Delays at US immigration

[JT0511]

Last Oct I flew Virgin Atalntic LHR-JFK. The immigration lines at JFK moved very slowly (considerably slower than on my previous two visits in 2006 & 2008): it took more than an hour to be processed (with an ESTA). It's a few months down the track I know but is there any point in drawing this to the attention of the authorities?

 

[dk4]

It's a few months down the track I know but is there any point in drawing this to the attention of the authorities?

They should already know, try looking it up here - Airport Wait Times

 

[simongr]

One hour seems pretty speedy by other experiences...

 

[Boris spatsky]

Yep, that is good for the US!

 

[JT0511]

Dk4, Thanks for this. When I did a search for JFK T4 Mondays in October it said "No data available for selection criteria".

 

[JT0511]

Simongr, At JFK, or elsewhere in the US, or elsewhere in the world?

 

[simongr]

I would normally expect a minimum of 30 mins in an inbound US immigration queue. 45 mins would seem reasonable (?) and 1 hour would not be a surprise.

 

[Boris spatsky]

My recent experience: LAX 1 hr 15, ORD 1 h 20, MIA 1 h. Yep, a bad run (haven't flown through LAX security for a while now).

 

[QF029]

I had 2 hours at JFK T1 in December. For 45 mins we weren't allowed in the arrivals hall because it was full. US citizens excepted.

 

[JT0511]

QF029 - you make it sound as if I got red(dish) carpet treatment at JFKT4. US citizens did get priority then also but I recall that officials were redeployed from the US citizens lines to others as the imbalance in queue lengths became so great that it must have roused even the supervisors from their torpor. I know this happens elsewhere but it doesn't have to be so eg Public pressure seems to have produced a significant improvement in Heathrow times: I got through twice last year (Oct QF from SIN & Nov VS from SFO) in less than15 mins.

 

[JT0511]

I would normally expect a minimum of 30 mins in an inbound US immigration queue. 45 mins would seem reasonable (?) and 1 hour would not be a surprise.

45mins "reasonable"? After a long flight?

 

[SeatBackForward]

45mins "reasonable"? After a long flight?

For the US...thats the minimum I'd plan on.

 

[defurax]

If you can't stand JFK immigration there is always BA1 with US immigration at Shannon airport in Ireland. Plenty of availability in QF classic award.

 

[JT0511]

If you can't stand JFK immigration there is always BA1 with US immigration at Shannon airport in Ireland. Plenty of availability in QF classic award.

Why can't there be a similar system in Australia (and for that matter the UK)?

 

[defurax]

The case of BA1 is unique because it guarantees almost no delays going through US immigration.
Canadian airports have US immigration and on a Monday morning it can still take 2 hours in YYZ and YUL.

 

[JT0511]

The case of BA1 is unique because it guarantees almost no delays going through US immigration.
Canadian airports have US immigration and on a Monday morning it can still take 2 hours in YYZ and YUL.

It's good to know that some people are able to benefit from the preclearance system
Preclearance Locations - CBP.gov which makes me ask again why,if it applies in a distant country like Ireland it can't be extended to here (& the UK)

 

[totd]

Don't forget the Netherlands. For speedy transit through customs, you just need to be from a highly trustworthy country. Which seems silly to me, given that the Australian ePassport boths and the Global Entry Kiosks are technologically similar.

 

[Swanhaven]

LAX is a joke, especially with 2 or 3 QANTAS flights arriving at the same time - my last experience was 1 hour 55 minutes. JFK is no better - the BEST is DFW - if your off the aircraft early you can be through in 10 minutes - just really great.

 

[JohnPhelan]

It's good to know that some people are able to benefit from the preclearance system
Preclearance Locations - CBP.gov which makes me ask again why,if it applies in a distant country like Ireland it can't be extended to here (& the UK)

It exists at SNN because BA pays for it. I'm sure the US CBP would be happy to do a similar thing in Australia, if QF, VA and UA were prepared to pay for it!

 

[JT0511]

Most replies so far seem to accept the status quo. Sure, an hour standing in a queue isn't a long time if you're spending a few days or more in the USA (as I did in Oct/Nov) but when you are subject to treatment which is at best inconsiderate at worst Rude then it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

When on arrival at JFK On 15 Oct I eventually reached a CBP officer, he interrupted his examination of me to produce his diary and write a note reminding him to claim for a missed meal break.

Have any other members had similar experiences, and if so, what if anything did they do about them? I've kept quiet until now as there seem to be no avenues for lodging grievances or even feedback. And of course you don't want to be blacklisted if you wish to visit the States again.