quote:Originally posted by RobL
IMHO the ESTA site doensn't look very official at all.
No, it doesn't
You have to be really careful searching for the ESTA website. Many of the top results are for companies who will apply on your behalf for a -ahem- small* fee...
*$250 a pop. [:0] Money for old rope.....
Yes indeed Darren especially as you have to give the scammers the same, and probably more info, than ESTA actually needs.
Its shocking that two of the scam sites I looked at were charging $50 for a 'guide' on how to apply for one!
When I did my ESTA I used the link on the US Embassy site and that's where I tell anyone who needs one to go as they will get the most upto date info.
And Neil thats the benefit of an electronic system - no need to print anything out or that could be amended in anyway by a fraudster. I can't see any INS officer taking a printed off ESTA as fact - they will rely on the IT system - it is an electronic system afterall.
Its shocking that two of the scam sites I looked at were charging $50 for a 'guide' on how to apply for one!
When I did my ESTA I used the link on the US Embassy site and that's where I tell anyone who needs one to go as they will get the most upto date info.
And Neil thats the benefit of an electronic system - no need to print anything out or that could be amended in anyway by a fraudster. I can't see any INS officer taking a printed off ESTA as fact - they will rely on the IT system - it is an electronic system afterall.
Huzzah for International Jet-setting !
quote:Originally posted by Neil
We were not asked by Virgin at all for anything to do with ESTA, however the immigration official at MCO told us that we were already approved because of our ESTA, so they can obviously see it.
Being ESTA approved means nothing. I got hauled off off on 31.10.08 (despite having ESTA approval, and hard copies of the same in hand).
Horrible experience [n].
DL
We were not asked by Virgin at all for anything to do with ESTA, however the immigration official at MCO told us that we were already approved because of our ESTA, so they can obviously see it.
Being ESTA approved means nothing. I got hauled off off on 31.10.08 (despite having ESTA approval, and hard copies of the same in hand).
Horrible experience [n].
DL
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by Neil
We were not asked by Virgin at all for anything to do with ESTA, however the immigration official at MCO told us that we were already approved because of our ESTA, so they can obviously see it.
Being ESTA approved means nothing. I got hauled off off on 31.10.08 (despite having ESTA approval, and hard copies of the same in hand).
Horrible experience [n].
DL
Been there, done that - have seen secondary immigration in the US several times [xx(]
quote:Originally posted by Neil
We were not asked by Virgin at all for anything to do with ESTA, however the immigration official at MCO told us that we were already approved because of our ESTA, so they can obviously see it.
Being ESTA approved means nothing. I got hauled off off on 31.10.08 (despite having ESTA approval, and hard copies of the same in hand).
Horrible experience [n].
DL
Been there, done that - have seen secondary immigration in the US several times [xx(]
But did you hear the snap of the mdvipond rubber glove?
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by Neil
We were not asked by Virgin at all for anything to do with ESTA, however the immigration official at MCO told us that we were already approved because of our ESTA, so they can obviously see it.
Being ESTA approved means nothing. I got hauled off off on 31.10.08 (despite having ESTA approval, and hard copies of the same in hand).
Horrible experience [n].
DL
Been there, done that - have seen secondary immigration in the US several times [xx(]
Horrible, simply horrible.
DL
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by Neil
We were not asked by Virgin at all for anything to do with ESTA, however the immigration official at MCO told us that we were already approved because of our ESTA, so they can obviously see it.
Being ESTA approved means nothing. I got hauled off off on 31.10.08 (despite having ESTA approval, and hard copies of the same in hand).
Horrible experience [n].
DL
Been there, done that - have seen secondary immigration in the US several times [xx(]
Horrible, simply horrible.
DL
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by Neil
We were not asked by Virgin at all for anything to do with ESTA, however the immigration official at MCO told us that we were already approved because of our ESTA, so they can obviously see it.
Being ESTA approved means nothing. I got hauled off off on 31.10.08 (despite having ESTA approval, and hard copies of the same in hand).
Horrible experience [n].
DL
Been there, done that - have seen secondary immigration in the US several times [xx(]
Horrible, simply horrible.
DL
I got to know the guys at immigration in the end as I ended up there so many times! LOL [:p]
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by Neil
We were not asked by Virgin at all for anything to do with ESTA, however the immigration official at MCO told us that we were already approved because of our ESTA, so they can obviously see it.
Being ESTA approved means nothing. I got hauled off off on 31.10.08 (despite having ESTA approval, and hard copies of the same in hand).
Horrible experience [n].
DL
Been there, done that - have seen secondary immigration in the US several times [xx(]
Horrible, simply horrible.
DL
I got to know the guys at immigration in the end as I ended up there so many times! LOL [:p]
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
I got to know the guys at immigration in the end as I ended up there so many times! LOL [:p]
Did you have to remind them that you were not SAA crew?
I got to know the guys at immigration in the end as I ended up there so many times! LOL [:p]
Did you have to remind them that you were not SAA crew?
We often get a through grilling at immigration due to travelling up to 4 times a year but we have (thank god) never been hauled off anywhere. How scary!!! Is that just a random thing or they don't like the look of you??? What is that about? I always feel really intimated at immigration in MCO. I guess thats the point?
quote:Originally posted by Nemmie
We often get a through grilling at immigration due to travelling up to 4 times a year but we have (thank god) never been hauled off anywhere. How scary!!! Is that just a random thing or they don't like the look of you??? What is that about? I always feel really intimated at immigration in MCO. I guess thats the point?
In 18 years of travelling to the States several times a year, neither of us had been pulled for secondary screening. Until last Christmas in Chicago, when we were already delayed and borderline to miss our connection. Everything was okay, said the immigration chap, except I'd been 'randomly selected' for secondary screening. I was taken into a separate boxed-in area (DH was allowed to accompany me) where my passport was handed to a heavily armed civil servant sitting at one of 3 computers on a long desk.
We took a seat on the Group W bench (as per Alice's Restaurant!). The system seemed to be that the chap typed the passport details into the computer, put the passport on a rack, and when the computer told him you were acceptable he called your name, returned your passport and off you went. For most people the process took just a few minutes, often they'd barely sat down before they were called.
But we sat and waited. And waited. And waited. The airline even sent someone to find us because we hadn't claimed our luggage. The chap at the computer looked at my passport a few times, obviously thought it was odd he hadn't been given authorisation yet, but did nothing about it. I saw him mention it to a female colleague as she passed by; I thought I heard her say something about phoning, but he still didn't do anything.
By now I was just waiting to be called into one of the rooms behind the desk for the rubber glove treatment!
After 30 minutes another heavily armed civil servant came and sat at the desk, apparently just for a chat with the 1st man. It seemed that in conversation my passport was mentioned. The 2nd man gestured and was handed my passport. He looked at it, tapped something into the computer, and a couple of minutes later called my name and off I went.
I suspect finger trouble on the part of the 1st chap. One digit wrong on my passport number or a misspelling of my name perhaps. He obviously knew something wasn't right but didn't have the initiative to do anything about it. If the other chap hadn't happened to come in, I'd probably still be there now.
But I have to say that the daftest incident I had with US immigration was on a cruise ship when one extremely unfriendly individual accused me of overstaying my 90 days, issued in February and it was now May. He told me it was a serious offence, and I think was about to call a colleague over to clap me in irons. When he eventually let me speak, I pointed out that if he checked other pages of my passport he would see that I had in fact been home and back in between. He was not a happy teddy and I'm sure if he could've come up with a reason to refuse me entry he would have done. Not that I would have minded being detained on the cruise ship for a while.[:D]
We often get a through grilling at immigration due to travelling up to 4 times a year but we have (thank god) never been hauled off anywhere. How scary!!! Is that just a random thing or they don't like the look of you??? What is that about? I always feel really intimated at immigration in MCO. I guess thats the point?
In 18 years of travelling to the States several times a year, neither of us had been pulled for secondary screening. Until last Christmas in Chicago, when we were already delayed and borderline to miss our connection. Everything was okay, said the immigration chap, except I'd been 'randomly selected' for secondary screening. I was taken into a separate boxed-in area (DH was allowed to accompany me) where my passport was handed to a heavily armed civil servant sitting at one of 3 computers on a long desk.
We took a seat on the Group W bench (as per Alice's Restaurant!). The system seemed to be that the chap typed the passport details into the computer, put the passport on a rack, and when the computer told him you were acceptable he called your name, returned your passport and off you went. For most people the process took just a few minutes, often they'd barely sat down before they were called.
But we sat and waited. And waited. And waited. The airline even sent someone to find us because we hadn't claimed our luggage. The chap at the computer looked at my passport a few times, obviously thought it was odd he hadn't been given authorisation yet, but did nothing about it. I saw him mention it to a female colleague as she passed by; I thought I heard her say something about phoning, but he still didn't do anything.
By now I was just waiting to be called into one of the rooms behind the desk for the rubber glove treatment!
After 30 minutes another heavily armed civil servant came and sat at the desk, apparently just for a chat with the 1st man. It seemed that in conversation my passport was mentioned. The 2nd man gestured and was handed my passport. He looked at it, tapped something into the computer, and a couple of minutes later called my name and off I went.
I suspect finger trouble on the part of the 1st chap. One digit wrong on my passport number or a misspelling of my name perhaps. He obviously knew something wasn't right but didn't have the initiative to do anything about it. If the other chap hadn't happened to come in, I'd probably still be there now.
But I have to say that the daftest incident I had with US immigration was on a cruise ship when one extremely unfriendly individual accused me of overstaying my 90 days, issued in February and it was now May. He told me it was a serious offence, and I think was about to call a colleague over to clap me in irons. When he eventually let me speak, I pointed out that if he checked other pages of my passport he would see that I had in fact been home and back in between. He was not a happy teddy and I'm sure if he could've come up with a reason to refuse me entry he would have done. Not that I would have minded being detained on the cruise ship for a while.[:D]
Interesting topic.
Years before 9/11 (& Virgin even!) I arrived at O'Hare en route for a long weekend in Las Vegas.
The immigration officer didn't like me or my passport and sent me to a back room where I waited ages. Eventually a huge guy came in, told me to go behind a screen, and strip to my underpants.
I was just brave enough to ask timidly, and as politely as I could, why were they interested in me?
'You're on the list,' he growled, waving a stapled collection of papers at me.
I managed to look at 'the list.'
The person he indicated was called Timothy Andersen; my name is Thomas Anderson. (I've not used the real names, but they indicate the degree of the discrepancy.)
I pointed it out to him. It didn't improve his mood.
Looking closer, I could see that despite the very poor quality of the grey photo on 'the list,' Timothy Andersen was black; I'm white.
With growing trepidation I drew his attention to that also.
After staring at it, then at me, he proceeded to look distractedly through his stapled papers, presumably hoping to find a better match.
When he didn't, he told me to go. In bad grace.
Luckily there was a 4 hour wait for the connection, which I made.
Years before 9/11 (& Virgin even!) I arrived at O'Hare en route for a long weekend in Las Vegas.
The immigration officer didn't like me or my passport and sent me to a back room where I waited ages. Eventually a huge guy came in, told me to go behind a screen, and strip to my underpants.
I was just brave enough to ask timidly, and as politely as I could, why were they interested in me?
'You're on the list,' he growled, waving a stapled collection of papers at me.
I managed to look at 'the list.'
The person he indicated was called Timothy Andersen; my name is Thomas Anderson. (I've not used the real names, but they indicate the degree of the discrepancy.)
I pointed it out to him. It didn't improve his mood.
Looking closer, I could see that despite the very poor quality of the grey photo on 'the list,' Timothy Andersen was black; I'm white.
With growing trepidation I drew his attention to that also.
After staring at it, then at me, he proceeded to look distractedly through his stapled papers, presumably hoping to find a better match.
When he didn't, he told me to go. In bad grace.
Luckily there was a 4 hour wait for the connection, which I made.
If you think US secondary is bad, try it in China!
Some years ago I entered with a group but was hauled off.
The rest of the group, including my wife with all our luggage, were not allowed to wait!
Eventually all sorted out and everyone very apologetic - even given a car & driver - tho' sometimes wonder if they were just keeping tabs....
Some years ago I entered with a group but was hauled off.
The rest of the group, including my wife with all our luggage, were not allowed to wait!
Eventually all sorted out and everyone very apologetic - even given a car & driver - tho' sometimes wonder if they were just keeping tabs....
Oh my these horror stories make me shudder!
I don't mind the thought of getting pulled to another room and having my passport checked out but the thought of screen's and rubber gloves makes me quesy! [:$]
quote:In 18 years of travelling to the States several times a year, neither of us had been pulled for secondary screening
This is good to know [y]
Does anyone know if there is any time period you have to be back in the UK for before you go back again?
I don't mind the thought of getting pulled to another room and having my passport checked out but the thought of screen's and rubber gloves makes me quesy! [:$]
quote:In 18 years of travelling to the States several times a year, neither of us had been pulled for secondary screening
This is good to know [y]
Does anyone know if there is any time period you have to be back in the UK for before you go back again?
A few years back after spending New Year in Vegas we were travelling up to San Fran for a couple of days before returning home, LAS was very, very busy with long lines and we missed our flight! We were on standby for the next flight, I got the dreaded boarding card and had to go for secondary, we didn't get on the flight so back to the lounge to wait for the next standby - new boarding card printed and yep, secondary again for me. Once again we didn't get on the flight so back again to the lounge to wait for the next one.
Another lucky draw with the boarding card and back for secondary screening again by this time most of the staff had changed shift except for one who recognised me we, had quite a laugh, apparently, according to my new friend, once your card is marked all subsequent boarding cards are also, until such time that you actually depart the airport.
So three secondary screenings at the same airport on the same day - is this a v-flyer record?
Another lucky draw with the boarding card and back for secondary screening again by this time most of the staff had changed shift except for one who recognised me we, had quite a laugh, apparently, according to my new friend, once your card is marked all subsequent boarding cards are also, until such time that you actually depart the airport.
So three secondary screenings at the same airport on the same day - is this a v-flyer record?
Bazz - this is one where status sometimes counts. I've had really friendly check in agents with American Airlines no less, when standing by, who have printed me dummy first class boarding cards to get out of such a situation ... at some times, I've been facing similar myself!
There's a plane at JFK, to fly you back from far away
all those dark and frantic transatlantic miles
all those dark and frantic transatlantic miles
quote:Originally posted by Nemmie
Whats ''the dreaded boarding card''?
Was this in immigration or security? Either way it's horrendous bad luck! Poor you!
You get a boarding card with 'SSSS' printed on it which I believe stands for 'Secondary Security Screening Selection'
It is a random selection which the system generates when the boarding card is printed at the check-in desk - nothing to do with immigration or security at that stage, purely automatic.
Whats ''the dreaded boarding card''?
Was this in immigration or security? Either way it's horrendous bad luck! Poor you!
You get a boarding card with 'SSSS' printed on it which I believe stands for 'Secondary Security Screening Selection'
It is a random selection which the system generates when the boarding card is printed at the check-in desk - nothing to do with immigration or security at that stage, purely automatic.
Actually having done a bit of digging around on the Interweb it may not be a random selection, some say the airline selects the passengers for 'SSSS' so I am not sure; perhaps a v-flyer who is also an airline employee maybe able to shed further light on this subject?
I understood one of the criteria was if you had a one way ticket. At one stage we were forever getting the dreaded SSSS but it seemed it was because we were flying open jaw on internal US flights which were classed as one-way
quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
I understood one of the criteria was if you had a one way ticket. At one stage we were forever getting the dreaded SSSS but it seemed it was because we were flying open jaw on internal US flights which were classed as one-way
I was always told the same - with the added criteria that if you book one way at short notice you were sure to be SSSS'd. Also believe the airlines' systems trigger this if these factors are met - which is why if you miss a one way flight, are moved to the next one, the airlines' system SSSS's you - which is kinda dumb but seems to happen!
I understood one of the criteria was if you had a one way ticket. At one stage we were forever getting the dreaded SSSS but it seemed it was because we were flying open jaw on internal US flights which were classed as one-way
I was always told the same - with the added criteria that if you book one way at short notice you were sure to be SSSS'd. Also believe the airlines' systems trigger this if these factors are met - which is why if you miss a one way flight, are moved to the next one, the airlines' system SSSS's you - which is kinda dumb but seems to happen!
There's a plane at JFK, to fly you back from far away
all those dark and frantic transatlantic miles
all those dark and frantic transatlantic miles
quote:Originally posted by Nemmie
Oh my these horror stories make me shudder!
...........................................................
Does anyone know if there is any time period you have to be back in the UK for before you go back again?
Few years ago (but since 9/11) I visited Miami under the 'Visa Waiver' arrangement.
US Immigration allowed me the usual 90 days.
After staying 85 days I returned to London, staying in London for 1 month.
Then I went back to Miami, again under the 'Visa Waiver.'
The US Immigration Officer lady was not pleased, giving me a long, unpleasantly intimidating lecture, a much shortened version of which was
You've no right to return here unless you've been in your own country for the same amount of time as you were here.
I think she was wrong to say I had to be in my own country for the same amount of time as I'd been in the US, but she may have meant to say, and been right in saying
You've no right to return here unless you've been out of the US, Canada, Mexico & the nearby islands (Bermuda, Bahamas) for the same amount of time as you were in the US.
Eventually she relented, ungraciously granting the usual 90 days again.
The next year I explained to a younger, more personable Immigration Officer
I have a home in Florida and being retired I like to spend much of the winter there, so was there was anything I could do to improve my chances of a trouble-free entry to & stay in the US in future?
Her reply:
I can't speak for other Immigration Officers, but if you were in front of me with a B1/B2 Visa (Business/Tourist Visa) I'd usually grant you a 6 month stay. If you left the US for a short while then returned a few days later, I'd let you stay the balance of the original 6 months.
So I applied for a B1/B2 Visa, visited the US Embassy for interview, was asked why I wanted it, explained my holiday home in Florida and being retired I like to spend much of the winter there, paid $100 for it, and a few days later my passport with the Visa was mailed back to me.
I've been granted 6 months stay each visit since.
Oh my these horror stories make me shudder!
...........................................................
Does anyone know if there is any time period you have to be back in the UK for before you go back again?
Few years ago (but since 9/11) I visited Miami under the 'Visa Waiver' arrangement.
US Immigration allowed me the usual 90 days.
After staying 85 days I returned to London, staying in London for 1 month.
Then I went back to Miami, again under the 'Visa Waiver.'
The US Immigration Officer lady was not pleased, giving me a long, unpleasantly intimidating lecture, a much shortened version of which was
You've no right to return here unless you've been in your own country for the same amount of time as you were here.
I think she was wrong to say I had to be in my own country for the same amount of time as I'd been in the US, but she may have meant to say, and been right in saying
You've no right to return here unless you've been out of the US, Canada, Mexico & the nearby islands (Bermuda, Bahamas) for the same amount of time as you were in the US.
Eventually she relented, ungraciously granting the usual 90 days again.
The next year I explained to a younger, more personable Immigration Officer
I have a home in Florida and being retired I like to spend much of the winter there, so was there was anything I could do to improve my chances of a trouble-free entry to & stay in the US in future?
Her reply:
I can't speak for other Immigration Officers, but if you were in front of me with a B1/B2 Visa (Business/Tourist Visa) I'd usually grant you a 6 month stay. If you left the US for a short while then returned a few days later, I'd let you stay the balance of the original 6 months.
So I applied for a B1/B2 Visa, visited the US Embassy for interview, was asked why I wanted it, explained my holiday home in Florida and being retired I like to spend much of the winter there, paid $100 for it, and a few days later my passport with the Visa was mailed back to me.
I've been granted 6 months stay each visit since.
Have they started charging for this? I thought it was free (it was when I got my ESTA)< but a friend of mine is currently on the link provided by the Virgin site and she says they want to charge 20 per ESTA!!!
quote:Originally posted by catsilversword
Have they started charging for this? I thought it was free (it was when I got my ESTA)< but a friend of mine is currently on the link provided by the Virgin site and she says they want to charge 20 per ESTA!!!
No, it is still currently free. The link on the VS site, still takes you to the free, official site, and this is the only site you should use (I have just checked the link now myself). There are a number of sites that do charge you for filling out the same information that you can do yourself so you have to be careful of those.
Have they started charging for this? I thought it was free (it was when I got my ESTA)< but a friend of mine is currently on the link provided by the Virgin site and she says they want to charge 20 per ESTA!!!
No, it is still currently free. The link on the VS site, still takes you to the free, official site, and this is the only site you should use (I have just checked the link now myself). There are a number of sites that do charge you for filling out the same information that you can do yourself so you have to be careful of those.
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