Global Entry Program/Pre-Check [Split from screaming woman thread]

[Luanne]

We couldn't get into SFO either before our international trip, so we went on an extra vacation to San Diego and completed the process there. I also agree they should open up interview centers in either san jose or oakland.

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Isn't the TSA having problems with staffing? That might be the reason there aren't more centers.

 

[Blues]

We couldn't get into SFO either before our international trip, so we went on an extra vacation to San Diego and completed the process there. I also agree they should open up interview centers in either san jose or oakland.

What I don't understand is that many employees where I work have TWIC cards (transportation workers ID) in order to operate our research ship in international waters. I could get one if I wanted. The interview location for that is in Oakland, and is not backed up nearly as badly. Since it's also a part of Homeland Security, I don't understand why they can't use that.

Also, how ridiculous to go to the expense of extra airfares, hotels, etc, just to complete the process!

In any event, if hopefully my wife's application comes through soon, I may set up an interview at O'Hare. We're going there for my Mom's 95th birthday at the END of our Japan trip in October. So it would do no good for that trip, but since we're flying into O'Hare for that anyway, it would make some sense. What I'm trying to figure out is how long to leave from the scheduled plane arrival, to go through customs etc without the GE card, to then schedule the GE interview. I'm thinking that probably 2 hours should be enough time. Though I'd then worry about the plane being late. I could schedule it for the following day, but again it would involve an extra 45 minute trip each way to the airport. So I'd hope to do it on arrival.

What a huge PITA!

 

[Beaglemom3]

Isn't the TSA having problems with staffing? That might be the reason there aren't more centers.

Hi Luanne,

I believe, at least from my GE "journey", that GE is done by US Customs and Border Patrol agents and not TSA personnel.

This may be helpful: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/difference-between-us-customs-tsa-airports-61442.html

I like the US Customs/Border Patrol agents a lot. Not so much TSA.



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[Luanne]

Hi Luanne,

I believe, at least from my GE "journey", that GE is done by US Customs and Border Patrol agents and not TSA personnel.

This may be helpful: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/difference-between-us-customs-tsa-airports-61442.html

I like the US Customs/Border Patrol agents a lot. Not so much TSA.



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Thanks. After I posted that I wasn't sure, and I couldn't find anything online that said for sure.

 

[Beaglemom3]

Thanks. After I posted that I wasn't sure, and I couldn't find anything online that said for sure.

You got me thinking, too.

This link has an easy to understand graph. The agency category headings are helpful.

https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-traveler-comparison-chart

 

[Luanne]

You got me thinking, too.

This link has an easy to understand graph. The agency category headings are helpful.

https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-traveler-comparison-chart

That's a great chart.

 

[Beaglemom3]

That's a great chart.

Yes, agree.

It's easy to think in overlapping terms when thinking of CBP and TSA as they are both a part of Homeland Security. Customs has been around since the 1700s in some shape or form. The Border part came later in the 1920s if I read the story correctly.

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[canesfan]

What I don't understand is that many employees where I work have TWIC cards (transportation workers ID) in order to operate our research ship in international waters. I could get one if I wanted. The interview location for that is in Oakland, and is not backed up nearly as badly. Since it's also a part of Homeland Security, I don't understand why they can't use that.

Also, how ridiculous to go to the expense of extra airfares, hotels, etc, just to complete the process!

In any event, if hopefully my wife's application comes through soon, I may set up an interview at O'Hare. We're going there for my Mom's 95th birthday at the END of our Japan trip in October. So it would do no good for that trip, but since we're flying into O'Hare for that anyway, it would make some sense. What I'm trying to figure out is how long to leave from the scheduled plane arrival, to go through customs etc without the GE card, to then schedule the GE interview. I'm thinking that probably 2 hours should be enough time. Though I'd then worry about the plane being late. I could schedule it for the following day, but again it would involve an extra 45 minute trip each way to the airport. So I'd hope to do it on arrival.

What a huge PITA!

O'hare is unpredictable. I've waited over an hour and only 15 minutes for. Interviews for my kids last November. We watched several people leave because they were worried about their connection. The interview itself is quick.


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[Blues]

O'hare is unpredictable. I've waited over an hour and only 15 minutes for. Interviews for my kids last November. We watched several people leave because they were worried about their connection. The interview itself is quick.

Thanks Canesfan. My wife's pre-approval came in yesterday, so now I'm ready to schedule the interview. I'm still on the fence -- do I schedule it for arrival day, when we'll be there anyway, for 2 hours after the plane is scheduled to land? Or do I play it safe and schedule it for the next day, and just put up with the extra 45 minutes each way to the airport?

Any advice anyone? Thanks.

 

[canesfan]

If you are flying from Tokoyo, I think there is too much that can go wrong to delay you. Personally, since you are waiting all the way to October and doing it somewhere else I'd do it the next day. Why risk missing the appointment and not being able to communicate to them?

 

[Blues]

Thanks for talking some sense into me, Canesfan. The voice of reason. Now I just need to figure out a time, considering the time change and jet lag.

 

[cissy]

I was able to talk with someone a couple of days after the 30 day mark. They informed me that my fingerprints were not of sufficient quality, and requested a name search from the FBI. I was told that this could take an additional 90 days. Interestingly, I got my approval and KTN two days later.

 

[Sandy VDH]

You got me thinking, too.

This link has an easy to understand graph. The agency category headings are helpful.

https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-traveler-comparison-chart

It is a great chart. What it does not highlight is if you get a NEXUS entry for Canada, It comes with a FREE Global Entry.

If you purchase a Global Entry it does not come with a FREE NEXUS.

So if you live near a Canadian office / Border Crossing that can do NEXUS, that is the way to go and get both for Half the price of GE alone.

 

[tashamen]

It is a great chart. What it does not highlight is if you get a NEXUS entry for Canada, It comes with a FREE Global Entry.

If you purchase a Global Entry it does not come with a FREE NEXUS.

So if you live near a Canadian office / Border Crossing that can do NEXUS, that is the way to go and get both for Half the price of GE alone.

Thanks - I didn't know this! Very useful for us.

 

[Luanne]

I was able to talk with someone a couple of days after the 30 day mark. They informed me that my fingerprints were not of sufficient quality, and requested a name search from the FBI. I was told that this could take an additional 90 days. Interestingly, I got my approval and KTN two days later.

I'm curious. Was this for TSA Precheck or Global Entry?

Were they able to scan your fingerprints during your interview?

When I had my interview they had problems scanning my fingerprints, but I guess they were acceptable as I was approved within an hour after the interview.

 

[cissy]

This was for TSA Precheck. They did scan my fingerprints during the interview. I was told to look online for my approval within a couple days of my interview even though the letter would not come for 30 days. I kept checking, and finally called after the 30 day mark.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We went to the local office yesterday, and today we have emails saying we can retrieve our KTN via the check status on the website. Less than 24 hours is pretty fast!

It was easy to add the KTN into our profiles at Southwest.com.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

I'm still seeing pending approval on the site for my application. I'm starting to give up hope that my application will ever get approved.

 

[Blues]

I'm still seeing pending approval on the site for my application. I'm starting to give up hope that my application will ever get approved.

You should give them a call to see what the hang up is. Maybe it fell through the cracks.

 

[Luanne]

We went to the local office yesterday, and today we have emails saying we can retrieve our KTN via the check status on the website. Less than 24 hours is pretty fast!

It was easy to add the KTN into our profiles at Southwest.com.

Even though you've added the KTN to your profiles be sure to also go in and add it to any current reservations you have. Also, even though it should automatically populate when you make a new reservation, it's always good to check. This applies to all airlines, not just SW.

 

[buckor]

I have to say that I was granted TSA Precheck and never did anything for it. I was surprised the first time I flew overseas and was told me and my family were all Precheck approved...we just flew out of country in June and same thing. This has happened 3 years in a row for us.

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[Luanne]

I have to say that I was granted TSA Precheck and never did anything for it. I was surprised the first time I flew overseas and was told me and my family were all Precheck approved...we just flew out of country in June and same thing. This has happened 3 years in a row for us.

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Your experience is not unusual.

For awhile TSA Precheck was given out at random. Some people seemed to get it all the times, for others it was more sporadic. We finally signed up for Global Entry when I got Precheck and dh didn't.

 

[SandyPGravel]

TSA pre- check approval

WOW!!

Filled out the application for TSA pre-check yesterday. Went to our temporary application center (only open for 3 weeks) as a walk in. Was in and out in less than 20 minutes.

Received emails early this morning with our KTN's. The woman who took our information said it would take up to 30 days.

Totally amazed at the speed with which this was approved!

 

[dsmrp]

We got TSA Pre-check with Nexus/Global Entry this year, and it's been so worth it considering we've been flying a bit more this year.

We just came back from Boston on Virgin America who had their own TSA screening line (no Pre-check). Having Pre-check on my boarding pass allowed us to keep my shoes on thru the detector, but we still had to take out all my liquids from my carry-on.

 

[Luanne]

We got TSA Pre-check with Nexus/Global Entry this year, and it's been so worth it considering we've been flying a bit more this year.

We just came back from Boston on Virgin America who had their own TSA screening line (no Pre-check). Having Pre-check on my boarding pass allowed us to keep my shoes on thru the detector, but we still had to take out all my liquids from my carry-on.

Please explain how you got PreCheck with both Nexus/Global Entry. I thought you could get either Global Entry OR Nexus, but not something that combined both.