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Man, travelling to the US is a horrible experience
- Thread starter Joel Was Right
- Start date
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Lol, that would piss me off. Not like anyone heard of my home town when I lived in Germany but no one doubted me that it existed.Prine said:
To be honest I bet most people only know of a handful of cities from most countries so I don't think anyone should really act as some kind of authority on the subject. It's not like all countries are miles of wasteland between the major cities.
TheGuardian
Member
I went to the US for the first time 2 years ago (I'm from Portugal). Upon arriving at the airport, I was the only one from my group of 3 that got inspected. They opened all my luggage and checked every thing I had on my backpack.
When they asked why I was there, I told them I came for a Nintendo Dev Conference, which only left them more suspicious for some reason. They then tried to read the emails in Portuguese that I printed before the flight with the instructions on how to get to the hotel and conference and started questioning every word there. After turning my bags inside out and scattering my clothes, they finally allowed me to pass.
On the return trip, we pickup up a cab to the airport. When we got there, a cop told the cab to pull over, and asked us where we where going. One of my colleagues said "We are catching a flight to Portugal", then the cop turning to me and said: "And where are you going?". The only thing in my head was WTF, but I politely answered him, and surprise, surprise, I got inspected at the airport again...
Suffice to say I'm not eager to return to the US...
Note: I've been to London (2x), Paris (2x), Brussels and Leipzig, and not once was I ever inspected at the airport.
When they asked why I was there, I told them I came for a Nintendo Dev Conference, which only left them more suspicious for some reason. They then tried to read the emails in Portuguese that I printed before the flight with the instructions on how to get to the hotel and conference and started questioning every word there. After turning my bags inside out and scattering my clothes, they finally allowed me to pass.
On the return trip, we pickup up a cab to the airport. When we got there, a cop told the cab to pull over, and asked us where we where going. One of my colleagues said "We are catching a flight to Portugal", then the cop turning to me and said: "And where are you going?". The only thing in my head was WTF, but I politely answered him, and surprise, surprise, I got inspected at the airport again...
Suffice to say I'm not eager to return to the US...
Note: I've been to London (2x), Paris (2x), Brussels and Leipzig, and not once was I ever inspected at the airport.
ElectricBlue187
Member
I think Hawaii is pretty easy for foreigners, simply due to sheer force of numbers. They can't harass everybody.
Darkflight
Member
I'm thinking about possibly going to PAX East in the new year (I'll probably chicken out), but I get nervous standing in a queue in Subway, customs would think I'm on something the amount of times I'd look around anxiously:lol
SovietStriker
Member
Meus Renaissance said:
That was probably because you went in to Houston Not alot of flights from Europe fly directly to Houston. I used to work at Newark airport (alot of flights from Europe) and always saw whites in secondary. Most of the white people coming in Houston are probably US citizens coming back from vacation in south or central America or something
EDIT: Also keep in mind most people from European Union have an easier time getting in to USA because of the visa waiver program
Joel Was Right
If you smell burning, it's probably the generators acting up. Report it anyway.
Yeah I'm never choosing a connection flight in Houston again. Everyone in the queue, even in the Americans, commented on how bitchy and rude some of the staff seemed to be. They just don't understand that people coming there are not sheep, they are tired and anxious to get to the gates to meet their next flight.
EDIT: Shit, my return flight is via Houston. Well this time I'm gonna make a complaint there too and be the bitchy tourist
EDIT: Shit, my return flight is via Houston. Well this time I'm gonna make a complaint there too and be the bitchy tourist
NekoFever
Member
I went from London to New York last month and didn't have any trouble. Had my fingerprints and a photo taken - no retinal scans or anything like that - and the immigration guy asked all the usual questions about how long I was staying, whether I was meeting anyone, what I did for a living, etc. Just took a minute or two and he let me through. 24-year-old white Brit here.
I've never had any problems with US customs, though. Got some funny looks when I went through with an Xbox in 2002, and probably around 1999-2000 I was selected randomly for bomb screening, but that was just them wiping down my bag for any suspicious residue and asking if I packed it myself. I'd imagine that it's a bit more intensive these days.
Going in the opposite direction was as much as a cakewalk as always. I don't think I've ever seen anyone in the customs place at Heathrow, which is good because I've usually got hundreds of pounds worth of DVDs and games in my bag :lol
I've never had any problems with US customs, though. Got some funny looks when I went through with an Xbox in 2002, and probably around 1999-2000 I was selected randomly for bomb screening, but that was just them wiping down my bag for any suspicious residue and asking if I packed it myself. I'd imagine that it's a bit more intensive these days.
Going in the opposite direction was as much as a cakewalk as always. I don't think I've ever seen anyone in the customs place at Heathrow, which is good because I've usually got hundreds of pounds worth of DVDs and games in my bag :lol
Anasui Kishibe
Banned
Joel Was Right
If you smell burning, it's probably the generators acting up. Report it anyway.
NekoFever said:
That reminds me. Imagine they start checking your Hard Drive's for illegally downloaded stuff. :lol
I agree with the OP. Although a caucasian Englishman, I highly resent having to give finger and Iris-prints, being treated like a criminal JUST so I can bring a level of tourism to their country. As if I'm going to commit a crime and leave a print of my iris on the scene. Ridiculous.
I was planning on visiting both Boston and Seattle, (having just returned from Nashville) but after the arrogance and BS, all in the name of faux 'freedom' I am now going to stick to Europe, or go East for future holidays. Sod America, it's not worth the hassle and accusatory paranoia which it demands.
I was planning on visiting both Boston and Seattle, (having just returned from Nashville) but after the arrogance and BS, all in the name of faux 'freedom' I am now going to stick to Europe, or go East for future holidays. Sod America, it's not worth the hassle and accusatory paranoia which it demands.
Wait, you're telling me that authority figures are racist? In the United States? Really? Racial profiling exists?
I never would have guessed.
I know it sucks that this happens to you, and it sucks that it happens period, but there will always be racist motherfuckers who are looking to blame people who are different from them. The more different, the more they are uncomfortable about them. The situation isn't helped by the recent US obsession with security measures, and that they are currently wandering around fighting people in the middle east (so a lot of middle easterners are probably pretty pissed).
You're probably just going to have to deal with it, and just avoid the US.
I never would have guessed.
I know it sucks that this happens to you, and it sucks that it happens period, but there will always be racist motherfuckers who are looking to blame people who are different from them. The more different, the more they are uncomfortable about them. The situation isn't helped by the recent US obsession with security measures, and that they are currently wandering around fighting people in the middle east (so a lot of middle easterners are probably pretty pissed).
You're probably just going to have to deal with it, and just avoid the US.
TheRagnCajun
Member
Last flight I went on the security guard looked like he was 17 and made jokes about people's clothing.
You could be on one of several lists.
I used to be on the "name sounds like..." list where my name, a common, northern european one, "sounded like" a famous Middle Eastern terrorist's. They used, and probably still use, a 1918 WWi era algorithm to see if your name sounded like a Russian or German's. They never bothered changing the algorithm and it generates literally hundreds of thousands of false positives and doesn't catch the ones it should.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundex
They probably use one or more of the improved ones too, but the system is laughable.
I got out of it by twice submitting some forms to the Dept of Homeland Security.
Idiots.
I used to be on the "name sounds like..." list where my name, a common, northern european one, "sounded like" a famous Middle Eastern terrorist's. They used, and probably still use, a 1918 WWi era algorithm to see if your name sounded like a Russian or German's. They never bothered changing the algorithm and it generates literally hundreds of thousands of false positives and doesn't catch the ones it should.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundex
They probably use one or more of the improved ones too, but the system is laughable.
I got out of it by twice submitting some forms to the Dept of Homeland Security.
Idiots.
NekoFever
Member
I have an encrypted disk image on my Mac that houses porn. That's going to be awkward, first of all explaining the massive encrypted file, and then the revelation of the wonders inside after I've spent a few months in Guantanamo Bay before giving up the password.Meus Renaissance said:
BatiGOOOOOOL
Member
It's not the same as dealing with airport people, but I've wanted to renew my US Visa since early this year, just in case I want to go see a concert or a NBA game, as well as having it ready in case my office wants me to go to one of the US offices, and it has been a complete pain in the ass.
In February, I did all the process and got my Visa(I'm from Costa Rica BTW), but only for a period of three months and one trip. That's after paying $14 for the call to make the appointment and $131 for the actual appointment. They explicitly wrote in my passport that the visa was just to visit a friend in Miami, which is what I told the guy at the embassy I was planning to do first. He finished my appointment by telling me: "If you use it well, next time you come we'll consider extending it for a longer period". At the time I thought he was joking, but when I got my passport back I realized the joke was on me. For various reasons, I couldn't make the trip and didn't use it, which will probably count against me next time I go.
And next time will be on January 6th, the appointment date they game me a couple of weeks back, which screws all my honeymoon plans. A relative was going to give us the plane tickets because he has A LOT of miles with Continental Airlines. The problem is that Continental doesn't have direct flights from here to our destination. Everything goes from here to Houston and then to any other destination. Of course, I need a visa just for being in Houston's airport and taking into account that I'm getting married on January 22nd, I don't want to take the risk of making reservations and everything else, just to have my Visa denied by the almighty US embassy on Jan. 6th.*sigh*
In February, I did all the process and got my Visa(I'm from Costa Rica BTW), but only for a period of three months and one trip. That's after paying $14 for the call to make the appointment and $131 for the actual appointment. They explicitly wrote in my passport that the visa was just to visit a friend in Miami, which is what I told the guy at the embassy I was planning to do first. He finished my appointment by telling me: "If you use it well, next time you come we'll consider extending it for a longer period". At the time I thought he was joking, but when I got my passport back I realized the joke was on me. For various reasons, I couldn't make the trip and didn't use it, which will probably count against me next time I go.
And next time will be on January 6th, the appointment date they game me a couple of weeks back, which screws all my honeymoon plans. A relative was going to give us the plane tickets because he has A LOT of miles with Continental Airlines. The problem is that Continental doesn't have direct flights from here to our destination. Everything goes from here to Houston and then to any other destination. Of course, I need a visa just for being in Houston's airport and taking into account that I'm getting married on January 22nd, I don't want to take the risk of making reservations and everything else, just to have my Visa denied by the almighty US embassy on Jan. 6th.*sigh*
radioheadrule83
Banned
Sad to hear
So what happens when these assholes detain you for no good reason and make you miss your plane?
Do you automatically get on another flight eventually or do you actually lose money as well as your time?
So what happens when these assholes detain you for no good reason and make you miss your plane?
Do you automatically get on another flight eventually or do you actually lose money as well as your time?
When I went to the US the guy at arrivals was really nice. It did take a fair while for the fingerprint/iris scan but he asked us about where we were from and what we did and stuff.
What weirded me out more was the fingerprint scan on the way into Universal Studios. Why does a Theme Park need that?
What weirded me out more was the fingerprint scan on the way into Universal Studios. Why does a Theme Park need that?
RedShift said:
That is for re-entry. Your ticket is good all day, and if you leave and want to come back in they have to have a way to verify that it is you and you aren't just passing your ticket to a friend through the gate. They used to do hand-stamps but those aren't very effective.
I'm sure Disney has my index and middle finger on file from back in the day when I used to have a season pass:lol
iamcool388
Member
DarkJC said:
Yeah, thats fucked up. The person being detained should let the authorities know what time his flight is, and if after that the authorities STILL cause him to miss his flight, he should be at the very least provided another flight seat as well as some compensation for lost time etc.
As for "random" detaining, what did people expect? No country has the kind of money or manpower to do complete random checks and still catch people of interest. It would be inefficient. If the choice is between a bearded middle eastern guy in islamic clothes, or a european caucasian woman with a kid... thats not really a choice for most western countries nowadays.
Doesnt make it right or anything, but I dont know how countries could change their policies while keeping their efficiency rate high.
Funny you should say that as a UK citizen. I studied abroad in England last semester and every time I took a trip and came back into the UK I was basically harassed by Border Control. After my last trip to Barcelona, this bitch was threatening to have me deported since my visa had expired the day before, regardless of the fact that I was requesting a 2 week visitor pass and the fact that I was flying back to the US two days later. Unbelievable.
America is a very fearful country in a post-9/11 world. I took a trip to Hong Kong from NY and didn't think anything with the security leaving the country, but when I came back and we were mixed in customs with planes coming from other countries, I realized how paranoid America has become with airport security. Especially at JFK, where the staff is pretty rude to people trying to get through customs. Also, a lot of stupid rules and regulations trying to get back in.
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
That's nothing compared to my mom's visit to Canada. They were blasting "American Woman" over the public PA system.DarkJC said:
I have to have tickets and reservations before going into the embassy or I won't get past the first level. Well guess what assfucks, I'm not spending thousands of dollars in hotels and cruises (I wanted to spend honeymoon in the US and take a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Caribbean) only to get a visa denied.Atrophis said:
I think it's a great thing Americans are the only ones that go through the retina, fingerprint and picture process here where I live. Payback is a bitch!
You know, I never got all these complaints. First of all, everyone these days is acting as if they are entitled to enter the US and these unreasonable, horrible people are infringing upon their rights. Also, if I'm going to be traveling to another country, I'm going to inform myself on their immigration requirements/procedures. Once I arrive, common sense alone should tell me that I'm not going to be some smug shit and question every single action, ignore orders and make sure to let the agent know how I really feel. This thread, including the OP are a perfect example of what I wouldn't do.
I wouldn't actually dream to wander around the room, making sure to let everyone know how unhappy I am and complaining about the unfair treatment. Or do my best rolleyes impression because the agent doesn't know my city. Guess what sherlock, either he was trying to be nice and get some small talk going or he was trying to see how you were going to react. Or maybe he really was ignorant. But simplyanswering his question made too much sense I guess.
I wouldn't actually dream to wander around the room, making sure to let everyone know how unhappy I am and complaining about the unfair treatment. Or do my best rolleyes impression because the agent doesn't know my city. Guess what sherlock, either he was trying to be nice and get some small talk going or he was trying to see how you were going to react. Or maybe he really was ignorant. But simplyanswering his question made too much sense I guess.
skybaby said:
You'll love this:
http://www.elperiodico.com/default....ioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=658924&idseccio_PK=1021
Yep, avoiding the US like a plague. :lol
Bitmap Frogs
Mr. Community
NekoFever said:
Just out of curiosity, which countries apply those procedures on US citizens?
ChiTownBuffalo
Either I made up lies about the Boston Bomber or I fell for someone else's crap. Either way, I have absolutely no credibility and you should never pay any attention to anything I say, no matter what the context. Perm me if I claim to be an insider
To people that bitch about the US this and the US that.
I hope your home country gets invaded.
And if you are an allied nation, I hope our most obese, close minded and obnoxious residents tour your countty en masse, spewing their ignorant colloquialisms and marvelling/bitching at mundane shit, like the metric system or beverages without ice.
I hope your home country gets invaded.
And if you are an allied nation, I hope our most obese, close minded and obnoxious residents tour your countty en masse, spewing their ignorant colloquialisms and marvelling/bitching at mundane shit, like the metric system or beverages without ice.
skybaby said:
If they had been sent home from a honeymoon with hotel reservations and everything properly arranged, they might have made the major newspapers. He was detained cause his surname seems to be common in Latin-America, which would basically mean most Spanish population is suspicious. :lol
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