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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:
Isitnearlyweekend · 12/10/2019 08:07

The queues are long and the immigration officials can be rude and unfriendly. They are probably fed up of dealing with idiots though. The security is not an issue. I’d rather do whatever I have to to be safe. I’ve never queued for more than an hour. It’s really not a big deal. Go and enjoy your visit. Regarding being pulled out for extra checks, it’s totally random according to my son who is a check in/boarding agent at Manchester.

PositiveVibez · 12/10/2019 08:08

When we flew to florida, our flight got in about 45 early. There were no officials because they weren't expecting is. So add 45 minutes on to the queue time. Then we had dogs walking up and down the line, sniffing about.

The kids were so excited to be there, and the officials were joyless pricks. It took hours to get through. That apart of the airport was horrible. Tiles missing off the ceiling. Hardly any light.

I hated it.

I'll never go again, but that's because I detest flying, but yeah - wasn't a nice experience all round.

SimonJT · 12/10/2019 08:09

When buying your flight socks remember to take a tape measure, they are only effective when the they are sized via the measurements of your ankles and calves.

Original poster
wondering7777 · 12/10/2019 08:15

When buying your flight socks remember to take a tape measure, they are only effective when the they are sized via the measurements of your ankles and calves.

So I need to measure my ankles and calves before I go? I would never have thought of that!

OP posts:
SimonJT · 12/10/2019 08:16

Yes, compression needed is based on the size of your legs, socks that don’t require your measurements will not reduce the chance of DVT.

RichPetunia · 12/10/2019 08:18

Not JFK but Sanford . Officials are very serious and sniffer dogs checked the queue I was in. Don't joke, answer questions honestly and get through.

plunkplunkfizz · 12/10/2019 08:19

Are you this anxious generally or is it something about JFK?

The TSA aren’t so much “joyless pricks” as much as they are just taking their, quite often difficult and important but horribly underpaid (and sometimes unpaid), job seriously. If you treat the process seriously and with respect it takes seconds, minutes at worst, for the vast majority of people.

Turquoisetamborine · 12/10/2019 08:21

Well we did once experience 2.5 hour wait for immigration at Atlanta airport. We missed our connection because of it. We now will only do indirect flights through smaller airports where it’s likely to be quicker or leave at least three hours for connecting flights. My son was distraught when we had missed our flight because of it and we missed a night of our holiday because of it.

hoxtonbabe · 12/10/2019 08:21

@L0gCab1n2

I wonder if it is only in certain terminals? I was last there a couple years ago and the E-gates were there as soon as you got into the area, you couldn’t miss them.

I’m not sure about now but when we went there wasn’t any clear directions for families to go to a particular section to queue, we were all queuing up (40 minutes) for the E-gates, got there then was sent to the other queue with the border security as my youngest son was the issue, and the lady on Security mentioned it’s because of him, he can’t use the E-gates etc.

So why not just send all families With children under 16 straight to the security like they do in other countries. However I’d like to think they have now clearly sign posted who needs to queue where.

user1471504234 · 12/10/2019 08:26

Seconding the ‘calm and polite’ advice. Smile, don’t joke, don’t panic if they start asking lots of questions as that is normal. Last time I flew to the US (Boston, similar to JFK), I was asked questions about why I was there, who I was visiting, the occupation of my friend I was staying with etc. Make sure you know offhand the dates of your visit.
Having said that, I’m pretty sure I only got questioned last time as I had less than 6 months left on my passport which meant I couldn’t use the electronic gates. You’ll be fine!
Make sure you have done your ESTA!

PocketMoneyMonster · 12/10/2019 08:28

I flew into New York on an internal flight and that was relatively painless.

LAX was diabolical. I think it did take around 2 hours. We were absolutely exhausted as had travelled for 20 hours. It was chaotic and slow. Queues weren't signposted properly. There was no explanation of whether we had to use the machines or not. Awful.

Houston was quick and quiet - I think we were lucky.

They do tend to ask questions though, which immedialtely makes me feel like a criminal. I suddenly have no idea where I came from and why I'm there Grin

W0rriedMum · 12/10/2019 08:29

I've been several times and the queue ranges from 15 mins to 3 hours. The worst time to land seems to be 8pm - earlier or later seems better.
As everyone else says, play it straight, show respect and never say you're there to "work", it's business or client meetings. I also got questioned once about having very little luggage (a 3 day trip).

Original poster
wondering7777 · 12/10/2019 08:30

Are you this anxious generally or is it something about JFK?

I get anxious about flying generally - I really hate it! I’ve never actually done a long haul flight before either. Nothing to do with JFK in particular, although I have heard it’s a very daunting/intimidating process going through security in the USA. From what people have said though it sounds much the same as most other airports?

OP posts:
L0gCab1n2 · 12/10/2019 08:30

Hoxton maybe they do that now. Seem to remember two queues and families being directed down one.

Op I would allow plenty of time to get back and through JFK on your return. Traffic can be a nightmare and security does take a long time although constantly moving. There was a family stressed in front of us as they had clearly not left enough time. Their huge bag full of baby food was being examined, not unreasonably and I suspect if they’d had more time wouldn’t have been an issue. Not easy if you have a connection I guess but I’d rather be safe. They are thorough but I found that reassuring.

Original poster
wondering7777 · 12/10/2019 08:32

They do tend to ask questions though, which immedialtely makes me feel like a criminal. I suddenly have no idea where I came from and why I'm there

I’m the same - I literally go blank! Blush Will I need the name of our AirBnB host to hand? I will need to check my paperwork if so as have no idea what it is off the top of my head!

OP posts:
GREATAUNT1 · 12/10/2019 08:32

So you should be with the tips the cheeky cunts expect for doing fuck all!

It’s Miami you need to fear not NYC, they’ll give you a jolly good patting down & shout at anyone who steps out of line. These paranoid bastards are on a real power trip.

Original poster
wondering7777 · 12/10/2019 08:34

So you should be with the tips the cheeky cunts expect for doing fuck all!

Surely border/customs officials don’t expect you to tip? Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
wondering7777 · 12/10/2019 08:35

@SimonJT thanks so much as I would never have known that Flowers

OP posts:
L0gCab1n2 · 12/10/2019 08:36

The flight itself is a doddle. Easiest flight I’ve done without a shadow of a doubt. I hate tiny planes and obviously these are bigger, turbulence almost non existent although I get that is weather dependant. That said all the flights at diff tunes of the year to the west coast have been bumpy. This was a much smoother experience. By the time you’ve had your meal and watched a film it’s nearly over. I’ve started using puzzle books on take off and landing alongside watching something funny with the noise cranked up.

Honestly I’m the most nervous flier out( have vomited with fear in the past) and I almost enjoyed it. Landing in NYC helps too.Smile How long are you there for?

ThornsWithin · 12/10/2019 08:36

It’s no worse than anywhere else in my opinion queue wise.
The officials are hit and miss. One time we got a very strict bloke who made no jokes, asked the kids questions, questioned why their surnames were different to mine etc etc

Another time we got a woman who, while you could sense she wouldn’t be messed with, made jokes, made nice comments about my sons t-shirt (it had an American flag on it) and then laughed because my sons finger prints wouldn’t come up on their system. She told him not to worry as she wouldn’t kick him out, as it wasn’t worth the paperwork lol

Prizepudding · 12/10/2019 08:37

I get this nervous flying in to the US too but it’s always been fine, JFK was much quicker and relaxed compared to Florida. TSA even wished me a happy birthday.

My tip is make sure you use the loo prior to landing, we found there was no toilets until you clear immigration and we were lucky it was only a 20 minute wait for us

L0gCab1n2 · 12/10/2019 08:37

Yes I’d have your address handy. Will help with the taxi out too.

ThornsWithin · 12/10/2019 08:38

Btw don’t try to make jokes. If you get the wrong one they will question you further if you do. My ex mother in law answered “when do you intend to leave the USA?” With “Never!!” ... he was not amused and started asking further questions.

ThornsWithin · 12/10/2019 08:39

That was Florida btw.

L0gCab1n2 · 12/10/2019 08:39

There are loos prior to immigration, my dd left her phone in the one we used.🙄 But many will want to use it and if you want to get out quicker go before you land.

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