API required from Oct 4th - NOT!

[preiffer]

OK, I will write a proper TR when I finally get to where I'm going. (Currently sat in the UA RCC @ BOS, waiting for my connection to Montreal) but here's a little update.

Got picked up this morning for my VS11 flight. Drive-Thru check in was not really any different to normal (passport only got swiped when I got to the Clubhouse though).


At no point, throughout the entire process (including boarding, even on the plane) was I even asked to give VS any of the additional API (as detailed here). They obviously have my passport number, DOB etc. but all of the so-called "new requirements" such as first night's address were completely ignored:


"Specifically, there will be a requirement for all passengers who are not US residents to provide their country of residence and details of their full address (street name and number, city, zip code and state) for their first night’s accommodation in the US. Passengers travelling to the US continue to require a machine readable passport or valid visa."



Now, to explain, today I was entering the US on a VWP, but not staying in the US for more than 2 hours. So, as usual, green form got filled out with "in transit - Montreal, PQ, Canada" along with customs one.

I had thought, since this was my first indirect (via the US) flight to Montreal since October 4th, that I would be asked a couple more questions in advance - but no, it wasn't to be.

So... When does it REALLY come in, I wonder? [:?]

Originally posted by preiffer
I had thought, since this was my first indirect (via the US) flight to Montreal since October 4th, that I would be asked a couple more questions in advance - but no, it wasn't to be.

Hi Paul,

When I flew out to LA on the VS7 about 10 days ago, some pax were being "pseudo-randomly" picked out for "additional information" at the gate. Their boarding pass would cause the gate reader to "ding-dong" and they were then sent to an agent taking destination info at that point.

Cheers,
Mike

I have to do this sort of thing when I go to Burmuda, you actually get pulled aside if you haven't written any residence. But, I would say that it is better to be safe than sorry and that you did the right thing in taking the appropriate information with you.

[honey lamb]

Same for me on the 29th on VS21

Same here on both VS23 on 15th Oct and VS11 on Saturday (30th Oct). Usual I94-W form and usual immigration.

[buns]

Paul

Thanks for the update[y]

The "dark side" have API firmly in there system so it beats me how VS can get away with only random information being provided[:?][:?]

Checked in last night, offered the agent my API and was told that it would not be needed as they had pushed back the rollout. will see if i get on the plane without it in a couple of hours

Not needed on VS 049 to Orlando yesterday either.

Originally posted by jmorgan
Checked in last night, offered the agent my API and was told that it would not be needed as they had pushed back the rollout. will see if i get on the plane without it in a couple of hours

I wonder if a handful of airlines, VS included, have not been able to meet the US deadline? Rather than things end up with red faces all round, I wonder if it's been quietly deferred, or some agreement to take manual random APIS until they can fully comply, in order to avoid embarrassment/inconvenience?

Cheers,
Mike

Definitely wasn't required on Satdi 5th for the VS019...

Cheers

Michael

Originally posted by buns4vs
Paul

Thanks for the update[y]

The "dark side" have API firmly in there system so it beats me how VS can get away with only random information being provided[:?][:?]

If you with the dark side mean BA, I just flew in to SFO in NCW and was not asked for API, completely forgot about it too.

I was through checked in from Stockholm so that might have affected it.

Cheers
sky

My appologies for reviving a moridund topic but I've just noted T&Cs on e ticket for JFK next June says

Important Passenger Information
We would like you to be aware that from 2 February 2006 we (and all other
airlines) will be required by the US Authorities to collect Advance Passenger
Information on all passengers travelling to the US.

[preiffer]

Well, a new announcement just hit my inbox:

'API Christmas'

Terrible pun, but important news nonetheless. Anyone travelling to the US from 2 February 2006 is required by US Authorities to provide Advance Passenger Information (API). This means you'll need to give us details about yourself and your US destination address before you travel.

Why don't they just take a mouth swap and sperm sample, oh and the name of your first pet and be done with it.....

Dean

Dean,
Nobody actually forces you to go to the USA you know
There are worse countries to get into.

Personally, I would never critiscise another country's security policy when we cannot control our own borders [:p]

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by AlanA
Dean,
Nobody actually forces you to go to the USA you know
There are worse countries to get into.

Personally, I would never critiscise another country's security policy when we cannot control our own borders [:p]

Exactly and it's not like you are giving up any serious info on yourself.

[preiffer]

Agree with Alan & Dave (sorry!).

It's me that wants to go there, not the other way round. It's only fair that they should want to know where/why I'm going when I'm "in"...?


(flame-retardent suit put on)

Went to Orlando on vs027 at end of November, offered my details at check-in, told by staff they were not necessary

[preiffer]

Hi Stevieboy,

Yes - that's correct. They held off the implementation - hence the most recent announcement (about 4 posts up) that it is being relaunched in February 2006.

Originally posted by preiffer
Hi Stevieboy,

Yes - that's correct. They held off the implementation - hence the most recent announcement (about 4 posts up) that it is being relaunched in February 2006.

And this from an E - Mail today regarding my flight on Thursday

"From 23 February if you are travelling to the US we will be collecting some additional information about you and your travel plans in accordance with US Customs and Border Protection regulations. You can find out what sort of information will be required and how you can provide it by visiting our website at http://www.virginatlantic.com and selecting the Passenger Information link in the navigation."

It's actually going to happen this time.

Whenever the US Government set a date for something new to be introduced, what you have to do is add a year, times is by two, divide it by months in the year, add on your age, then you get the REAL date changes will be implicated.

Originally posted by andrew.m.wright
And this from an E - Mail today regarding my flight on Thursday

"From 23 February if you are travelling to the US we will be collecting some additional information about you and your travel plans in accordance with US Customs and Border Protection regulations. You can find out what sort of information will be required and how you can provide it by visiting our website at http://www.virginatlantic.com and selecting the Passenger Information link in the navigation."

As some if not all of you will receive by email Virgin Insider gives an update on this here was seems to agree with what Andrew stated earlier.

Paul

Interestingly enough I have just checked in for tomorrow's flight and the VS website did not bother to collect API details. I suspect some queues tomorrow...

BC

[RichardMannion]

Yes, Premier have been taking API details for the past week now.

Thanks,
Richard

BA have announced that they require this info from March 7. Are different airlines introducing this requirement on different dates?

Luke