Due to my heritage and usual country of departure, i used to tell immigration officers that i was in the USA to drink beer and get l**d...... this was perfectly acceptable until BA forgot to return my I94 form. Since then i have had "immigration issues" regardless of the fact that teh questioned visa permitted a 90 stay and yet i returned INTO the USA within 40 days!!!!

After 4 visits and assurances that they would fix it, I started to avoid the usa.

Unfortunately, i have to go there next month for the 1st time in 5 years, i certainly have to say that its not by choice....... But if i get hassle it will just mean that the $5 million contract that i"m seeking will go to a European company....

Mutt

I guess I have been fortunate then. Last year in LAS the staff had us through in seconds ( with elderly mother in wheelchair) and could not have been more helpful.

In MXP and ORD the process was painless inbound, but the hassle we got was when we were leaving ORD.

She who must be obeyed was pulled to one side at the top of the airbridge for a pat down search; when I stopped to observe that t was done without any "assault" the security staff went apesh1t and threatened to arrest me if I didn't leave!