

[konda]

I can be out of O'Hare in 15 minutes after my plan touches down.

Oh sweet. This is incredible!

 

[Douglas]

I just had my "interview."

There were 2 questions:

- Have you ever been convicted of a crime in the US or in any other country?
- Are there any pending court cases against you?

I was tempted to say I was convicted of sucking a dick in Saudi Arabia, does that count? But thought better of it.

I don't think the guy even looked me in the eye once. Sort of an awkward encounter actually.

(I'm talking about the TSA guy, not the dude in Saudi Arabia)

Then he took my fingerprints and off I went. I was done in 5 minutes. Supposedly I will get a notification in the next 24-48 hours and be able to use the kiosks immediately afterwards. Which is great, because I leave for China in 4 days.

I love global entry. the TSA pre check does me no good, apparently if you have any open ticketed legs that are international, you can't use the pre-check line, which basically means I can never use it. global entry I use all the time, I can be out of O'Hare in 15 minutes after my plan touches down.

I'm not convinced this is 100% true - I flew on an open itinerary (BWI-ORD-PVG, then HK-EWR-BWI, with all in-country China itineraries booked separately) just a few months ago and I went through Pre-Check.

Admittedly this was in BWI with an airport in between, but I didn't go through security again at ORD.

 

[OliverGauffe]

Getting out of OHare that quickly would be amazing, but I only fly international about once or twice a year... not sure if its really worth it... Also if you are traveling with someone who doesn't have it you, you have to wait for them on the other side anyway...It's often my case, so for the moment I haven't taken the plunge... and then I look enviously at those who get to go right through at customs!!!!

 

[Trompe le Monde]

its free with the Amex Platinum card. if youre on the fence - its worth it!

 

[JohnGalt]

the biggest pain about the program is that it's not available at all airports and doesn't transfer into automatic TSA Pre. Also keep in mind that if traveling with the family, all members of the party have to be enrolled to use GE. I don't know if you have kids, but it was difficult to get my 1 year old's fingerprints into the system (and subsequently read on re-entry).

 

[Douglas]

i have a kid, i don't travel with her. Yes, this is a problem with GE.

Actually the whole thing really yanks my chain. There's no earthly reason you should have to wait in that ******* line as long as you do in the first place. Their mismanagement and poor customer service = opportunity to upsell you on a higher level of service. As someone in private industry, that kind of **** chaps ******.