My Experience with Global Entry
For the past few years I've been meaning to enroll in the Global Entry program and finally got around to doing it this past December. Once enrolled you have an expedited process to enter back into the country after travelling abroad by getting to go through an automated kiosk for passport control instead of waiting in line to see a passport control officer. Travelling abroad a few times a year this saved time seemed like it was well worth the $100 fee.
The application process was super easy. I went to the Global Entry website, registered a GOES (Global Online Enrollment System) User ID and then filled in the online application. For the application you need your basic personal information, passport information, driver's license information, address history for the past five years, employment history for the past five years and a list of the countries you visited in the past five years. All in all it took me about half an hour to complete.
My application was processed quite fast. I submitted it on December 9 and I received my Conditional Approval Notification on December December 12. After that I needed to set up an appointment at one of the Enrollment Centers to finish the process. Because of the popularity of the program the wait list to get an appointment can be quite long. Frank had to wait six weeks to get his appointment at the Detroit airport. After getting his Global Entry approval he had heard that the land borders have a shorter wait than the airports. I checked out the appointment times at the Detroit Enrollment Center located at the base of the Ambassador Bridge and lucked out with an appointment on December 13.
My interview was short and simple. I had a photo and my fingerptrints taken followed by a few questions, like why did I want to be a part of Global Entry and what countries do I typically travel to. Within fifteen minutes it was done and I was approved.
On my return from Colombia last week I had my first chance to go through Global Entry at passport control. I slid my passport into the slot on the kiosk, got my photo and fingerprints taken and then answered a few questions on the screen. After I was done a form was printed out with my photo on it which was then stamped by a passport control officer. After collecting our checked luggage, Frank and I got to go through an express lane for customs as well, just turning in our printed form.
I was really happy with how quick and easy it was. Not only did we not have to fill out the paper customs forms on the plane, but we spent no time in line at passport control or customs. I'm kicking myself that I didn't do this earlier.
In addition to being able to quickly go through passport control, being enrolled in Global Entry has other benefits, particularly also being enrolled in TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck allows people to go through expedited screening when going through security on domestic flights. You don't need to remove your shoes or pull your electronics out of your bags when going through security, which is really nice. If you are on the list you can still be made to go through regular security, but that has never happened to me. I was already a member of TSA PreCheck from my frequent flier program through Delta, but if you don't have that option Global Entry is the only other way to get on the list.
All in all, if you travel overseas more than once a year, or don't have a way to get on the TSA PreCheck list through a frequent flier program and travel domestically a lot, I would highly recommend applying for Global Entry. Waiting in line at the airport is never fun and anything that speeds up the process and makes it more simple is definitely worth it in my book.
Monday, March 18, 2013 at 8:48AM | Posted by Lisa | 4 Comments | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article 
Reader Comments (4)
Hooray for not having to remove your shoes in security!! ;p
Anything that helps make travel easier & safer has got to be going in the correct direction.
Sorry to hear you got ill on your trip - any closer to finding out what is causing this? I am sure this is very frustrating.
Liked your Instrgram of the yellow church spiral and white statue.
Check and done. Just applied! Now, waiting for my interview. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thought-provoking article - BTW , you are interested in a CBP 823F , my colleague filled a blank version here http://goo.gl/xbXNSV