eAPIS experience

[Ernie Martin]

Update on the Lobo Labs FlashPass system (one-time $60 charge, 45 days free trial): All prior bugs fixed. Minor improvements under way.

My comment of 2 weeks ago that it holds the promise of making the process a snap is now a reality. You put all pertinent data in one time, not just passenger data but also manifests for regular trips, and when a trip comes up you just take one of the manifests, change date and time of departure (it adjusts arrival date/time), add or delete passenger names, and you're done. For the return trip, there's a "clone" feature that reverses the trip. It saves in your computer an XML file which you simply upload to CBP after logging into their system. Well worth it if you fly overseas often. (Disclaimer: I've helped with the development, making it ultra-user-friendly, especially for US residents, but have done it pro bono and have no financial or other interest in the company or the product.)

Ernie

[Paul462]

Ernie,

Thanks for the work and evaluation you've done on the Lobo Labs FlashPass product. Which is the latest Rev. (which includes your improvements), and do you know if that's the one currently downloadable from Lobo Labs?

[Ernie Martin]

The latest version, with not only the fixes but a number of improvements, is FlashPass Release 0.17 - RC7. Click on the link "Released" in barely-visible blue right under What's Up? near the top of the Home page at www.lobolabs.com. That will take you to the download page.

I just saw this version, so I haven't checked it, but the download page shows the changes made since RC6 (which I had checked and all the bugs had been fixed). The changes listed include minor improvements I had suggested to make data entry even faster, especially for US residents. For example in the RC6 version you had to input phone and email addresses for all persons, even though Customs wants these only for crew, not passengers; in RC7 this has been fixed. Also in RC6 the country default was Mexico, so every time you entered a US person you had to scroll through the list of all countries to change it; now, when you start, as part of your Preferences, you can specify the default country and state.

Download RC7, play with it during the 45 day trial, and check the resulting xml files by opening it with Internet Explorer. This is the file that goes to Customs, and IE displays it in a very clear format where your entries are in bold black letters and the descriptive tags (the boilerplate) is in a muted wine color. At a glance you can see if it's good.

Ernie

[Paul462]

Reviewing the AOPA APIS tutorial, it appears a decal number is a required data element to procure a departure or entry permit.

Is this true!?? Does that mean if a decal hasen't been purchased (which could take weeks), you can't fly out of this country?

[Rick Gardner]

Hello Paul, the CBP decal is not a REQUIRED data element and can be ommitted. You will still need to have a decal. I would recommend getting a decal before you leave the country because if not, then you will have to fill out forms at the CBP station,, FAX them etc.

When you take a step back, it is hard to make any sense of the new CBP rule.

[Ernie Martin]

Actually, Rick, I think it makes sense if you look at the objectives. CBP views eApis more as a people thing. Who's entering the country, who's leaving? Are they on any "list"? The same info it's been collecting from airlines and 135 operators, now imposed on GA.

The decal thing is more an administrative matter.

Ernie

[billsheila]

Paul;
I had a terrible time getting my 2009 decal. Prior to this it was a few days process, apply online you got an email confirm for your records and CC charge and presto, decal was in the mailbox in 2-3 days. This time, I applied in November last year, and didn't see the darn thing until mid-Feb I think it was. I called them about it and they said the process was changed this year with the e-apis effort and that was the slowdown and that it shouldn't happen again. They said I could travel sans-decal just to indicate (and have your online receipt) that you had applied for it. I don't know what extra you need to do to travel without the decal when you finally make it to seeing an officer on the ground.

Bill

[Robalo]

Lobo Labs has a NEW eApis iPhone NATIVE App. Works with iPad and makes filing your manifest very fast. Search for eApis in the Apple App Store.

Video of App here:
http://vimeo.com/34993194

[hharney]

That is awesome. Very nice app. Thanks for posting.