Global Entry Issues

Isn't that the way it has always been. You always need to enter your name when you book your ticket to match your name on your passport or legal ID. But, you have no control over your middle name being on your ticket. We've flown some airlines where it just isn't on the ticket even though we input it. And on others it's all run together and cuts off part of the name...so there's that. KLM told me they don't even recognize a middle name.

I sent a question in to CBP about this and I'll let you know how they respond.

I was told that only your first and last name had to match.

Bizarre. Thanks for letting us know about this. And sorry the guy was rude to you.and welcome back for a visit !

I really appreciate this heads-up. I return to US with my teen in a few weeks and we both have GE. But her GE cared/photo was when she was a little kid and they didn't require a new photo when we renewed her GE card couple years ago.

Also, my middle name is never shown on my tickets, just first initial for some reason. I'll return to this post to update when I re-enter.

I thought your ticket always had to match your ID. I guess they just started enforcing it.

When I initially got GE (2012), I had to add my middle name to my various airline accounts to get TSA precheck to work. I had added my KTN but that wasn’t enough (at least with United) for TSA precheck to be noted on my ticket. Once I added my middle name, I always got TSA precheck. Unfortunately, you cannot change the name on your frequent flyer accounts without going through customer service.

When I came through Newark GE last month, my photo kept rejecting and I got sent to a CBP officer. The officer had a small hand-held camera and that seemed to work for facial recognition. My photo on my GE card is the one taken in 2012. I’ve renewed twice and both times did not have to go in for a new interview. I wonder if the older photo was part of the issue.

!!! I don't know how we are supposed to make the airlines include our middle name. Checking several tickets I still have archived in email, British Airways and Air France included the middle name, but a Swiss Airlines ticket I haven't used yet does not.

Thanks for the warning. Regarding middle name, the worst is when the airline runs the first initial of your middle name with your first name. I know a man named "EdwinA".

Sounds like someone was having a bad day and you were lucky enough to be on the receiving end. Looked at some past tickets in my Apple wallet I haven’t cleaned up, United puts in my middle name, Alaska and BA only lists my first and my accounts for all airlines have my middle name. Kind of hard to make an airline put your middle name on the ticket if it’s not their policy. I guess you could run the two together if it didn’t amount to too many letters. Geesh!

I entered at Seattle on July 7. My ticket did not have my middle name, no one cared. They take your picture as you walk down the aisle toward the desk. I walked up and the conversation went like this.

“Carol?”
“Yes”
“Anything to declare.”
“No”
“Welcome Back”

That is how long it took.

Thanks for the warning. Regarding middle name, the worst is when the airline runs the first initial of your middle name with your first name. I know a man named "EdwinA".

That is totally normal. Systems match characters, not whitespace.

so far my experience with touchless PreCheck has been like the brewery on the Simpsons: the Duff beer bottles and the Fudd cans are both filled from the same industrial pipes.

There are only so many TSA podiums at the security point for the int'l gates, and your quicker side stream rejoins the great river after it has slalomed through the rope lines.

I entered Philadelphia about a week ago. Agent was waiting with an IPad sort of device at the entry to the GE area. He said my name, i said yes, he pointed to the exit door with a smile. I exited. Done.

Regarding middle name, the worst is when the airline runs the first initial of your middle name with your first name. I know a man named "EdwinA".

This is how my tickets always are.

I also had a problem at JFK when I returned on June 16 from Iceland, I have global entry. I thought perhaps it was because I tried using the global entry app to get things started upon landing and it seemed to have a problem capturing a picture which in my head confused things when i took the picture right before seeing the officer. I was also sent to another line to deal with it. I have no idea what the problem actually I was as I didn't pursue it after entering. I just chalked it up to another reason I dislike entering the US at JFK.

I'm still confused. What does the GE app do. Never used it. Always quick and easy when i enter

What does the GE app do.

It takes the place of the kiosk and gives you a digital confirmation number. We use it as soon as the plane lands and head directly to the GE line. We started using it when GE at IAH was backed up for some reason. Anyone who checked in by the app was routed to an officer with a tablet who waived it on through. We did it while standing in line. Does it save time? It depends on the situation.

I havent had to stand in a GE line yet, but I've only entered the US once in the last 3 years. Several times a year before that. I used to walk up to camera at the machine smile then walk past an agent who would wave, then out the door. Now at Philidelphia, no idea where the camera was but the agent knew me as I approached. I never had to slow down for anything. No line. I guess Philidelphia was unique.