Airfares to US to drop?

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Knowing how little the average American knows about world geography, and also knowing how many letters and parcels get mis-sent to Tanzania and then eventually arrive in Tassie with an ink stamp on them that says "Not Tanzania Africa - try Tasmania Australia" - it will probably happen.

That's actually quite funny. Didn't realise that was a thing!

 

[RSD]

That's actually quite funny. Didn't realise that was a thing!

Absolutely is - I've had a few parcels come with that stamped on them over the years!

 

[Himeno]

That's actually quite funny. Didn't realise that was a thing!

The whole booking trips to the wrong city is common as well. Sydney, NS, Canada instead of Sydney, NSW. Melbourne, FL instead of Melbourne VIC. Paris, TX instead of Paris, France, etc

There are also American's who think that travel to parts of the US outside the "lower 48" require a passport.

 

[dajop]

The whole booking trips to the wrong city is common as well. Sydney, NS, Canada instead of Sydney, NSW. Melbourne, FL instead of Melbourne VIC. Paris, TX instead of Paris, France, etc

My favourite, most likely an urban legend, when someone of Italian descent booked a flight to Roma, Qld instead of Roma, Italy.

 

[justinbrett]

Who writes their state name in full on an address? Weird.

 

[LondonAussie]

Who writes their state name in full on an address? Weird.

Americans?

Also Australians love to put suburb names in addresses. Whenever I get a parcel from Australia I'm amused that they always include the name of my local area, sometimes also the borough/council name, and also London on the address. In the UK most would just put "London" and the postcode after the street name, and many would even omit London and just put street address and postcode.

 

[RSD]

Who writes their state name in full on an address? Weird.

Overseas places do.

 

[justinbrett]

Overseas places do.

AusPost states it’s a requirement to use the state abbreviation, not the full name.

Someone must be supplying the “overseas places” with the Australian address. I always provide my address in the same format we use here.

Americans?

Also Australians love to put suburb names in addresses. Whenever I get a parcel from Australia I'm amused that they always include the name of my local area, sometimes also the borough/council name, and also London on the address. In the UK most would just put "London" and the postcode after the street name, and many would even omit London and just put street address and postcode.

That’s just a difference in how the systems work (and I’ve never seen an American not use the two letter abbreviation for their states. They even use them on road signs). Even on airline departure screens if it’s a common city name they will include the two letter state code (Eg San Jose CA).

UK post codes are far more specific than Australia’s, which can cover multiple towns. So makes sense why we include a suburb in our address (but we don’t include the city).

 

[Forg]

. UK post codes are far more specific than Australia’s, which can cover multiple towns. So makes sense why we include a suburb in our address (but we don’t include the city).

Yep, agreed, the city basically IS the suburb, for an Australian address.
The city doesn’t mean anything really … “the bigliest population centre which this location is connected-to by other suburbs” maybe?

 

[VPS]

Some more stories on issues of entering USA

Legal experts sound warning: Don't assume you'll be let into the US easily

The recent case of an Australian writer detained and denied entry to the US after being questioned about his political views has spotlighted the risks facing Australians under the US visa waiver program.

www.abc.net.au

Australian turned away from border for drug use, US government says

Writer Alistair Kitchen said he was refused entry to the US last week after being grilled about his views on the Gaza conflict and articles he wrote about pro-Palestinian protests.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Cruiser Elite]

MSN

 

[Forg]

MSN

(a) Wow, MSN still exists, these a blast from the past!
(b) I'm surprised 2.8% difference, up or (in this case) down, is outside the normal yearly variation just due to general randomness.

 

[justinbrett]

Australian turned away from border for drug use, US government says

Writer Alistair Kitchen said he was refused entry to the US last week after being grilled about his views on the Gaza conflict and articles he wrote about pro-Palestinian protests.

www.abc.net.au

I don’t know the full story but this guy wasn’t your average tourist.

He was called out by name on the PA whilst in the immigration queue at LAX, so they were clearly waiting for him. He must have got on some kind of list when we was on his previous (non tourist) visa.

I’m not saying it was justified but just pointing out this wasn’t a random denial of entry from a rogue agent.

 

[Forg]

I don’t know the full story but this guy wasn’t your average tourist.

He was called out by name on the PA whilst in the immigration queue at LAX, so they were clearly waiting for him. He must have got on some kind of list when we was on his previous (non tourist) visa.

I’m not saying it was justified but just pointing out this wasn’t a random denial of entry from a rogue agent.

It makes one wonder whether or not the stuff I have to say around here about <the President> means I'm likely to be denied entry if I try, even though the person denying me entry is probably being disadvantaged by the aforementioned <person> ... ? A general AI search would likely turn this post up pretty quickly.

 

[justinbrett]

It makes one wonder whether or not the stuff I have to say around here about <the President> means I'm likely to be denied entry if I try, even though the person denying me entry is probably being disadvantaged by the aforementioned <person> ... ? A general AI search would likely turn this post up pretty quickly.

I suspect it had nothing to do with what was said online, rather he became of interest to US authorities during the college pro-Palestine protests. There were over 3000 people arrested so even if he didn’t get arrested then he might have made a few lists.

 

[mrsterryn]

Taking all these "random " selections isn't that kinda like the SSSS thing on the boarding pass ?
I have been tagged on that, it was interesting and I suppose the only thing they could tell was I was of an older age .
So have to say I thought if I was selected randomly for that, what is the difference for random selection on arrival in USA

 

[SYD]

Taking all these "random " selections isn't that kinda like the SSSS thing on the boarding pass ?
I have been tagged on that, it was interesting and I suppose the only thing they could tell was I was of an older age .
So have to say I thought if I was selected randomly for that, what is the difference for random selection on arrival in USA

My understanding is SSSS is random so that decision for additional screening isn’t always biased towards certain demographics ie camouflage the obvious bias.

I had it a few years ago and the bloody thing was on every BP from SYD to LAX to DFW to JFK… Only affected screening at SYD and LAX transfer. Zip difference to immigration processing.