New global entry procedure at ORD?

Question

So I flew into ORD today, and for global entry there was only one kiosk which just takes a photo and a guy who told you to move closer or farther away. I'm assuming this is testing a new process, but I don't know why there is only one kiosk. Has anyone heard anything? FWIW, there was no wait for the Global Entry app line, so maybe I'll do that next time. The wait wasn't terribly long, but longer than usual for GE.

Thanks.

Answer

It sounds like you're describing a recent change at Chicago O'Hare (ORD) regarding the Global Entry process. The use of a single kiosk for Global Entry and the new procedure you experienced might be part of a pilot or testing phase for an updated system. The process you mentioned, where the kiosk takes a photo and has the agent instruct you to adjust your positioning, could be an early version of new facial recognition technology or updated biometric screening for Global Entry users.

As of recent updates, many airports, including ORD, have been experimenting with enhancing the speed and accuracy of border control using biometric data like facial recognition. The goal is to streamline the Global Entry process and reduce wait times. However, this new system may still be in a testing phase, which could explain why only one kiosk was available during your visit.

Regarding the Global Entry app line, it’s possible that more people are opting for the app, especially when there are delays with traditional kiosk processing. The app allows for faster processing and could be a good alternative to consider if you find the kiosk lines slow or inconsistent.

As for the single kiosk, there are a few possible reasons for this:

Testing New System: The airport might be testing a new system or updating its facial recognition technology, which is still in the pilot phase.
Limited Availability: It’s possible that only one kiosk was operational at the time, or there might have been technical issues with the other kiosks.
Low Traffic: If the airport wasn't very busy when you arrived, they may have only opened one kiosk to handle the smaller number of passengers, saving resources during quieter times.

Overall, it seems like the Global Entry process at ORD is undergoing some changes. The good news is that you're still able to access Global Entry, and the app line provides a quicker alternative if you prefer it. If the new system is rolled out fully in the future, it will likely improve the efficiency of the process further, so it’s worth keeping an eye on how the system evolves. You might also want to check with the airport or the Global Entry service for more details on the implementation timeline and any upcoming updates.

New global entry procedure at ORD?

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