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no, all I got was a passport stamp the last time I was there and no questions by a bored border guard.
Last time I went to Europe it took me several hours of standing in line in customs to get through. Lots of questions by a border guard who had absolutely no charm to his personality.
But if people want to boycott visiting the US due to a simple form and a $14 fee, I guess that's their choice. No great harm done either way.
@ KathrynAragon : again, I had no problems with border guards, customs and TSA, all perfectly courteous (if somewhat bored looking for some of them), but the proceedings each time were so long that I had to have my flights bumped (remember I was on layovers). I fear the US is slowly falling in the same bureaucratic quagmire as the former Soviet Union.
@ KathrynAragon : again, I had no problems with border guards, customs and TSA, all perfectly courteous (if somewhat bored looking for some of them), but the proceedings each time were so long that I had to have my flights bumped (remember I was on layovers). I fear the US is slowly falling in the same bureaucratic quagmire as the former Soviet Union.
I know the feeling - every time I travel to Europe or the UK getting through their customs takes FOREVER. It's absolutely the worst part of the trip.
This process isn't inconvenient or tiresome just on the US side - it's an unpleasant part of international travel pretty much across the board.
I agree that getting back to CDG in Paris wasn't a piece of cake either. And contrary to what happen in the US, where US citizens have a distinct line and can move faster, us French citizens have no privilege in our own country : we are herded together in the line "citizens of the EU"!
I know the feeling - every time I travel to Europe or the UK getting through their customs takes FOREVER. It's absolutely the worst part of the trip.
This process isn't inconvenient or tiresome just on the US side - it's an unpleasant part of international travel pretty much across the board.
This ESTA thing gets annoying when you are stuck in Stockholm and aren't allowed to board a plane to the US, because they say you haven't submitted your ELSA form sheet. Which you have, but a couple of months ago with a trip to the US in between. Which is totally fine in theory, but obviously not in practice.
Anyhow, got a free upgrade to business because I was 20 minutes late... The TSA officer in Newark was quite nice. At least when talking to us Austrians/Swedes. Most of the Georgians that arrived at the same time were invited to some special interviews.
Location: East Central Pennsylvania/ Chicago for 6yrs.
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Surely this is no reason to hate America? 9 11 changed the world and ISIS today continues it. The US could give out plenty more visa's then it does. But still they apply in the world and wait?
I see bus loads of Chinese tourist who might have waited months or more to visit? I'm in small town America they merely pass through and stop at a Chinese Restaurant. Also see plenty of Canadian cars heading south on a nearby interstate highway and another state roadway they made a major thoroughfare from Canada to places south. I always look at license plates. Yes and where I am going too. LOL
Why does everyone hate America so much? I'd just like an honest opinion about this, especially from Europeans and Asians. Its like everyone is against America and has a bone to pick against it. Is it because USA is the only superpower left? Is it because USA is the watchdog of the world and interferes with other countries? Is it because its perceived as colonizing and taking over oil reserves half a world away? Is it because of economic disparity or racism, in light of recent events going on?
@ KathrynAragon : again, I had no problems with border guards, customs and TSA, all perfectly courteous (if somewhat bored looking for some of them), but the proceedings each time were so long that I had to have my flights bumped (remember I was on layovers). I fear the US is slowly falling in the same bureaucratic quagmire as the former Soviet Union.
Surely this is no reason to hate America? 9 11 changed the world and ISIS today continues it. The US could give out plenty more visa's then it does. But still they apply in the world and wait?
I see bus loads of Chinese tourist who might have waited months or more to visit? I'm in small town America they merely pass through and stop at a Chinese Restaurant. Also see plenty of Canadian cars heading south on a nearby interstate highway and another state roadway they made a major thoroughfare from Canada to places south. I always look at license plates. Yes and where I am going too. LOL
Where I am, almost half the license plates say Baja California LOL
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