Green Visa Waiver Slips - in for trouble???
Jan 7, 2005, 5:58 am
#31
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,237
although they are now introducing a formal exit procedure for all aliens. Mrs Mac departed O'Hare last month, and was 'checked out' by an INS official with a handheld terminal at the gate, who recorded her passport number and flight details.
I, on the other hand, departed via DFW (needed the extra few miles to keep AA Plat) and there was no exit procedure.
I would imagine that it will be 'rolled out' to all major airports in the near future, thereby keeping accurate tabs on all the holidaymakers who use them (and still allowing the world and his uncle to wander in and out over the thousands of miles of unchecked common borders between the US and Canada/Mexico)
I, on the other hand, departed via DFW (needed the extra few miles to keep AA Plat) and there was no exit procedure.
I would imagine that it will be 'rolled out' to all major airports in the near future, thereby keeping accurate tabs on all the holidaymakers who use them (and still allowing the world and his uncle to wander in and out over the thousands of miles of unchecked common borders between the US and Canada/Mexico)
Jan 7, 2005, 2:44 pm
#33
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: EDI, Scotland
Programs: BA Turquoise - regular user of N class fares!
Posts: 204
Don't assume that BA would have been more reliable than VS at taking the slip out - twice in the last year they've forgotten to remove mine at BOS when I've been leaving.
On the first occasion, I only realised once I landed at LHR and the ground staff said they would return the green slip on the return flight to BOS that afternoon - they must have done it as I had no problems the next time I arrived in the USA.
However, last time I had to send copies of bank statements, payroll slips and visa bills to prove I was back in the UK as I had lost the boarding passes. Bit of a pain in the bum. I must say, though, that I once overstayed a visa by 3 days and they never blinked an eyelid. I've had two more since.
On the first occasion, I only realised once I landed at LHR and the ground staff said they would return the green slip on the return flight to BOS that afternoon - they must have done it as I had no problems the next time I arrived in the USA.
However, last time I had to send copies of bank statements, payroll slips and visa bills to prove I was back in the UK as I had lost the boarding passes. Bit of a pain in the bum. I must say, though, that I once overstayed a visa by 3 days and they never blinked an eyelid. I've had two more since.
Jan 9, 2005, 7:33 am
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,140
Thank you!
Just a quick note to thank everyone for their advice and opinions...
...have got here ok and didn't get sent to secondary interrogation
. Did get a firm wrist slapping from INS agent at the immigration desk: just apologised genuininely, agreed with everything he said and supplied the details of our trip home last time.
INS agent said that we MUST check that the slips are removed in future, but that electronic reader systems are being introduced to reduce this (common) problem.
So, thank you all again, we didn't need the evidence that we took (apart from the information off of our return boarding passes), BUT I am very glad that we had it (just in case!)
Boo
...have got here ok and didn't get sent to secondary interrogation
. Did get a firm wrist slapping from INS agent at the immigration desk: just apologised genuininely, agreed with everything he said and supplied the details of our trip home last time.INS agent said that we MUST check that the slips are removed in future, but that electronic reader systems are being introduced to reduce this (common) problem.
So, thank you all again, we didn't need the evidence that we took (apart from the information off of our return boarding passes), BUT I am very glad that we had it (just in case!)
Boo
Jan 9, 2005, 7:36 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Sydney / London
Programs: British Airways, Cathay Pacific
Posts: 567
Originally Posted by Boo Boo Too
Just a quick note to thank everyone for their advice and opinions...
...have got here ok and didn't get sent to secondary interrogation. Did get a firm wrist slapping from INS agent at the immigration desk: just apologised genuininely, agreed with everything he said and supplied the details of our trip home last time.
INS agent said that we MUST check that the slips are removed in future, but that electronic reader systems are being introduced to reduce this (common) problem.
So, thank you all again, we didn't need the evidence that we took (apart from the information off of our return boarding passes), BUT I am very glad that we had it (just in case!)
Boo
...have got here ok and didn't get sent to secondary interrogation
. Did get a firm wrist slapping from INS agent at the immigration desk: just apologised genuininely, agreed with everything he said and supplied the details of our trip home last time.INS agent said that we MUST check that the slips are removed in future, but that electronic reader systems are being introduced to reduce this (common) problem.
So, thank you all again, we didn't need the evidence that we took (apart from the information off of our return boarding passes), BUT I am very glad that we had it (just in case!)
Boo
Jan 9, 2005, 7:52 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 91
Visa waiver slips & payment
I only ever had a problem when flying JFK-YUL on AA. I guess it's understandable that the JFK staff didn't think to remove my visa waiver from my passport when flying to Canada (or ask me if I wanted to keep it).
Fortunately I later crossed the US border again at Niagara Falls and still having a valid visa waiver saved me the cash fee (USD10?) at the border. I deliberately handed the waiver back when re-entering Canada.
Visa waivers are valid for 90 days - is there any advantage in holding onto your visa waiver if you know for certain that you'll be making another trip to the US within 90 days? Does this save the airline the processing fee??
Simon
Fortunately I later crossed the US border again at Niagara Falls and still having a valid visa waiver saved me the cash fee (USD10?) at the border. I deliberately handed the waiver back when re-entering Canada.
Visa waivers are valid for 90 days - is there any advantage in holding onto your visa waiver if you know for certain that you'll be making another trip to the US within 90 days? Does this save the airline the processing fee??
Simon
Jan 11, 2005, 12:11 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by StevieJ
What does MMB stand for?
MMB stands for 'Massage My Buttocks'. Until recently this was a little known service available only to F Pax and Premier card holders. However since the onset of potential litigation over DVT, BA now offer this service to all Pax. Simply request the service from any flight attendant. It is considered polite to remove one's own trousers first (but obviously nothing more than that).
Note that excess handling charges may apply to certain US style buttocks.
Enjoy
