Transit through US a good idea or not?

[DC3]

But there has been some reports of people with an ESTA being refused entry

Although, that is nothing new.

 

[clifford]

I’m never flying to or through the US for at least the next 4 years. Not worth the hassle, IMHO.

I think I've said this before, but I have no intention of going there ever again, even though I'm a UA 2MM (*G for life). The USA has made its decision to treat all foreigners badly, so I'm reacting to that. And my wife thinks I'm being too weak about it.

 

[Human]

I think I've said this before, but I have no intention of going there ever again, even though I'm a UA 2MM (*G for life). The USA has made its decision to treat all foreigners badly, so I'm reacting to that. And my wife thinks I'm being too weak about it.

Serious questions: what about the other nations that "treat all foreigners badly" but which haven't publicised it and/or where it hasn't been reported on by the media? I'm thinking of @drron 's harrowing Japan trip report, about the right of governmenrts such as China (including Hong Kong) to arbitrarily detain foreigners, about the many nations which persecute adherents to the non-predominant religion (or any religion) or on the basis of something else such as sexuality or political beliefs ... do you have a thought-through, intentional way of determining what does, and does not, constitute a level of xenophobia or human rights abuses which makes you unwilling to visit a country? To what extent do you research the official and unofficial ways that governments treat foreigners before you decide whether or not to visit? And do you distinguish between the countries which treat foreigners badly and the countries which treat their own citizens badly, and if so, how? So are you unwilling to visit a country that locks up its own citizens but which generally treats foreigners better, or is it just the other way around?

I'm not having a go at you: as a fellow, but less-experienced traveller, I genuinely want to know how you work out which countries to visit and not to visit.

 

[TomVexille]

Correct me if I'm wrong but there have been no reports of people being randomly refused entry since about late March? And no reports of people who are merely transiting being refused entry at all?

I would have no qualms whatsoever about transiting through the USA if the price is right.

No, there was an Aussie just the other day who was on her way to visit her American husband

 

[Pushka]

No, there was an Aussie just the other day who was on her way to visit her American husband

Maybe they thought in this situation that she was intending to stay and not leave.

 

[Katie]

I had (and still do have) some reservations about visiting the US, but entered DFW 10 days ago without incident. The usual level of questions that I've had over the past 30 years and more than 50 entries into the US.

One time I had issues was in the late 90s, due to how much luggage I had after spending 3 months in Europe in winter, they didn't believe I'd only stay for 3 days. But I was let in.

 

[drron]

I had one occasion going through LAX. First got my little ticket from a machine then walked up to the agent who took my passport,looked at me and said I am not going to let you enter today,threw my passport at me and told me lodly now get out of here. felt bit anxious as mrsdrron was already through immigration . I walked down the line of booths. amazed no one stopped me and wen through a booth out of sight of the first officer. Had no problems at all. The first fellow obviously was having a bad day. it was pre covid as we haven't been back since.

We won't be going back but because we have been to all 50 States and with our medical problems travel insurance is just too expensive.

 

[RB001]

... The first fellow obviously was having a bad day...

Must've been a Giants fan.

 

[gaz0303]

News articles this week about a traveller being refused entry in the US are actually dated from 2022. I would have no issues transiting through the US. My experiences have been simple and no worse than SYD in peak hour. Just add up the amount of time you are spending in a metal tube along with total travel time. Is the 10k worth the addition time?

 

[trooper]

No, there was an Aussie just the other day who was on her way to visit her American husband

And apparently travelling on an ESTA. Why not a Spousal visa? Regardless of relationship status she couldn't legally stay on that document... yet surely the risk of her doing so (with her internet husband) must be seen as unacceptably high? We don't see it I suppose but my understanding is that Aussie immigration is JUST as strict and untrusting. Like so many others (who you do NOT hear about) I arrived at LAX in february this year and the immigration experience was no different to any of the 50 plus others over the last 20 years. Well..except for that new Mobile Passport Control thing. Thats an app worth having!

 

[dajop]

There does seem to be slightly higher risk if you have some form of linkage to the US but don't have approval to live there permanently (such as spouse is American, student visas, working visas etc) rather than tourists per se, and don't see too many (any?) in relation to those transitting and hopping straight onto another flight out of the US (why would they need to deport you, much cheaper to let you go on your merry way in a couple of hours time?) . The issues faced by genuine tourists seem no more frequent than they have been in the past.

 

[SYD]

There does seem to be slightly higher risk if you have some form of linkage to the US but don't have approval to live there permanently (such as spouse is American, student visas, working visas etc) rather than tourists per se, and don't see too many (any?) in relation to those transitting and hopping straight onto another flight out of the US (why would they need to deport you, much cheaper to let you go on your merry way in a couple of hours time?) . The issues faced by genuine tourists seem no more frequent than they have been in the past.

Yes, there’s no doubt a “go tough on illegal immigration” edict and certain red flags are designed to weed out the sus arrivals.

I suspect 99.9% of Oz PP holders arriving on the 5+ or so daily QF flights to the US enter without issue. But the media doesn’t report that…

 

[LondonAussie]

We don't see it I suppose but my understanding is that Aussie immigration is JUST as strict and untrusting.

I've had British & European friends visit Australia who all said the interrogation and searches they received entering Australia was far worse than any questions they got at the US border. Though turns out they were referring to our very thorough customs checks, not the passports/immigration part.

 

[SYD]

I've had British & European friends visit Australia who all said getting into Australia was worse than anything they had in America. Though turns our they were referring to our very thorough customs checks, not the passports/immigration part.

We’ve probably all had the 3rd degree arriving at LHR… Thanks be to eGates!

 

[drron]

News articles this week about a traveller being refused entry in the US are actually dated from 2022. I would have no issues transiting through the US. My experiences have been simple and no worse than SYD in peak hour. Just add up the amount of time you are spending in a metal tube along with total travel time. Is the 10k worth the addition time?

And she was going to house sit but was on a tourist visa hence refused entry.