V-Flyer

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

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

Thanks very much!

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

Simon

We fly out on the 16th, so I'll let you know soon after.

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

My parents flew in to SFO on the 4th of April and the machines were not in use.

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.

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.

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?

I see SFO has been added to the list here - http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/a ... ontrol-apc

So I guess they are now operational

Anyone know if APC operational in LAX T2 or just in TBIT?

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.

Thanks for the update