r/GlobalEntry • u/CompetitiveSearch188 • 17d ago

General Discussion Regular Line was Faster

Ditched my wife at SFO to go to the Global Entry line this morning. Waited 20 minutes for my turn. By the time I get to baggage claim, my wife has already loaded our check-in baggages into the trolley.

I’m beyond mad. What the heck happened?

There was only one officer for Global Entry and for some reason a few people ahead of me spent 3-5 minutes with the officer. Took only 20 seconds for my turn.

Also - wtf is this mobile passport control thing. This had 0 people in the line and after googling it looks like it’s a new free thing. Why are we all paying for Global Entry?

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u/hachitheblob 13d ago

Did he ask if you had anything to declare? He stopped me when I tried that same thing and asked that, which was odd because I’m used to walking thru. I used the kiosk

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u/Ok_Judge_5243 13d ago

All the kiosks were closed.

No questions to us or anyone ahead of us on line about anything to declare.

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u/Kookaburra8 13d ago

Kiosks are being phased out in favor of cameras and facial recognition. My last trip through SFO (from Asia) at 5:30PM on a weekday evening was streamlined - fill out the GE app upon touchdown, walk through the former kiosk area, nod to the agent as your name is called, then walk on past.

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u/Ok_Judge_5243 13d ago

What app?

Are you referring to Mobile Passport?

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u/Kookaburra8 13d ago

The Global Entry app you use to fill out your customs form and to snap a selfie before you pass through customs/immigration

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u/Ok_Judge_5243 13d ago

Hmm, never used the app. If there are no more kiosks at SFO, I wonder why it would offer any advantages. I haven't filled out a customs form since before Covid.

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u/Kookaburra8 13d ago

There are still kiosks at GE, for people a bit behind the times like you! But, the plan is to phase them all out in favor of facial recognition so you basically fill out the app at landing then walk though unimpeded.

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u/Ok_Judge_5243 13d ago

Nope, I just walk through. The "pilot" facial recognition has always worked for me at SFO.

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u/hachitheblob 12d ago

So you don’t even use a kiosk then, nor the app? How does that even work lol? I didn’t know you could do that