Electronic arrivals at LAX

[Quickstatus]

you need to hold your fingers together with no gaps between for best results - I was shown how to do this by an attendant last year. It still did not work for me last time and I ended up with a bid cross on my slip.

Rather than try to work out whether you can use the automatic kiosks based on pervious travel, just use it. You will either get a printout with or without an "x". If you have an "x across the face ofvthe printout you eill be directed to a manual check.

The decision to use auto kiosks or not should IMO be based on apparent queues for both. Generally the auto kiosks are quicker IF you dont get re-routed to manual check.

Korean airlines A380 passengers will lenghten the queues for both in my experience. So if you arrive at LAx andvthere is already a big blue aircraft there you know to be on the lookout.

 

[Warks]

Used it three weeks ago and it was a big waste of time. Took ages to get us all through the machine as the fingerprint machine hated two of us - I had a lot of problems last year with it too thanks to my bent little fingers that don't seem to sit flat. We all visited in 2009 but it still meant 3 Xs for the rest of them so we still had to wait forever for processing. Just about the longest it has ever taken. Didn't matter too much as we had about 6 hours until our SEA flight. We were only in transit to YVR but still had to go through it all.

Worked well on our YVR-EWR flight though as it's all in YVR and much more laid back.

Flew home out of LAX a couple of days ago - nice how they aren't interested in us leaving! Apart from OTT security screening there's nothing at all which amazed the family.

 

[Moindardt]

Did LAX last weekend and we couldn't work out why we had to scan at the kiosk and then they made you do both hands and thumbs at the counter. This wasn't just for those that had problems, it was for everyone. Everyone was asking what the point of the kiosk was.

 

[Moindardt]

Noticed the same thing Warks. No shoes off, no laptops out, no containers, don't even bother unpacking, just throw it through the scanner and get out of here. I think they don't believe anyone would try to blow up a plane leaving because the terrorists are only on the outside trying to get into the U.S.

 

[Katie]

Has anyone used the machines with a child yet? They normally don't get fingerprinted; does that cause an issue?

 

[pyffii]

Just arrived into DFW no waiting at kiosk and through in 2 minutes,collected luggage and in our room at the Grand Hyatt DFW 20 minutes after landing...pretty impressive

 

[Quickstatus]

Flew home out of LAX a couple of days ago - nice how they aren't interested in us leaving! Apart from OTT security screening there's nothing at all which amazed the family.

dont you worry, they know. All details of departing passengers are obtained from the airlines.

they know more about you than you think

if the Aussies can bug SBY and wife's phone you can be sure LOTFAP know about you. Just ask Snowdon

I would not be surprised if this forum is under some kind of surveillance by the NSA/CIA/NCIS/FBI/black ops of some kind

 

[vl_bolly]

I used the machine in March at LAX having been through US multiple times with ESTA in past 12 months. Went straight through no problem.

In June, I used the machine again and got everything done quickly with the machine but they still directed everyone through the custom officer and had to re-do the finger prints and photos again. There was a MASSIVE delay there (at least 45 mins). Then we had to go through security again, everyone was in the same queue (express, premium or general). The LAX-NY flight ended up being one hour late because people couldn't get through the queues. Talking to the Qantas staff, it happens everyday. It's very stupid!

 

[eric2011]

Noticed the same thing Warks. No shoes off, no laptops out, no containers, don't even bother unpacking, just throw it through the scanner and get out of here.

Is this not "TSA pre-clearance' at work

 

[blackcat20]

Is this not "TSA pre-clearance' at work

Not always. In Vegas they don't require liquids, shoes etc for everyone passing through security (at least in my experience).

 

[RooFlyer]

Here's a theory. The US Gov'mint has brain scanners at work in the pre-security area. Those who harbour thoughts about disliking fingerprint machines, photo taking, arrival/departure declaration forms and the like are singled out for special, time consuming treatment at security and immigration/customs. Those of us who love that sort of thing get to sail through.

 

[Moindardt]

Has anyone used the machines with a child yet? They normally don't get fingerprinted; does that cause an issue?

When it scans the passport, it recognises that they are a child and doesn't ask for it.

 

[Katie]

When it scans the passport, it recognises that they are a child and doesn't ask for it.

Thanks! I figured as much, but like to be prepared when travelling with the fam, as I'm so used to solo travel.

 

[adrian]

This new system looks very efficient! I might not bother to renew Global Entry when my membership expires (it's hard to schedule the interview when living 8000 miles from the nearest enrollment centre...). I guess the only real difference now between normal PAX and Global Entry is the access to TSA-Pre security lanes.

I got TSA-pre check just by ticking a box in my AA profile.... I had thought it wasn't available to me, but has worked every time since I checked that box

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I got TSA-pre check just by ticking a box in my AA profile.... I had thought it wasn't available to me, but has worked every time since I checked that box

Is it worth booking SYD-LAX-HNL instead of SYD-HNL just to use APC? Never been at HNL customs/immigration...

 

[cove]

Took us 75 minutes to get landside and the whole process was a shambles in Los Angeles. We had 3 different long queues. Many were missing their onwards flights. Mrscove received a cross on the machine processing and so I went with her.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Is it worth booking SYD-LAX-HNL instead of SYD-HNL just to use APC? Never been at HNL customs/immigration...

Ehhh, no not at all.
That's a very long way for a short cut unless you're into collecting extra SC :mrgreen:

 

[defurax]

Ehhh, no not at all.
That's a very long way for a short cut unless you're into collecting extra SC :mrgreen:

Or to avoid flying JQ!

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Ehhh, no not at all.
That's a very long way for a short cut unless you're into collecting extra SC :mrgreen:

Thats true! Too bad the costs are out of proportion to keep my SC run in budget :mrgreen:

Or to avoid flying JQ!

Nearly had to fly JQ for this upcoming trip.

Does anyone know or been HNL recently to see if they've installed APCs? I was reading CBPs website on HNL and they said that they were implementing APCs at HNL?

Milestones	Timeframe	Required Resources	Status
Deploy 48 APC Kiosks	June 2015	State Of Hawaii DOT	No Issues, on track

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 

[AdMEL]

Thats true! Too bad the costs are out of proportion to keep my SC run in budget :mrgreen:



Nearly had to fly JQ for this upcoming trip.

Does anyone know or been HNL recently to see if they've installed APCs? I was reading CBPs website on HNL and they said that they were implementing APCs at HNL?

Milestones	Timeframe	Required Resources	Status
Deploy 48 APC Kiosks	June 2015	State Of Hawaii DOT	No Issues, on track

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

I'm currently in Hawaii and arrived at HNL on JQ1 on July 23 - no sign of kiosks! Everything done the old fashioned way!