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Original poster

Nervous about flying to USA

77 replies

wondering7777 · 12/10/2019 06:04

I’m due to travel to the USA next week and am feeling quite anxious about it. I’ve never been to the US before and will be flying into JFK. I’ve heard the security when you land is really intense, with three hour queues to get through customs and really scary US officials.

Has anyone had any experience of flying into JFK - do you really have to queue for that long and is it as intimidating as they say?

I’m also nearly 12 weeks pregnant and forgot to buy those special socks for the flight - will I be able to buy them at the airport in the UK?

Any other tips you have for flying to NYC would be very welcome!

OP posts:
JessicaPeach · 12/10/2019 06:16

I've been quite a few times and it's no problem, queues are hit and miss depending on what time you land. I believe there's a lot of queuing at the moment. It's not intense but American immigration is not the time to make jokes about what you've got hidden in your suitcase! I've always found them reasonably pleasant, nothing to worry about.

Yes you can buy the socks in the airport

eurochick · 12/10/2019 06:19

The queues can be very long. It's pot luck whether you end up landing at the same time as other planes.

The last time I flew to the US the immigration officials were noticeably less unpleasant that on previous occasions. Just be polite and calm.

You should be able to buy flight socks in Boots. On the flight drink plenty and move around.

justheretostalk · 12/10/2019 06:21

JFK was quick and super easy in my experience. LAX on the other hand was what nightmares are made of..

RunsForGummyBears · 12/10/2019 06:25

My shortest queue through immigration was at JFK - we just walked through and saw someone without waiting. Longest was SFO.

It's pot luck. Don't worry about it, but go to the toilet beforehand just in case. 😉

TipseyTorvey · 12/10/2019 06:34

I got into the habit of getting off the plane at jfk and absolutely sprinting to passport control so my suggestion is wear trainers and take a good book in case you still get stuck in the queue. Security are very serious and do not take well to sarcasm or jokes (I learnt to my cost) so just answer all questions absolutely straight and they're fine.

PooWillyBumBum · 12/10/2019 06:39

Longest queues I’ve ever had were in Miami.

JFK staff were a bit stern and interrogative both times “why are you here?” “Isn’t it a long way to come for a few days shopping?” “What do you do for work?/how did you afford the trip?” Etc but all fine and nothing to worry about really.

I think they’re meant to be a bit scary to intimidate those doing something naughty.

Don’t remember the queues being particularly long.

SmallPinkBear · 12/10/2019 06:42

Don’t worry about a queue. As everyone else has mentioned sometimes it is long and sometimes it isn’t, the longest I have queued is about 90 minutes. And I would say that the hoarder control guards aren’t the friendliest but they aren’t scary, I would describe more as grumpy (but then I am normally excited and want to chat and they don’t). There is really nothing to worry about. Just go and have an amazing time

Lollypalooza · 12/10/2019 06:45

When I went to New York this summer we flew via Dublin (Newcastle to Dublin then on to JFK) with Aer Lingus. They have a special US Flights area and you clear US immigration right there in Dublin airport before departing. As others say- a few questions about the length and purpose of your visit and so on. There were no queues. Then you were through to an area with all US Flights- Boston, Chicago etc and ours to New York. Once we landed in JFK we then walked straight off the plane and out the door, as though we’d been on a local flight, didn’t even show passports anywhere and our baggage carousel was past the security doors.
Obviously too late for this time but for future and for others reading this, flying via Dublin and clearing US Immingration there was very quick and easy and made landing in JFK a doddle.

PineappleLumps · 12/10/2019 06:46

The immigration officers are fine, They’ll ask why your there and when your leaving. I’ve had friendly ones, not so friendly ones etc

Also the que is usually 30-60 mins depending on how busy it is.

hoxtonbabe · 12/10/2019 07:00

i would say of all the countries I’ve been to the USA were the most stem, grumpy, interrogative as most have said. The last trip, the children and I ( and one was 18 at the time) I was pulled out the queue to get fingerprints, face recognition and all sorts done, but that said I never waited in the queue for 3 hours, mine was around 90 minutes, but I guess it depends on the time and day you arrive.

You’ll be fine. To be honest they were the least of my worries, the terrible customer service and attitude by the flight attendants on the codeshare virgin flight back ( I can’t remember if it was AA or UA) was far more stressful and I was stuck with that lot for 7 hours.

zippyswife · 12/10/2019 07:07

No advice but I’m also flying to jfk next week and a bit anxious so you’re not alone. I’m sure it will be fine for us both.

stucknoue · 12/10/2019 07:11

Carry a letter confirming your pregnancy, if you feel unwell queuing they may allow you to use the us queue - I was further along when I flew in (we lived there at the time) they saw my bump and sent me to the front, the screaming toddler helped I suspect. They won't be able to tell you are pregnant hence the note

CormacMcLaggen · 12/10/2019 07:18

My cousin was detained by security on arrival at JFK because she they couldn't understand why a young woman was travelling alone. Hmm she's just independent and loves travel! They let her go eventually.

But I've had no problems when with family. And yes, don't make jokes, don't be sarcastic, and queues really are potluck.

You've got your electronic visa, right?

Original poster
wondering7777 · 12/10/2019 07:24

You've got your electronic visa, right?

Is that the ESTA? Yes, I sorted that a few weeks ago.

I was pulled out the queue to get fingerprints, face recognition and all sorts done

I wonder why they picked on you @hoxtonbabe! I always seem to be the person who sets off the metal detector and gets their bag searched. Nightmare! 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Weepingwillows12 · 12/10/2019 07:27

I went a few weeks back on BA to t7 and was fine. Asked a few questions about why I was there etc. Didnt have many people dealing with non US citizens initially but once the us citizens were done more people dealt with non US so sped up. Prob 30 mins. Went a few years ago and was an hour as 2 planes must have arrived together. Pot luck I guess.

Rosamund589 · 12/10/2019 07:33

It’s a lot quicker and less intimidating now they have electronic gates.

In the past, the border guard himself took your fingerprints and checked your customs form.

Now, all that is done at the electronic gates, and you then queue up to get to the border guard, who just asks how long you’ll be staying for and stamps your passport.

FizzyIce · 12/10/2019 07:33

You’ll be fine, it can be a bit daunting but some of the immigration staff are lovely , some are just very to the point .
Don’t be tempted to make any jokes which is what I do when I’m nervous , they don’t like that Hmm
Never waited 3 hours at jfk, maybe an hour but depends how many or their flights arrive at the same time .

FizzyIce · 12/10/2019 07:35

*other ...not “of their”
Hate this phone...

L0gCab1n2 · 12/10/2019 07:46

We have family on the West coast so have done that side a lot. Just did JFK this summer and it bore no relation to the hype I read on MN and was no different.

We arrived on a Fri evening on their busiest weekend in July. Q nothing special and moved quickly. Staff tired but absolutely fine( no shouting or grumpiness), in fact the officer doing our fingerprinting and taking picture was at the end of a massively long shift and chatted a bit whilst all 5 of us went through. We were there for a month and not staying in one place. He waved Dh’s v long typed up itinerary through without a glance.😂

All in all it was very quick and professional. The extra security at Heathrow to JFK was more stern as were the staff at arrivals flying into Copenhagen last summer.

Enjoy. I love that city. Taxi rank is very near and nothing special. They come very quickly. You’re in and out and en route to Manhattan in a blink of an eye.

hoxtonbabe · 12/10/2019 07:46

@wondering7777

I think she said it was because I had my son (the then 8 year old) Or something like that, we all including my 18 year old got finger printed etc.

Re the socks. I’m sure you can get them at boots in the airport

L0gCab1n2 · 12/10/2019 07:47

Border guard took our prints and photos. Didn’t see any electronic gates in July. Was really no big deal.Confused

L0gCab1n2 · 12/10/2019 07:52

In our q everybody was photographed and fingerprinted, was so quick. Was surely due to not having a US passport. All 5 of us in 10 mins.

Also don’t listen to fuss re flying out of JFK. The sky train is quick and easy, there is loads of seating, plenty of food outlets( including DunkinGrin) and free water. It’s clean with nice staff and well run. Found it a lot less stressful than Heathrow.

L0gCab1n2 · 12/10/2019 07:56

I really wouldn’t bother with flying out of Dublin. Landing in JFK is a doddle anyway and who would want extra travel just to get the same security questions in Dublin airport?Confused

KatherineJaneway · 12/10/2019 07:56

I've flown into JFK and it was fine. Staff were pleasant and got through quite quickly.

chipsandpeas · 12/10/2019 08:06

i flew into Jfk last year and it was fine, got through security in about 20 mins