US immigration queues

[CarbonMan]

Don't get me started about immigration queues in the US ... okay, I'm started ... Was at EWR two weeks ago, post Thanksgiving. Normally, queues at about 5pm are quite thin at Terminal B. But because it was post Thanksgiving, there was a line of at least 250-300 pax. The officers somehow felt that they were doing what was beyond their call of duty and were going very slowly and deliberately with each pax. They way they stamped the passports was like sending morse code in slow motion. To top it off, they also disallowed everyone from using their mobiles (i.e. reading mail) - someone give me a valid reason please - it's not like they have any navigational devices! It took me slightly over an hour just to clear immigration.

[9V-SIA]

Must have been terrible after an 18 hour flight. Not the norm though. SQ22 usually clears very fast IME

[CarbonMan]

Must have been terrible after an 18 hour flight. Not the norm though. SQ22 usually clears very fast IME

Yes, you're right 9V-SIA. Normally, it's a walk in the park.

[Wan1dap]

Do you have an APEC card? I've used it at SFO to avoid the queues.

[CarbonMan]

Do you have an APEC card? I've used it at SFO to avoid the queues.

Yes, that's a good idea indeed, Wan1dap. I know of it but I need to get it done in my home country .... a little bit of a hassle. I don't do much travel within Asia, so apart from the US, I won't have much use of it, hence the reluctance of taking the trouble of applying for it.

I need to find out if it can be done through the post.

[Wan1dap]

They're done by post even if you're in-country, (at least in NZ they are) so I would think it will work.

[CarbonMan]

They're done by post even if you're in-country, (at least in NZ they are) so I would think it will work.

Thanks, Wan1dap. Good to know. My home country is Malaysia ....

[SQtraveller]

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[jyflyer]

I've entered US via PHL, IAD, JFK, EWR, SFO, LAX, IAH and SEA over the past 3 years and I found SEA to be the fastest!

[CarbonMan]

I've entered US via PHL, IAD, JFK, EWR, SFO, LAX, IAH and SEA over the past 3 years and I found SEA to be the fastest!

Why do you think that's the reason, jyflyer? Fewer people go there?

[Kyo]

Breezed through ORD a few days ago

[SQtraveller]

Ever get annoyed at TSA screeners

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[Kyo]

Good on him!

[CarbonMan]

Maybe this guy went a bit over the top!

Police: Man strips naked at Oregon airport in TSA protest

+111

As an aside, the metal detectors in Changi seem to be been tuned for higher sensitivity these days. It beeped on my because of a 5-cent coin.

[cscs1956]

Don't get me started about immigration queues in the US ... okay, I'm started ... Was at EWR two weeks ago, post Thanksgiving. Normally, queues at about 5pm are quite thin at Terminal B. But because it was post Thanksgiving, there was a line of at least 250-300 pax. The officers somehow felt that they were doing what was beyond their call of duty and were going very slowly and deliberately with each pax. They way they stamped the passports was like sending morse code in slow motion. To top it off, they also disallowed everyone from using their mobiles (i.e. reading mail) - someone give me a valid reason please - it's not like they have any navigational devices! It took me slightly over an hour just to clear immigration.

Could not remember in USA (will be going soon). But I think most airport do not allow handphone/mobiles at the immigration area. Is a controlled area. You should be able to see no handphone sign around.