www.CostaRicaTicas.com

i’d frankly call this the “flavor of the moment” some are in the know and others simply aren’t - go figure. its happened to me twice - both instances @customs - the agent having clearly noticed what i did asked “did you just cut in front of these people” when i replied yes and showed him the GE entry voucher he summoned another agent whom explained the process - then welcomed me back without a single shot being fired.

some 411 - if there are long lines @customs try to seek out the closest EULEN AMERICA employee (they the contracted security service for MIA) tell them who you are and see if they can escort you to the front. I’ve met a few of them throughout my tenure clearing in MIA and since obtaining GE certification they always seem willing to help...

I received this morning:

We are pleased to announce that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is partnering with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on a new Department of Homeland Security initiative announced July 14, 2011, that qualifies some passengers for expedited screening through U.S. airport security checkpoints.

This pilot program will be available to U.S. citizens who are members of CBP s Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI Trusted Traveler programs. The pilot program will provide expedited screening through TSA checkpoints via dedicated screening lanes.

Additional information will be sent out prior to the pilot s implementation, explaining more about the program and the necessary steps you will need to take in order to participate.

Additionally, CBP would like to announce the availability of Global Entry kiosks at select Canadian preclearance locations. Global Entry kiosks are now available at CBP preclearance at the Vancouver International Airport and at Ottawa s MacDonald-Cartier Airport. Global Entry kiosks will be placed at Montreal s Trudeau International Airport and at Toronto s Lester B. Pearson International Airport by September 2011. The placement of Global Entry kiosks at Canadian preclearance locations is the next step in the integration of the Global Entry and NEXUS Trusted Traveler programs.

The integration of the Global Entry and NEXUS programs began in December 2010, when CBP published a Federal Register Notice announcing that NEXUS members could participate in Global Entry. With the deployment of Global Entry kiosks to Canadian preclearance, Global Entry members will be able to take advantage of the program when returning home from Canada. NEXUS members will have the option of using either the Global Entry or NEXUS kiosks in preclearance. Further announcements will be made as necessary.

Woozo

I've never had this happen to me at MIA after 2 years using GE. After getting my ticket from the GE machine, I just go to the crew line and walk up to the agent who's guarding the exit, show him the ticket from the machine and out I go.


I just wait in line - it usually moves fast enough I don't care about the delay. Then I just hand the ticket to the agent. Done.

The whole process - machine, exit immigration, exit customs - usually takes me less than 10 minutes if I have no checked baggage.

mh

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mh

Just wondering if any members on here have the Canadian version of this card.

Thanks

Devo

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The most dangerous adversaries are the ones that come with a smile instead of a sword

How long does it normally take after you submit the application for GE until you are able to schedule the interview?

Thanks SR, applied the other day and was hoping to be approved before my next trip second week of Nov. Doesn't look good, we'll see. I'm in S FL, hopefully it may be quicker

Considering how hard it is to commit a felony crime, get detected, get arrested, not plead it down to a misdemeanor, and actually get convicted, I would say that someone with a felony conviction isn't the sharpest knife in the "criminal" drawer.

However I encourage as many people to apply as possible, even they have only a tiny chance of qualifying, so that their $100 'contribution' helps subsidize the program for the rest of us.

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"I'm not one those pathetic lietuenant colonels working a silly civilian job, working out two hours a day trying to reclaim a body they lost 20 years ago and four hours a night completing War College by correspondence in a sad attempt at colonel. Tyler Durden told us [i]'Self improvement is masturbation[/i].' My mid-life crisis is going to involve a new sports car, or the zoftig redhead with daddy issues in accounting, or better yet, racking up frequent flyer miles going to Pattaya."

In MIA the GE office is in Terminal J, facing the Aerolineas Argentinas passenger check-in counters.

mh

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mh

Thanks, I'll be using the office in Ft Lauderdale and I think it's off the airport property...that is if I'm not denied

If you have ever had a felony conviction, or a conviction for a misdemeanor in the past 10 years, or a serious traffic infraction in the last 10 years - like reckless driving, for instance - you will - in all likelihood NOT be approved for the program - as I posted previously, less than 40% of all applicants from S FL get approved. I strongly assume the percentage is much higher in places like Peoria, or Rapid City

That said, its a great program; works very well - and if there is a chance you will qualify, go for it

I applied for the Global Entry Program on Oct 1, received my conditional approval today (Oct 6), soonest interview I could get in Fort Lauderdale was Dec 8 so I scheduled one in MIA for tomorrow. Wanted to get this completed before my trip next month. All in all a pretty smooth process, we'll see how it goes in MIA tomorrow.

I arrived 30 minutes early for my GE interview in MIA today. They took care of me immediately and I was out of there in 10 minutes. The whole process from applying to completion took less than a week, unbelievable! You can now also get a Sentri card with the GE at no additional cost. This will come in handy when coming back across the border from TJ.

Just spend the $100, worth $1000 to get fast entry into US.....especially with close connections.

Received my GE card in the mail exactly 1 week after my interview. I was surprised to get it so quickly. Can't wait to use it next time I'm in the San Diego area.

When I come into Atlanta at times like last week , the line for GE is longer than regular customs. I will stick to not having it. By the way those silly yellow dots you guys use are cute. Great way to express yourself. Had a great trip will be back in 10 days . Uncle H.