Unwelcoming US sees sharp drop in tourism numbers

[straitman]

If you look at the USA as the human body then LAX is certainly the rectum.

And we're all treated as if we're just passing through :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

I'm really having trouble getting this thought out of my head.

Not sure if I'll ever be able to keep a straight face when travelling through LAX in future.

 

[stryker]

I have to say that LAX is one of the better entry points to the USA.
You can have a bit of fun with most of the Immigration officials.

HNL seems to be the worst IMHO (been there 5 times this year so far).

And I visit the US about 10 times a year...

 

[straitman]

I have to say that LAX is one of the better entry points to the USA.
You can have a bit of fun with most of the Immigration officials.

HNL seems to be the worst IMHO (been there 5 times this year so far).

And I visit the US about 10 times a year...

My only entry/exit points have been SFO, BOS, HNL and LAX and I would have to rate them in that order with LAX a distant last.

 

[NM]

My only entry/exit points have been SFO, BOS, HNL and LAX and I would have to rate them in that order with LAX a distant last.

Hmm, thinking about my US entries, I just realised that all except two have been into LAX, and all bar two of those have been into TBIT :evil: . I had one entry into RDU back in the late 90's, and one into DFW this year. So perhaps my experiences with US Immigration processing has been somewhat tainted by the very heavy weighting of LAX TBIT arrivals (well in excess of 20 times).

I don't have any problem with being finger-printed. But I really do believe that if there is value in finger-printing me whenever I enter the USA, then they should also finger-print their own citizens. Yes, I understand that under the US constitution there are limitations on doing such for US citizens, but that just shows the difference in how the US authorities perceive they should treat those who are not US citizens. I does make me feel like I am being accused of some crime and have to prove my innocence each time I enter by submitting to finger-printing and photographic image comparison.

now could you imaging how many crime could be solved it they were to finger-print everyone who entered the USA, and not just the "aliens"? At least they seem to have replaced all the "Alien" signs with "Visitor" signs at LAX arrivals.

O yeah, and the use of the word "paroled" on the US entry stamp is another thing that makes me feel like I am treated as a criminal.

 

[SeatBackForward]

You might be surprised when you get there as my only problem with Americans is the customs and immigration at LAX. I travel to the USA and Canada (Vancouver) frequently and the people, especially those in country areas of USA are very nice people.

Also, depending on what part of Canada you are going, but if Vancouver, instead of crossing at the Peace Arch which is the main crossing point and can sometimes take more than 45 mins to cross due to traffic etc, you might consider driving east along Canada 1 highway from Vancouver about 30mins, turn right into 264th Street (Aldergrove Bellingham Road) as the border crossing there invariably only has three or four vehicles before me when I cross. You then continue down 264th, which changes at the border to Guide Meridian Road (539th) to Bellingham, Seattle etc. Saves a lot of time.

Thanks for the tip, I suspect I'll end up catching the train from Seattle to Vancouver, I'm not a business travel budget, in fact quite the opposite, and will probably be backpacking from this one after having spent what money I do have in Japan!

 

[SeatBackForward]

To quote the latest South Park episodes "Terrorists are attacking Americas Imagination" I'm looking forward to seeing what they actually do in fact - Immigration that is (not the Imagination terrorists)

 

[Maca44]

Thanks for the tip, I suspect I'll end up catching the train from Seattle to Vancouver, I'm not a business travel budget, in fact quite the opposite, and will probably be backpacking from this one after having spent what money I do have in Japan!

Get to Seattle Amtrak Station early as the daily train to Vancouver BC leaves about 7.30am and costs about AUD$35 one way, which is not a bad price for a coach seat on a train. A friend did this trip and said the scenery was excellent, as apposed to the I5 highway. From memory, I think passports get checked before the train departs Seatte.

 

[JohnK]

If foreigners were made to feel welcome maybe they would have more tourists. The people are friendly enough but it is more the people in authority that is the problem like TSA, customs and border protection and also being treated like a criminal including fingerprinting etc.

 

[Mal]

Here's my small sample:

I have entered the US 3 times this year - every time flying into JFK.

Out of the three officers I had, none have been bad and none treated me badly or belittled me.

Two out of the three officers have been very curious about who I work for/what sort of job I do once they realise I travel way too much for leisure/pleasure. The last entry was 3 days after my previous entry (quick side trip to the UK), but that didn't raise any questions until the agent accidentally flipped to the same page as the previous US stamp to stamp me in. A couple of questions later, and everything was ok.

I didn't have any issues visiting HNL for a short trip (4 days I think) last year, except for the officer wanting proof I was intending to leave.

I'm not a huge fan of the U.S visiting experience, but to me the systems run ok (including the TSA and their crazy rules). They are definately rough, but once you are used to the TSA and how they work, the queues run smoothly. Of course they could be improved though!