Global Entry program - does anyone participate?

The Global Entry/Nexus program is also linked to the Canada Border Services Agency and allows trusted travelers to bypass the "primary" screening lines in Canada and the USA and when doing US pre-clearance. It works on iris scan technology. I have had one for several years and love it. New programs have now been created to allow card holders in Canada to go to the front of special lines for pre-boarding security - another huge time saver. It was $50 for 5 years when I applied. There are also special vehicle lanes at the land border. The first time it lets you go to the front of a 2 hour Customs line it will pay for itself. Be cautioned though. If you abuse the privilege they will come down harder on you as you are a "trusted" traveler.

The reviews on the program are good. Middle Seat did a story in WSJ this summer. The big question is whether you travel internationally enough to warrant the $100 enrollment fee (good for five years). You will probably save between 15 and 50 minutes getting into the U.S., each time, depending on when and where you land. Another option to save time is to check wait times at airports and plan to arrive at slower times. The same flights run the same daily schedules so wait times are fairly predictable.

After standing in line for 1 1/2 hrs the last time we returned from Europe, I signed us up. Unfortunately this year I had to cancel my trip to Europe so we haven't had a chance to use it yet and won't get to until 2013. Ce la vie!

American Express is now reimbursing the $100 enrollment fee (and I think free wifi in the air too) if you sign up for one of their premium business cards. It's kind of funny since you really don't want an AmEx card for Europe travel - but you don't have to use the card for Europe to get the deal.

Another potential benefit for signing up is automatic enrollment in TSA's program. Right now, however, TSA's program is hugely limited. You can use it if you are in the program AND at the right terminal AND flying the right airline from that terminal. If all three don't apply, you have to go through the regular TSA screening line.

Julie: My wife and I have been Nexus card holders for about 7 years. We frequently cross the U.S.-Canada border and find it very useful. The Nexus lines at customs are great to save time. On numerous occasions I have avoided 2 hour waits in the customs line. As we are boaters, we use the Nexus call in line when we return from Canada with our boat. It saves CBP and us much time and grief. The regulations for returning with your boat are quite complex and you can only arrive at certain approved places when you return to the U.S. if you do not have a Nexus card. I will be traveling through JFK in the next few weeks and look forward to using the kiosk to get through customs. If you are a frequent boarder crosser the Nexus card and the other trusted traveler programs are great. Note the comment above about abusing the program. There is no tolerance for a trusted traveler who fails to comply with the rules.

I participate and have been very happy. Lines for immigration in Atlanta are NIGHTMARISH! This just makes it so much easier. Haven't really looked into the TSA program. I live in Atlanta and honestly the secuirty lines here are not really a problem. If it came to LAX, where I fly a lot, I might look into it. I also have FlyClear but I think that only works in MCO and DEN. (It's worth it just to avoid the lines at sreening at what IMHO is the winner of the "poorly managed airport" award (I have actually asked an airport manager if they have considered asking Disney for line management advice. He acted like there were no problems with his disaster LOL!... Yeah. lines over an hour are not a problem for HIM!

Is this program also useful when coming back from a cruise? We only go to Europe every two years, but we usually take a cruise on our off years. Those lines can be long, too...
Also, you made the comment "if you abuse the privilege..." What does that mean?

My wife and I participate and have been, on average, happy. But it's not for everyone. The GES works best when ALL parties you are travelling with participate; otherwise, you move through passport control and customs easily only to stand around while your non-participant partners go through the nornal drill. In that case it doesn't save any time at all. And you can always be randomly pulled aside for a security check, so don't think it's a guaranteed safeguard against that. The background check is a non-issue, unless of course one has something to hide or has a philosophical issue with invasive or pre-emptory government scrutiny. The personal interview is a breeze - just to verify what you entered on the paper application. They will require digital fingerprints as part of the personal interview, which some might well object to, but since we had been fingerprinted for business reasons several years ago, we didn't. Entire process is pretty easy if you can accept it for what it is. It cost us $100 for a 5-year allowance. Since we travel about once a year, that is an extra $20 per trip. That will be a large premium to pay for some, small to others. Judge for your own situation. Last summer my wife and I traveled to Scandanavia without friends (rare for us). It was nice to re-enter the US and be directed to fast lanes and avoid both both Passport and Customs lines.

@Amy: this program is currently available only at ~20 U.S. airports, mostly the major airports. What they meant by "abusing the privilege" is that the trusted travelers are expected to know and follow the rules to a "T" such as declaring everything, knowing what items may not be brought into the country, and never attempting to sneak anything forbidden into the US. Breaking a rule could get one expelled from the program for life. @Julie: the background check...if you can get comfortable with the idea that Big Brother is watching you because you asked him to LOL, then its no big deal. Between the application and the final interview you provide roughly the same information as if you were applying for a mortgage. In the meantime they do run a check on you...but sometimes, so do potential employers etc. I actually have a SENTRI pass which is for use at the Mexico/US border, the application process is the the same. They recently expanded the program to allow SENTRI and NEXUS (Canadian border) cardholders to use them at the Global Entry kiosks. I have not yet had a chance to do so.

My final 'interview' was a joke. They handed me the question sheet and told me to "fill it out" LOL! Then they looked at it and showed me how to use the system. It was apparent that this was not really an "questionnaire" there was not really room to respond. I had to 'wedge' my responses in the space provided. :)

It doesn't make the plane leave any quicker, nor does it help you get out of the terminal all that much quicker. It only helps you get through Immigration faster if you are impatient.

@Elizabeth: Thanks for the info!
@Monte: After being on a plane for 8-10 hours and being deliriously tired, it would be worth it for me to get through customs. Last month we were in line for 45 minutes at Newark... If we use it once/year, it would make it worth our while.

Amy, We were 10 1/2 hours coming back from Schiphol to Seattle last week. I noticed the people in the fast lane breezing through to get their luggage. We carry ours. We were the last in our line at immigration and I noticed the immigration officer was the one we had check us two years ago. That led to a long visit with her. At the TSA check downstairs there were two people who had the fast check upstairs just ahead of us. I really doubt the fast check programs do any more than make you feel good. The customs check is between immigration and the rude TSA in the SeaTac airport. Every time I go through that line someone seems to raise my dander, either shouting or giving nonspecific orders. kFast check won't do anyghing to solve that problem for me.

"It doesn't make the plane leave any quicker, nor does it help you get out of the terminal all that much quicker. It only helps you get through Immigration faster if you are impatient." I am trying to figure this statement out. No it has nothing to do with the plane, but if I don't spend an hour in line at immigration (not an uncommon experience in Atlanta) then how am I not "out of the terminal that much quicker" I live in Atlanta and generally fly with carryon. Even if I don't it's still an hour.... IMHO that's "much quicker" LOL!

Not to mention it won't get me behind the person who is having a "visit" with thier friendly immigration agent. (REALLY? Folks move along LOL!)

One more thing: today I received notification that pass holders in Global Entry and the other trusted traveler programs are eligible to participate in a pilot program for expedited TSA screening for US domestic travel. It would allow you to go through designated screening lanes; and you may be allowed to keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and not have to take out your laptop or 3-1-1 liquids. Presumably it would be faster and less hassle. You would enter your trusted traveler program number in the Known Traveler field when booking your air travel. This pilot program is currently only for the following 2 airlines and 4 airports but for some people it could make it worth it to get the GE pass. Delta Airlines at Atlanta and Detroit
American Airlines at Miami and DFW

What Monte brings up can be true. Global Entry is best for people who carry-on their luggage. I think the Middle Seat article in WSJ quoted a guy at either JFK or Newark bragging it took him six minutes to get from his plane to his parked car. That only works if you're carrying on. If you check luggage, Global Entry just puts you first in line for your luggage. The other part is you can still be inspected, randomly or for a reason. If you are inspected, you should still get out fairly quickly because you will be first in line and don't have to wait for a free inspector. Another question, what if the kiosk is not working? If that happens, Global Entry participants go to the front of the line for the regular primary inspection. Bottom line, is the $100 dollar enrollment fee worth it? Each person needs to make that call for themselves.