We arrived on island this afternoon and the machines in the arrival area that were discussed a couple of weeks ago, after an announcement in the Daily Herald, are not in use. Still covered in plastic.

Thanks for the update Trish. I love first hand info instead of hearsay.

what kind of machines?

Here is the post:
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...1&fpart=all

Thanks for the update. We expected them to be used when we leave the island next Saturday.
Install must be scheduled via "Island Time".

The scanning machines in the lower level of departure (before going upstairs) were in use in November. The ones in the arrivals (to scan passports) were there in November but covered and not in use. Still covered yesterday on our arrival.

I believe those machine, in arrival, were there in Feb. 2015.

Really? Don't remember seeing them until last November. We were here winter of 2015.

The machines in the arrival area were there in February 2016, not 2015. Island time isn't thaaaat slow, or is it?

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

My guess is that they are for Global Entry and the approval is pending.

What a great program. Entered New Zealand and was through in about 3 minutes.

I believe Global Entry is only for entry back into the USA. I have never seen it used TO ENTER any other country. Countries with US Customs available (quite A few ) use it ON DEPARTURE only 'cuz it is US customs from that point.

It very well be a precursor for a US customs exit point in SXM though.

If you look above at the post from SeaStar there is a link to the article in the Daily Herald about these machines. Nothing to do with Global Entry.

Some months ago ICE announced that SXM (PJIA) is to be added the airports where returning passengers can clear U.S. customs prior to departure, rather than after arrival in the U.S. Aside from assigning personnel to this effort, clearly the physical facilities will have to be set up, as well. I have not seen any timetable published anywhere, so I have no idea when they expect this service to be up and running in SXM.