Britons to be offered Global Entry

[SeenItAll]

Well, for all of you loyal subjects of the Queen, this is your opportunity to skip long lines at U.S. immigration and customs. As a user of this service myself, it is fantastic. There is nothing in the world to lift your spirits after a many-hour overseas flight than to bypass teaming lines of tired travelers often waiting an hour or more to be quizzed by a government bureaucrat and instead visit a kiosk for a quick 45 second encounter -- and then, freedom!

But I hope that not too many of you sign up, because that might create a back up in the kiosk lines for me.

Britons offered chance to skip U.S. customs queues

[Planet Basher]

I wonder what they class as low risk?

[dsc810]

You missed out the point that you have to go to the USA to have the "enrollment interview" in the first place.............

[SeenItAll]

Not necessarily true. Enrollment centers exist in Qatar, Germany and Canada. Perhaps they will set one up in the UK, too. Even if they do not, the best strategy is to set up an interview to coincide with your next arrival into or departure from the U.S. Centers are commonly at major U.S. international airports. See:
Global Entry Enrollment Centers | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CBP Announces the Expansion of Global Entry to UK Citizens | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Germany | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

But why am I conveying this information? The more of you that apply, the longer my kiosk lines will be.

[PAXboy]

SeenItAll: Your sacrifice for the greater good will doubtless have been noted by the gods of air travel and you will be rewarded.

[ExXB]

I still don't understand why they don't use APIS data to determine, in advance of the aircraft arriving, who requires anything more than a glacé at the passport photo.

I can't recall ever being asked a question by an agent that I hadn't already answered on one of the plethora of pre-arrival forms (electronic and paper).

Why do I need a pre-interview? Will they learn anything new about me? I think not.

[SimWes]

Having recently travelled through Miami and Orlando, it took me less than 10 minutes each time to get though Immigration using the new Kiosks they have installed.
Only downside to that, it meant having to wait longer for the baggage to arrive at the carousel…

[SeenItAll]

Why do I need a pre-interview? Will they learn anything new about me?

The application form and interview for GE is quite a bit more extensive than what is required for APIS (name, passport number, DOB, etc.) You are asked to list your past travels, past residences, information about relatives, etc. Further, your fingerprints will be taken and (I believe) they are run through some database before your application is approved. (This is, I think, different from the ordinary entry process where your fingerprints are taken when you enter, but nothing is done with them in real time to approve or not approve your entry.)

[Basil]

Considering some of the people we now have residing in the UK, I'm astonished that we are being offered this fast track entrée.

[cjhants]

I went through MCO last month and used these new kiosks, and got through in 5 minutes. Since ESTA was introduced, the delays at US Immigration seem to have improved significantly, and I have rarely had to wait for more than 15 minutes or so (which is about the same time we Brits have to queue to get back into our own country!).

What needs to be improved is the delays for outgoing flights. Last 2 times at MCO took an hour to get through security. This badly lets down what is normally an easy airport to use.

[Level bust]

I used Atlanta and Boston as entry points this year. We were through Atlanta in 5 minutes. Unfortunately at Boston I had problems with the machine, so was sent to a dedicated desk set aside for these problems, still through in 10 minutes.

It was also pleasing at Boston to be dealt with by a very friendly and humurous immigration officer!

[ahwalk01]

Excellent programme, good to see it expanding.

[ExXB]

Originally Posted by SeenItAll

You are asked to list your past travels, past residences, information about relatives, etc. Further, your fingerprints will be taken and (I believe) they are run through some database before your application is approved. (This is, I think, different from the ordinary entry process where your fingerprints are taken when you enter, but nothing is done with them in real time to approve or not approve your entry.)

And how is any of that their business? They don't ask for it if you arrive without the 'global entry'. They might see my previous travel (but not within Schengen) on my current passport.

I don't see this is in my interest. Sounds like an excuse for money grubbing.

[Chesty Morgan]

Plenty of better places to travel to that don't require invasive checks and money to enter.

See ya USA.