TSA and Customs Orlando

[ozineurope]

remiss not to have posted this earlier.

Early February my family and I went to Orlando from FRA. Having seen some horror posts info on the whole US Customs and TSA process/staff I can say that I was pleasantly surprised with the service and attitude that we experienced at Orlando.

Inbound the guy had a sense of humour and was happy to assist us with the fingerprinting etc. 15 minutes from off the aeroplane to collecting our bags.

Outbound - gentleman asked if we enjoyed our stay and hoped we would return. Checked our passports and we went through to scanning. Clear concise instructions on how to make the passage easier/quicker were being given by staff. We did as suggested - all went through with no hitches and with a really good feeling that security had done thier job in a pleasant, efficient and gracious manner.

Well done to the TSA and Customs at Orlando - thank you for your patience and courteous manner.

[TissieSaffie]

I look forward to having the same quick clearance through customs this year too. Was it MCO or another airport? I went through SFB last year and found the customs guy was very friendly and happy to assist in anyway possible.

Cheers,
Gaz.

[fincastle84]

TPA is another friendly airport of entry. Obviously they post all the :mad: holes to MIA.

[allymc316]

I have been through customs in MCO, SFB, HOU and EWR and at all times i thought it was very pleasant. In every airport all staff were very friendly and sometimes a sense of Humour was shown. Made for a pleasant beginning and end to my trips. I have heard of people complaining about customs but I can say I have never had a bad experience when entering or exiting the USA

Thumbs up to all the TSA and Customs officials and staff at the above airports :ok:

:D

[TissieSaffie]

I suppose at the end of the day if you look at it, they've a job to do to keep people safe, and most of them are doing it very well.

[Pontius Navigator]

We had a pleasant experience going in through Tampa Port too. Big queues, 2000-3000 of us, but got a chat and a smile IF you appeared chirpy and pleasant too.

[lurkio]

Last year flew LHR-EWR-MCO-EWR-LHR and have to say that at all the airports in the States the TSA staff, customs and immigration could not have been nicer. 3 adults +3 children so was a bit worried but a couple of minutes making absolutely sure the paperwork was right, checking the rules on the day, watching what each one wanted ie shoes/laptops in which tray etc made for a very easy ride through.
Too many people just seem to turn up and then need telling, can you imagine how the TSA people feel when faced with that a couple of thousand times a day.
Even when operating to US airports I always found a cheery hi was met with a pleasant response. No complaints about TSA etc here:ok:

[tb10er]

ORD and LAS were fast and friendly.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said at JFK on our last visit there.

[raffele]

As with all things, there are good places and bad places. Generally, Newark and the less busy ports in Orlando get positive reports. JFK tends to get negative reports.

I've always found IAD to be very rough and at breaking point - 4 full 747/777's coming into arrivals at the same time, and only 5 desks open for processing. And after you finally get to the desk, you get an abrasive agent who just wants to get done and go home. Not a good way to start a holiday really.

But anyway - glad to hear you've had a good experience

[JEM60]

Always approach the booth with a smile. Been to US many times. I always say 'Hi, nice to be back' Never had a problem. Even found I hadn't filled the 'Green Card' in correctly once, and didn't get sent to the back of the queue, which apparently used to happen. TSA lady corrected it for me with a smile, and the usual 'Have a nice day' which [for once] sounded sincere. Always nice to visit the States, and nice to come away.:)

[Mark in CA]

Guess you haven't heard. TSA is operated by Disney now. :D

[ozineurope]

We went through MCO.

[nivsy]

Mmmm....maybe a little comment to curtail the TSA back slapping at MCO...went through there in December - long q's - and quite frankly rude and arrogrant chap greeted us at the counter.....yep felt like a criminal in enetering the world of Disney and quite frankly will not return.

Also just loved the way that it is "policy" for EVERYONE to be ID'd when wanting a beer at this airport...I mean to say talk about over kill.


Nivsy

[man friday]

as a footnote to nivsy's post. they will also only sell you 1 bottle of beer at a time from the outback express!

Having said that they only had Bud so they may well have been doing me a favour.

on the security/customs front they were great

[allymc316]

Also just loved the way that it is "policy" for EVERYONE to be ID'd when wanting a beer at this airport...I mean to say talk about over kill


I always have been asked ID when in america regardless of where I was purchasing alcohol. Only one drink per ID, uderstandable as heavy fines can be imposed. There are a lot more strict in America than anywhere else I have been.

Being asked for ID shouldnt be taken as an insult..someone is just doing their job, and doing it correctly :ugh:

[Katamarino]

We had a pleasant experience going in through Tampa Port too. Big queues, 2000-3000 of us, but got a chat and a smile IF you appeared chirpy and pleasant too.

HOW many aircraft arrived at once? :eek:

[man friday]

"Only one drink per ID, uderstandable "

Makes getting a round in tricky!

[allymc316]

Makes getting a round in tricky!


Not if you have an ID for everyone that is drinking. Never has a prob buying for 4 or 5 as long as the ids matched those you were buying for.

Rules are rules, its unfortunate some people think they shouldnt apply to them.

Look on the bright side, At least they saved you some money if you were only able to buy the one! :ok:

[nivsy]

ally - believe me when you get over 30 (assuming your age is a shown at 22) you will know fine well from where I am coming from on this - yes rules are rules but nevertheless it is a sad situation where the "land of the free" acts in such a manner - and for me they can keep it.....yes the far eastern countries are far more civilised in treating their travelling guests....but each to their own of course.


Nivsy

[JEM60]

Far Eastern countries don't appear to have terrorists who kill 3,000 innocent people at a time, or attempt to blow up transatlantic airliners tho', do they.
USA has to be forgiven for what appears to be paranoia after what they suffered. Put up with it, or don't go there. The security will not change.
It's merely half an hours grief. I cannot understand why so many people get so upset by it. If you think you're having a bad day, then I can assure you that there are people in the world having to put up with much more than a little security delay.

[nivsy]

The arguement is not about security per se - it is about being polite and curteous to all -which sometimes lacks (there and other places naturally - but this discussion is on USA specifically- plus antiquated paper work routine - personal liberties and just as importantly ID ing everyone for a lousy Bud!

YES you are right we have choices and many have decided to take that choice in seeking other places to go.

Dont get me wrong ofcourse pre 9/11 it was more liberal and things had to be done......but there is sensible action and well...non sensible procedures.....incidently do you still have to sit for an hour before touch down states side without anything on your lap etc or has his been dropped. It was rather strange this was for international arrivals only - not for domestic - where was the sense in that?


Nivsy

[JEM60]

Nivsy.
I am sorry if you're experience has been bad. I can only refer you to my post ten on this thread. This has been my experience.
Am visiting Gibraltar soon, [BA permitting. Looking forward to it.]

[nivsy]

Jem 60 -
Off-topic - but

Enjoy your time on the rock -and remember to visit La Linea - the tapas bars are good.


Nivsy

[JustOccurred2Me]

We all found the customs / homeland security staff at Sanford (Orlando) brilliant last summer, both entry and departure. Made my young daughters feel quite relaxed about what might have been a scary experience. They even stamped my youngest's "toy" passport for her teddy.

Of course getting back onto British soil at East Midlands was a different matter. Rude, boorish, ignorant staff throughout the airport. What is it about customer service in this country? :confused:

[ozineurope]

And on the ID question - it is law for anyone who looks under 40 to be asked for ID.

Sorry some have had bad experiences - mine was great and we would go again.

[TheTiresome1]

@ Baggers - that's excellent news on IAD [I assume you refer to International arrivals]. I hope they also have enough staff on duty! I last went inbound was in mid-Sep, through the usual snake-line and with only about half of the desks operating [as ever!].

Outbound was through the new sub-terranian Security area, which was only about 30% completed, desperately over-crowded and under-ventilated, and was a total "queue-manangement shambles" [an IAD speciality!! ;)] Do you have an update on that?

[next trip mid-Apr BA permitting] :(

[raffele]

Good news on IAD, Raffele.

If you haven't come through since October, there is a shiny new arrivals hall that is quite spacious and has many more windows, a much needed change. I agree the former one was NOT up to more than one large arrival at once.

It handles very large crowds quite nicely now, thank goodness.

It is quite posh, too. Light and airy.

It's been a while, but that is good news. However - have they resolved the overriding issue of having enough staff at the border post at busy times?

I'll be travelling out of IAD this summer - I hope their new security checkpoint is a vast improvement...