TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip report April 4-21 2015

No. Absolutely incorrect. The machines are NOT only Global Entry machines. Miami has machine kiosks which are supposed to be for EVERYONE to use. Some other airports have them also. We have come through Miami at least twice with the new machines. The first time, both of us got through with no problems, no 'x's, June 2014. The second time, my picture was fine, but Eric got an 'x'. This was December 31, 2014. Both times there were a TON of people there and the 'x' line was very short, so it appeared that the vast majority of people were having no problem. Not sure what happened the night you were so unfortunate to come through there, but that is NOT the normal situation now in Miami. Sounds like possibly there was some glitch with the machines that day.

ahhh...well at least there is hope! lol
It was spitting out that old X a lot!

I used a kiosk in ATL recently and I don't have Global Entry, nor do I know what it really is. I was directed to a kiosk and within minutes I was on my way with a piece of paper with my picture.

I got rejected by a machine in Miami so I asked a customs agent near by why and he said that I needed to take my glasses off. I did so and it worked fine.

the machines rejected almost everyone on our flight...so i cannot help but think there was a gliche like Carol said. But the next time we will be better prepared.

Definitely something was going on that day, to your detriment! You had kind of a starstruck trip. Glad you were able to enjoy it anyway.

me too...funny...it feels like it was so long ago...and we just came home Tuesday...lol

How does that happen?

You are correct, Carol. Those kiosks are NOT merely for GE. We used the same kiosks at CLT airport during our trip in January and we have neither GE nor the mobile app. We went through easily without any problems at all.

I read your report and felt so bad for what you went through but glad that things finally worked out for you and that your trip was well worthwhile.
I don't know if I could have kept my cool through everything you went through.
We, too, love the island and since it has been three long overdue years of not going, have made the final plans to go in July. Have checked and rechecked all of our documents and we are good to go.
You see, we are on the downside of getting to our retirement. If things go well, it'll take place in December of this year and having bought a home in Naples, FL five years ago will be heading down there for the first of the year.
Good luck selling your home and hope your dreams come true--real soon.

Concerning GE, my husband was Xed by the kiosk at JFK this past November because his printed name on the ticket had the "title" Mr., whereas on his passport it didn't have the Mr. Simple thing like that stopped the automated system and it took a Custom agent to clear him for entry.

BTW - what area of Florida are you looking to move to?

we are thinking of the villages in central Florida. We want to be within a days drive of our children...and it is a long hard drive but doable....and while i love the ocean....I don't want to live...ON IT....but i want to be within driving distance so we can go spend the day.

We also want to live somewhere that has a "resort" feel....adult only...a permanent vacation. We have friends that live in the villages...and we have checked out the properties there. We think it may be a good fit for us.

Cathy--there are lots of retirement communities throughout all of Central Florida. The Villages are fine, but probably some better bargains other places. If I personally was going to do it again, I would opt for somewhere maybe within a half hour of Tampa, if you're looking for beach access, as I think the Florida Gulf Coast beaches are the best!