Orlando Airport Biometric Kiosks

[AngryJames]

Apologies if this has been covered already, and if so, please reply back with a link to any applicable threads. Thank you.

One of the biggest headaches for me, is queueing at customs and wondering if, for some reason, you might be hassled (yes I do have horror stories, though not at MCO).

I tend to fly in around 3.30pm, and 3 flights tend to arrive at the same time from the UK (2 Virgin, 1 BA). If they disembark before you, then the queue can be horrendous.

If any of you have used the new kiosks, please let us know what your experience was like and if you felt they sped up the process or made it worse.

Looking at the demonstration video on NBC, it appears that the system has the potential to make matters worse, especially if the travellers struggle with the automation. At least with the old system, the customs official speedily went through the process.

Also, I read, in a notification from BA, that you need to have travelled into the US after 2008 at some point to use the kiosks. Can anybody confirm that fact? I ask since it contradicts other sites claiming only ESTA is needed, and at least one of my party will be travelling on a brand new passport having never travelled to the US before.

James

 

[wilma-bride]

When we went in March, only those who had travelled to the US in the last two years were able to use the kiosks. This was the same in NY last month. Those people who used the kiosks were directed to different desks, once they'd gone through the automated bit, than those who waited in the regular line.

In my opinion, having the kiosks in place has greatly reduced the length of the wait overall though. In fact, on both visits to the US in the last 6 months, we were left waiting for the luggage, having got through immigration so quickly.

 

[AngryJames]

Thank you Wilma for a fast response. It's great to hear your experience was positive.

I managed to get the official BA statement again from my account:

Automated Passport Control now available on arrival at Orlando
The Kiosks aim to speed up the arrivals process and are available to arriving International customers who meet the following criteria: 1. You must have entered the US since 2008. 2. You must be a citizen from a US visa waiver country 3. You must have ESTA travel authority Or 4. US and Canadian citizens are also eligible. You will be directed to the correct immigration queue on arrival. Please have your passport and flight details ready.

Looks like 6 years is now the window.

 

[edinburghlass]

We used the kiosks in May on that BA flight arriving around 3.30. I had a new passport this year but had travelled last couple of years so we were able to use the kiosk.

Due to the three flights arriving at similar times the hall was full but the queues did move quicker however it was only when we got to the last couple of laps that we were pulled out to go to the kiosks.

 

[wilma-bride]

Thank you Wilma for a fast response. It's great to hear your experience was positive.

I managed to get the official BA statement again from my account:



Looks like 6 years is now the window.

That might be the official statement from BA but they were definitely only directing people to the kiosks who had entered the US in the last 2 years and this was just last month. Maybe it's in an effort to keep the lines for the kiosk down, I don't know but don't rely on being able to use the kiosks even if you have been since 2008.

 

[AngryJames]

Thanks edinburghlass for another positive response.

I'm going in September this year, not a busy time. If I remember I might time the process from touch down to out of customs. Might be useful for others. Last time I went was May '12, and that was slow.

Someone posted a trip report and said they were out in 30 mins, which I think is very fast.

Of course once I'm out I'm then queueing for my hire car for another 30m to an hour

 

[AngryJames]

Thanks Wilma. I think you're probably right about the 2 year thing. I wonder if I'll get away with 2 years from May '12 to Sep '14

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks Wilma. I think you're probably right about the 2 year thing. I wonder if I'll get away with 2 years from May '12 to Sep '14

There were no actual questions on the kiosk about the last time you entered the US and, like I say, I am pretty sure this is just in an attempt to keep the lines down while it's new and people get used to using them so I don't see why you shouldn't just try it.

 

[wilma-bride]

Of course once I'm out I'm then queueing for my hire car for another 30m to an hour

Where is your car hire from?

 

[AngryJames]

I'm always looking to save a dollar, so I usually go Budget and regret it as I walk past the empty Hertz booth.

This time I went Avis, and then read the Touring Plan reviews saying that Avis is worse than Budget

I'm usually in need of a large 7+ person vehicle, so the cost is high. This time however I might only need a 5 (or 4, since one of my party may have to drop out for health reasons).

 

[wilma-bride]

If you can get a good deal with Dollar, sign up for Dollar Express which means you can go straight to the garage, no need to wait in line.

Have a look at www.usrentacar.co.uk - their prices are often quite competitive

 

[AngryJames]

Wilma, thank you.

I actually use Dollar a lot in other states. I don't know why I don't use it when I come to Florida?!?

I love the idea of being able to go straight to the lot.

In '12, we had Budget in Florida, and they tried a sneaky by trying to sell us an upgrade. The upgrade didn't look like much, so I stuck with the vehicle we had. The rep. wasn't too pleased. When we got to the lot it was a super luxury model, or seemed so. So I think he was after getting us away from that vehicle so he could offer it to someone else.

I remember once getting a Dollar (I think) from Dulles, and the guy just pointed me to the lot and said take anything in that section. Now THAT... I liked.

 

[disneyholic family]

Thank you Wilma for a fast response. It's great to hear your experience was positive.

I managed to get the official BA statement again from my account:



Looks like 6 years is now the window.

it's very interesting that they say you have to be from a visa waiver country because my mom just entered the US in New York - she of course went to the US citizen kiosk - but her traveling companion, who is not from a visa waiver country, went to the kiosk for foreigners and it worked without a problem.
So i don't know.

as for how difficult it is to use - i found it a bit annoying myself.
I don't like having to answer the customs form on the kiosk machine - here i am, dragging all this stuff with me - carry ons, purse, jacket, whatever and now i have to dig into my purse and get out my glasses so i can read the directions on the stupid kiosk.
as i said, i found it terribly annoying to use. I'd much rather just go up to the immigration officer with my little form that i filled out on the plane.

 

[wayneg]

I came thru immigration last Thursday.
They were only allowing parties of 1 or 2 people bypass the long line, being 3 of us we had to join the long line.
Close to the front of the line there was someone watching the kiosks, if there were any free she was asking the next in line if they had ESTA's, if they had they could use the kiosk, no other criteria just had to have an ESTA.
We were asked to use the kiosk, really easy to do but after doing it we still had to see an immigration officer, again with a line.

So if travelling alone or with 1 more person we would have got thru no problem, as a party of 3 it took just over 1 hour from landing to getting thru immigration. Don't know what it would have been like if another plane had landed at the same time, bad enough with 1 plane.

For car hire, you can bypass the line with Hertz, Dollar and Alamo, maybe others but I do it with these 3 no problem.

 

[Minniesgal]

When we went in March, only those who had travelled to the US in the last two years were able to use the kiosks. This was the same in NY last month. Those people who used the kiosks were directed to different desks, once they'd gone through the automated bit, than those who waited in the regular line. In my opinion, having the kiosks in place has greatly reduced the length of the wait overall though. In fact, on both visits to the US in the last 6 months, we were left waiting for the luggage, having got through immigration so quickly.

This is exactly our experience as well.

 

[AngryJames]

wayneg, thanks. I would guess that my experience was over an hour. We had one plane in front and one behind.

They split us up into small groups anyway, because they only let you go up if you live at the same address. At least that was the rule in '12. So if they ask for 2's or 1's, some of us might as well do that.

 

[DisFanJen]

Just an FYI, AVIS also have a service where you can go straight to the parking garage called AVIS Preferred. My partner is a member and it definitely cuts down on the wait time.

Though I will admit, about half the time we get there and we aren't 'on the board' so they have to scramble around to get a car ready. It's still faster than going to the desk though.

 

[AngryJames]

Thanks DisFanJen, very useful info. I will try to see if I can get that service if/when I upgrade my vehicle.

 

[disneyholic family]

wayneg, thanks. I would guess that my experience was over an hour. We had one plane in front and one behind.

They split us up into small groups anyway, because they only let you go up if you live at the same address. At least that was the rule in '12. So if they ask for 2's or 1's, some of us might as well do that.

they can never make up their minds..
we split up because we had different addresses and the guy said, come on up together, you're all one family..
it was me and DH and DD and her husband...

but i'm sure had we come up that way, they would have yelled at us...

 

[AngryJames]

disneyholicfamily, that was exactly our experience last time, getting yelled at, sort of, for having different addresses. Past years, they wanted to split same address different surnames?!?

I feel like saying, but never would, "Why can't you distinguish between a bunch of over excited Brits who love Mickey Mouse and come year on year, and the truly undesirable?".

I met a woman in 2011, in DC, who worked for customs. She claimed that pressure had been put on them to treat "regular" folk with some disdain, as Arabic men had complained they were being unfairly treated. They had to address the balance so to speak. Not wishing to get into politics and risk the wrath of moderation, but I'm with Martin Amis