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No line today coming in from Sal to IAH, it would have been a bad case for acquiring Global entry. NOBODY THERE!!! I saw one guy go in the Global entry line, by himself. I walked right up to the customs lady and was done in LESS THAN 60 SECONDS. I looked back and saw NOBODY on my rear view mirror. I know it isn't like this all the time but today was a bad case for GE at IAH coming in from Sal. I'm still looking for the moment to see some kind of twinkle of justification to have one.
What time was that, though? Most of the flights from Europe (for example) come in around the same time, many of them on multiple airlines. Flights are so often grouped together in banks.
Arrived at IAH about 11:00 AM.
It has been years since I waited longer than 10 minutes at customs in the US.
Since I am in Biz Elite, I am one of the first off.
This is what has kept me from getting Global Entry so far...
V--what about passport control (AKA immigration)? Customs is after you pass thru the first stage. I am not exaggerating: when there are multiple flights arriving at ATL or JFK, there can be more a few hundred people in queues. An American woman I sat next to last night said it took her 40 minutes just to get to the immigration agent for US passport holders. MXP/JFK yesterday afternoon. I doubt customs would take much time anyway unless you're declaring a bunch of stuff. All you do walk thru the green lane and continue. Customs isn't the issue w/those lines.
BTW--DTW and SEA don't seem to have much of an issue w/immigration lines.
I passed through the passport queues but I sat in first class, beat everyone to the machine and swiped my passport, DONE!!! In fact, it took care of both me and wife at the same time. I'm not saying this happens or will happen EVERY TIME! Two weeks ago, it took us I bet, with a little bit of a line maybe not even ten minutes to go through the queues and at that time, had luggage to wait for. This time, I did not check in any luggage and went straight to the customs agent. No lines. Ok, so it isn't EWR or other busy places, or we just caught Houston at a good moment. And the customs agent says they definitely have their moments and we were lucky. But every time I've gone through, previously it hasn't been that bad. Maybe a little bit longer, but doable.
[. I looked back and saw NOBODY on my rear view mirror. lol
I don't know what line you guys are talking about but Global Entry is still the way to go especially in the busiest airport in the world ATL.. The fastest for me was a MGA inbound at 15 minutes in line. LAX? forgetaboutit ...45min +
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddagencylv
I was looking for peasants but they were all hanging out at the sky lounge.
Classic!! haha
For me, I am talking plane seat to curbside experience in 10 minutes.
I am not knocking the program at all, and am even considering it. I just have not had an experience yet that makes me have to get it. Lucky I guess.
V--I'm guessing you haven't walked the 10+ minute "gauntlet" from T4 JFK gates to immigration and customs yet! hehe--it's a doozy! I swear they make us go thru NJ to get there. Crews complain how far it is. Before it was the non-working escalators--now it's walk a mile in everyone's shoes! It's kinda funny but some crews have to use GE because they don't get preferential treatment at some airports.
I fly biz class, too, and feel the same about getting there ahead of everyone on my aircraft--only to find there are 5 planeloads already in line. That's when GE is valuable. ATL and JFK are the worst for congestion. Since I arrive in major airports w/so many international flights, I can easily afford the $20 a year for GE fast track. Adds up to about $2-3 per entry. Better spent there than a greasy burger or a cheap beer.
Exactly feel the same way. I also think its a bit of a scam. The customs lady told me jokingly that when everyone decides to get Global Entry, then the lines will get longer for them. All this program says to me is those that can pay their way for a badge are somewhat more "Trustworthy" than you. It doesn't matter your previous securities and background checks you've had in the past. See what you go through to get an airport badge. Gotta go back to your 16th birthday for any arrest. See what you go through to get a CHL. See what you go through for military background check. Suddenly now you gotta PAY for a GE pass? It's an outrage to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by vulindlela
There is a bit of a hike from the jet way to the customs kiosks machines I bet its gotta be a ten minute hike or more, depending on how fast you move, but this takes you down the initial hallway, up an escalator, a long assed people mover thing to where you walk on this mover and it still takes a while to when you finally see the ugly customs agents, mostly overweight women hollering to which line you should go to. Nothing like "Welcome to IAH, Merry Christmas or How is your day going?" I swear this long journey to arrive at customs must be to monitor you to see if you have al quaida like tendencies or something.