1st international flight

[sayhello]

Ok....you guys are so helpful! Please forgive my ignorance!!
I have applied for my passport, but don't have it yet.... Can I start the GE process anyway?
We leave mid July, do I have time to do this?
TSA pre screen is a good thing?

Thank you!!

The only one I can answer is the question about TSA pre screen. The answer is YES! it is a VERY good thing. It's usually a separate security line, you don't have to take off your shoes, you don't have to take your 3-1-1 bag out, you don't have to take your laptop out, etc. A MUCH expedited way to get through security at the airport!

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

You may still get TSA pre screen without having Global Entry, since they are separate programs. Sometimes you will get Pre Check if you are signed up for an airlines frequent flyer program. It will just show up on your boarding pass. You're lucky if this happens. I've had this happen only twice - once with Delta and once with SWA. Or you can fill out an application with the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/application-program
Having Global Entry greatly increases your chances of receiving TSA pre check.

 

[calypso726]

Ok....you guys are so helpful! Please forgive my ignorance!!
I have applied for my passport, but don't have it yet.... Can I start the GE process anyway?
We leave mid July, do I have time to do this?
TSA pre screen is a good thing?

Thank you!!

If memory serves correctly you can. When you are on the application page they will ask for what form of ID you will bring to the interview. Just choose the ones you have on hand, driver's license and whatever other form is acceptable. I don't remember off the top of my head. It will take a few days for them to process your application and then allow you to schedule you an interview date. So check back online periodically. Yes, you have time but I'd start it now LOL Availability of interview dates vary. When DH and I did it the next date open for us was a over month out. When my parents did it there was plenty of availability and they scheduled for the following day

TSA pre screen is awesome! Get in the "fastpass" line, no taking liquids out of your bag, no removing shoes, belt, laptops etc.

 

[tchrrx]

I wonder if you'll be on the Costa Rica trip with me? We are going sometime in July, but I can't remember the exact dates right now. lol

I just flew in from Nicaragua to Houston last month. I think it took right at an hour and a half to clear customs. I didn't have any idea what to do, but if you follow the crowd you can't get lost. ;-) It was a fairly easy process, but there were some long lines.

One tip that I learned after last month: Write down the passport numbers (and maybe expiration dates. I can't remember) for the entire family on one piece of paper. Then when you have to fill out paperwork, you can do it without having to dig out all of the passports.

Thread Jack- When flying into another country with ABD, what address to you list as the place you are visiting? I didn't know how to do this since we'll be at several different hotels.

 

[sayhello]

I wonder if you'll be on the Costa Rica trip with me? We are going sometime in July, but I can't remember the exact dates right now. lol

Jul 12 - 18, 2014 The Roll Calls can be useful! You're traveling with DISer ragtopday, also.

Thread Jack- When flying into another country with ABD, what address to you list as the place you are visiting? I didn't know how to do this since we'll be at several different hotels.

I usually use wherever we're going to be spending the most time. If nothing really qualifies, then I use the hotel from the first night.

Sayhello

 

[AZlady]

Jul 12 - 18, 2014 The Roll Calls can be useful! You're traveling with DISer ragtopday, also.

Darn...I am going the following week.

 

[AZlady]

So I will start working on GE, but it sounds like the process will take several weeks to several months, depending on how back logged the Phoenix branch is.
I did call United again today. She actually got irritated with me when I asked if 90 minutes was enough time to get through customs in Houston. She looked up some document and stated 60 minutes is plenty of time. ( oh, this worries me)

 

[paddles]

You shouldn't stress too much - 90 minutes is a pretty short layover to go through customs, but you should be fine when landing in the US. However, if the line is really long or your plane is late, just let one of the officials who are managing the lines know about that and they may help you get to the front quicker.

I have traveled dozens of times internationally and I don't have the fastpass, and I've never had any issues - even with a short layover.

good luck!

 

[Bobo912]

You shouldn't stress too much - 90 minutes is a pretty short layover to go through customs, but you should be fine when landing in the US. However, if the line is really long or your plane is late, just let one of the officials who are managing the lines know about that and they may help you get to the front quicker.

I have traveled dozens of times internationally and I don't have the fastpass, and I've never had any issues - even with a short layover.

good luck!

Me too. I always stress over it, but I've had 1 hour and 1 1/4 hours layovers (through no fault of my own), and made it through customs with time to spare. I've always gotten to the gate before the plane started boarding. I know I've been lucky. So I'm thinking about getting Global Entry because it will be worth it if it prevents missing even one connecting flight. There is no interview location at my local airport though, so it's a bit of a hassle to schedule.

 

[AZlady]

Well...no more stressing about it....the local Customs & Border Patrol office called me back to tell they are booked through June.....so I will not have enough time to get the GE before this trip.
So I will trust United (eek!) and hope for the best.
Thank you for all you helpful information!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Well...no more stressing about it....the local Customs & Border Patrol office called me back to tell they are booked through June.....so I will not have enough time to get the GE before this trip.
So I will trust United (eek!) and hope for the best.
Thank you for all you helpful information!!

Don't worry, as long as your flight arrives on time in Houston, you should make it!

 

[pharm55]

I just called United.
They stated that my 90 minutes in Houston is fine and I don't go through customs in Houston.
( I do customs in Costa Rica)....I need the extra time 2-3 hours before that departure.
Newbie issues

I would call the airport and find out if you actually do go through US customs in Costa Rica like the United employee stated. They may be correct. And if so this will put your mind at ease a little. When we fly direct to the US from Canada we have to go through US customs in our Canadian airport and then when we land in US we just go to baggage claim. If you have global entry then the wait at customs in the Canadian city is virtually walk through so yes those cards are well worth it.
Also re queue jumping at customs - NOT A GOOD IDEA!! We were in US customs line in Calgary and first of all there is a sign saying "anyone queue jumping even with other passengers position will be removed to the BACK of the line".

Secondly we were there on a Saturday and we waited for an hour in customs and a couple from somewhere in Asia were trying to come to the front of the line explaining to the security person that they were missing their flight. They were told to get back to their place in line. Then the husband came up and tried to speak with them about it again and a US customs officer stepped out from behind his desk and yelled at the crowd basically saying "WAIT YOUR TURN!!" He said if they let people jump the line then it puts everyone at risk of missing their flight so it is just too darn bad. He said you deal with it at your gate. You could have heard a pin drop in there and the look on my kids' faces were priceless.

 

[Bobo912]

Airports with preclearance

http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/preclearance/preclear-locations

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Airports with preclearance

http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/preclearance/preclear-locations

Already posted in post #9.

Also already posted that there is NO preclearance in Costa Rica.

 

[AZlady]

so~ when my passport arrived it had the pre check TSA info.
Looks like you can go "universal" on the TSA site or "global entry" on the CBP site.
Are they the same?

 

[AZlady]

so~ when my passport arrived it had the pre check TSA info.
Looks like you can go "universal" on the TSA site or "global entry" on the CBP site.
Are they the same?

I figured it out~ This has been a learning adventure for me!!

 

[sayhello]

I figured it out~ This has been a learning adventure for me!!

So what is the difference?

Sayhello

 

[AZlady]

So what is the difference?

Sayhello

The one from TSA (Universal) would get you TSA pre check (in the US). The one from CBP (Global Entry) is the custom "fast pass" you guys explained to me.

http://www.dhs.gov/comparison-chart

 

[2003Eeyore]

I applied for our ( mine and my DD) GOES the beginning of Feb this year. We were approved in about 5 days. But the first avalible interview appts were May 28. I was in a panic since we leave for a Med cruise in June. I read online that you should check back for openings because people cancel all the time. I started checking every day, we were able to get in March 10. So you might still try! Good luck whatever you do!

 

[AZlady]

I applied for our ( mine and my DD) GOES the beginning of Feb this year. We were approved in about 5 days. But the first avalible interview appts were May 28. I was in a panic since we leave for a Med cruise in June. I read online that you should check back for openings because people cancel all the time. I started checking every day, we were able to get in March 10. So you might still try! Good luck whatever you do!

Thanks for the suggestions~I did call the Phoenix branch and they told me all appoitments were filled till late June (our trip is mid-July)....but I thought I would try anyways. I will check the website and see if I can get lucky