Should I be concerned about Global Entry?
September 14, 2016 3:59 AM Subscribe
Should I be concerned about the fingerprinting required for Global Entry or TSA Precheck?
I've been traveling a lot for business lately and my company is offering to reimburse me for Global Entry or TSA Precheck. This sounds like a great deal and it looks like Global Entry is the program to go for but I'm concerned about the fingerprinting requirement.
Should I be concerned about giving the government my fingerprints and will it be stored securely?
I've been traveling a lot for business lately and my company is offering to reimburse me for Global Entry or TSA Precheck. This sounds like a great deal and it looks like Global Entry is the program to go for but I'm concerned about the fingerprinting requirement.
Should I be concerned about giving the government my fingerprints and will it be stored securely?
I agree with backwards compatible. The government already has more info on you than you know in multiple databases. This is just a way for them to collect your $100.
I just got my global entry card in the mail the other week and really my only thought about the fingerprinting was "why do I need to do this again. They should already have "me" in the system already".
posted by eatcake at 4:43 AM on September 14, 2016
I just got my global entry card in the mail the other week and really my only thought about the fingerprinting was "why do I need to do this again. They should already have "me" in the system already".
posted by eatcake at 4:43 AM on September 14, 2016
Even though/if your prints are already on record, they need to be taken again in order to compare them to the ones in the database. If they don't match, obviously something is up and you will possibly/probably get a visit from some nice people in dark suits.
posted by qurlyjoe at 4:52 AM on September 14, 2016
posted by qurlyjoe at 4:52 AM on September 14, 2016
Will your fingerprints be stored securely? Not completely, because as we have seen nothing is completely secure.
Should you be concerned? Like others above, I am not.
If I were concerned, I think that I would attack the problem not by refusing to be fingerprinted, but by trying hard not to have my fingerprints be used as the equivalent of a password for any phone, storage device, etc., that was important to me. Aside from gaining entry to such a phone, device, etc., I can't think of anything realistic that bad guys could gain by having my fingerprints. Maybe I am naive?
posted by sheldman at 5:09 AM on September 14, 2016 [3 favorites]
Should you be concerned? Like others above, I am not.
If I were concerned, I think that I would attack the problem not by refusing to be fingerprinted, but by trying hard not to have my fingerprints be used as the equivalent of a password for any phone, storage device, etc., that was important to me. Aside from gaining entry to such a phone, device, etc., I can't think of anything realistic that bad guys could gain by having my fingerprints. Maybe I am naive?
posted by sheldman at 5:09 AM on September 14, 2016 [3 favorites]
I have never worried about it. If you don't have anything to hide, relax and enjoy breezing through the immigration check point. For any of us online, we've already given away everything there is to know.
posted by Long Way Home at 5:40 AM on September 14, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Long Way Home at 5:40 AM on September 14, 2016 [2 favorites]
Only four states require fingerprinting for driver's licenses. But if you volunteer for a public school or work/volunteer in a Catholic Archdiocese pretty much anywhere in the US, you'll need to provide fingerprints and get a background check.
This isn't something I worry about. I worry more about people getting my passwords to my bank accounts than I do getting fingerprinted and/or background checked.
posted by cooker girl at 6:11 AM on September 14, 2016
This isn't something I worry about. I worry more about people getting my passwords to my bank accounts than I do getting fingerprinted and/or background checked.
posted by cooker girl at 6:11 AM on September 14, 2016
Do you have a driver's license? Most states require fingerprints to get one, I believe. I would think the government already has your fingerprints, they're requiring it in this case to match it up against the records they already have for you. Whether or not we should be concerned is kind of water under the bridge at this point, I think.
I have never been fingerprinted for a drivers license, but perhaps that is standard in some states. I have been fingerprinted for things like Global Entry and background checks, and I figure that a) there isn't much anyone could do with my fingerprints if they stole them, b) I am sure my data has already been stolen in one or more of the massive hacking attacks that occasionally make the news, and c) ignoring the theft issue, there isn't a lot of downside to various branches of the government having multiple copies of my fingerprints, other than that it would make me easier to catch if I left fingerprints at a crime scene, but that is not how I live my life.
And Global Entry/Precheck is a real convenience and definitely worth the hassle, especially if someone is willing to pay for it.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 AM on September 14, 2016
I have never been fingerprinted for a drivers license, but perhaps that is standard in some states. I have been fingerprinted for things like Global Entry and background checks, and I figure that a) there isn't much anyone could do with my fingerprints if they stole them, b) I am sure my data has already been stolen in one or more of the massive hacking attacks that occasionally make the news, and c) ignoring the theft issue, there isn't a lot of downside to various branches of the government having multiple copies of my fingerprints, other than that it would make me easier to catch if I left fingerprints at a crime scene, but that is not how I live my life.
And Global Entry/Precheck is a real convenience and definitely worth the hassle, especially if someone is willing to pay for it.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 AM on September 14, 2016
I had to be fingerprinted plus get police/FBI background checks for my job (IMAX theater projectionist for the Smithsonian --- what, they think I'm gonna sneak an airplace or something out of here in my pocket?!?) and again to visit a niece who was in the process of adopting a couple kids from foster care (Social Services insists, to keep known predators away from the kids).
Would I agree to be fingerprinted for Global Entry or TSA Precheck? Actually, I'd consider it more secure and make it harder to fake being me, than the usual request for my Social Security Number. Yes, I'd do it.
posted by easily confused at 6:42 AM on September 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
Would I agree to be fingerprinted for Global Entry or TSA Precheck? Actually, I'd consider it more secure and make it harder to fake being me, than the usual request for my Social Security Number. Yes, I'd do it.
posted by easily confused at 6:42 AM on September 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm not concerned. Many jobs require FBI fingerprinting/background checks such as school and law enforcement personnel, securities brokerage employees and hospital workers. They've had mine for over 20 years and I just signed up for TSA precheck as my home airport's security lines are a beast.
posted by cecic at 6:43 AM on September 14, 2016
posted by cecic at 6:43 AM on September 14, 2016
Should I be concerned about giving the government my fingerprints and will it be stored securely?
1.) No. If you ever find yourself in a situation where the government wants your fingerprints for the purposes of doing Bad Things to you, they will get them.
2.) Enough. No security is perfect, not even government databases, but beyond some proof-of-concept prototypey work, I haven't seen much harm that can come from having an image of a person's fingerprints that couldn't come from having various other types of data about the person.
Global Entry is pretty great, tbh.
posted by sparklemotion at 7:35 AM on September 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
1.) No. If you ever find yourself in a situation where the government wants your fingerprints for the purposes of doing Bad Things to you, they will get them.
2.) Enough. No security is perfect, not even government databases, but beyond some proof-of-concept prototypey work, I haven't seen much harm that can come from having an image of a person's fingerprints that couldn't come from having various other types of data about the person.
Global Entry is pretty great, tbh.
posted by sparklemotion at 7:35 AM on September 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
You often get fingerprinted while going through customs (customs agents are allowed but not required to fingerprint American citizens), so if you're going to be flying internationally, there's a very good chance they will get your fingerprints anyway.
posted by brainmouse at 8:32 AM on September 14, 2016
posted by brainmouse at 8:32 AM on September 14, 2016
As an immigrant to the USA, I didn't really mind the fingerprinting process, since I had already submitted multiple sets of fingerprints to the Federal government.
- once for the I-551 "Green Card" approval
- once as part of the naturalization process to make sure that (1) the Green Card holder was the same person applying for citizenship, and (2) to recheck the criminal databases for matches
I also had to submit fingerprints for a work-related background check.
Also, prior to naturalization, as a non-citizen "United States Person" (permanent resident), I had to get my fingerprints electronically scanned upon reentry to the United States (on one of those green-lit glass panels).
If you're a native-born citizen, have never been fingerprinted, and want to keep it that way, I understand that. I never had that option and nor was Global Entry the particular civil liberties hill that I wanted to die on, so it wasn't a big deal for me. (YMMV, etc)
posted by theorique at 10:28 AM on September 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
- once for the I-551 "Green Card" approval
- once as part of the naturalization process to make sure that (1) the Green Card holder was the same person applying for citizenship, and (2) to recheck the criminal databases for matches
I also had to submit fingerprints for a work-related background check.
Also, prior to naturalization, as a non-citizen "United States Person" (permanent resident), I had to get my fingerprints electronically scanned upon reentry to the United States (on one of those green-lit glass panels).
If you're a native-born citizen, have never been fingerprinted, and want to keep it that way, I understand that. I never had that option and nor was Global Entry the particular civil liberties hill that I wanted to die on, so it wasn't a big deal for me. (YMMV, etc)
posted by theorique at 10:28 AM on September 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
I've been fingerprinted by multiple foreign governments just to enter as a tourist (examples: Japan, Korea). Giving my own government fingerprints as well (if they didn't already have) didn't seem any scarier.
posted by thefoxgod at 10:53 AM on September 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by thefoxgod at 10:53 AM on September 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
If you have the time & work pays for it, I'd recommend doing both the global entry and tsa pre check. Id mistakenly thought the going through the global entry rigmarole would somehow also give me tsa pre check- it doesn't. Global entry saves me more time at US borders, but tsa pre check I use more frequently. Also: don't bother showing the Global Entry card anywhere outside the US. It only elicits theatric eye rolls from airport security agents happy to let you know they think it's pompous to title a card that way.
posted by iiniisfree at 12:17 PM on September 14, 2016
posted by iiniisfree at 12:17 PM on September 14, 2016
Id mistakenly thought the going through the global entry rigmarole would somehow also give me tsa pre check
It absolutely does. You must have missed something or tried to use the TTN wrong or something?
I have GE and know a lot of people with GE and we all have PreCheck because of it.
posted by thefoxgod at 12:19 PM on September 14, 2016 [3 favorites]
It absolutely does. You must have missed something or tried to use the TTN wrong or something?
I have GE and know a lot of people with GE and we all have PreCheck because of it.
posted by thefoxgod at 12:19 PM on September 14, 2016 [3 favorites]
The only concern about using GE is the automatic acceptance of maximum penalties if you travel with undeclared items. Try to sneak a Kinder Egg into the US isn't worth a felony.
posted by scruss at 5:56 PM on September 14, 2016
posted by scruss at 5:56 PM on September 14, 2016
don't bother showing the Global Entry card anywhere outside the US. It only elicits theatric eye rolls from airport security agents happy to let you know they think it's pompous to title a card that way.
The card is only needed for ground travel between the US and Canada or Mexico.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:15 PM on September 14, 2016
The card is only needed for ground travel between the US and Canada or Mexico.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:15 PM on September 14, 2016
I have GE and know a lot of people with GE and we all have PreCheck because of it.
I agree with thefoxgod. Having a GE card makes you eligible for TSA PreCheck.
What's tricky about TSA PreCheck is just because you are eligible (because, say, you are approved through TSA PreCheck itself, or Global Entry, or Nexus, or are a member of the US Military), that does not necessarily mean that your boarding pass will grant you PreCheck for any particular flight unless you provide the appropriate information to your airline early enough for them to run it through the PreCheck database to get you the flight approval.
"Appropriate information" is your Known Traveler Number. Which is the number on your Global Entry card. The airline should ask for it when the flight gets booked. I think you can also add it on most airlines during the 24-hours-prior check-in, but that might not be enough time to get the confirmation.
Also: don't bother showing the Global Entry card anywhere outside the US. It only elicits theatric eye rolls from airport security agents happy to let you know they think it's pompous to title a card that way.
If you're flying from an OUS airport that prescreens fliers for flights into the U.S. (my experience is with YYZ, there are others.), this is also not true. Even though you are outside of the US, the GE card gets you the benefit of the expedited CBP process.
What it doesn't get you is the non-US country's equivalent of the special PreCheck security line (if they exist). This makes sense, because why should Ireland, for example, trust you in their skies just because the U.S. says you're ok?
posted by sparklemotion at 7:44 AM on September 15, 2016
I agree with thefoxgod. Having a GE card makes you eligible for TSA PreCheck.
What's tricky about TSA PreCheck is just because you are eligible (because, say, you are approved through TSA PreCheck itself, or Global Entry, or Nexus, or are a member of the US Military), that does not necessarily mean that your boarding pass will grant you PreCheck for any particular flight unless you provide the appropriate information to your airline early enough for them to run it through the PreCheck database to get you the flight approval.
"Appropriate information" is your Known Traveler Number. Which is the number on your Global Entry card. The airline should ask for it when the flight gets booked. I think you can also add it on most airlines during the 24-hours-prior check-in, but that might not be enough time to get the confirmation.
Also: don't bother showing the Global Entry card anywhere outside the US. It only elicits theatric eye rolls from airport security agents happy to let you know they think it's pompous to title a card that way.
If you're flying from an OUS airport that prescreens fliers for flights into the U.S. (my experience is with YYZ, there are others.), this is also not true. Even though you are outside of the US, the GE card gets you the benefit of the expedited CBP process.
What it doesn't get you is the non-US country's equivalent of the special PreCheck security line (if they exist). This makes sense, because why should Ireland, for example, trust you in their skies just because the U.S. says you're ok?
posted by sparklemotion at 7:44 AM on September 15, 2016
Also, if you violate any TSA rules (accidentally or on purpose) or otherwise get onto their bad list, you can be suspended from PreCheck (not necessarily forever). I got a 1-year suspension from PreCheck, during that time even if I put my TTN down I would not get PreCheck on my boarding pass. Exactly 1 year later, the PreCheck started showing up on my boarding pass again. The whole time Global Entry continued functioning.
(I'm not sure if its possible to get a shadow ban also or only an explicit one like mine, but I do know that PreCheck is clear that "having" PreCheck does not guarantee you getting PC on any specific flight/boarding pass).
posted by thefoxgod at 4:10 PM on September 15, 2016 [1 favorite]
(I'm not sure if its possible to get a shadow ban also or only an explicit one like mine, but I do know that PreCheck is clear that "having" PreCheck does not guarantee you getting PC on any specific flight/boarding pass).
posted by thefoxgod at 4:10 PM on September 15, 2016 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by backwards compatible at 4:31 AM on September 14, 2016 [5 favorites]