www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello, Srlim - I scanned the link you provided -

I have Global Entry (great program, as you have posted - I really recommend to ANYONE, even if you make just a few trips a year - and especially if you carry on your luggage - I used it for the 1st time in May and was really impressed - S. FL being S. FL, only about 35% are approved - no felonies and not sure about the misdemeniors - maybe w/in the the last 10 years?? Whatever, if you are Phuck up, save time and don't apply - all others should consider - really good program )

Srlim - the link is re Mexico, right? Expidites entry there, corrrect? Thanks!!

Scuba1 [/quote]

if you are Phuck up, [/quote]

What does that mean?

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Let me help:


OR

I agree with srilm - best $100 I ever spent, especially since I always fly in / out of MIA.

mh

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mh

MHeller...how can you answer the question if you were not the original poster (Scuba1)? If Scuba1 implied that everyone who does not qualify are 'Phuckups', he should get his head out of his ass.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

I can attempt to answer because I can a) read and b) make assumptions.

Excuse me for trying to be of some assistance to what I thought was a serious inquiry from a fellow CRTer.

mh

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mh

I was merely trying to discern the semantics of Scuba1's statement. If his intent was the first explanation as you pointed out, that's acceptable. If it was the latter, I have a problem with that.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Gringotim,
First, you need to chill out. Second, you don't need to be the original poster to understand what was said; all you need is a basic understanding of the English language to understand what the OP meant. You are inferring something that isn't there.


This statement does NOT imply that if you don't qualify that you are a fuckup.

It means that if you are a fuckup, you shouldn't apply in the first place.

It's not the same thing.

Enough of the semantics! What was originally posted was rather ambiguous. As MHeller posted, it could be construed in two ways. I didn't know which one he meant. What was Scuba1's definition of a phuckup...anyone with a felony conviction? Does that automatically make them a 'phuckup'?

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Thanks Orange, and my fellow Miamian, Miami Heller

Boy, make some positive comments about a program and pass a remark about who should not apply(yes, MH, those w/ a shady past), and see what that gets you.........

Gringotim, while I think you doth protest too much, maybe I'll be happy to clarify EXACTLY what I meant, as I don't ever want to be accused of offending those with felony convictions in their backgrounds:

S. Fl is NOT Peoria - lots of folks down here have "shady" pasts - I don't know - or frankly care, but I would venture a guess that the percentage of approvals for Global Entry is higher in other places - the officer processing me made a remark that only like 35% of the applications in S FL are approved, the reason being.......

If you have a felony conviction (and I don't have the exact explanation as to the rule on misdemeaors, as neither applied to me) - thats a non starter; you will not be approved.

While I could have worded it better, and inserted an "a" in the proper place perhaps, what I was saying was if you are a Phuck up via having a felony conviction, don't apply because this is a knockout question.

Apparently the US Government agrees with me (although likely not my language ) b/c they are not allowing anyone with a felony conviction - ever - into the program. So they think its pretty serious too, and its not a felony w/in the past 10 years, its EVER (at least as was explained to me by the officer). Just trying to save people time and hassle.

Felony convictions are not handed out easily in the vast majority of cases, and to be crystal clear, yes, I do think its a major character flaw (if you like that word better than "Phuck up"), evidenced by losing many rights as a result of being convicted of one.

PS Actually, I'm sure there are other reasons folks will not qualify for this program, however past <criminal> history is the overwhelming reason for denial - just letting people know that getting into this program is not the same as getting a drivers license, and if you are a jamoke (like that term better than 'Phuck up'?), with serious blemishes in your past (you know, a Phuck up), especially w/ a felony conviction just don't bother applying.

I just received my Global Entry last week and it has already saved me missing my flight home. The Spirit 1AM flight out of SJO was delayed an hour. When I landed in FLL I only had 25 minutes before my flight to Detroit was going to depart. I only had carry one and using the Global Entry kiosk I was able to clear customs and clear security with 10 minutes to spare. A lot of people on that flight were upset because they missed there connection. I highly recommend this, it is money well spent. I got it because a couple of flights back I missed my connection by 7 minutes and was forced to stay the night in Miami.

That's my understanding, too, SR -

But it shows that for a relatively minor infraction, they have a 10 year wait, and of course, no more infractions w/in the 10 years - so these guys are serious about who gets to use this program - you stated well what was esesentally my point!

[/quote]This has happened to me several times, and reminds me of all the flights I missed before GE. Houston (IAH) now also has a "fast lane" for travelers without checked bags, bypassing that whole area. The same officer checks your GE pass and/or ID and collects customs forms. GE + no checked bags = blazing fast lane through immigration and customs, usually in any airport that has the GE kiosks.[/quote]

irrespective the presence of a “kiosk” all participants are granted the first right of passage. that is - if the GE machine is not functioning - not your fault - go to the front of the line for a manual stamp.

same dysfunctional system applies even with the card dispensed at the machine. fore instance; miami - after clearing immigration long lines are often the norm downstairs @customs and with no segregated GE line you can either choose to wait, or use the privilege thats provided to all GE members and navigate through the mounds of monster luggage to the front as courteously as possible without inciting a riot,,,

happens to me every FING time i clear in miami,,,

Question Srilm-- as I walk into the big hall in IAH, where do I find this Fast lane? This trip I will be a little pushed on time and could use the fast lane The last time I used my GE at IAH, I had to proceed with the rest of the people out, so where do you go after they same guy takes you Custom form? out anther Door way?


Dramatist-- Having Tried to use my Global Entry In MIA and was threatened with arrest by a W.U.and F. B. ( 3 times) after I showed the GE sticker on my passport and was told to get in line or be arrested. Where do I go to use the pass, I have seen the machines to the left by the crew line, do I just go to the ahead of the line? How do i avoid being shot by the Cops doing that? And the Customs line, when I been there there are two lines with one person taking forms in each line, what do I hold up or do to again being shot by the cops as some sort of terrorist line Jumper. Was not important important before so I never pushed the issue, but I just rather not stand in line if I do not have to.

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end

Not to argue with what has been said about persons who may not have lived a Virgin Life style ( unlike all are politicians have ) and may not qualify for the GE, but when I did my interview in Chicago ( ORD) the agent told me being honest about any prior problems is what is important. Failure to disclose any less then shinning moments in one past is a indication of some lying and can be trusted . He asked me several times if there was any thing I did not tell him or did not put on the form. told him to the best of my knowledge there was not ( however this is no longer true I now have a Swearing in Public conviction -- had to pay 50 dollars and pick up the garbage, but that not why i am here, I here to talk about the GE program ).

My interview agent told me he already knew of every thing and was just looking to see if I was trying to hide something with EYE contact and body language . He told me evens felons have received passes, but they were honest and forthright about there problems, and people with very minor things did not get the GE pass because the tried hide a minor embarrassing incident in their past. We then spent the rest of the time and the next appointment time with me talking about his problems with my agency and the courts in Illinois-- made me wonder how he got to carry a gun..

Again just what I was told by my interview agent and may have changed, so maybe the friend with the reckless driving failed to come clean on the application, and many other may have thought some things did not matter or may not have had enough room to list every single arrest and conviction When they mean list every thing they mean every thing, including " Swearing in Public" or "spitting on the side walks"

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end

One more thing, For those of you trying to find the GE interview room at MIA it is across from the Avianca Ticket desk. They have there sign conveniently located ON THE FLOOR where it can be seen only when you are standing next to it. Walked by several times but since I was not walking against the wall and people where between me and the sign I never found the room

I had to register a new passport for the program in July and after asking several TSA employees, security people I was directed to inside the secure area for boarding, to elevators, closets, bathrooms and ticket desk at gates ( 2 hour run around ) until a nice guy went and looked and found it ( really he was not that nice, he told me the Dolphins are going to kicked GB butt in the next Super Bowl yea sure ) But by this time it was to late to make my flight if I left the secure area.

On my return trip I did make it to the office and after waiting for a while, I noticed the interview area was like a counter, the agents and the person being interviewed all standing together, with no privacy. In ORD the agents all had there own little room for interview and this may have given the agents more opportunity to ask a few extra question of for people to fell more secure in talking about some thing in their past .( with out the supervisor butting in ) Not to say they have not changed the rules as other have said, just my experience and observation.

And of course in a large bureaucracy if a supervisor wants to go up they have to be tough and ass kicking to PROVE??? in order to get the promotion, possible the supervisor thinks rejecting more then any one else is going to get them noticed by Washington, the big step up.... I just had a friend leave the IRS and come back to us, just because of that type of situation.

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end