Saturday, February 1, 2014

It’s a Global Entry kind of day!!

So headed up to the wonderland of Northern Chicago for my Global Entry interview today. Not even going to talk about the crazy snow, traffic and generally shitty conditions. That’s not what this is about. It’s about the Global Entry interview!!

Once you get “conditionally approved” by the Global Entry Powers That Be (aka: Customs and Border Patrol) you get an email explaining the process and directing you to sign up for an appointment for your interview to finalize the process. You have basically all of the participating airports with interview centers to choose from, and the closest to me was Chicago O’Hare, which is my go-to airport for international travel.

It was super easy to make the appointment, all done on line and since they have Saturday appointments to chose from, it makes it convenient for the working masses. My appointment was at 10:00 am today and with the weather being what it was I wanted to be there early, just in case. As it turns out they were running ½ hour behind: there was about 8 people ahead of me in line.

Once they call your name you are brought back into the “interview area”, which is basically a desk with a couple chairs and computer terminal. The Customs and Boarder patrol dude was super nice and it was a simple process. His computer was giving him technical difficulties but the actual process was simple. They look at your passport, driver’s license and the interview letter that was emailed to you. Then they take your picture and your fingerprints (electronically) and ask you a few simple questions. Such as:
o   Have you ever been arrested domestically or abroad?
o   Have you ever had any immigration violations brought against you?
o   Have you ever used another name? (Not counting maiden names).

That was about it. Simple. Took about 15 minutes total and pretty straightforward. I should note that in all honesty, they have already done your background check. They know who you are and what you are all about. I think they just want to see you and match up your face to passport. Then he gives you a temporary card with your ID number on it and gives you the speech. Some highlights:

o   You will get your permanent card in the mail. No need to take that with you on trips. It is mainly for driving back and forth from Canada or Mexico.
o   You will receive an email in about 48 hours with further instructions on using your new Global Entry info when you book your future flights.
o   Cannot be applied to any current flights already booked, only for new flights.
o   You should for first time uses with all your preferred rewards airlines check in at the ticket desk so that they have all your information updated when you use the system for the first time. (After that you can check in online, etc).
o   Although technically you don’t have to fill out the customs form on the airplane any more, my dude explained that they tell folks to still fill it out because as he said: “kiosks break, machines run out of paper, stuff happens. Better to be prepared just in case”.

Like I said, simple process! I think that this is going to be a good thing and for only $100 for 5 years you really can’t beat the price. Anything that makes your entry back into the good old USA quick and painless is a win-win for me!!


Happy travels!!!!

2 comments:

  1. REALLY good to know Global Entry doesn't include previously purchased flights. Which means if Elias and I want to use this in the summer, we'd better do this now...

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  2. My apologies. It is the TSA pre check that you can't use on previously paid for flights. The Global Entry program you can use basically right away. TSA pre check is an added bonus of the GE program and that has to be added in when you book your flights because it has to print out on your boarding pass so that you can show TSA. Sorry! I was in desperate need of a nap when I wrote the post!

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