 Poster: A snowHead
|
I was watching Departure Lounge on BBC1 last Friday and heard the news that from the 4th October onwards, you are required to know the exact address ( right down to the Zip code ) of where you will be staying on your first night. This news is published on their website. However, I emailed the foreign office to ask for confirmation and they replied that there is no mention of this change in their current advice.
Anybody else hear this news, as it will affect large numbers of skiers heading to the US this season ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Timberwolf, yup, they announced it a couple of months ago. Best idea - write the address on your luggage labels before leaving home, then just read them out when you are checking in. Make sure you put the address on your carry on bags as well, just in case they ask you at immigration as well (i.e. before you pick up your bags)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
I really like that programme Departure Lounge, must be one of the best holiday progs around. I also used to like the one where viewers suggested the best places to visit in a particular city and the presenters went and visited them. Good idea.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Also be prepeared to be abused, locked up and of course, hear the sound of the marigold being snapped around the wrist.
TIP: Avoid Miami airport
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Timberwolf, I got sent info on APIS through work, I think, but here's the details...
APIS information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And what happens if you don't know 'cos your going to arrange your accomodation on an ad hoc basis? Or your using the tent that is with your luggage? One more reason not to go to the USA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blimey WTFH, that sure looks like a Government document if ever I saw one !!
According to the US customs website they're now saying that Hotel name and city is will be acceptable ??? which is pretty much what you have to provide now isn't it??
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Timberwolf, the difference is that in the past, you only needed to give that information on the visa paperwork that you handed over at immigration in the US.
From next month, you have to give that information at check-in.
The airline then transmits it to US CBP before you get ther.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I flown to the US countless times. I've never had a reservation as like so many people I like to go with the flow & book in somewhere on route on the first night.
My get around for the paperwork.
I allways know what Airport im going to be arriving at in the US ie; Denver, LA, New York etc.
Before I depart I look-up & make a note of the Name & address , phone number of a Major Hotel Chain in town ie Hilton,Marriott. I use this address on the forms.
If theres any questions & I have never had any in over 100 trips.
If they ask if the address is correct where you will be staying
DONT say you HAVE a reservation unless they specifically say RESERVATION, Say you INTEND to stay there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
Also be prepeared to be abused, locked up and of course, hear the sound of the marigold being snapped around the wrist.
TIP: Avoid Miami airport |
Another tip: Avoid Boston and Washington Dulles - they are both dreadfull to get through. I Travelled to Virginia a couple of weeks ago and connected through Charlotte North Carolina, it was a doddle - 45 minutes from landing to clearing immigration and Customs with checked baggage ( still missed our connection but that's another story ). I have taken nearly 2 hours recently to get from the aircraft through Boston immigration and Customs.
CP
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
Iagree entirely with Stanton,once you know the rules and how to get around them, it should be no problem. As said everyone has,for as long as I can remember, had to fill in the first nights stay details on the Visa Waiver form, all that is happening now is that they are accelerating the time that you have to give that information. My recent journeys have been through Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orlando. No real problem. I have waited longer at Heathrow to clear Immigration and even Edinburgh (where it used to be a walk through) was getting to American style times last time I came back.........look at the positives at least your luggage (assuming the airline have not lost it) is waiting for you when you get there (unless it is Edinburgh when you wait for that as well)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colin, Have to agree about the return to the UK. Couple of weeks ago came back through Gatwick and the queue to get through UK/EU passport control was dreadful. Looked like the non EU/UK folks were getting processed quicker than us.
CP
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
CP, Go through Bournemouth International, no queues, no immigration and not even the customs man had turned up!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
boredsurfin, Good plan, how are the direct flights to Roanoke Virginia  Joking aside I extended my trip and flew down to Sarasota in Florida for the weeknd to stay with friends. The check in etc on the way back was a piece of cake compared to the Boston, Washington and/or JFK experiences I have had.
CP
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Thu 29-09-05 8:58; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
I find Cinncinnati ok as a gateway, no problems at all I've heard to to avoid Houston tho', Golf buddies had a nighmare there..!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
CP, Seriously keep an eye on B'mths development. I'am told it is the longest runway in the South after BDN, LHR, and LGW ).
Bristol is already doing Trans-atlantic flights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Bournemouth is an emergency runway for the London airports, it's runway is long enough for a fully loaded 747 to take off and land, it's actually used as a maintenance site by a number of airlines as there's no one living close enough to be worried when jet engines are run up to full power when being tested
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
boredsurfin, It would be very handy for us, a lot easier than the slog up to Thiefrow or Gatwick.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
CP, Even easier if Boscombe Down goes commercial 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Best way to avoid the problems of flying into the USA is to avoid flying into the USA. Apparently Canada has good snow too 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowbunny, Ever been to Newquay Airport? One could say that the facilities are a little terminal, in more ways than one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
| Manda wrote: |
| Best way to avoid the problems of flying into the USA is to avoid flying into the USA. Apparently Canada has good snow too |
Yup. Canada is far better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| JT wrote: |
| I find Cinncinnati ok as a gateway, no problems at all I've heard to to avoid Houston tho', Golf buddies had a nighmare there..!! |
Agreed. A nice female baggage attendant helped carry my skis to the arrivals desk at Cincinnati the last time. Salt Lake City is quite friendly too. New York and San Francisco are not.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Well, to be fair my one and only experience with USA airports was LA back in 2000, i.e. *before* 11/9, but LAX was so stressful that it put me off ever transiting major USA hubs again (entering Heathrow was painless by comparison!). I now always travel to NZ in the other direction - Tokyo Narita airport last time was wonderful! Am looking forward to going through HK this year.... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CP,
Absolutely right about Washington Dulles - a 2 hour lineup at immigration last time I went through.
I've also noticed that on returning to the UK that Mrs A (Japanese national) clears Heathrow immigration faster than I do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Manda, I went to LA with Air NZ in the summer and it was no trouble at all. I cleared immigration in around 15 minutes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
snowbunny, here is a picture of the main/only terminal at Newquay
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Frosty the Snowman, I'll bet that they don't take your picture in that, like they do at Bournemouth check in 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
's ) 
