Originally Posted by bocastephen
If you check-in for your Int'l departing flight and use the console to 'check out' of the country for US Visit (including turning in your I94 at check-in), and don't board the flight, how do they really know you left the country or not, especially if the console spits out a receipt that says you did.
Thats what i wondered, i assume they know because you hand in your i94w which is attached to your ticket when you board the plane. If thats the case what are the machines for? On some occasions the i94w has been taken at the check-in desk and sometimes ive gone back outside for a cigarette after going through security, then gone back through again. I could easily have used the machine, then gone outside again.It just doesnt make sense.