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Cockpit Chronicles: How to bypass U.S. Customs with Global Entry
Sometimes it seems like there's more time spent standing in line than actually flying when you're traveling. There's a line at check-in, security, customs and immigration, the gate, and on the other end while deplaning, going through customs and immigration and finally baggage claim. International travelers know that the U.S. immigration line that forms when coming into the United States can be one of the longest lines they'll experience.Fortunately for crew members while at work, we're given either an employee line for security or allowed to move to the front of the line. Customs in many other countries are abbreviated for pilots and flight attendants, but back at home, the crew line can be even slower than the line for passengers.
After flying for many hours to get to the U.S., overseas pilots and flight attendants, experience even longer delays while going through our immigration lines. Each time they come here, which can be as much as five times a month, they have to submit fingerprints and have their photo taken. And for some reason, the computer takes quite a few minutes to process for each crew member. It's especially irksome for them, since U.S. crews arriving in their country experience little or no customs interrogation at all.
So we cringe anytime we see a 747 that has just arrived before us in Boston, since it often means we'll be behind the 18 crew members coming from France or Germany. But we've discovered a way around these lines that's available to all U.S. travelers.
The best way to bypass all this hassle is by using the new "Global Entry" program. This almost secretive 'line-skipping' club is available to frequent travelers as well. Imagine arriving from your trip, and instead of waiting in line, you simply walk up to an ATM style kiosk and after just 60 seconds, you're on your way.But the first step to be registered for Global Entry is to sign up at their website and answer a few questions in preparation for the background check.
The process took me about 15 minutes, mostly because because I had to list all the countries I had visited in the past year. After submitting a fee of $100 to be in the program for the next five years, I was told that I'd be contacted when the checks were complete, after which, I could then schedule an interview with a Customs agent.
I never actually received that notification, but I looked up my status after a few days and discovered that my background check was complete and I could schedule an interview online.
The options were wide open for times and dates, so I picked the soonest available slot. I was anxious to sail through customs after my next trip, while waving at the rest of my coworkers as I passed by.
The interview took place at the airport, not far from where we normally exit the terminal after our screening. After collecting all ten fingerprints and answering a few simple questions, I was good to go. No card was needed-my passport would serve as the key.
At the interview, they took a moment to demonstrate the steps involved when I used the ATM style kiosk next to the customs line. First, I had my passport, a non-RFID chipped older style version, scanned while a camera looked at my face. Then I placed my fingers over a scanner before answering a few questions. In the future, if I'm carrying less than the maximum exemption of goods for crew members, I won't have to fill out any declarations paperwork, a nice bonus I hadn't expected.
The kiosk knows which flight you were on and, after confirming the flight information, it prints out a piece of paper that you then take to the customs officer just before leaving the terminal.
I've now been using Global Entry for almost a year and I have yet to stand in line for a kiosk in Miami, New York, San Juan or Boston. In the beginning, there was a bit of confusion as to how much was required of someone using Global Entry, but they now just look at the receipt before letting me pass.
It seems to be the best kept secret for frequent international travelers, since I've never encountered anyone else in line.
If you fly more than three times a year, I'd recommend taking the time to get registered with Global Entry. I only wish it could be made available for foreign crews and travelers as well.
Cockpit Chronicles takes you along on some of Kent's trips as an international co-pilot on the Boeing 757 and 767 based in Boston. Have any questions for Kent? Check out Plane Answers or follow him on Twitter @veryjr.
Filed under: The Cockpit Chronicles
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil Sep 18th 2010 9:34AM
Best investment in travel one can make, it is an outstanding program, but hate to see GE get the publicity, the fewer that use it the faster for me to leave the airport.
SgFm Sep 18th 2010 7:56PM
Thanks for the detailed information. On average, I fly internationally only 2-3 times a year. Last time through immigration in BOS, an agent chatted with me about GE, he said it was great, and it really does sound like it is. At ~$10 a trip, I might be tempted.
Annette Sep 19th 2010 11:51PM
SHHHHHHHH!!! Kent! This was supposed to be our little secret!
thewinchester Sep 20th 2010 10:07AM
Just a shame the US won't expand this to US/Dutch citizens at the moment.
Frankly, anyone with a chip-enabled passport storing biometric data should be able to register if a frequent traveller. Once they've passed risk assessment, throw open the doors.
Reduce the length & time taken to clear customs, enhance customer service, and reduce employee bills - meaning more machines deployed, better perception of US customs, and better outcomes for all travellers.
Sorry, dreaming a little there.
Jeff Sep 28th 2010 7:45AM
At UK airports they're implementing computers that replace immigration altogether. Only works with new EU passports with chips. The camera scans your face and checks it's has the same biometrics as recorded in the passport chip. Then you're let through. No subscription or anything necessary, anyone can use it.
lizzie Jan 15th 2011 11:59AM
Love my Global Entry!!! I have stood behind many 747 foreign crews in customs for hours! A painful wait after a long flight. I treasure my Global Entry Pass, but I have seen several crew members loose theirs for simple mistakes, like forgetting to declare an item that originated in the US, or bringing in candy from Germany that is banned in the US (who knew?). Now these poor folks not only have lost their privilege to the Global Entry Pass, but have their names in the customs pc, so they are searched individually each time they come into the US!!!! a commuter's nightmare! So be careful out there.
lizzie
www.postcardsfromtheair.com