Sadly, not true.

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

Funny how experiences vary. I come through IAD at least once a month clutching my visa (not eligible for INSPass either) and only once did it take me an hour, usually 5-15 mins at varying times of the day. In fact twice I've got through quicker than my fiancee who is a U.S. Citizen. Soon I'll hold that Green Card and I'll be wandering through the other line. JFK for me is the pits.

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

The poor old BAAg is going bonkers, take no notice, and I have corrected it.

ThanksXXXXXX

My Love, you address me as often as you like. Some of the things i get called at work make me wish there were more like you!

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


[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.

yes - of course :-) Not since, though ....

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 ....

You know, funnily enough, in the UK it isn't called the Visa Waiver Program or even Visa Waiver Programme. There isn't any such thing - that's a USA thing. To come into the UK, nobody needs a visa unless (a) they are coming for a purpose for which they need a visa or (b) they are a national of one of the countries on the visa list, who need visas for all entries to the UK. But, anyway, it looks like I guessed right. And here you're missing the point. The law requires the IO to ask you the questions. Every time. However stupid it might seem. Of course, you will sometimes come across some lazy or bored ones who don't, but strictly speaking they are not doing their job properly if they don't.

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

Wow! Now you're showing me the LAW

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?

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

Thank you eMailman for "inspiring" my responses to IO's questioning (as opposed to PM's questioning) on my next trip to LHR

Superb, superb. BTW, do let us all know when they finally drag you away.

I should plead guilty then both to being a lawyer and to arrogance. I should just have left it at there being a legal reason why they do it ...

All that I wrote was from experience

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 ! Add Czechoslovakia as was, Bulgaria, East Germany ...