"In the event the kiosks are not functioning upon your arrival, Global Entry members are accorded front of the line privilege. Head to the front of the nearest passport control line and you will be processed next. "
A nice privilege. I WOULD use it, but I'd be very, very cordial about it, flashing my card ...
Would YOU use this privilege? And what would you say as you amble up to the front of the line???
First, I wouldn't want to cut it in front of another member of the Global Entry fraternity. I would say "Do you have Global Entry?" before stepping in front of someone. There will probably be a line of people waiting to go to the front of the line.
Second, I'm a "choose your battles" kind of person. If I have plenty of time and the lines aren't super long, I would probably just take my place at the end of what looks like the fastest moving line. I've had flight crews queue jump in front of me at airports - with varying degrees of civility - and I didn't love the experience.
Yes, I would use this privilege. My husband and I both took a day off work, traveled 500 miles round trip for the interview, and paid the fee to have the opportunity to get through entry faster. I would not feel bad about going to the front of the line.
Of course I would, why wouldn’t I? I have global entry and if the rules say GE gets to go first then I will go with that.
If the machines were broken and there was no front-of-the-line option I’d wait like normal and not make a fuss - things happen. But I jumped through the hoops to get global entry and so will use the privileges it gives me. I don’t see why front of the line privilege is different than a special line/machine. Both have the effect of getting GE members through faster than the general line.
If the person at the front of the line was obviously in need (disabled, elderly, parent with baby, etc) I would let them go but go after them. And as someone else mentioned if other global entry people were ahead of me obviously they go first.
Shelley,
We experienced exactly the situation you are describing when we landed at JFK late summer.
The way I handled it was by very kindly saying: Excuse me, I need to go ask where we need to go, since we have Global Entry.
NO ONE gave me a funny look, no one acted like I was out of line, and everyone was oh so kind. In fact, once I found an officer to ask, he then began to yell out to the crowd for those with Global Entry to approach and begin lining up (where he pointed).
Of course, there was also the resulting question/confusion by some of: What is Global Entry?, especially among those who are not from the US, but everyone seemed to help each other determine what was what and who was who.
We were thrilled to get out of the packed "madhouse" and on to catch a taxi into town, as it was late.
One vote for Mira’s post.
I like Maggie's strategy.
Hi Shelley, I’d absolutely go to the front of the line. I’d be polite about it, of course, but that’s the benefit of Global Entry. Flash away!
We experienced exactly the situation you are describing when we landed
at JFK late summer.The way I handled it was by very kindly saying: Excuse me, I need to
go ask where we need to go, since we have Global Entry. NO ONE gave me
a funny look, no one acted like I was out of line, and everyone was oh
so kind. In fact, once I found an officer to ask, he then began to
yell out to the crowd for those with Global Entry to approach and
begin lining up (where he pointed).
To answer Shelley's question, yes, I would. The above model is the one I would follow.
Maggie, which terminal was this at JFK? I fly into Terminal 4 on Delta and am curious if you experienced the kiosk breakdown there.
To answer Continental's question:
Gosh, I do not remember which terminal, and we don't fly into JFK that often for me to be super knowledgeable about the JFK airport. But, we were arriving on Iceland Air from Reykjavick, so if you know the airport better than I do, you may know which terminal Iceland Air uses.
Yes, the machines were having some issues. I recall they were off in a corner to the left (one had to pass thru (or rather behind) the general line-up lanes (but gobs of people were massed there waiting to even enter the non Global Entry lines) , which I thought was odd and rather inefficient, in order for us to see/reach the machines designated for Global Entry users. Most airports (at least the ones we have experienced) seem to have them well ahead of where non-Global Entry people form lines. I looked carefully for signage and did not see any, so at that point, I just kindly did the "excuse me" bit to say we needed to find out where to go for Global Entry.....then by asking (I am kind, but never shy) an official directed us.
This was right before Labor Day, so now several months ago, and I don't recall every single detail of the experience, but it seems after we performed the initial function with the fingerprints on the machine, we were guided to then go to whichever line the official then sent us for the human part of the screening (and that could have been because of some problem with the machines). I do recall as I observed others using the handful of machines, many were having problems of some sort. I had to try several times to get my finger prints to "take," but that could have been operator error on my part. Some problems were due to people from other countries not understanding that the machines were just for US Global Entry. There was a good deal of confusion by many.
When the kiosks at the Portland Airport were semi wigging out, I was taken to the front of the passport line by the "Kiosk Control Person." (after I provided her with my number) She said after processing I could also go to the front of the Customs Line however, that line was very short so I just waited a couple of minutes. This relates to my earlier posted question about carrying your card. I never carried it, but always had my number handy. The kiosks going nuts at the Portland Airport was the first time I have had a problem with them or checking in, so I am now rethinking my strategy of not carrying my card.
We encountered an odd situation with Global Entry at a small US entry point. Hit a long line for passport control, ask the guard for location of Global Entry and was directed to the heavily marked handicap line with no one in that line. Talk about feeling funny as we are walking down the handicap line to the front and being call forward by the officer. Thought maybe I should have limped a little bit. While I felt a little uneasy, it wasn't enough to endure a wait of at least an hour for the main line.
PS -- We didn't have a card to flash.
why doesn't your airport have signs and a separate line for GE? Chicago Ohare does and many guides directing anyone with this to the correct line.
Went through one airport where the kiosks were not functional. There was a kiosk manager person who walked me to the front of a line. No one complained.
No, not important to me, even less so since it is the return trip.
Gosh, I do not remember which terminal, and we don't fly into JFK that
often for me to be super knowledgeable about the JFK airport. But, we
were arriving on Iceland Air from Reykjavick, so if you know the
airport better than I do, you may know which terminal Iceland Air
uses.
Thanks for the info, Maggie. Iceland Air is Terminal 7.
Most airports (at least the ones we have experienced) seem to have
them well ahead of where non-Global Entry people form lines.
As does JFK but clearly not at Terminal 7. The kiosks at Terminal 4 are a left-hand turn BEFORE immigration lines with easily visible signage for those new to T4. It's easy unlike your experience at T7.
why doesn't your airport have signs and a separate line for GE?
tgreen, JFK certainly does at Terminal 4. Bizarre about T7.
Recently returned via Philly with GE. They separated us off pretty far in advance, so even though some of the machines were not working, I did not know that in advance. There were not just signs and ropes but also people directing us. If all the machines were non-functioning, I am thinking the personnel would have been providing directions. Since one of the reason's I have GE is to not have to listen to the personnel at Philly with their brash communications, I was lucky some machines were working. One man did shove his way in front of me at the machines. That surprised me. He realized the reason for the delay and retreated. I would have let him go first since I like to minimize aggression - especially on returning home!
