Why no Fast-Track lanes for US immigrations?
Aug 27, 2006 | 2:25 pm
#1
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Why no Fast-Track lanes for US immigrations?
I was wondering why no US airports have a "Fast-Track" lane for F/J pax like BA/LHR.
Can anyone shed any light on this subject?
Can anyone shed any light on this subject?
Aug 27, 2006 | 10:35 pm
#3
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After 9/11, the one and only improvement amidst a sea of additional immigration harassment was the rollout of INSPASS.
After its deployment, the U.S. government must have realized that pax really like it.
So they cancelled it.
After its deployment, the U.S. government must have realized that pax really like it.
So they cancelled it.
Aug 28, 2006 | 1:53 am
#4
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Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO
I was wondering why no US airports have a "Fast-Track" lane
Am I correct that INSPass never got going because of union opposition from the officers' union towards it ?
Aug 28, 2006 | 6:07 am
#5
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Originally Posted by WHBM
Am I correct that INSPass never got going because of union opposition from the officers' union towards it ?
Aug 28, 2006 | 7:38 am
#7
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Originally Posted by Mountain Trader
Why should the US Governmenment have a special service for passengers who pay the airlines more?
Aug 28, 2006 | 9:09 am
#8
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Originally Posted by lerasp
because the airlines in turn pay more to US government.
The other fees are also identical (for non-stop to/from US)
Sept. 11 Fee. $2.50
Departure & arrival tax: $14.50 each
Passenger facility charge: $4.50
Customs Fee: $5.00
Immigration Fee: $7.00
USDA Fee: $5.00
Aug 28, 2006 | 10:12 am
#9
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Originally Posted by ClueByFour
The airlines are too cheap.
Aug 28, 2006 | 10:24 am
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Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
The gov't probably doesn't even give the airlines the opportunity to pay more for an expedited line for its premium pax. Other than LHR (and maybe other UK airports), I can't recall any other place I've been with a fast-track immigration line for premium cabins. And these (AFAIK) are paid after the fact, by the number of pink cards collected by the line warden.
Aug 28, 2006 | 11:40 am
#11
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Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO
I was wondering why no US airports have a "Fast-Track" lane for F/J pax like BA/LHR.
Upon arriving ATH-LHR on BA this month, I asked for a Fast Track card and the FA told me they no longer do it (that despite what was printed on my paper ticket wallet). The guy next to me overheard and said he just flew QF last month, and they no longer do it either. However, upon arriving AA BOS-LHR, I was given a Fast Track card and I skipped a line of 150+ people.
Aug 28, 2006 | 11:45 am
#12
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Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
And these (AFAIK) are paid after the fact, by the number of pink cards collected by the line warden.
Aug 28, 2006 | 1:42 pm
#13
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I have a feeling if the US did introduce such a program, there would be lawsuits claiming such policy is discriminatory. Compare this to the way security lines are handled. Right now, the airlines control who can get in line first for security (through the initial ID check), not the TSA; thus, they can allow their elites to have priority. If, as is being suggested, the TSA should take over the ID check (as it is presumably a "security" issue), you can kiss elite access to security lines goodbye as well.
Aug 28, 2006 | 1:58 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by Morrissey
I have a feeling if the US did introduce such a program, there would be lawsuits claiming such policy is discriminatory. . . . If, as is being suggested, the TSA should take over the ID check (as it is presumably a "security" issue), you can kiss elite access to security lines goodbye as well.
Last edited by closecover; Aug 28, 2006 at 2:00 pm Reason: Change terrible grammar into bad grammar
Aug 28, 2006 | 2:05 pm
#15
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Originally Posted by closecover
IMHO that is how it should be. If there is one place in the within the airport where all passengers should be treated equally (at least in terms of ability to pay) it should be at the immigrations/customs counter. I would feel queasy about expedited immigration lines for first class/business class customers. It is as if the government is stating that there are some citizens/residents/visotrs who are better or more impoortant than others. We should be striving for equality under the law in all aspects of life, including immigration. Again, this is just my opinion.