Decided to take the plunge and get approved for the Global Entry program after enduring a huge line in customs in New Jersey last trip and figuring with the budget cuts things were only going to get worse.
Online application not to difficult but pretty thorough.
Approval took 19 days to come through.
Started looking for a place to do the interview. My plan was to do it during a layover in Miami but appointments were three weeks out and I wanted it over with so i could use it on my next trip coming soon.
Detroit wasn't working either since my flights leave at 6am and come back after 11pm.
So decided to take a road trip north to Sault Saint Marie Mi which is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula at the border with Canada.
A long way to drive but they had appointments available with short notice.
Arrived early at the appointment and was all done with the appointment including the picture and fingerprinting in less than 15 minutes all with almost no hassle.
I didn't have my global entry ID card for my trip but did not need it.
Coming back into Miami the customs lines were huge. I would guess minimum of 1 hr wait time, but not for me.
I breezed up to one of the open kiosks, scanned my passport and my fingerprints, answered some questions and had my approval receipt in less than 1 minute.
Once in the baggage area they had a special line that directed you through your own security line.
Everything was very low pressure and I was totally through customs and the re-entry through TSA security in less than 5 minutes.
My first impression of Global entry is that it is well worth the $100 spent and should make my travel experience much better in the future.
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