Orlando security check on arrival
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
Age: 81
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
I have been through Orlando several times, with no problems, but not recently. However, I have been to the States 16 times now, and had NO problems with delays at immigration. JFK in November was positivley enjoyable, though I suspect the young lady may have recognised me! HOWEVER, slight thread drift here, entering the USVirgin Islands by cruise ship a week later, on a Five Star Cruise, EVERYBODY,crew and passengers, whether getting off the ship or not, 2500 people, had to present themselves to US immigration at 7AM. Their popularity rating was extremely reduced, not just by me!!!!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 32
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had a very nice experience coming through Orlando last month, I did notice the screening equipment as we walked over to the shuttle - But they wasn't used and ropes where held across the departure lounge so we could cross over to the shuttle.
Immigration where friendly enough, just doing their job, waited 15 minutes at the most for an avaliable desk - Asked the usual questions about why I was visiting the States and if I'd been before etc, didn't care where I was staying.
I would not hestiate about going to MCO again, maybe I was just lucky?? - I guess you could always choose an airline that flys to SFB!!!
Immigration where friendly enough, just doing their job, waited 15 minutes at the most for an avaliable desk - Asked the usual questions about why I was visiting the States and if I'd been before etc, didn't care where I was staying.
I would not hestiate about going to MCO again, maybe I was just lucky?? - I guess you could always choose an airline that flys to SFB!!!
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Manchester, England
Age: 58
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just read through the thread, and the Orlando Airport website, and it would appear to depend on which airline you arrive with internationally as to whether you have to go through security on arrival. Arriving on the satellite containing gates 60-69 (as Virgin and BA do) it states that there is a direct escalator from customs to the shuttle train (which would keep you away from departing passengers), whereas from other satellites you have to go back through the departure area (this would apply to Aer Lingus as they use gates 1-29).
Thus it implies that Virgin and BA pax don't have to go through security - I certainly hope this is the case as I arrive there on VS in a couple of months time. Can anyone confirm?
Thus it implies that Virgin and BA pax don't have to go through security - I certainly hope this is the case as I arrive there on VS in a couple of months time. Can anyone confirm?
Among many structural problems the US Homeland Security have is that it has become the occupation of choice for enlisted military personnel leaving the service.
Unfortunately they bring their complete lack of people skills (which in the US military are even less developed than in other armed forces), and a "do what I say or else", etc approach with them. And their managers are from the same background so can't see any issue. Add in a US military belief that anyone from "overseas" is an anti-US terrorist until proved otherwise (and sometimes not even then), and a heaven-sent opportunity to get their own back against those higher up the ladder in society who remind them of their old officers, and you can see how it has all turned out this way.
In contrast the many US commercial pilots who are ex-Air Foce do not show this approach, and in fact are as hacked off with TSA etc as the rest of us. But then they were officers, from a culturally very different different world.
Unfortunately they bring their complete lack of people skills (which in the US military are even less developed than in other armed forces), and a "do what I say or else", etc approach with them. And their managers are from the same background so can't see any issue. Add in a US military belief that anyone from "overseas" is an anti-US terrorist until proved otherwise (and sometimes not even then), and a heaven-sent opportunity to get their own back against those higher up the ladder in society who remind them of their old officers, and you can see how it has all turned out this way.
In contrast the many US commercial pilots who are ex-Air Foce do not show this approach, and in fact are as hacked off with TSA etc as the rest of us. But then they were officers, from a culturally very different different world.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
orlando airport site states:
From the MCO site:
'International Passengers
may now Keep Your Bags'
'International Only: After clearing Immigration you will recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through the Customs checkpoint'.
'International Only: After exiting the aircraft, international passengers will be required to produce passports at the Immigration checkpoint'.
'International Only: After clearing Immigration and Customs, proceed to the AGT (train) station. Airside 4 (Gates 60-99) now has an escalator directly from Customs to the AGT station. If you do not wish to take your checked baggage with you, you may place your bags on the baggage belt for transfer to the Main Terminal'.
Perhaps our disatisfaction with the security check on arrival is in the past judging by the above copied from the MCO website.
Hope so!
'International Passengers
may now Keep Your Bags'
'International Only: After clearing Immigration you will recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through the Customs checkpoint'.
'International Only: After exiting the aircraft, international passengers will be required to produce passports at the Immigration checkpoint'.
'International Only: After clearing Immigration and Customs, proceed to the AGT (train) station. Airside 4 (Gates 60-99) now has an escalator directly from Customs to the AGT station. If you do not wish to take your checked baggage with you, you may place your bags on the baggage belt for transfer to the Main Terminal'.
Perhaps our disatisfaction with the security check on arrival is in the past judging by the above copied from the MCO website.
Hope so!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Switzerland
Age: 75
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TSA = The Stupid Agency
WHBM sums it up= US citizen = white hat ( good guy )
all others = potential terrorists
I have to fly for business reasons 12 - 15 time to the US. This country is the most hostile country to travel to. Agree with WHBM that TSA is a habour for all Americans lacking people skills. They must have hired a couple of ex East-German border guards for training.
No way I would even think of taking my family for a holiday to the US. My impression that even North Korea or Burma would be more inviting. In fact Chinese "immigration" yesterday was courteous, a big smile " welcome to China" and took less than one minute. You also had push smiley buttons to judge the procedure and their attitudes. This is something theUS should copy and link to the pay of the always rude INS ( International Nuisance Service) morons.
It is now even legal in many states that wacky characters ( as long as they are US citizens ) can threaten foreigners who are not familiar with local rules with a gun!
When you fly out you see the opposite: Overweight, underintelligent and overpaid security staff sleeping in front of the screens.
The only good thing the creation TSA has brought, is probably medical coverage for some 60.000+ staff.
Frank
WHBM sums it up= US citizen = white hat ( good guy )
all others = potential terrorists
I have to fly for business reasons 12 - 15 time to the US. This country is the most hostile country to travel to. Agree with WHBM that TSA is a habour for all Americans lacking people skills. They must have hired a couple of ex East-German border guards for training.
No way I would even think of taking my family for a holiday to the US. My impression that even North Korea or Burma would be more inviting. In fact Chinese "immigration" yesterday was courteous, a big smile " welcome to China" and took less than one minute. You also had push smiley buttons to judge the procedure and their attitudes. This is something theUS should copy and link to the pay of the always rude INS ( International Nuisance Service) morons.
It is now even legal in many states that wacky characters ( as long as they are US citizens ) can threaten foreigners who are not familiar with local rules with a gun!
When you fly out you see the opposite: Overweight, underintelligent and overpaid security staff sleeping in front of the screens.
The only good thing the creation TSA has brought, is probably medical coverage for some 60.000+ staff.
Frank
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'fendant' your post does not help. Incidentally I, my wife and family vist Florida regularly via MCO and we always enjoy ourselves. Also, there are very few examples of anything but pleasantness by everyone - including TSA personnel. I know there are exceptions everywhere.
Now back to reality - why EI PAX have to go through a security check on arrival?
Following is a direct quote from MCO management which explains everything - I think.
'Unfortunately due to the major construction project taking place on Airside 1 (Gates 1-29), we are currently unable to provide for the sterile transfer of international passengers to the Main Terminal which previously avoided the requirement for a security check for international arrivals. We hope to resume this ability and return to the former level of customer service as soon as construction allows. At that time, you will also see major improvements to Airside 1, much more inline with what you are familiar with on Airside 4 (Gates 60-99)'.
I've been told it is expected to complete the work by June 2009.
Now I have a question for Aer Lingus.
Do as Virgin and BA do - use Gates 60-99 in the interim?
Now back to reality - why EI PAX have to go through a security check on arrival?
Following is a direct quote from MCO management which explains everything - I think.
'Unfortunately due to the major construction project taking place on Airside 1 (Gates 1-29), we are currently unable to provide for the sterile transfer of international passengers to the Main Terminal which previously avoided the requirement for a security check for international arrivals. We hope to resume this ability and return to the former level of customer service as soon as construction allows. At that time, you will also see major improvements to Airside 1, much more inline with what you are familiar with on Airside 4 (Gates 60-99)'.
I've been told it is expected to complete the work by June 2009.
Now I have a question for Aer Lingus.
Do as Virgin and BA do - use Gates 60-99 in the interim?
