Originally Posted by mattm199
Hi all, I'm travelling BNE-LAX-ORD-AKL-BNE next month, and haven't flown to the US since before 2000. What sort of reception are Australians getting in the US? Is there still the mandatory SSSS at all ports? Will I be able to make the AA connection codeshare at LAX 2 hours after arriving on QF175? And are the TSA screeners as unfriendly as I've heard?
Based on my experience at LAX, AUS and PHX in Feb this year, I'd say that:
- Immigration at LAX are still a bunch of holier-than-thou pedants.
- Chance of SSSS on your BP is running at about 50%.
- TSA screeners are now quite professional, organised and friendly (esp. at PHX). As long as you are patient and slap on the accent :-) you should go through with the minimum possible fuss. Definite improvement on previous years (post Sep 11). Still not as good as here in Oz, but at least they are making progress.
In fact, if it wasn't for LAX, I'd say that my last trip over the pond was better than any before (including '99). Though travelling in J may have been a contributing factor to that!
mt