Post: #26

Funny. I did not get a sticker. Grrrrrrrr!!!!!

Post: #27

The sticker is ugly, but they said it is important - if the machine does not work, you show the passport with the sticker to the nearest agent, and you will be the first in line.

Post: #28

(02-26-2011 03:00 AM)oldnemesis Wrote:  The sticker is ugly, but they said it is important - if the machine does not work, you show the passport with the sticker to the nearest agent, and you will be the first in line.

WTF!!! Then why did this prick did not give me a sticker? I better get one next time I use the kiosk.

Mixx

Post: #29

Did you tell them during the interview you go to Colombia often to fuck young girls? Was the dude interviewing you looking like he got laid once last year?
That's why you didn't get a sticker

Post: #30

(02-26-2011 07:19 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  Did you tell them during the interview you go to Colombia often to fuck young girls?

Nope, but I think he was smart enough to figure this one out as he saw all the stamps on my passport.

(02-26-2011 07:19 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  Was the dude interviewing you looking like he got laid once last year?

Ha! DEFINITELY yeah, I think this is what got me....curse you CBP!

Mixx

Post: #31

Just used it today the first time by entering the US, and I'm really impressed. Not only I was the first from my whole plane to the luggage area, but all the questions I've got from CBP officers on my way out were "so did you like our system?" instead of typical where-you-been/what-do-you-do/what-was-the-purpose-of-your-trip stuff. And while the citizen line was short - probably 20 people or so - the kiosk line was empty.

As a side benefit, you don't need to fill out the custom declaration form and the on-screen questions do not include "food" anymore. Typically if you're bringing alcohol/honey/sweets from Europe, on the original custom declaration you have to check the "food" box, which typically leads you to the second screening. The machine does not ask about "food", only meats/fruits/vegetables, which means you're ok.

I have to admit, however, that passport control in France took even less time - a dude just grabbed my passport, looked briefly on my photo and on me, stamped the first empty page and gave it back to me. Probably less than ten seconds for the whole process.

Post: #32

Nice! hey, Oldnemesis, I sent you a PM. Let me know

Mixx

Post: #33

I traveled to Brasil (Brasilia & Sao Paulo) the last two weekends from Atlanta 1st class roundtrip and both times I have ran into two different cats I know from my college football days who work at customs & border patrol that whisked me straight through. The wait was under 10 minutes in line..Hoping this nice streak continues on!

Post: #34

I will be doing a ton of travel by air and land to/from Canada this summer. I applied for the Nexus card. Anyone here have some inside scoop on the card, benefits, process and time it took to get it?

I'm looking for first hand knowledge.

Mixx

Post: #35

(06-17-2011 02:15 PM)MiXX Wrote:  I applied for the Nexus card. Anyone here have some inside scoop on the card, benefits, process and time it took to get it?

You gonna drive from US to Canada? Then you may benefit from the NEXUS card as you can use designated lines to go through, which is faster - sometime much faster, depending on crossing.

But if you gonna fly there and you're already Global Entry member, the only benefit you'd receive is going through NEXUS machine when you enter Canada. It is similar to Global Entry. And you don't need to have the passport. I don't know any other benefits.

Post: #36

I go to the US 4-5/year in business. Wish they had something like this for pre-screened non-US nationals as well. Being stuck in immigration at O'Hara's makes you question your entire line of work.

Post: #37

(06-28-2011 01:33 AM)oldnemesis Wrote:  

(06-17-2011 02:15 PM)MiXX Wrote:  I applied for the Nexus card. Anyone here have some inside scoop on the card, benefits, process and time it took to get it?

You gonna drive from US to Canada? Then you may benefit from the NEXUS card as you can use designated lines to go through, which is faster - sometime much faster, depending on crossing.

But if you gonna fly there and you're already Global Entry member, the only benefit you'd receive is going through NEXUS machine when you enter Canada. It is similar to Global Entry. And you don't need to have the passport. I don't know any other benefits.

Yes, I will be driving from Fargo, ND to Winnipeg every weekend for the next 2 months!

Post: #38

(06-28-2011 08:44 AM)MiXX Wrote:  Yes, I will be driving from Fargo, ND to Winnipeg every weekend for the next 2 months!

Then go for it. It takes longer than Global Entry (because Canada has to approve it as well, not just US CBP), but I know someone who've got it in less than eight weeks. From what he said the process is the same as with GE - filling up form, paying the fee, waiting, going through kind-of interview. However he wasn't GE member already, maybe it would be faster for you. Let us know

Post: #39

(06-28-2011 04:39 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  

(06-28-2011 08:44 AM)MiXX Wrote:  Yes, I will be driving from Fargo, ND to Winnipeg every weekend for the next 2 months!

Then go for it. It takes longer than Global Entry (because Canada has to approve it as well, not just US CBP), but I know someone who've got it in less than eight weeks. From what he said the process is the same as with GE - filling up form, paying the fee, waiting, going through kind-of interview. However he wasn't GE member already, maybe it would be faster for you. Let us know

I just got my conditional approval notification e-mail today from GOES! I already set-up my face-to-face appointment for the interview for next week. The interview is actually done in Canada, and you get to pick a city in Canada convenient to you and your schedule based on selections they give you in the e-mail.


So far, the process from applying online to receiving a conditional approval has been 14 calendar days. I'm guessing another 3-4 weeks to actually get the Nexus card in the mail once approved.

Mixx

Post: #40

Well, I went to the Canadian Border Services agency today for my face-2-face interview IN Canada, and it was a nightmare! To put it short, the interview has 2 sides present: The US customs agent (piece of cake if you are American), and the Canadian Customs agent (not a piece of cake if you are American).

The US customs agent verifies your info, takes biometric information and is pretty short and sweet.

However, the NEXUS card IS A CANADIAN ISSUED CARD, so therefore, 90% of the power is at the discretion of the Canadian agent, and there is NOTHING the US agent can do even if he approves you.

The Canadian agent kept telling me that she did not believe my intentions for travel to Canada were for tourism, but rather for business and work purposes, and that I have to PROVE to her that I was NOT going to Canada to look for work or to be involved in any paid activities.

I explained to her who my employer (in the US) was, gave her a business card, and she said something stupid relate do the fact that my employer could have potential clients in Canada she fears I am there to work for. My employer is a MULTI-BILLION $$$$ WORLDWIDE MEDIA CONGLOMERATE to which I hold a high ranking position for.

Anyway, this lady had it out for me since she laid eyes for me...she must of had some sort of Napoleon complex (she was about 5' tall), and by the way, she was also training another Canadian officer that day.

I then explained to her that I have absolutely no need to SNEEK INTO CANADA as an American citizen and break Canadian immigration laws as my company is a VERY REPUTABLE firm, with a team of attorneys that would handle all of my necessary work visas if my intentions were to work in Canada!

The Canadian Customs bitch told me that she did not believe me and that I should prove it to her.


I asked "What will you accept as proof?"
CBSA - "Show me your itinerary for this trip"
Mixx - "what itinerary?"
CBSA - "Your flight itinerary"
Mixx - " I don't have one, I already told you I drove here from North Dakota and will be driving back; check your database for my Canadian entry point by land at border point "xyz" on Canada Day, this is why I do not have a stamp on my passport because I use my US PASSPORT CARD for entry.

CBSA just shrugs her shoulders and looks at me with a stupid smirk as if I am lying simply because I did not FLY into Canada! ** Seriously, this is extremely stupid reasoning as I did NOTHING illegal by doing this!

Mixx - "Look, I came here on Canada Day, and yesterday was the 4th in US, so who can I possibly have come here to work for this weekend?

CBSA - At this point, I will just leave your application in limbo until you can bring 'evidence' that shows you are a tourist, and not seeking to come here for work or paid activities.

She could not even tell me what she would accept as "evidence" except for the fact that I had to come to her, at another time, with a new appointment costing me an extra trip, money, fees just to show her something she may reject as not sufficient evidence because she did not make clear what would prove my status as a tourist....she really wanted flight details, and I kept telling her I am driving, not flying!!!

I pulled out my hotel bills, bar tab receipts, shopping mall receipts....nothing was satisfactory to prove I was there as a tourist! What a stupid bitch!



*** The US Customs officer standing just a few feet away could not believe this lady, and was surprised at how she actually thought I was there (in Canada) to work, and did not believe I am there as a tourist - it was silly given the fact they have run a full background check on me, and I presented a business card!

However, there is nothing he can do....Nexus is a Canadian program, not an American one. 90% of the power is in Canadas hands.


I looked at her, and told her to throw her Nexus card in the garbage, and that I was no longer interested....oh yeah, I also told her the real reason I am in Canada is because I have lots, and lots of sex with local Canadian women who love latin men....she looked at me in disapproval as I walked away. It is not unlawful to have lots of sex in Canada, so I let her have it and told her how I just finished having sex before coming to the interview, and plan on going back for more Canadian sex right after the interview.......since she was obviously dead set on not approving me anyway, I may as well get a good laugh out of it!




So, there it is, No Nexus card for Mixx....I still have my US privilege of Global Entry however.


Mixx

Post: #41

About 6 months ago, I posted above I was denied the Nexus card by the Canadian customs, but 4 days ago, I got a letter saying it was approved, and received my Nexus Card yesterday... wtf????

I was able to successfully activate the card, and although I do not know why all of a sudden I am approved, I'm now part of the elite North America "Trusted Traveler" program.

Let the good times roll...


Mixx

Post: #42

(02-08-2011 01:41 PM)MiXX Wrote:  I just got approved for the Global Entry Program managed by US Customs & Border Patrol.

I recommend anyone here who wants a smooth entry into the US without the hassle of waiting in lines at Passport Control, or filling out the blue entry cards join the program.

According to a close friend of mine, the total time it took him to enter the US from the time he exited the plane, until the time he was outside catching a taxi back home was 15 minutes! There is a special "trusted traveler" entry line that is always empty. Usually it's the same line for diplomats and airline crew.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/truste...bal_entry/

It is open to both US Citizens and Resident Green Card holders who do not have any type of arrest record in the US or abroad.

Mixx

Also if you have a Platinum Amex they waive the $100 fee. I used it for the first time a few weeks ago and it saved me about 45 minutes.

Post: #43

(12-28-2011 08:45 PM)BTman Wrote:  Also if you have a Platinum Amex they waive the $100 fee. I used it for the first time a few weeks ago and it saved me about 45 minutes.

Yep...I just received the Amex Platinum book of benefits and saw that. I am gonna use that immediately.

Post: #44

Just signed up for Global Entry last night. I've traveled a lot internationally in previous years but usually for extended periods outside of the US more than leaving and re-entering the country frequently. Next year that will change as I will be taking many round-trip international flights for short trips from the US and back, so it goes without saying that this program will be clutch.

I've gone through rather vigorous background checks through my line of work so I found Global Entry to be rather mild in comparison. For instance, there were no questions about education or finances, and no request for references which is very unusual for government background checks.

I'm still bitter about my experience in MIA coming back from Bogota a couple of years ago. All of the passengers were treated with minimal respect and forced to wait for hours to clear customs. I've also traveled to many countries that have hostile diplomatic relations with the US, and you never know which CBP goon you might meet at passport control and whether they'll ask about those previous trips. Not just that, but there's also time to be saved for connecting flights; getting through in minutes rather than missing a flight and waiting HOURS.

For me, the juice is worth the squeeze. I pay Uncle Sam his bribe but in return I get a lot more convenience and peace of mind.

Post: #45

(02-12-2011 03:45 PM)MiXX Wrote:  

(02-11-2011 03:28 PM)InternationalSwagger Wrote:  @ Mixx - The only times I have been through MIA they always treat me like shit! When I was coming back from Medellin and Cartagena both times on Avianca they sent me through for extra screening. Both times I have come back from Jamaica here to Atlanta they sent me through for extra screening as well. Guess I fit the profile :/ even though I'm extremely clean cut and polished.

One thing I love about coming through Atlanta is that It's a lot of brothas who are working as CBF officers and they are always cool and asking me about my trips (Brasil especially lol) and interested and don't ask any stupid question like some of the "others" who always seem more suspicious and can't believe I have all these stamps in my passport and or traveled to Brasil for a "weekend". I always make it a point to try to go to a customs lane where a brotha is working in Atlanta to avoid all BS and normally that Isn't too hard to find.

Funny, I do the same thing except I look for a latin/spanish officer, which in Miami is not hard to find. Unfortunately, if I get a white officer he is immediately suspicious; that is until I stapled my business card with the logo of a MAJOR Television network on my bio page of my passport - they all ask surprisingly, "you work for <major TV network>?" Then, they let me through and jokingly ask me to make them famous.

However, that is the real reason I got this Global Entry program, I will not have to go through the hassle of explaining my weekend trips in Colombia because it immediately red-flagged as a narco drug lord or mule. Now, I will breeze through no matter where I come from without the suspicions.

Sometimes I wish I could really tell them the truth as to why I take weekend trips to Colombia:

CBP Officer: "Welcome to the United States, what was the purpose of your short visit to Colombia?"
Mixx:" I needed to unload my nuts inside 8 Colombianas in 48hrs"
CBP Officer:" I see you son of a bitch, but did you bring any drugs or illegal contraband or fruits?"
Mixx:"Nope, but I may have to check myself for STD's later this week"
CBP Officer:" Fuck you!, and just because I am filled with envy, off to extra screening you go mofo!"

Damn, typing that felt good!

Mixx

I have actually said that many times at Passport Control. It's not illegal to travel to get laid. As long as you don't admit to something like engaging in prostitution, tell them anything you fell like! Sometimes I told them it's not their business what I do - you don't actually have to talk to them goons.

CBP officer: What were you doing in Thailand?
ME: getting laid like a rock star!
CBP: you have a girl friend there?
ME: Hell no!
CBP: Ok..welcome home
ME: You mean welcome to sex prison USA?..

Post: #46

Just completed my interview for Global Entry and was approved today. Can't wait to use it. Not only will I never have to fill out customs forms but I also get to skip passport control and go straight to these automatic kiosks to scan my passport and fingerprints. I will also arrive to baggage claim first if I have any checked bags but if I don't I can just exit the airport or go to my terminal for a connecting flight.

Also, I'm automatically enrolled in TSA pre check so for domestic flights I won't have to take off my shoes, belt, or open my laptop or take liquids out of my bag. I go through a dedicated fast lane to get me through security quickly.

There's also a card I'm given to use for Canada and Mexico via land crossing.

As for the interview process, it is exactly as Oldnemesis describes here: /thread-3635-p...l#pid44690

It really wasn't anything serious and the officer was very polite and respectful. They also put you in a room initially with the other participants to watch a 6-minute video on how the thing works, implying that you were already approved before you interview. That's probably because the background check is conducted prior to you being offered the opportunity to come in for an interview (i.e. conditional approval).

I have a clean record so I knew I had nothing to worry about. If you have any arrests and especially any DUI's you probably will get denied the interview, thus you won't be allowed into the program.

As much as I'm going to travel this year, this benefit is simply indispensable.

Post: #47

How long does the ticket thing extend for? I think Reckless is a misdemeanor here in Georgia...

Post: #48

(01-15-2013 12:03 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:  How long does the ticket thing extend for? I think Reckless is a misdemeanor here in Georgia...

Misdemeanors are probably disqualifying. You'll have to look into it. Just call your nearest airport that has a Global Entry office and explain your situation. I know DUI's are a no-go.

I can tell you this thing has already paid for itself. Just coming back from St. Maarten the other day, the passport control line was insane. I completely avoided it and walked through a dedicated Global Entry lane and went right up to a free kiosk, had a head shot taken, scanned my fingerprints, clicked "no to all" on the customs questions page and had a receipt printed out in less than 30 secs. I then walked through a dedicated exit lane and handed the receipt to a man who collects them and stamps your passport. The whole process took less than one minute. I imagine those who waited in passport control were probably in line for up to an hour or more.

GE only costs $100 and is good for five years, so that's $20 a year. Can't beat that. Time truly is money. If the sequestration cuts happen as I imagine they will, having this benefit will only become more crucial because long delays at airports (even arrivals) are already being discussed as inevitable since the FAA will furlough tons of employees.

I think if you travel internationally at least twice a year it's worth signing up.

Post: #49

I received a GE/Precheck 2+ years ago, and it is handy just as much for domestic as international travel. Not having to get behind a couple with 5 kids, 10 baby strollers, 40 diaper bags, and 50 formula canisters that need to be inspected is gold. The GE and ClearMe memberships are growing in numbers, increasing lines, but still move a lot faster due to more experienced/professional travelers.

Having one also looks good on a resume. Companies won't require you to have it, but likes to see it beforehand for traveling employees. They found out that some employees are ineligible due to background checks, and lost money sponsoring each individual.

From what I understand the investigation has set guidelines, but some are subjective. A misdemeanor may not disqualify you. It's a gamble, and part is up to the interviewing officer. Do some research on travel sites. Some claim to have gotten it with a DUI, and other didn't. It's a tough call to make.

http://parlourmagazine.com/2016/01/globa...appeal-it/

Post: #50

(02-08-2011 04:07 PM)Roosh Wrote:  

Quote:A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will ask you questions, take your photo, and collect biometric information, e.g., scan your fingerprints.

Kills it for me.

The year is 2017.

I just got approved for Chase Sapphire Reserve, which reimburses for Global Entry application.

I want to apply. I have nothing to hide except for a few racy forum posts on here about girls I never called back. Any tips?