www.CostaRicaTicas.com

All the customs guy said to me was have a good day. He looks at the paper printout from the kiosk and looks at you to make sure the picture matches and sends you on your way. I would assume if you answer yes to any of the questions you get a few questions but it actually really quick. There was only one guy processing the line for all the kiosks.

IMO , the main advantage to the Global Re-entry (GOES) is you get to skip the line of other passengers waiting for the re-entry interview. This line can be as long as an hour in Houston, especially on a Sun afternoon. The GOES line was the longest I've ever seen it this past Sunday when it was 8 deep, yet still only took about 5 minutes to get thru.

I got turned down for GOES because I was caught with a stolen ID to get into bars over 30 years ago when I was 18 and it was reduced to Juvenile court and handled there. Since then I have had maybe 3 traffic tickets and they denied me and would not even consider it again when I appealed the decision. I hold a Federal License for Transporting liquor across state lines and had a state license for distribution of beer but I cannot get back into the USA without going thru the normal lines. Kind of ridiculous that I can pass the Federal Liquor License investigations but I cannot get Global Entry status, I did get the TSA precheck though.

I just looked for the app in the Google Play Store. Only 3 airports support it currently.

The mobile passport application is the same method as the paper and pen. The difference is it's now electronically submitted and it's only for entering the USA. NOT LEAVING. And you no longer have to fill out the paper and pen format since it is submitted electronically.

In addition, you do need cellphone data or WiFi to fill out the mobile passport. Therefore, additional costs may apply depending on your data plan or the airport offering free WiFi or not. The mobile passport does not void the CBP Agent.

The only thing mobile passport does is speed up the process by no longer needing to fill out the paperwork and turning in the paper copy to be reviewed. The CBP Agent will have this information on his computer screen. Global Entry is $100 for 5 years and you no longer need to be interviewed by the CBP Agent but are subject to random inspections.

Is it worth it? Could be, but I don't think so in the long-term. Those lines will become more and more crowded as word spreads. In addition, if you don't travel much I would say it's definitely not worth it.

This takes about 15 seconds!

Another story about the GOES App interview but with a more favorable outcome. During the interview I was looking at the guy who was looking at his computer screen which I could not see. He was asking question after question which I was answering without hesitation for about 5-10 min. Then he looks at me & does a quick double take back at his computer screen & doesn't look back at me and asks "Have you ever been arrested?". He had been asking several questions about where I grew up & drivers Lic & what not so I knew he was referring to my 2 DWIs back in '87 & '95. I chuckled while looking him directly in the eye & said with a huge grin on my face, "Well yeah, hasn't everybody? Yes sir I got a DWI in 1987 & another one in 1995, both times while I was in school!" Right answer!!! He said to track down the paper work for the expungement of both of them & get that to him & the paper work would be complete. I did & eventually got my GOES card & TTN!

Not if you have to wait on line. This is only available in 3 airports. Even after the kiosk, you would have to wait on line for the interview whereas the GOES line is much shorter. Also, getting grilled about why you keep going to certain countries is annoying.

I was referring to the GOES in Houston. I've been through their dozen times or so never had to wait in line more than a minute or two to get to the customs guy for the 'Interview', and then only talk to him for 10 to 15 seconds at the most.