Printable View
A friend arrived after the kiosks were operating and said it was a breeze. No one was lined up and she didn't even notice if any agents were working the counters. Passport didn't get stamped at all, straight through to luggage carousel. Any additional experiences?
Passport didn't get stamped? Excuse my ignorance... isn't that kind of important? Our are the attendant forms and documents all that's required, and the passport more of an ID tool?Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
We used the kiosks on a layover in Miami returning from JA this past November. You scan your passport, answer some questions then a receipt is printed out with your picture. You just hand it to a customs officer on your way out. Passport was NOT stamped. I found it kinda lax too but it sure was fast. Did not see any counters open for incoming residents here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris B
They didn't stamp mine either, that was 3 weeks ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris B
Used the kiosks in Dallas last year when heading back. Same experience, scanned, photo, and handed to customs. Not stamped and no issues, wonderful. Big bonus for MBJ:)
IIRC passports now have a microchip inside, my guess is these are now "electronically stamped"
interesting.........someone please explain this to mi.....mi pea brain isn't as good as it use to be......lol
so when you land in MoBay for your vacation.......what is the procedure now for entry into Jamaica.........
do you have to fill out the customs forms ahead of time on the plane?
do you go to the immigration counter and get questioned?
go to luggage area to get your stuff and then walk over with your bags and hand your custom form to custom officer?
in Miami they have had the kiosks since the middle of last summer for entering the USA......
Cool Runnings, Marko
Excellent question Marko... our resort normally wants the stub from immigration for our folio as part of our departure planning (this is the AI portion of our stay). We always need that stub when we check in for our return flight, but I'm sure that's part of the documentation that's generated by the kiosk. Should be an interesting adventure this time around.
Everything is still the same. They just added the kiosks to help speed it up. Not every flight is able to use them, otherwise everything is the same just no passport stamp for some reason. I had one other time they didn't stamp me a few years ago, then two stamps between that time and this time. Same physical passport, so it isn't a microchip thing. Strange.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marko
I wonder why not every flight is able to use them? Are you herded to kiosks or desks with no choice? Do you get to pick which one if both choices are open? Are the kiosks simply not available to use at times?Quote:
Originally Posted by TAH
It was weird, the kiosks are open for anyone to attempt to use, but not everyone is able to. For a while people were just kinda going where they felt like, then after a half hour or so someone came and directed the lines. When I asked about the kiosks, the girl working the line asked what airline I flew in on then said "okay, that flight can use them". I'd guess it's dependant on the departure airport, and which country it came from, but just a guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
Chris, mi fren 9 trips to the same AI and we were never asked for the stub, just the return flight informationQuote:
Originally Posted by Chris B
Not important at all. We have been to a few dozen different countries and only have Jamaica and US stamps. US only for about half of our returns.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris B
Found an article that offers a better idea of how it works. Doesn't address all the questions but it is a start. Hope to be using them in a few weeks;)
Per the article, " The passport information and biometric captured is then cross-referenced to verify the passenger is who they claim to be and then checked against government watch lists. The passenger answers immigration questions on the kiosk touch screen and once cleared is given a receipt to show as they exit the customs hall. Passengers do not need to interact with an immigration official unless there is an error or concern."
http://www.aviationpros.com/press_re...rder-clearance
Your comments indicate that they were trying to see if passengers would gravitate to the kiosks on their own... not a well thought out experiment. I'm wondering if anyone here can comment, as time goes on, on if this helps Immigration Hall's throughput at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by TAH
Seven trips this year
kiosks rule
Cap
Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
Very smart move on their part...now if Miami would follow suit
Any additional information about this would be appreciated! I was going to book Club Mobay for my arrival next week just to get through customs quicker,but if kiosks are significantly speeding up the whole customs process it might not be worth it. Are lines still formed like always, but instead of being called to the next agent you go to kiosk instead? Any more info on which airlines/ flights can use the kiosks would be very helpful also. Thanks!!
The true test.... Saturday between noon and three...
Thankfully, I was able to use the kiosk upon arrival on Xmas day.
Immigration was a sea of people & I thought oh no....
Ended up being a breeze! I didn't check a bag & made it out of the airport in less than 45 minutes, including a stop at duty free & the bathroom!
WestEndGirl, What determined you being able to use the kiosk when you arrived? Is it just luck, or certain airlines,etc...? Thanks!
what Melody said..
Stacey....here's a link.....
http://www.pica.gov.jm/?p=2394
Thanks so much Crusher, Very helpful :)
Yeah I just got a fancy new passport so hoping I'm one of the lucky ones! :)
I renewed my passport about a year ago ...hope that is current enough for the kiosks. I arrive Tomorrow, so we shall see soon enough :)
Mine actually says it has one of the new chips embedded in it. I am guessing as new as yours is that it would as well. I have a bit more of a wait but I'm trying to be patient.
Thanks for the info!
My passport expires in 2017 & it worked fine! :)
Don't forget to take your hat off & smile at the kiosk.
Your Jamaican 'photo booth' welcome! :D
Looks like our 13 year old excludes us,oh well,have to look at it like the people using the kiosks will reduce the number going the old fashioned way,soon come (literally,1/16, ya mon)
LOL WestEndGirl... Will keep that in mind tomorrow when I arrive:) I'll be sure to post my experience with arrival for everyone's info.... One more sleep, whoo hoo! (Although I never really sleep the night before).....
Thanks everyone for your input/info!
I ended up getting a new passport, rushed, last week. The old one expired 4 months after return but conflicting info about the 6 month rule prompted me to be safe rather than sorry (this was after calling the Jamaican High Commission in Canada as well as PICA in Jamaica at MBJ). Anyhoo...I know passport has a chip so expect to be using a kiosk.
2 more sleeps till departure, 3 till arrival :) ended up breaking the bank for Mobay arrival as arriving flights look heavy early afternoon of Dec 31st. Soon find out...
We did the Club Mobay upon arrival and our escort took us to the Kiosk for check in. There was no line there and very long lines in the regular immigration area, so I presume most people arriving didn't know they could use the Kiosks. No need to have a new passport as ours expire next year and they worked fine. We were out of the airport in record time - we actually had to wait for our luggage which was a first. If there is a Kiosk line in Atlanta upon our return, we will definitely be heading there!
Coming into Jamaica, you don't need to be a member of one of the Trusted Traveler programs to use the kiosk?
We are not members of a trusted travel group Lola
Where are these new kiosk located?
I agree. Where are they located? You come in immigration, walk down all the corridors, come into the hall where the booths are located. Before the booths there are a number of roped off lines where you get in line. Where are the kiosks? My flight is at the worst possible time; i.e. between 2 pm and 3 pm on a Saturday but I'm guessing 90% of my fellow arrivals know nothing about any kiosk. Are they far to the right or the left 'cause that's where I want to be. Using Club MoBay to go home but it is not an option for incoming as we have a number of friends coming from different cities at different times. I just want to be outside, sipping a Red Stripe ASAP. Is it true you no longer get a form to fill out on your plane?Quote:
Originally Posted by pamc12345
All USA Passports issued after August 2007 are e-Passports per this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_passport. They should look like this picture. Note the symbol beneath "United States of America"
Attachment 40538
are your referring that only passports with the chip work at the kiosks? I read in earlier posts about this that they do not have to have the chip..please clarify. Need to know coming in there tomorrow 12:35pm