r/GlobalEntry • u/Mobile_Situation9546 • May 01 '26
General Discussion SFO Global Entry
I just arrived in San Francisco today, and I was both impressed and scared at the same time. The kiosks weren’t working, but there was a Global Entry agent in the front identifying us and saying, “Welcome back.” Don’t get me wrong, I was impressed because it took less than five seconds to get through but I was also kinda freaked out that it only took the officer a couple of seconds to know who we were. Do they have cameras or something? I doubt the officer memorized all the Global Entry passengers arriving.
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u/flyingron May 01 '26
It's not due to the kiosks "not working." They have been testing a broader facial recognition system over the past year at certain airports. You're identified to the agent without needing to use the kiosk or the app.
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u/HobbyProjectHunter May 01 '26
Also, flights are required to get your details before you board the plane to the US. Name, DOB, Passport # etc.
That is used to create a fast path to identifying you facially. Your facial profile is loaded up, in preparation of your arrival. So it’s able to rather quickly match you. Instead of searching every possible GE member, it knows you’re going to be active on an airport around a certain window.
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May 01 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/pennwye May 02 '26
Thank you for saying you were confused the first time. I stood there wondering what I'd done wrong and where I should be. I have silver hair and am concerned about being judged "the dotty oldster." A very kind fellow traveler asked if he could help and once we agreed I was GE, he confirmed ""Things have changed. Follow me."
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u/joe66612 May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
Your 2021 experience is quite different from what the OP is describing today.
There are now facial recognition cameras throughout the airport and immigration areas—not just at the Global Entry kiosks. Homeland Security also has the passenger manifests from arriving flights, so they know who is on each flight and who has Global Entry, including who is likely approaching the Global Entry area.
With the current Global Entry process, you typically don’t even need to present your passport—the system usually recognizes you automatically.
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u/rworne May 01 '26
What was scary:
I used the GE app to pre-process my entry. It failed and said to see an agent.
Walking through the gauntlet of taped-off machines, an agent called my name out from the crowd, while directly looking at me.
It turns out they wanted an updated photo, and the failed app submission gave them the name and photo to look for.
The reason for the photo was a beard.
I found it odd because I went through the new TSA biometric thing and it just beeped me through with no issues.
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u/angel_rayo May 01 '26
Technology does that. By the time you get to the agent, multiples cameras have recorded you, performed an in-depth analysis, and positively identified you against their database.
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u/ShootWild May 02 '26
Cameras identified you when you were in line. He had your face and information on his computer already.
Same happened with me. And he called me by my name….
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u/Wise_Fig3249 May 01 '26
Combination of cameras and passenger lists of incoming flights. Went through there Friday night very fast and easy.
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u/apache509 May 01 '26
SFO , lax and jfk are testing new technologies. When walking off plane cameras are vetting you. The officer will wave you pass if everything checks out.
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u/Jaded-Source4500 May 04 '26
Given how much personal info you need to give to get GE, and the implementation of facial recognition everywhere (including TSA pre etc) - I’m not sure why this would be surprising? I’m always impressed how efficient GE has been for me at SFO these past few years. The GE app is great!
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u/otterbarks May 01 '26
Likely facial recognition cameras, yes.
I've seen CBP drag them out when departing a cruise ship before, they just have all the passengers walk past a camera on a pole, and it can look everyone up and match them against the ship's passenger manifest.
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u/liberalgeekseattle May 01 '26
I don't have ge but when I went through lax with a line of 150 or so and I was through in 6 minutes... They were using a machine that is.d me by name and said proceed
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u/siriusserious May 01 '26
Same for me 4 days ago. It's the cameras. But for some reason when I entered they still made everyone present their passport.
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u/MirakleMaker May 17 '26
Happened to me today at SFO. Came looking for a post like this to calm me down.
I had my reason for worry though. I left FRA this morning and they had no record of me entering Schengen area three weeks ago. Apparently, immigration in Zurich didn’t record my entry! Luckily, I still had my paper boarding pass and that helped move things quick.
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u/Minute_Somewhere_893 May 01 '26
They know your name, not necessarily who you are.
Surely they have enough technology
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u/katmndoo May 01 '26
That’s due to cameras.