Travel to USA

[lynbrown]

We had been planning a holiday to Boston this autumn but friends just back from Florida say it takes ages to get through customs. Anyone else feel that it takes too long to get cleared?

[NORMANTHEDOG]

it really depends on how many planes land at the same time,we were lucky at jfk,it took about 30 minutes,there is nothing you can do about it im afraid,just grin and bear it,and dont make funny comments,they dont like it.

[gazzawazza]

I think we waited about 90 minutes to get through at Sanford but we weren't expecting that. If you do expect that, then get through in half an hour, we-hey, bonus! I certainly wouldn't let it put me off going.

[dannydingbat]

Its not customs but immigration. Boston isn't too bad. Why not see if you can do it at another city or even fly via Shannon airport in Ireland as you can go through the formalities there instead?

[NORMANTHEDOG]

dingbat,you cant go through USA customs at shannon airport,where did you get that from.

[dzug]

Norman, you can't go through US customs at Shannon, but you can and do go through US Immigration. Ditto Dublin. The US Immigration service has officers permanently deployed to each airport. You clear immigration before you board and have only customs (baggage inspection) to cope with at the far end.

[buildersmate]

Well that's certainly a revelation. I wonder why they don't deploy the staff more usefully at Heathrow where far more people travelling to USA initiate their journey. We're supposed to be there closest friend, I thought.

[Keeprockin]

The major time delay is at the airport of departure,hence a three hour check-in time. Haven't been since 9/11 but we had no problem at Atlanta/Washington or New York. Certainly no worse than some European Customs

[jno]

so what actually happens at the US end, dzug? do they just usher you straight past the immigration queues into the baggage hall?

[Pomp]

I can't believe that you base your holiday destination based upon the amount of time it takes to clear customs / immigration at your destination airport.

If you go on holiday to Boston for 2 weeks, and it takes 90 minutes to clear customs / immigration this is 0.0045% of your holiday, is that a big deal? You'll spend more time on the toilet!!!

[jno]

yeah, but starting your holiday unnecessarily exhausted means you lose a day or two to aggravated jetlag Pomp. I always take things like airports, knee room and so on into consideration - they'll only be deciding factors if there are other possible choices, but lynbrown might (for instance) find it more comfortable to fly to NYC and drive to Boston at her leisure.

[Bohne]

Yes it takes forever.

But that should not stop you from taking your holiday.
After all you'll only have to do it once!

[Machecoul]

Having just been to USA at Easter - every time we flew from a US airport we were selected for "special treatment" - (both in 50s!!) - took one look at British passports and moved us through the line - but had to undergo more intensive checks etc.

It actually took longer to get through immigration at Manchester than it did when we landed in the US. We followed a Jumbo in!!

[dzug]

jno yes - they lead you straight to the baggage hall, by-passing immigration.

[chazza]

I was in NY last month and walked straight through customs. Immigration was about a 10 minute queue

[auntiebertie]

Took us 45 mins to get through immigration in NY JFK on Saturday, but I have gone from Plane to Taxi, collecting bags en route in about 15 mins once - so as everyone says you may be lucky. you may not!

[jno]

thanks dzug.

Asking for a seat near the front of the plane may help get you through the queues more quickly, since my experience suggests the left front door of a plane is the only one that ever opens; the others are just optical illusions painted on to satisfy health and safety people.

[jno]

PS... Boston in autumn... don't miss this:

http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/fallfoliage/a/aacyberleafpeep.htm

[emmabail]

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