LAX immigration kiosks

[kremin]

Hi all,

I'm getting a how to guide together for my niece & family's first trip overseas, they are stressing a bit about LAX

Can they use the kiosks at border control ? I remember a couple of years ago you had to have entered the states once before on that passport to be eligible.

The LAX and US Customs sites don't mention that anymore for Australian citizen s

Anyone know what the current situation is ?

Thanks in advance
K

 

[RooFlyer]

Hopefully someone with very recent experience can chime in, but my experience with the kiosks at LAX, and other US airports has been uneven.

Sometimes they have been available for use (and I've sailed through), other times they are sitting there, and everyone who arrived in the area with me were directed to a person behind a counter, for no apparent reason.

In general, LAX is a much better experience for both arriving and departing than it was a few years ago, so kiosk or no, you can re-assure them a bit.

 

[sausagefingers]

Yes, use the kiosk to do your fingerprints and a photo, answer some questions and then you will line up and someone will stamp your passport and maybe ask another question or two.

 

[Jurahn]

I went through LAX in March - I'd travelled to the US several times previously, but not on that passport as I'd recently renewed it. As I reached the immigration area, I asked one of the officials and they said it makes no difference now and that everyone is directed to the kiosks. As I expected (because I was travelling on a "new" passport), I received the "X" on the slip that the kiosk prints out, which means you then have to join the regular processing queues. Luckily the queues were fairly short, so didn't take me too long to get through.

 

[I love to travel]

Any experiences at ORD? New ETSA but same passport

 

[Moody]

Any experiences at ORD? New ETSA but same passport

General rule - if the kiosk has worked for you before on your current passport then give them a go. If not then don't waste your time. I missed a connection at DWF recently because by the time I queued up and failed to pass the kiosk test, the whole of the plane were now in front of me in the queue for the 2 staff who needed decent coffee even more than I did. When I asked him what gave at the kiosks, he said to not bother in future. Why? Because I have a common name! I think the inference was that there would be at least one red flag against someone with the same name.

USA = 3rd World Country

So - seat yourself as far forward as possible, power walk down to immigration, join the aliens queue for a real Agent .......... and if some toenail asks you to use the kiosks, then tell them "Only if you hold my place for me in this queue"

[OK - I may still be bitter and twisted about spending 5 unnecessary hours at DFW.]

 

[robtemt]

Even as a (possibly soon to be ex) USA Citizen, I Get confused. I don't find that the processing takes any less time, just the queue was less time... You still get the same number of questions, mumbles, sideway glances, and general disgruntled "I hate my job" attitude at immigration. It sucks. It's a waste of time. It's inefficient. Everyone knows it. If it weren't for my family back home, and the outlets, I'd never go back to the USA until they get their s&*t in order.

Here was the scene when we arrived in SIN two nights ago, the USA could really take a lesson from so many other places, if they didn't already know everything:

 

[drron]

In the last couple of years we have 3 arrivals at LAX-twice out of the terminal within 20 minutes.The last time with the same passport I got the X and had to go to an officer.A real p****.Wasn't going to let me in.As all AFFers know if you get knocked back by one agent give up and go to another-straight through.

One entry at ORD-on the kerb 5 minutes after reaching Immigration.

One at MIA-took 30 minutes but much,much better than previous arrivals in the USA.

 

[defurax]

When I asked him what gave at the kiosks, he said to not bother in future. Why? Because I have a common name! I think the inference was that there would be at least one red flag against someone with the same name.

You could always apply for a Redress Number: https://trip.dhs.gov/

As you fit this situation: "DHS TRIP can help resolve inconveniences resulting from name similarities by providing a Redress Control Number that allows systems to prevent such misidentifications from recurring."