37 replies to this topic

[gmk]

Edited by gmk, 10 January 2014 - 09:00 AM.

[gmk]

Consider me officially Global Entry approved. I just had my interview. Although calling it an interview is a stretch - it took about 3 minutes - the guy never actually made eye contact with me. He took my picture and my finger prints, followed by a few keystrokes and I was done. He spent as many words reminding me to take my umbrella as he did on the "interview".

so all told it took me one month (10 December to 10 January), although I could have had it about 8 days . Once I was notified, I was already traveling and I wasn't available for the first available appointment.

The TSA agent gave me my number - I think I am supposed to receive some type of card. But I think I can use my number now to make reservations.

Speaking of Immigrations - I just cleared immigration in Miami and it was ridiculously fast. I literally was done in 5 minutes and half of that was time spent walking. Their new automated system is awesome (as long as it doesn't let in bad people). The same can not be said for the customs line. But alas...

[ScubaTurtle]

Consider me officially Global Entry approved. I just had my interview. Although calling it an interview is a stretch - it took about 3 minutes - the guy never actually made eye contact with me. He took my picture and my finger prints, followed by a few keystrokes and I was done. He spent as many words reminding me to take my umbrella as he did on the "interview".

so all told it took me one month (10 December to 10 January), although I could have had it about 8 days . Once I was notified, I was already traveling and I wasn't available for the first available appointment.

The TSA agent gave me my number - I think I am supposed to receive some type of card. But I think I can use my number now to make reservations.

Speaking of Immigrations - I just cleared immigration in Miami and it was ridiculously fast. I literally was done in 5 minutes and half of that was time spent walking. Their new automated system is awesome (as long as it doesn't let in bad people). The same can not be said for the customs line. But alas...

Congrats!


Gwen, Your right that you don't need the card for air travel. The card is for traveling across the boarder with Canada and Mexico. I'm not really sure why they would need a different way to validate but I've never done it so I might be missing part of that process.


Once you are in the system said your able to travel with GOES. It's linked to your passport number so when you get a new one you'll have to update their system with the passport number and information. I'm pretty sure that can be done on the website we use to manage our accounts.

[Cajun Diver]

I was able to use Pre-check for the trip to Saba / St. Kitts and zipped right past the long security line after checking in. I got to keep my shoes and belt on too which was a bonus and really sped up the very short pre-check line. As more of us use pre-check I'm sure that will change but still will be faster than the regular line.

Having GOES didn't help much with Immigration coming back into Miami and finding a terminal that worked took me 3 tries.

Customs there is definitely a problem but for me was mainly a layout problem. Our baggage claim was on the other side of the long line into customs and working my way through that was a pain. Gwyn caught up to me at that point too while waiting on the bag. I was able to work my way back to the other side (even harder with my checked luggage now too) and get in the very short GOES line (it wasn't marked very well though and took some searching to find it) and bypassed the very long customs line.

When I got in to Houston it took them over an hour to unload the bags but that's a minor problem and one I've had every time flying American into Houston.

[ScubaTurtle]

Cajun Diver,

Your completely right about the GOES line sometimes being hard to find. I know when I went through Houston it wasn't flagged very well so it definitely pays to ask if anyone has trouble finding it. This also goes for when you are leaving through customs. I remember seeing a line that said "Crew/Employee" and I asked one of the agents where I go if I have the GOES program. That was the line. I was able to walk past at least 40-50 people in the line next to it (I'm sure they were pissed) and head right through with only 1-2 min delay at most. If I would have had to wait in that line it would have been at least 10-15 min.

If it's not clear where the GOES lines are ask agents and employees where it is. This probably also applies to the pre-check line I'm guessing.

[Cmdr. Clownfish]

My global entry was activated today.  Can anybody say how long does it takes to get through Miami immigration and customs with Global Entry?  I need 3hours on a bad day without it so how much does it help?  Those are some bad lines.  I've basically given up going through Miami without an overnight stay. 

[Sqbagal]

Miami took me 5-10 minutes....It was AWESOME - - the hardest part was finding the machine....and believing that I was bypassing all those other poor souls waiting in that LOOOOONG line...kept looking to make sure I was in the right spot.

[jesterdiver]

Global Entry is about the re-entry into the U.S. The last time I arrived in Miami from an international destination the immigration and customs part of the trek was really fast. While everyone else gets into line to meet with an immigration agent I breezed thru using the kiosk. Total time at immigration, less than 3 minutes. Customs was also basically as fast as I can walk thru and hand the customs agent the slip i received from the kiosk, no wait. 

 

That being said, Miami is just a terrible airport with a terrible layout! I avoid it at all costs. The gate was at one end of the airport, I had to walk to the exact opposite end of the airport to go thru immigration, then I had to walk back to the original end of the airport to get the luggage. What should have taken 10-15 minutes took 45-60 minutes just to get my luggage.

 

Global Entry does make you eligible for TSA Pre Check which MAY get you thru the airport faster when you are departing Miami. This assumes that the pre-check lines are open and you actually get the pre-check which isn't always the case. I did get pre-check and it did get me from security checkpoint to gate in under 10 minutes.

My global entry was activated today.  Can anybody say how long does it takes to get through Miami immigration and customs with Global Entry?  I need 3hours on a bad day without it so how much does it help?  Those are some bad lines.  I've basically given up going through Miami without an overnight stay.