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#900586 by si1972
09 Apr 2015, 19:50
Anyone know if SFO has its Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks installed yet?

There are a few articles saying they would be operational by March but I have not seen any follow up saying they are operational.

Thanks

Simon
#900590 by spacedog
09 Apr 2015, 20:37
We were there at the end of March and they were installed but all covered in plastic. I don't know what the status is like now, but we're flying to SFO again next week so if you haven't heard anything by then, I can let you know how it's looking :)
#900596 by si1972
09 Apr 2015, 21:12
Thanks very much! :)

Yes please, my trip is at the end of this month.

Simon
#900607 by mitchja
09 Apr 2015, 23:35
Me thinks staff need better training for this as well as I asked to use these at both MIA and IAD (which are both on the list) and I was told on both occasions that 'those machines are for US passport holders only' ;)

It doesn't help matters when the machines appear to be only located in the US passport immigration areas / lanes as well, certainly at IAD. I did spot what I thought where the machines in a separate area at MIA before the main immigration hall but staff where just directing all ESTA holders to the manual processing desks :(!
#900611 by RyanJW
10 Apr 2015, 01:48
My parents flew in to SFO on the 4th of April and the machines were not in use.
#900614 by Hamster
10 Apr 2015, 02:52
mitchja wrote:Me thinks staff need better training for this as well as I asked to use these at both MIA and IAD (which are both on the list) and I was told on both occasions that 'those machines are for US passport holders only' ;)

It doesn't help matters when the machines appear to be only located in the US passport immigration areas / lanes as well, certainly at IAD. I did spot what I thought where the machines in a separate area at MIA before the main immigration hall but staff where just directing all ESTA holders to the manual processing desks :(!


Had same experience at MIA in March, and nearly the same in LAX in November, initially turned away but then sent back! I don't think they had them at LAS in January.

They seemingly manage it by queue length for US resident arrivals, giving them priority for the automated machines.
#900615 by gumshoe
10 Apr 2015, 04:34
Hardly something we can complain about given the e-passport gates at UK airports aren't available to non-EU passport holders.

As frustrating as it is, it's for the airport authorities & CBP to decide how best to manage the queues and who uses the machines. If that means giving returning US citizens priority, so be it.
#900643 by si1972
10 Apr 2015, 15:54
I used an APC kiosk in MCO last September, it worked fine. I thought they were meant for ESTA holders who had visited the US in the last few years rather than US citizens?
#901361 by cymba
19 Apr 2015, 17:52
Anyone know if APC operational in LAX T2 or just in TBIT?
#901373 by spacedog
19 Apr 2015, 20:15
An update! We flew into SFO on Thursday and the APC were operational, but only being used by US citizens. I don't know if that will be the standard or not as we were in UC and got through immigration very fast.
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