<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 747: In the USA the "Fast Track" is call an INSPASS Card. </font> To get an INSPASS card, you have to be interviewed by the INS (or Office of Homeland Security or whatever it's called these days), be photographed, be fingerprinted and have your hand dimensions recorded. To my certain knowledge, this does not (yet?) apply to Fast Track passengers in the UK. It is even more frustrating when, having endured the procedure described above, you can't use the INSPASS machines because they're switched off, defective or non-existant. So why bother to get one? Well, it's one way of getting 'photo ID' for when you're checking in at a Hilton or buying a burger http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PUCCI GALORE: and IAD is unspeakable. A friend of mine took 90 minutes the other day. </font> Many a time all they do with me is swipe the visa and then say to me Welcome Back Sir. My poor fiancee gets the third degree every time she has gone through LHR! Hey ho |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Roger: I apologise right now for even thinking of doubting the Oracle, but I fear that Pucci Galore may have left out the word NOT: ... Brits have to show passports as we do not have Identity Cards ...</font> ThanksXXXXXX |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 747: Hello Pucci, I can't beleive I'm bold enough today to address you but I'll try. In the USA the "Fast Track" is call an INSPASS Card. Although the machines never work...you just by-pass the line...stand by the machine with your card out and they wave you on in. And speaking of lines....I'm a Terminal 3 man and if your flight arrives after 7:30am it looks like high season at Disneyland with all the lines twisting and turning. Yes...thank you for Fast Track!! Love your posts....love your airline (when I fly on award travel....thanks Diners Club)</font> Thanks for making me feel special! XXX |
Globaliser,
In case you don't know, us Yanks and you Brits do NOT need to a visa to enter each other's country - it's called the Visa Waiver Program, so no I didn't have a visa because I did NOT need one. Besides, you missed the point. I have no problem with the IO asking me those questions one or may be two times. But to be asked those rather asinine questions quite a few more times (not every time mind you) when upon swiping my US passport onto his electronic reader or simply leafing through it to see the uncountable number of "LHR Immigration" stamps in it, now that's what I call been given the Third Degree, as so eloquently stated by DCBritboy. BTW, the point of this posting is to compare the nastiness of the Immigration Officers of the US and the UK, and IMHO, it's a solid tie http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif [QUOTE]Originally posted by Globaliser: [B] [QUOTE]Originally posted by sapguy: [b]QUOTE]I assume that you didn't have a visa for these trips. |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by michaelblain: They would have stamped your permit at time of first entry with it - otherwise it could be assumed you entered illegally. The UK stopped stamping on every re-entry past the first back on 1 July 2000. They do log your passport number though.</font> |
This is an absolutely sweeping generalisation (I know) - but I had a chat with someone who used to be an immigration officer last night. He said that because it is such a boring job, people like to do things to make it interesting ... hence they ask difficult questions, knock back a few people here and there and so on. They like a good fight to bring some interest into the day. And to be honest, I can't blame them ....
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sapguy: In case you don't know, us Yanks and you Brits do NOT need to a visa to enter each other's country - it's called the Visa Waiver Program, so no I didn't have a visa because I did NOT need one.</font> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Besides, you missed the point. I have no problem with the IO asking me those questions one or may be two times. But to be asked those rather asinine questions quite a few more times (not every time mind you) when upon swiping my US passport onto his electronic reader or simply leafing through it to see the uncountable number of "LHR Immigration" stamps in it, now that's what I call been given the Third Degree, as so eloquently stated by DCBritboy.</font> I can't say anything about the attitude of the immigration officers on each side. On a personal basis, I only have dealings with the ones in the US so I can't compare them to the ones here. But I do know about the law. [This message has been edited by Globaliser (edited 06-06-2003).] |
All things considered, no reason not to have a bit af fun for all concerned.....
IO: What is the purpose of your journey? Me: If I have the idiom correct, I'm going on a ripper down Jermyn Street and leaving a pile of Sterling behind. IO: That's what we like to hear. On another occasion- IO: What is the purpose of your journey? Me: I have an appointment with my tailor. IO: So, like things British do you? Me: Well, if you've tried to have a suit done by Brooks Brothers reciently, you wouldn't be asking me that. There is no where else to go. Some day, I'll probably be dragged away, but until that day comes http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif |
Wow! Now you're showing me the LAW http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
That must make you a barrister or a solicitor, huh? Or may be an MP? Labour or Torie? or Lib Dem or others? Good Mate with Red Ken per chance? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Spare me the details, but there are ways to do one's job right and there are ways not do so. I think that the comments by both ozzie and eMailman are sensible and right on (bravo Gents), unlike yours which smack of being a snotty Brit and mine which smack of being an arrogant and ugly American http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Globaliser: Originally posted by sapguy: In case you don't know, us Yanks and you Brits do NOT need to a visa to enter each other's country - it's called the Visa Waiver Program, so no I didn't have a visa because I did NOT need one.</font> <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Besides, you missed the point. I have no problem with the IO asking me those questions one or may be two times. But to be asked those rather asinine questions quite a few more times (not every time mind you) when upon swiping my US passport onto his electronic reader or simply leafing through it to see the uncountable number of "LHR Immigration" stamps in it, now that's what I call been given the Third Degree, as so eloquently stated by DCBritboy.</font> I can't say anything about the attitude of the immigration officers on each side. On a personal basis, I only have dealings with the ones in the US so I can't compare them to the ones here. But I do know about the law. [This message has been edited by Globaliser (edited 06-06-2003).] |
Thank you eMailman for "inspiring" my responses to IO's questioning (as opposed to PM's questioning) on my next trip to LHR http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Superb, superb. BTW, do let us all know when they finally drag you away. <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by eMailman: All things considered, no reason not to have a bit af fun for all concerned..... IO: What is the purpose of your journey? Me: If I have the idiom correct, I'm going on a ripper down Jermyn Street and leaving a pile of Sterling behind. IO: That's what we like to hear. On another occasion- IO: What is the purpose of your journey? Me: I have an appointment with my tailor. IO: So, like things British do you? Me: Well, if you've tried to have a suit done by Brooks Brothers reciently, you wouldn't be asking me that. There is no where else to go. Some day, I'll probably be dragged away, but until that day comes http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font> |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sapguy: That must make you a barrister or a solicitor, huh? ... yours which smack of being a snotty Brit and mine which smack of being an arrogant and ugly American http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font> |
All that I wrote was from experience
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Traveling with a U.S passport, I have been asked two, and only two simple questions, on the many entries over 40 years through LHR.
The first is always, "What is the purpose of your visit to the UK?". My responses have been: * Attending a congress/convention * Tourist * In transit * Business appointments The next is always, "How long will you be here?". My answer is always a no-brainer. What could be simpler! But there was one exception. The IO looked at me and called for a supervisor. They both seemed to be looking over the stamped entries on the many pages. Finally, the IO pointed out that I had been previously stamped in-to or out-of the UK at a future date. The onward or prior proximate date stamps from other countries assured them that it was a screw-up by one of their colleagues. They made copies of the entries for their next show-and-tell internal session. If you really want horror stories, I'll tell you about entry into the Soviet Union back in the 1980s. [This message has been edited by kappa (edited 06-07-2003).] |
I think kappa's experience is what most of us have enjoyed either side of the Atlantic.
I, for one, have never had a problem with US Immigration. Ah, well, there was the one experience going through the tunnel between Windsor ON and Detroit MI under code yellow when I was asked 'Why have you got a visa - have you a criminal record?'!!! I put it down to poor training. And then entering Idaho from B.C. by road - I don't think they had seen a UK passport with a US visa before. [QUOTE]Originally posted by kappa: If you really want horror stories, I'll tell you about entry into the Soviet Union back in the 1980s. Ah, fond memory http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif! Add Czechoslovakia as was, Bulgaria, East Germany ... |
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