Interesting tidbit regarding Global Entry

We had to renew this year. We actually received an email advising us that there were some more convenient dates available if we wanted to move our interview up. We did. Nice folks and pretty considerate for a government agency.

James, I wonder if the fact that the applicants WANT to talk to them and in fact are PAYING to talk to them makes a different dynamic for the agents. It is probably not often that an interview with them is really desired, lol.

Mrs. EB, I was persistent because Valerie from this forum told me what to do until I got a decent time! I hope your experience goes well next week.

My Global Entry interview was a barrel of laughs. The agent was actually French (born in Paris) and at the time my next trip was to Paris so we whooped it up for a good 10 minutes about Paris and French food and culture. Maybe 2 minutes was actually devoted to the interview. However, while in the waiting area, I could hear another person being interviewed. This person had apparently mistakenly answered incorrectly on his application about criminal history and it was getting tense. So apparently not all interviews are a walk in the park. If you dot your Is and cross your Ts, it goes a long way.

You have to go for an interview when renewing GE? Ugh.

Not necessarily, according to the US CBP website.

Great story Monique!

I was led to believe I wouldn't have to go to an interview when renewing. But when the time came it became apparent that I would. It appeared to be standard and not because is spend a lot of time here.

All in all I think they do a pretty good job at enrolling and maintaining. The interview only takes 15 minutes.

We just did the TSA Pre check and wish we had done the Global Entry.

I used to be spokesman for Global Entry, so just a couple of thoughts:

1. When you get to the interview, they have already done a background check. The officer who interviews you has seen your background check and likely already has an idea whether you're fine or they need to ask further questions. Always assume they know - tell the truth - because they probably do and they don't like it when you don't answer honestly. Remember, this is a "trusted traveler" program.

2. Most of your "interview" is showing you how to use the system. It's really easy and works well almost all the time.

3. If you get dehydrated, especially older travelers, your fingerprints can be unreadable. Be sure you're hydrated for your interview and whenever you use the machine. Worst case, they'll have you drink some water and wait.

4. It's not the Border Patrol who interviews you. At CBP, it's "Field Operations" or what we normally think of as "Customs" or "Customs & Immigration". The two offices have unique cultures so you'll get browny points for correctly identifying them as blue suiters, customs, rather than green suiters, border patrol. You get even more points if you refer to them as officers (border patrol are agents). :-)

That is interesting information Brad! My officer/agent (I'd swear he had on a green uniform but it's a very small office) said he had had to get waivers for some people who could not get their fingerprints to show up on the scanner. He mentioned that they were older and I asked about mild dehydration (especially in an arid climate like Boise) and he said yes.

"You have to go for an interview when renewing GE? Ugh"

You may not have to for a renewal, my wife and I renewed earlier this year on-line. Took less than a week for approval and another week for a new card. Sort of like TSA precheck, you make still have to go through the full process now and then.

Ed

They might be using Border Patrol Agents now. They weren't when I was there but it's been a few years.

My interview is later this summer. I hope I get the French guy Monique had!

Regarding wait times, it took exactly three weeks for my application to be approved. I scheduled my interview two months from that day.

Just renewed my Global Entry. The entire process from the date I filed to the date the card arrived in the mail was 45 days. Could not have been much easier. Interview was quick and easy. Lots of dates and times available. One of the slicker run government operations I have ever dealt with.