Are US Immigration Officials the Rudest?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 1,958
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are US Immigration Officials the Rudest?
Over the past year I have witnessed some stunningly rude behaviour from US immigration officials towards passengers. I saw one guy shouting "you are stupid stupid stupid, get to the back of the queue!" at some poor woman before crumpling up her (supposedly incorrectly filled in) form and throwing it at her face.
I have travelled to many countries including several totalitarian states and never witnessed such nasty treatment. I realise they have an important job to do but why must it be done in such an unpleasant way?
I have travelled to many countries including several totalitarian states and never witnessed such nasty treatment. I realise they have an important job to do but why must it be done in such an unpleasant way?
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: where I shouldn’t be
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As I have studied and lived in the US for some years, I have experienced such incidents myself on occasions. Surely immigration officers must be vigilant and ensure entry to those who are eligible to do so. However, the attitude towards passengers often seems to be somewhat out of a Wild West movie "What do you want in my town stranger?".
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The US offers some great experiences, but getting in there is such an ordeal. I too have been to most places in the World - including Comminist and Police States - but the USA has always been the least welcoming place on Earth.
It's perhaps one facet of American life where service doesn't come with a big smile. In its defence though, once you're in it's a great place to visit.
It's perhaps one facet of American life where service doesn't come with a big smile. In its defence though, once you're in it's a great place to visit.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had one bad experience at Newark and many good ones at other airports.
At Newark they tore up my visa waiver card 3 times and stuck me in a room full of people I can only assume were going through the same experience.
The only reason I could imagine was that I was wearing a suit and the official did not like the look of it.
My wife had to drag all of our luggage and two children around on her own to meet the connecting flight without knowing what was going on. (the people at United Airlines found me and told me my family was o.k.) (My wife and kids have U.S. passports so they went through a seperate line).
When they eventualy called me after about an hour and took my fourth card and told me I could continue I asked them what the problem was and they said "You did not have a visa waiver card filled in" (They had torn up 3 of them filled in exactly the same as the 4th one!) The United Airlines staff got me on to the plane just in time.
When my American wife came to the UK after visiting her parents in Colorado Springs she was given a hard time by UK imigration at EGLL (questions like how do we know you are not comming here to sponge of the state etc...) and she asked them at the end of it all what the problem had been and they said:
"oh nothing really, it's just that in the states they give so many of our people such a hard time we like to give some back occassionaly"
Seems to me that in some countries the only qualifications required to get some jobs are that you failed the trafic warden exam. but I do not see that treating visitors to our own country in a reciprical manner will help to make it better for anyone in the future.
Are imigration at Heathrow and Newark really playing a game using the pax as pawns ?
At Newark they tore up my visa waiver card 3 times and stuck me in a room full of people I can only assume were going through the same experience.
The only reason I could imagine was that I was wearing a suit and the official did not like the look of it.
My wife had to drag all of our luggage and two children around on her own to meet the connecting flight without knowing what was going on. (the people at United Airlines found me and told me my family was o.k.) (My wife and kids have U.S. passports so they went through a seperate line).
When they eventualy called me after about an hour and took my fourth card and told me I could continue I asked them what the problem was and they said "You did not have a visa waiver card filled in" (They had torn up 3 of them filled in exactly the same as the 4th one!) The United Airlines staff got me on to the plane just in time.
When my American wife came to the UK after visiting her parents in Colorado Springs she was given a hard time by UK imigration at EGLL (questions like how do we know you are not comming here to sponge of the state etc...) and she asked them at the end of it all what the problem had been and they said:
"oh nothing really, it's just that in the states they give so many of our people such a hard time we like to give some back occassionaly"
Seems to me that in some countries the only qualifications required to get some jobs are that you failed the trafic warden exam. but I do not see that treating visitors to our own country in a reciprical manner will help to make it better for anyone in the future.
Are imigration at Heathrow and Newark really playing a game using the pax as pawns ?
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Inside the M25
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmm. I've had a few bad experiences with US Immigration, and that's certainly been the tensest point of the transatlantic crossing. On the other hand, my last two encounters - one at JFK, and one at IAD - have been absolutely fine.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: manchester,Cheshire, UK
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
YES!!!
I recently arrived in LAX. In the address in the US box I wrote "touring, none arranged". The ape behind the desk shouted loudly "where have you been, don't you know what has happened" He said because of Sep 11 I had to have an address in the US.
I got out of the situation by responding in the same manner. Suggesting that if he didn't let me in I would go home and support someone elses tourist industry.
Thinking about it I wish he hadn't let me in. I met many loud and rude people, none quite so as obnoxious as he was.
I won't travel to the States for pleasure again. It certainly was no pleasure supporting an employment policy which leads to some employees expecting tips in excess of 20% by right, regardless of service. Carrying food to your table seemed to get the accolade excellent service. If the tip was not forthcoming they were incredibly rude about it.
I recently arrived in LAX. In the address in the US box I wrote "touring, none arranged". The ape behind the desk shouted loudly "where have you been, don't you know what has happened" He said because of Sep 11 I had to have an address in the US.
I got out of the situation by responding in the same manner. Suggesting that if he didn't let me in I would go home and support someone elses tourist industry.
Thinking about it I wish he hadn't let me in. I met many loud and rude people, none quite so as obnoxious as he was.
I won't travel to the States for pleasure again. It certainly was no pleasure supporting an employment policy which leads to some employees expecting tips in excess of 20% by right, regardless of service. Carrying food to your table seemed to get the accolade excellent service. If the tip was not forthcoming they were incredibly rude about it.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: At the foot of the Lammermuirs
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As in most walks of life there are good and bad INS agents. Last year I was transitting thro LAX. To get to the NZ lounge I had to clear immigration. The INS agent had no problem with us doing this but then he asked who I worked for (large US multinational). He then ranted at me that he had invested part of his pension in them and had lost loads of money, blah, blah, blah. I just smiled and told him I was in the same situation (a huge lie but he wasn't to know <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> . He eventually stamped my passport. Last week I flew on Concorde to JFK and had a very pleasant INS agent. He chatted to my wife and I and wished us happy new year. Unfotunately a few rogues tarnish the reputation of others.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London,Bucharest...wherever...
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes they are...but then we all so desperately want to move into the US dont we...not!
Had a classic, going to a major airline on whose flight I had arrived at PHL with a cheque in my bag...immigration bitch called me a 'liar' when I put on my form I was going to said airlines' head office...flashed my letter of invitation and the cheque, walked off back towards to the departures gates saying 'no problem I am just going home on the next flight then and they should expect a call from said airlines' CEO' - they chased after me very flustered...they should never have handled this in such an obtuse fashion!
It appears they also turnover their own nationals, this is before Sept. 11th, my Chief Engineer who lives in europe is always grilled about 'where has he been for the last year'!!
Had a classic, going to a major airline on whose flight I had arrived at PHL with a cheque in my bag...immigration bitch called me a 'liar' when I put on my form I was going to said airlines' head office...flashed my letter of invitation and the cheque, walked off back towards to the departures gates saying 'no problem I am just going home on the next flight then and they should expect a call from said airlines' CEO' - they chased after me very flustered...they should never have handled this in such an obtuse fashion!
It appears they also turnover their own nationals, this is before Sept. 11th, my Chief Engineer who lives in europe is always grilled about 'where has he been for the last year'!!
ZbV
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Samsonite
Age: 51
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had some of the best and worse experiences with US Immigration. Mostly I have to say that I have been treated very very well indeed. About 4 years ago going through Bangor, Maine on a delivery flight, I had the worst experience of my life. It made me seriously think about ever accepting flights to US again. I wrote some nasty letters regarding this agent. Later I received an apology from Bangor Airport Manager. I thought this was nice. I have been through there since and never had a problem . Wonderful fuel stop for a thirsty B727 wether you go East or West.
Probably the best experiences for me where in San Fransisco where I was taken off the line by a INS agent who saw my Crew tag on the briefcase and took me to the crew and diplomatic line.
Miami is nice too. Last December it took me about 1 minute to clear Immigration and another to clear Customs.
Probably the best experiences for me where in San Fransisco where I was taken off the line by a INS agent who saw my Crew tag on the briefcase and took me to the crew and diplomatic line.
Miami is nice too. Last December it took me about 1 minute to clear Immigration and another to clear Customs.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Middle East
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting one this...
Have to say that from two visits to Newark I found the immigration guys to be a little icy.
Beirut's immigration is businesslike but fairly brisk.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi probably have the surliest immigration staff of all. Very gruff, no pleasantries at all.
The most pleasant I find are here in the UK!
Have to say that from two visits to Newark I found the immigration guys to be a little icy.
Beirut's immigration is businesslike but fairly brisk.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi probably have the surliest immigration staff of all. Very gruff, no pleasantries at all.
The most pleasant I find are here in the UK!
Join Date: May 2000
Location: New York
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The US immigration service requires a top to bottom overhaul. The PC nature of US politics has degenerated the service to the point that it can't even control visa overstayers. The lack of leadership and clear direction obviously has affected the personnel, as well as the lack of will to sack employees with bad attitudes, surly service, indifferent attitudes, etc. The US needs much tighter rules on who is allowed to immigrate with probably looser rules on some work visas.
Since movement back and forth between Canada and the US is so easy, unless Canada does the same thing, cross border movement there must be more closely controlled unless Canada tightens its VERY lose policies as well.
Since movement back and forth between Canada and the US is so easy, unless Canada does the same thing, cross border movement there must be more closely controlled unless Canada tightens its VERY lose policies as well.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: 75N 16E
Age: 54
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
US Immigration is very hit or miss. I have been let in with a 'have a nice time' and a smile, and at the other end of the spectrum I was almost deported. I arrived in Pittsburg en-route to Houston to fly offshore, my flight from LHR to IAH had been cancelled so I was re-routed and had about 70 mins to get my connecting flight. The guy in INS in Pittsburg gave me such a hard time, as my visa was 'not the correct one' apparently, pulled me into the office for an interview with mister 2 stars on his shoulder. After an hour He started going on about deportation and how he should deport me, but by this time I was so pissed off with the self inportant little tw*t that I told him to 'f**king deport me, I don't give a sh*t as I still get paid', so he called over mister 3 stars, who had the power to deport me, and mister 3 stars told mr. 2 stars to 'expedite my entry and to stamp me in now'....gave me a chuckle. Its a power thing.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Philadelphia (UK expat)
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't had any bad experiences with US immigration officers. I find that, like most public services, there are the people who try to make their day pleasant, and those who are just miserable and think that everyone else should be as miserable as them.
Where I do have a complaint though is in the immigration halls of most of the US airports I've been through.
They seem to be unprepared for the volume of foreign visitors they have to process. They're stuffy and miserable, and more often than not you are herded like cattle into one of those immense snaking queues like you get at theme parks on the popular rides.
I invariably have to wait somewhere between half an hour and an hour, and on one occasion I was waiting for 2 hours in hot humid sweaty conditions, carrying hand luggage after a 7 hour flight and without having had a cigarette for more like 12 hours. I was ready to strangle someone!
Where I do have a complaint though is in the immigration halls of most of the US airports I've been through.
They seem to be unprepared for the volume of foreign visitors they have to process. They're stuffy and miserable, and more often than not you are herded like cattle into one of those immense snaking queues like you get at theme parks on the popular rides.
I invariably have to wait somewhere between half an hour and an hour, and on one occasion I was waiting for 2 hours in hot humid sweaty conditions, carrying hand luggage after a 7 hour flight and without having had a cigarette for more like 12 hours. I was ready to strangle someone!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The worst I have heard of was a friend who'd travelled out to the US in an attempt to recover $9,000 he'd paid to a US flying school against his CPL (they school had gone under and taken alot of students money with it). For related reasons, he wasn't able to bring much cash with him. INS decided he was coming in to seek employment, and pressurised him over 10 hours into signing a confession (on the basis that otherwise they'd charge him, fine him etc). He gave in, signed, had his visa cancelled and was sent back to the UK.
Best I had personally was at Orlando - genuinely felt you were a valued tourist. Worst was LAX, where you genuinely felt you were scum.
Best I had personally was at Orlando - genuinely felt you were a valued tourist. Worst was LAX, where you genuinely felt you were scum.
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: South East England
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dreadful country when you look beneath the veneer, a colleague of mine once described it as a "police state" I think he was right!!.Another said if their ATC. was in a third world country we,d all be complaining about it, again at least partially true.And can the USA really claim to be a democracy I think not, more a two party moneyocracy.Whats even more laughable they seem to think we all want to live there and have no idea what the rest of the world thinks of them.
Rainbow Chaser
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: At home, mostly!
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it all comes down to expectation! Somehow because US Imm officials speak American/English we (Brits and Europeans) expect them to behave like Brits/Europeans and they don't!! My personal experience on the East Coast and West coast of USA has varied and I have to say that Imm officials at New York's airports have to be some of the grouchiest, but if you complete the paperwork appropriately, line up as required, not volunteer anything then you are likely to proceed smoothly even there (although I note some of the outrageous incidents above). I am a Brit passport holder and choose to regard Imm "stuff" seriously and do my best to comply and where the officials do not have a form of English as their first tongue I tend to feel more serious and when I get to USA/Canada always remind myself in the Imm queue that these guys/gals regard me as an alien despite the lack of language barrier!!
I will take hats off to Imm in Orlando (MCO and SFB) who deal with Brit tourists in an amiable though strict way!
I will take hats off to Imm in Orlando (MCO and SFB) who deal with Brit tourists in an amiable though strict way!
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mixed bag. I go through LAX about 4-5 times a year, and while not firendly they are not too bad and i just get waived through.
IAD on the other hand....if any one has been through there they will find that it is a small hall where all of the arriving flights are bussed in. They were so understaffed when i went through there 2 weeks ago that they were unable to get everyone arriving off the busses. There were as many agents for US citizens as for foreign nationals but only a handful of US Citizens came through Immigration. They then sat there watching the aggrovation unfolding in front of them. One senior bod was walking up and down beening utterly useless, walking away when two frustrated pax got into a tussle about their place in the queue. I was ushered through to the crew/diplomatic line after a 2 hour wait and smiled nicely at the agent and said hello. After passing a brief comment about the state of the hall and sympathgising with her plight of dealing with lots of unhappy people she said that she had just balled out a member of the French Ambassador's staff for not having the correct documents and challenging her on the issue because he had never been asked for them before. That wasn't the point she said, she wanted them now and he didn't have them and she sent him to the back of the queue.
One comment that a guy behind me made which was quite correct was that the US wants us to go back as tourists and even advertises on the TV in the UK, yet they treat us like dirt when we arrive. My wife, who is American, never has a problem coming home through LHR and in my experience the IND are usually quite efficient as i go through the line with her. She has never been stopped and questioned since her first arrival in the UK on a working visa.
IAD on the other hand....if any one has been through there they will find that it is a small hall where all of the arriving flights are bussed in. They were so understaffed when i went through there 2 weeks ago that they were unable to get everyone arriving off the busses. There were as many agents for US citizens as for foreign nationals but only a handful of US Citizens came through Immigration. They then sat there watching the aggrovation unfolding in front of them. One senior bod was walking up and down beening utterly useless, walking away when two frustrated pax got into a tussle about their place in the queue. I was ushered through to the crew/diplomatic line after a 2 hour wait and smiled nicely at the agent and said hello. After passing a brief comment about the state of the hall and sympathgising with her plight of dealing with lots of unhappy people she said that she had just balled out a member of the French Ambassador's staff for not having the correct documents and challenging her on the issue because he had never been asked for them before. That wasn't the point she said, she wanted them now and he didn't have them and she sent him to the back of the queue.
One comment that a guy behind me made which was quite correct was that the US wants us to go back as tourists and even advertises on the TV in the UK, yet they treat us like dirt when we arrive. My wife, who is American, never has a problem coming home through LHR and in my experience the IND are usually quite efficient as i go through the line with her. She has never been stopped and questioned since her first arrival in the UK on a working visa.
I can still remember an "interview" I had for a visa to do my ATP ten years ago at the US embassy in London.Sarcastic is the best word I can think of to describe the "lady" who conducted it.However immigration in DFW we're pleasant and polite.
Pity we can't take our business elsewhere if not satisfied !
Pity we can't take our business elsewhere if not satisfied !
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Paros, Greece
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Covenant, notice you're from Philadelphia - I assume the bad experiences you've had were at PHL - I agree that this airport is totally underequipped to handle the volumes arriving. The tiny immigration hall there is the worst I've been through in the states. For this reason I will no longer travel US Airways when going to the states. I wrote the airline explaining why - I know it's not their fault but thought they might be interested in how this is affecting their business. No reply, by the way.
My best experience was at Miami - the guy who dealt with me there must have just won the lottery or somthing - very pleaeant and it didn't cost him a cent!
My best experience was at Miami - the guy who dealt with me there must have just won the lottery or somthing - very pleaeant and it didn't cost him a cent!