I suspect many foreigners entering the UK, or OZ, would have similar perspectives.

However, what's the big issue?
Is there a major problem, apart from processing time at holiday destinations, when hordes of pax get off numerous large aircraft?

When I enter the US at IAD, I expect to wait between 30-60 minutes to enter their country. I wonder what the equivalent time is for a US tourist entering the UK?

It's funny, as an American I disagree with so much of what's on this thread.

I spend time in NYC where I was born & mostly raised & where I still keep an apartment. I spend time in Southern California where my Mom lives, San Francisco where my Grandparents live & where I went to school as a teenager. Outside of NYC and a couple of other areas I find the country overly commercial, overly conservative, overly religious, overly puritanical, overly patriotic, overly suburban & don't even get me started on US politics. It may be the 'land of the free' but I've always felt more 'free' in London, as a child & as an adult.

At the end of the day what you experience as a tourist is never the same as what you experience as a resident/citizen. Yeah, I grew up in the bubble that is Manhattan which many will argue isn't the 'real America' but I'm so thankful I'm from New York City & NOT America.

I find that I have phases and I am in a positive about US holidays phase at the moment. Over the last couple of years spending about 5 weeks of the year on holiday in the US. My favourite bits at the moment are Arizona, Californian Desert and Utah. Holiday rental properties are great value, the houses are really well equipped and everything just works. The weather in this area is dependable and now that I have discovered a Waitrose type supermarket in Palm Springs I can cook in the house to my hearts content.

SFO and NYC are great cities as are DC (I love it) and LA which I do quite like, though it requires work to make it fun. I also like Baltimore which has a hidden charm (some might say really hidden). I don't find the people particularly friendly but nor are they rude. I don't get aggravated by the immigration process; I remember my first trip to LA on a BCal 707 when I was 10 years old and I had to queue for what seemed like hours so I think it has improved over the years.

I am not in the mood for grinding poverty of India or the endless hassle of begging that is the reality of a visit to many 3rd world countries. I just want a holiday to be fun.

I've never spent a holiday as such in the US (just business trips, regrettably) but I'm going to California in December and I honestly can't wait ;)

Well,

As an American myself, I don't agree with your politcal thoughts here. We are a mainly Conservative/ Libertarian nation, with the exception of the two coasts.

Most American's greatly admire many things English: from the Royal Family, to British Tradition. Much of our nation (as well as Canada) still have many British attributes to them. Many American's myself included, prefer to travel to areas of the world that are English speaking, that were former British colonies. Having been to Britton twice (London) other than for the weather; I really liked the place and the fine English people. Many people envy your currency (the Pound is a great thing) thus London is quite an expensive city for us. I really have enjoyed the many British I have met of my various cruises, etc.

I really think you all should be proud of, how well the US & Canada have done for themselves. Like Australia, we are a big boisterous country & people who have a strong since of who and what we are about. It's true that 9'11 had a major effect on Americans, but overtime things will improve. We are a people of a short memory, thus in five to ten years, much will have changed.

tons of churches

[OT] Honestly, for a real taste of Britain, you should come up here in Lancashire: great food (they don't sell Holland Pies in the capital), charming people, glorious weather and lovely countryside: I doubt you did experience anything like that down London (I'm not being sarcastic here) :cool: :D [/OT]

Most of the world is conservative, religious, puritannical, patriotic, etc.

Western Europe and a few liberal areas of the US are exceptions to the way of most of the world, to imply that the bulk of the US is somehow exceptional is a rather myopic view on the world.

If you limited yourself to aggressively liberal secular cities there would be very few places in the world you would go.

I am going to India next week, I do so knowing it's religious, it's a part of the country. Likewise if I go to North Africa, SE Asia, or anywhere really.

And when I go to the US I am curious to hear the jingle on the radio for the car showroom 'Community-minded - like you', or the 'God bless you' on the email from the cabin rental company.

All a part of the culture, and the genuinely liberal visitor should not be offended by it but rather accept it as the way people are.

Quite right. ^

God bless America! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf7CXlZesLs

... and unlike UK, full of people ;)

Sorry, out of popcorn, be right back ...

Ive just thought of another thing i really like about the U.S and that is disabled access. Much, much better than the U.K.
When i visited the beach near Sarasota, they had special wheelchairs available for the disabled people to use on the beach and right down to the waters edge, my dad was delighted.
Everywhere we went in Florida and Arizona, facilities for the disabled were excellent.

THE most amazing national parks I've ever experienced, coupled with amazing scenery. I dont do languages well, so you dont have to worry about that in the US. The yanks are so friendly to visitors and make you feel very welcome (Immigration excluded).

Plus you can get good motel accomodation relatively cheap on the road, and feel safe and comfy along the way on your fly-drive. Fuel is still cost-effective (by UK standards), good hire cars available, easy to navigate, fun roads to drive etc. And if something goes wrong, there's good medical facilities nearby - it's not like being off the beaten track on the Skeleton Coast...

Plus there's pretty good BA Miles availability in F, and lots of options of places to start.

So what do I like most of all in the US?

New York
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Phoenix
Moab
Arches NP
Canyonlands NP
Yosemite NP
Death Valley NP
Big Bend NP
Craters of the Moon NP
and many, many, many more...

Oh - and if I'm being tacky for a minute - Red Lobster, Denny's milkshakes, Jelly Beans aisle in any Super Target and Mountain Dew. ^

Oh - and I'll be in the middle of deep dark Big Bend NP in Texas in 3 weeks :D:D:D

I don't think it's the same or even close

Thanks but no thanks

I'm not looking forward to the tipping culture there.

What is it.....about 5 -10%?

What are your experiences of the foreigners line at US and UK immigration respectively?

I have been through the foreigners line in the UK with my wife and it took several hours. I have also been through US immigration four times in the last few years, once, at ATL, took up to an hour, but I've had that in other countries around the world, otherwise it was much shorter.

For that matter it took me nearly an hour to get into the UK coming off the ferry from Holland in May, just waiting in the 'all cars' queue and getting off last due to someone not getting back to their car in time.