Word of warning on OTP for US trips
Jul 21, 18, 12:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, TK Elite
Posts: 2,688
Word of warning on OTP for US trips
Hi all... Just had a bit of an unpleasant experience at OTP that I thought might be relevant to the rest of you - especially given the FT hordes moving between OTP and PHX:
Did OLCI and mobile boarding pass, so went straight to the gate. As I got to the front of the boarding queue I was asked to show a printed version of my ESTA. After much back and forth a PDF of the ESTA that I have on my phone was accepted. Agent had quite some attitude, so not a good start to the trip.
So better take a dead tree to the PHX do...
Did OLCI and mobile boarding pass, so went straight to the gate. As I got to the front of the boarding queue I was asked to show a printed version of my ESTA. After much back and forth a PDF of the ESTA that I have on my phone was accepted. Agent had quite some attitude, so not a good start to the trip.
So better take a dead tree to the PHX do...
Jul 21, 18, 12:15 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
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Posts: 4,460
Interesting. I didn’t get this when I went through in April. Doing it again on Monday so happy to report back, but suspect this was either a one off or there was an issue for you personally. Did you notice if the same was asked of any other passengers? I suspect there were others on the flight connecting to the US.
Jul 21, 18, 12:34 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, TK Elite
Posts: 2,688
Originally Posted by madfish
Interesting. I didn’t get this when I went through in April. Doing it again on Monday so happy to report back, but suspect this was either a one off or there was an issue for you personally. Did you notice if the same was asked of any other passengers? I suspect there were others on the flight connecting to the US.
Jul 21, 18, 1:00 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2008
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I think just by chance, in travel and elsewhere, you meet anyone who "always dunnit like this". The only time I actually had to show any ESTA documentation was a two years ago in BKK, checking in with JL to go via NRT to LAX. They said they couldn't see the ESTA since ticket was on AA stock (?). Having my confirmation document ID easily available in the mobile, it faced a delay of a couple of minutes max.
Of my B2Bs at OTP, only once faced some problem, when the team leader at transfer check point a badge showing he was part of "Brigati Antiterroristi". He did not accept my answer that LHR was my next destination, as I just arrived from there. Excessive security check and probably communicated with gate where I was held until last second before gate closure (previously described in detail here). The other times rather swift procedures being ushered forward by surprised faces, when they realize you're going back to where you came from. There seems to be a learning curve here, and that will benefit all B2Bers.
Of my B2Bs at OTP, only once faced some problem, when the team leader at transfer check point a badge showing he was part of "Brigati Antiterroristi". He did not accept my answer that LHR was my next destination, as I just arrived from there. Excessive security check and probably communicated with gate where I was held until last second before gate closure (previously described in detail here). The other times rather swift procedures being ushered forward by surprised faces, when they realize you're going back to where you came from. There seems to be a learning curve here, and that will benefit all B2Bers.
Jul 21, 18, 1:33 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
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Posts: 4,460
Just to add with regard to ESTAs, although shouldn’t need to, I do tend to carry a print out with me for those just in case moments. I have also organised and lead trips for 20+ people to the US. My own rule is that no copy of ESTA and passport and they don’t even get on the bus to the airport. If check in at the airport cannot seebthe ESTA the print out proves you applied so likely to be a system error rather than allowing them to simply claim you don’t have one.
Although never needed to show one yet!
Although never needed to show one yet!
Jul 21, 18, 1:48 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Scotland/Canada/HK
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Posts: 2,177
This has sort of happened to me before, travelling on BA1. The system between the airlines and the CBP went down around an hour before the flight, everyone who didn't have a visa stamped in their passport/non US citizens were offloaded. We all watched our bags come out of the hold and at the same time, the boarding agents said if any of us were able to find their ESTA numbers/a copy of the esta, they can phone someone to confirm it and reload us.
Since then I have an album on my phone with a copy everything for quick reference.
Since then I have an album on my phone with a copy everything for quick reference.
Jul 21, 18, 2:33 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: East Berlin
Posts: 1,498
It happened to me in Munich when travelling to New York via Paris with Air France. I had to run down to the business centre and print a copy, which was another ordeal.
I had checked in online and downloaded my boarding pass. I had filled out all of the usual details regarding my trip on the Air France website some weeks before. I only visited the desk to drop a bag but the agent insisted on seeing a printed ESTA. I almost missed that flight.
Palmer
I had checked in online and downloaded my boarding pass. I had filled out all of the usual details regarding my trip on the Air France website some weeks before. I only visited the desk to drop a bag but the agent insisted on seeing a printed ESTA. I almost missed that flight.
Palmer
Jul 21, 18, 2:35 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,162
Originally Posted by Calum
This has sort of happened to me before, travelling on BA1. The system between the airlines and the CBP went down around an hour before the flight, everyone who didn't have a visa stamped in their passport/non US citizens were offloaded. We all watched our bags come out of the hold and at the same time, the boarding agents said if any of us were able to find their ESTA numbers/a copy of the esta, they can phone someone to confirm it and reload us.
Since then I have an album on my phone with a copy everything for quick reference.
Since then I have an album on my phone with a copy everything for quick reference.
Jul 21, 18, 2:59 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,455
This is not specific to the OTP-PHX route - no need for the scaremongering thread titles.
I've had this several times where the agent (for whatever reason) cannot see an ESTA in your booking, or the ESTA hasn't been validated by the DHS server. Most notably for me was at CDG where I was almost offloaded by AA (on the way to JFK) as they could not see my ESTA but made some calls after I was able to produce the ESTA number from my phone. Other times, at both LHR and ZRH, has been when there have been system outages and the airlines (LX, BA and BA) have not been able to get a positive validation response from the DHS that my ESTA was valid).
I've had this several times where the agent (for whatever reason) cannot see an ESTA in your booking, or the ESTA hasn't been validated by the DHS server. Most notably for me was at CDG where I was almost offloaded by AA (on the way to JFK) as they could not see my ESTA but made some calls after I was able to produce the ESTA number from my phone. Other times, at both LHR and ZRH, has been when there have been system outages and the airlines (LX, BA and BA) have not been able to get a positive validation response from the DHS that my ESTA was valid).
Jul 21, 18, 3:12 am
#12
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Originally Posted by rossmacd
This is not specific to the OTP-PHX route - no need for the scaremongering thread titles
Jul 21, 18, 3:51 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sheen, London
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If you're a British citizen I would have thought that you cannot be denied boarding on a flight OTP-LHR regardless of whether you have an ESTA; you could still sort one out when you get to LHR or even abandon the rest of the itinerary... They should of course check or make sure that you're aware you will need one for the second leg of the journey.
Similar situations - I had a booking NCL-LHR-DUS, OLCI didn't work and my passport was at home in London, not that BA knew this before I told them. At the airport they obviously wouldn't check me in for LHR-DUS, but no problem flying to Heathrow.
Also, had family members at various airline outstations threatened with denial of boarding on XXX-YYY-China because the agents didn't recognise Home Return Permits or understand the TWOV rules. There was no doubt that they could enter YYY, so they managed to convince the airline to let them fly the first leg; more experienced agents at YYY agreed that they had the correct documents to continue.
Similar situations - I had a booking NCL-LHR-DUS, OLCI didn't work and my passport was at home in London, not that BA knew this before I told them. At the airport they obviously wouldn't check me in for LHR-DUS, but no problem flying to Heathrow.
Also, had family members at various airline outstations threatened with denial of boarding on XXX-YYY-China because the agents didn't recognise Home Return Permits or understand the TWOV rules. There was no doubt that they could enter YYY, so they managed to convince the airline to let them fly the first leg; more experienced agents at YYY agreed that they had the correct documents to continue.
Jul 21, 18, 4:59 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, TK Elite
Posts: 2,688
Update: Made it to LHR and got stopped at the flight connection desk to have the usual document check and was asked if I was travelling under an ESTA.
So whatever the Romanian gate agent did, it can't have been very effective - which would indicate that I had a clueless agent, and this is not general policy at OTP.
So whatever the Romanian gate agent did, it can't have been very effective - which would indicate that I had a clueless agent, and this is not general policy at OTP.
