I just read Clark’s article on why we should apply for the Global Entry programs. Of course, his motive was the increase in the price. I have the Trusted Traveler pass for domestic travel. It was easy, but the global is crazy. I’ve applied and paid my money and have been accepted up to the point of the in-person interview. That’s the problem! I’m in Atlanta, and you cannot get an appointment! They are years behind and you cannot even sign out to get on the waiting list, assuming there actually is a list. I’ll have to fly to an obscure city in Michigan or Texas or NM to get an appointment. That’s just crazy to offer a program that you cannot get. Any thoughts or advice out there? TSA is of No help.
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So what I found recently is that the Atlanta CBP office will open up next-day appointments late at night on the day before. These are generally before or after the ones you can schedule online. So like 6a - 8a and 6p - 7p. You are just going to have to keep checking in the evening or the early morning.
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Hi, I read the Global Entry article also. I have heard as you say the offices are only In a few airports. if you happen to be in one of those airports, Im told to try to “drop in” to do your interview, but they may or may not allow this.
My other question is does Global Entry provide benefits of TSA in the US?
My understanding has been you don’t need TSA if have Global Entry, even if mostly fly in US…?
I believe you will also get the TSA Trusted Traveler pass as well. I already have that.
That’s good to know. I quit looking at it once I heard they were so far out that you couldn’t even see the future scheduling. I’ll give it a try. I don’t travel much but since retiring, we do want to do some international travel. I did understand that you may be able to do the interview and any TSA Global port of entry when you come back from a foreign country. I’m not clear how or if that works. I hate to take an international trip just to get the Global Entry interview, but it beats fly to Tyler, TX on a hunch I could get one. Thanks!
Global entry is only $15 more than TSA Pre-Check. If you travel internationally it’s well worth getting Global Entry. You skip all the lines upon returning to the US. The problems in Atlanta must be local. I haven’t heard of this problem where I am (Minneapolis).
I wonder if children are be included free for TSA pre-check, like it will be for Global Entry?
Larry, I think you are correct, that the problem is Atlanta. But, I’m here and so it’s my problem also. I don’t know if I want to fly to another city to get an appointment. Does Minneapolis have open dates?
Use the southern border, you won’t need it.
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I thought of that, but my concern is leaving the country. Thanks.
Essence of government: create a new bureaucracy, impose pain compliance (long lines, partial disrobing, hostile agents, irradiation from full-body scanners) and restrictions on freedom to travel, then levy a new tax to expedite passage while labeling it a “benefit”.
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All of this is correct. As a former Atlantan…I used to have Clear in addition to Global Entry. On some days the lines for Clear & TSA at Hartsfield were longer than the general security lines. On a number of occasions I would actually get out of one of the lines and go to the other. Clear is definitely not worth the money if Atlanta is your home base. Now that Delta has added Delta Digital it helps some with the TSA line. The bottom line is that when they moved from multiple checkpoints to just one, the TSA screening capacity is not nearly enough.
A loved one with Clear has applied for Global Entry and is waiting, waiting, waiting for her interview too. With the death of privacy the government already knows everything about us, so why the totally pointless need for another “screening”?
We also did not have a convenient location to schedule an interview. When returning to JFK airport from an overseas trip several years ago we informed the Immigration official that we wanted to do a Global entry interview and were brought to an office. I was lunch time and we waited for 30 minutes to be seen. The process took about 20-30 minutes. We were given our Global Entry number and our Global Entry cards were subsequently mailed to us.
Thanks for that. I’d rather make an international trip to get the Global entry than just fly to an obscure domestic destination.
Don’t know about the other questions but I will speak of Global Entry and the required appointment.
I was drawing straws a few years ago when I got it. No appointments, none, none, none, in Austin where I was trying. Was considering getting one in Florida, but did keep checking. Turns out that voila one opened up on a Sunday morning, new years day as I recall. It was even suitable to go hit on my way to church and I did. Moral of the story: Keep checking.
One more war story… When first one expired it was time to renew. Well good fine but WTF where is my notice to go interview? Then came notice that it would still be accepted even though expired. Kept checking and they even marked me paid. Finally they sent the fresh card! Don’t axe me I don’t know. Happy to have it though.
Yuge benefit! You get a card! Toilet Security one merely gives you a number. The card is even usable as an ID, though I almost always use Passport Card, not a state card.
Thanks for the tip!
I’ve had Global Entry for 9 years and am a big fan . No interview is necessary for a renewal
Regarding getting the initial interview and wait times, the same problem existed when Global Entry was created about 10 years ago. Back then there was no requirement that the interview had to be conducted at your home airport. If that is still the case, check with nearby airports, such as Chattanooga, to see what their wait times are. I live in Albuquerque and 9 years ago people from all around the country were scheduling interviews because ABQ has NO wait times.
Thank you so much for the info!
I know they suspended interviews fr renewals during the Covid period…but I think they still randomly select applications and require interviews.