U.S. Immigration. WTF?

[KennDodd]

Why are they so rude?

Kind of regretting booking this trip now. I love America, it's a beautiful country but I just don't think it's worth the aggression at the airport when there are so many other great places in the world. I have never found airport security staff rude and aggressive like this, not anywhere I've travelled and they arguably has an even more important job of keeping planes safe. I've never had such treatment in any other countries either (not been to Russia though). I wouldn't mind so much if it was just me shouted at for nothing but I don't want my children treated badly. I think we'll do this trip and just make it our last to the USA.

Probably for the best if you find border security questions problematic

KennDodd I know you’ve had a bad experience in the past but I think you’re worrying a lot about a trip that isn’t for quite some time yet.

Did you say you’re flying into SFO? DH flies through there a lot with work and always does immigration there when he comes back from Asia, he doesn’t have global entry and he’s always been processed politely. And there are so many others on this thread that fly to the US frequently and haven’t had a bad experience. I know it’s happen to you before but it’s not a given that you’re going to be yelled at.

Maybe you can prepare the kids and tell them that the agent is trying to spot bad guys and has a lot of people to get through so they might ask them some questions and they might be a bit grumpy. BIL says this to his kids and I thought it was quite a good idea.

Then focus on planning the fun stuff rather than worrying about the border which, not including the queuing, is literally 5 minutes of your holiday.

You've ignored the MANY people saying they've never had a problem. Glad you aren't coming back.

It's probably for the best you don't go back after such trauma .

I travelled with DH before we were married and were questioned extensively about why I wasn’t married to him, was I getting married etc... they only shut up when they realised that his Dad was in the UK military based in America and then couldn’t have been nicer. So unnecessary.

I do think not going on the trip is over the top though - you can’t guarantee you won’t be met with rudeness anywhere. So if you’re going to rule out countries because of rudeness you might experience the world might get very small for you!

We flew from SFO just a couple of weeks ago and had no issues at all, everyone was very pleasant and helpful so much so I tweeted our thanks so please don’t worry

on arriving in New York in 2014 my 74 year old mum couldn't get the fingerprint machine to get a decent print from her fingers so she was taken off into a room by several very serious looking immigration officers. She reappeared half an hour later looking very stressed, they'd tried many times to get some prints, and finally tried some different method and it worked. She said her passport was passed around different officers and they asked her lots of questions, she was terrified. Not the best start to our holiday! I appreciate they have an important job to do, however I'm worried it would happen again if we return so am slightly put off by the US now.

@KennDodd , not really sure international travel is for you. There are people abroad who have priorities other than your comfort and convenience and your children might be put in situations where, temporarily, their needs and their peace of mind isn't the number one priority.

@bellinisurge woke up in a mood have you?
I'm well travelled and been to the US many times and if they're not downright rude the best you can hope for is a surly attitude. These little lowly paid people actually have great power and love to let you know it.
The exception was a stopover at Bangor Maine. Lovely staff everywhere.

Nice @llangennith . If a person is not going to the US again purely because of a possible bumpy ride at immigration, it is a bit over sensitive. And, since the op went there, not a good lesson in resilience for their children.

FWIW, I've also been to the US many times since the late seventies, including through JFK. They've actually been nicer recently. And I've been through immigration into the Soviet Union, as was, where sternness was the rule but, in my experience, the officials often cracked a smile.

The way things are at the moment I’m not looking forward to our upcoming visit.

Wait till we "take back control of our borders" and are worried about naice EU people overstaying their welcome.

I have never had an issue with the US border control. It is getting back in the UK or leaving it I have the problem.

In fact I have the problem with getting back into the UK.

Always got stopped and asked loads of questions, luggage searched.

Even when you are walking through a deserted customs hall someone will jump out and stop me.

Although recently I have taken to going through without a certain things that I normally have on and I have got through without a hassle

@Oliversmumsarmy if I understood you correctly 😞
I'm sorry that you have to change what you wear to not be hassled

The way things are at the moment I’m not looking forward to our upcoming visit

@LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD

How are things now? Why?

LadyBrienneofTarth at least I know.

I actually hate the UK

I know I don’t look English (white and was born here but family are immigrants)
But i get followed round stores all the time by the store detective.

Even ask me to check my shopping on the way out.

I had to laugh in a supermarket self service till I had the person who was in charge of carrier bags and putting the tills right breathing down my neck. Not only was he not attending to the other customers but he hadn’t noticed the school kids loading their pockets with sweets and chocolate at the till backing on to mine.

I am a shoplifters dream

@solargain - just antics in the ME and threats of war... the usual nonsense!

@LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD why would that out you off going? Britain is hardly keeping its nose clean right now either!

Passports ... (taps nose). US immigration doesn’t like certain countries does it (especially when they are ten mins from launching attacks...)