US Customs forms not handed out BA279 yesterday
Mar 13, 2019, 4:30 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 168
Arrived with wife in SAN on the 28th Feb, got handed form, advised by CC that it wasn't needed for Esta which we were travelling on. No APC machines, so filled out form which was then totally ignored by CBP and invisible customs agents.
Also found it odd that CBP appeared to use facial recognition rather than scanning passports, unless they scanned passports via NFC while they were sitting on the desk.
Also found it odd that CBP appeared to use facial recognition rather than scanning passports, unless they scanned passports via NFC while they were sitting on the desk.
Mar 13, 2019, 4:32 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
Also, for those with lounge access, there's usually a stash of forms at the customer service desk so there's an opportunity to get them before departure. The CBP also has a fillable PDF form that can be completed online, printed off, and presented upon arrival. The form can be found here: https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/f...glish-fillable
Mar 13, 2019, 4:54 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 712
Had the forms on my SJC in February (in Club) so I suspect the crew.
Did not have the forms on my ATL in January since "our station manager said we didn't need them".
Agree it's a mix. I've been given them on my ATL's but not used.
Did not have the forms on my ATL in January since "our station manager said we didn't need them".
Agree it's a mix. I've been given them on my ATL's but not used.
Mar 13, 2019, 4:55 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,554
... welcome to the land of inconsistencies!
What I don't understand at BWI is that there is a lane for those with no visas - which always seems to have a healthy queue!
At DFW - a few years ago they separated non-US residents from US-residents - contrary to the legal status of GC holders. A couple of months ago it had changed - including just waiving everyone through customs without any checks/forms.
Essentially it seems to be what ever takes their fancy that day (and maybe even that hour....) .
What I don't understand at BWI is that there is a lane for those with no visas - which always seems to have a healthy queue!
At DFW - a few years ago they separated non-US residents from US-residents - contrary to the legal status of GC holders. A couple of months ago it had changed - including just waiving everyone through customs without any checks/forms.
Essentially it seems to be what ever takes their fancy that day (and maybe even that hour....) .
Mar 13, 2019, 4:56 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,233
Mar 13, 2019, 6:21 pm
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Yet a third thread on exactly the same topic, which has nothing to do with BA.
First, the issue has nothing to do with different states. CBP is a purely federal function.
Second, the US is phasing out the use of paper forms and increasingly, they will not be distributed. Eventually gone and done with as they serve to purpose.
First, the issue has nothing to do with different states. CBP is a purely federal function.
Second, the US is phasing out the use of paper forms and increasingly, they will not be distributed. Eventually gone and done with as they serve to purpose.
Mar 13, 2019, 8:45 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 811
Not handing out forms is clearly a mistake.
Honestly though in your case you should have accepted the form. It's faster than saying no, which means it saves time for everyone involved.
Honestly though in your case you should have accepted the form. It's faster than saying no, which means it saves time for everyone involved.
Mar 13, 2019, 9:02 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: DL PM, OZ Diamond Plus, BA Silver
Posts: 1,803
Two data points: JFK doesn't require forms even for those on first time ESTA / any type of visa while EWR was collecting them in February (and presumably still is) — I think it's very much a city/airport-dependent thing at this point
Mar 13, 2019, 11:52 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: BA Silver, Le Club Accor Hotels Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 61
Crew arrivng into the US normally have to complete a crew members declaration. In SJC they do not have to do this, maybe that’s where the confusion arose.
To be honest with each state/airport having different rules in the US it’s easy for a mistake to happen. Unless it says in the briefing pack no customs forms required I normally hand them out.
Just one last point, you would be surprised how many times I walk down the aisle handing out customs forms only for passengers to tell me they don’t need a landing card. People seem to confuse the US customs forms with an immigration landing card.
To be honest with each state/airport having different rules in the US it’s easy for a mistake to happen. Unless it says in the briefing pack no customs forms required I normally hand them out.
Just one last point, you would be surprised how many times I walk down the aisle handing out customs forms only for passengers to tell me they don’t need a landing card. People seem to confuse the US customs forms with an immigration landing card.
Last edited by bhdcommuter; Mar 14, 2019 at 5:53 am
Mar 14, 2019, 6:13 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
Also, for those with lounge access, there's usually a stash of forms at the customer service desk so there's an opportunity to get them before departure. The CBP also has a fillable PDF form that can be completed online, printed off, and presented upon arrival. The form can be found here: https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/f...glish-fillable
Mar 14, 2019, 7:50 am
#28
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
I get the same message but if you click the download button (latest Firefox on Mac) the document downloads correctly. The button on the first page does say download.
Mar 14, 2019, 7:59 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Balham - Gateway to The South
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 2,020
I have to say it’s the Americans making it difficult, why does each state make its own rules up?
JFK no longer require them for anyone, most cities that have APC kiosks only require them for visa holders (not B1 and B2) and anyone using a new ESTA, it’s a mine field.
JFK no longer require them for anyone, most cities that have APC kiosks only require them for visa holders (not B1 and B2) and anyone using a new ESTA, it’s a mine field.
I ended up filling the customs form as I queued.
Mar 14, 2019, 8:46 am
#30
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Programs: BA Oneworld
Posts: 582
I have not flown to the USA on BA, but I can say that AA don't hand out forms as everything is done on the machines when you arrive and you take the printout to the immigration officer with your passport. That's for ESTA and non-ESTA alike