When the US immigration officer says " Welcome home!"
Feb 15, 2008, 6:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,961
When the US immigration officer says " Welcome home!"
Does anyone else get a little rush when the US immigration officer says "Welcome Home" to you as you pass through immigration after an international flight.
It sounds corny but their is something about it that makes me feel not only welcomed but dare I say it..... proud to be a US citizen. (and I am not overly patriotic)
It sounds corny but their is something about it that makes me feel not only welcomed but dare I say it..... proud to be a US citizen. (and I am not overly patriotic)
Feb 15, 2008, 7:27 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
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Does anyone else get a little rush when the US immigration officer says "Welcome Home" to you as you pass through immigration after an international flight.
It sounds corny but their is something about it that makes me feel not only welcomed but dare I say it..... proud to be a US citizen. (and I am not overly patriotic)
It sounds corny but their is something about it that makes me feel not only welcomed but dare I say it..... proud to be a US citizen. (and I am not overly patriotic)
Certainly makes me feel welcomed back to my country!
Feb 15, 2008, 7:27 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 382
Does anyone else get a little rush when the US immigration officer says "Welcome Home" to you as you pass through immigration after an international flight.
It sounds corny but their is something about it that makes me feel not only welcomed but dare I say it..... proud to be a US citizen. (and I am not overly patriotic)
It sounds corny but their is something about it that makes me feel not only welcomed but dare I say it..... proud to be a US citizen. (and I am not overly patriotic)
Feb 15, 2008, 7:42 am
#5
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
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I don't have a problem with it, but it doesn't do much for me because my port of entry into the U.S. is seldom near my home. If I'm coming back from Asia or Latin America, it's somewhere in the south or on the west coast; and when I come back from Europe, I fly by way of Chicago or somewhere for the miles if time permits - so I don't think of that as being "home" in a meaningful sense, even though I am re-entering my home country.
Feb 15, 2008, 7:52 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: A bunch of pretty little colored plastic cards.
Posts: 333
While I have not received the greeting consistantly, I too get the same feeling.
Funny enough the first time (that I can remember) it being said to me was just after a visit to a war zone and those two small words carried a lot of emotion. No matter what your beliefs, it helps put things into perspective -- on that occassion I remember replying it is good to be home -- and it was.
Funny enough the first time (that I can remember) it being said to me was just after a visit to a war zone and those two small words carried a lot of emotion. No matter what your beliefs, it helps put things into perspective -- on that occassion I remember replying it is good to be home -- and it was.
Feb 15, 2008, 10:05 am
#10
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
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Posts: 13,611
I would find it odd, the US not being my home...
But, were a Heathrow immigration officer to say this, I would think, nice thought, but I live quite a long way from the airport.
(And just because I have a passport for this place doesn't mean it's home...)
But, were a Heathrow immigration officer to say this, I would think, nice thought, but I live quite a long way from the airport.
(And just because I have a passport for this place doesn't mean it's home...)
Feb 15, 2008, 10:21 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 90
I remember the first time I returned home from a 3 week trip to Japan many years ago. I was transiting JFK when the immigration official said this to me, and I was also greeted by the banner "Welcome to the United States of America" as well. I really was surprised at great that made me feel. First stirrings of real patriotism I ever had in my life.
Then I sat in the terminal having coffee (no lounge access for me at the time!) and just enjoying the diversity of the people and experiences. (having come from somewhere where there was a lot of homogeneity). It was in those moments where I felt truly thankful to be an American, and it's been that way ever since.
Then I sat in the terminal having coffee (no lounge access for me at the time!) and just enjoying the diversity of the people and experiences. (having come from somewhere where there was a lot of homogeneity). It was in those moments where I felt truly thankful to be an American, and it's been that way ever since.
Feb 15, 2008, 10:40 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 47
I've received a "welcome home" from Canadian customs officers maybe a dozen times, and each time I find it nice to hear, particularly after a long trip away.
I think it feels good to hear because at the sociological level we're being accepted back into our tribe. We also subconsciously realize that we're back under a social system (including laws, customs and culture) that we are much more familiar with than wherever we've been to.
I travel to the U.S. a lot, and although Canada and the U.S. share a lot of similarities, it is the many subtle differences that affect me. It's comforting for me to be back "home" where my expectations are the norm and not in the minority.
I think it feels good to hear because at the sociological level we're being accepted back into our tribe. We also subconsciously realize that we're back under a social system (including laws, customs and culture) that we are much more familiar with than wherever we've been to.
I travel to the U.S. a lot, and although Canada and the U.S. share a lot of similarities, it is the many subtle differences that affect me. It's comforting for me to be back "home" where my expectations are the norm and not in the minority.
Feb 15, 2008, 11:08 am
#13
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Louisville, KY, US
Programs: QF Plat - OW EMD | DL Gold / Starwood Gold
Posts: 6,106
Does anyone else get a little rush when the US immigration officer says "Welcome Home" to you as you pass through immigration after an international flight.
It sounds corny but their is something about it that makes me feel not only welcomed but dare I say it..... proud to be a US citizen. (and I am not overly patriotic)
It sounds corny but their is something about it that makes me feel not only welcomed but dare I say it..... proud to be a US citizen. (and I am not overly patriotic)
Once I got out of Customs at JFK & switched for CVG, we pushed back and then were put on a 2+ hr ground hold in the penalty box because Bush was doing a last minute run through Ohio and had Air Force One parked at CVG.
