US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

This might strike a chord with travellers.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-humanity.html

or http://tinyurl.com/pfekwfp

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-humanity.html


Depends on the airport, but in general I agree with this article.

Not all U.S. airports are wastelands. Portland (Oregon) has one of the
nicest airports I've ever visited, and San Francisco's airport is going
through a very slow remodeling that may be a sign of things to come in
21st-century U.S. airports. The new Terminal 2 at San Francisco
(domestic travel only, sadly) is spectacular, with lots of restaurants,
work desks, shops, and seating galore.

But the article is spot on with respect to passport control at U.S.
airports, which approaches something from Dante's Inferno. When I fly
into Frankfurt or Munich, I spend maybe 5 minutes in the Passkontrolle
line. When I return to the U.S., I deplane and literally run as fast
as I can to get to U.S. passport control before the lines start to mass.

Thanks for link to article.

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

On 03/06/2014 23:53, Dan Leifker wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-humanity.html


Depends on the airport, but in general I agree with this article.

Not all U.S. airports are wastelands. Portland (Oregon) has one of the
nicest airports I've ever visited, and San Francisco's airport is going
through a very slow remodeling that may be a sign of things to come in
21st-century U.S. airports. The new Terminal 2 at San Francisco
(domestic travel only, sadly) is spectacular, with lots of restaurants,
work desks, shops, and seating galore.

But the article is spot on with respect to passport control at U.S.
airports, which approaches something from Dante's Inferno. When I fly
into Frankfurt or Munich, I spend maybe 5 minutes in the Passkontrolle
line. When I return to the U.S., I deplane and literally run as fast as
I can to get to U.S. passport control before the lines start to mass.

Thanks for link to article.

You're welcome. My daughter is currently living in Pennsylvania. The
only downside to returning to the UK on a visit is that she dreads the
whole US immigration experience on returning.

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

On Wed, 4 Jun 2014, Mike O'Sullivan wrote:

downside to returning to the UK on a visit is that she dreads the whole US
immigration experience on returning.

There is no preferential lane for US pass holders like we have for EU
pass holders ?

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

On 6/4/2014 8:05 AM, Giovanni Drogo wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jun 2014, Mike O'Sullivan wrote:

downside to returning to the UK on a visit is that she dreads the
whole US immigration experience on returning.

There is no preferential lane for US pass holders like we have for EU
pass holders ?

My mother had a US 'green card', and used the US-citizen lane.

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

On Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:59:44 +0100, Mike O'Sullivan
wrote:

On 03/06/2014 23:53, Dan Leifker wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-humanity.html


Depends on the airport, but in general I agree with this article.

Not all U.S. airports are wastelands. Portland (Oregon) has one of the
nicest airports I've ever visited, and San Francisco's airport is going
through a very slow remodeling that may be a sign of things to come in
21st-century U.S. airports. The new Terminal 2 at San Francisco
(domestic travel only, sadly) is spectacular, with lots of restaurants,
work desks, shops, and seating galore.

But the article is spot on with respect to passport control at U.S.
airports, which approaches something from Dante's Inferno. When I fly
into Frankfurt or Munich, I spend maybe 5 minutes in the Passkontrolle
line. When I return to the U.S., I deplane and literally run as fast as
I can to get to U.S. passport control before the lines start to mass.

Thanks for link to article.

You're welcome. My daughter is currently living in Pennsylvania. The
only downside to returning to the UK on a visit is that she dreads the
whole US immigration experience on returning.

Everyone does.

Why do customer facing US uniformed immigration officials at
international airports carry pistols? Have any of them ever shot
anyone?

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

"Dan Leifker" wrote in message
news:2014060315532625059-daniel@dleifkercom...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-humanity.html

Depends on the airport, but in general I agree with this article.

Not all U.S. airports are wastelands. Portland (Oregon) has one of the
nicest airports I've ever visited, and San Francisco's airport is going
through a very slow remodeling that may be a sign of things to come in
21st-century U.S. airports. The new Terminal 2 at San Francisco (domestic
travel only, sadly) is spectacular, with lots of restaurants, work desks,
shops, and seating galore.

But the article is spot on with respect to passport control at U.S.
airports, which approaches something from Dante's Inferno. When I fly
into Frankfurt or Munich, I spend maybe 5 minutes in the Passkontrolle
line. When I return to the U.S., I deplane and literally run as fast as I
can to get to U.S. passport control before the lines start to mass.

Thanks for link to article.

thorough the guy must have been asleep when he left

The fingerprinting is so that they can check that you left again.

tim

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

"Giovanni Drogo" wrote in message
news:alpine.LSU.2.00.1406041404540.28826@cbfrvqba. ynzoengr.vans.vg...
On Wed, 4 Jun 2014, Mike O'Sullivan wrote:

downside to returning to the UK on a visit is that she dreads the whole
US immigration experience on returning.

There is no preferential lane for US pass holders like we have for EU pass
holders ?

Yes there is.

But then they have to queue up at Customs, whereas most foreigners are waved
through

tim

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

"Bill" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:59:44 +0100, Mike O'Sullivan
wrote:

On 03/06/2014 23:53, Dan Leifker wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-humanity.html


Depends on the airport, but in general I agree with this article.

Not all U.S. airports are wastelands. Portland (Oregon) has one of the
nicest airports I've ever visited, and San Francisco's airport is going
through a very slow remodeling that may be a sign of things to come in
21st-century U.S. airports. The new Terminal 2 at San Francisco
(domestic travel only, sadly) is spectacular, with lots of restaurants,
work desks, shops, and seating galore.

But the article is spot on with respect to passport control at U.S.
airports, which approaches something from Dante's Inferno. When I fly
into Frankfurt or Munich, I spend maybe 5 minutes in the Passkontrolle
line. When I return to the U.S., I deplane and literally run as fast as
I can to get to U.S. passport control before the lines start to mass.

Thanks for link to article.

You're welcome. My daughter is currently living in Pennsylvania. The
only downside to returning to the UK on a visit is that she dreads the
whole US immigration experience on returning.

Everyone does.

Why do customer facing US uniformed immigration officials at
international airports carry pistols? Have any of them ever shot
anyone?

I just don't understand why they have to be so goddamned rude

It's possible to be firm, but polite

tim

US airports: 'menacing, cramped and devoid of humanity'
 

On Wed, 4 Jun 2014 15:40:51 +0200, "tim....."
wrote:



"Dan Leifker" wrote in message
news:2014060315532625059-daniel@dleifkercom...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-humanity.html

Depends on the airport, but in general I agree with this article.

Not all U.S. airports are wastelands. Portland (Oregon) has one of the
nicest airports I've ever visited, and San Francisco's airport is going
through a very slow remodeling that may be a sign of things to come in
21st-century U.S. airports. The new Terminal 2 at San Francisco (domestic
travel only, sadly) is spectacular, with lots of restaurants, work desks,
shops, and seating galore.

But the article is spot on with respect to passport control at U.S.
airports, which approaches something from Dante's Inferno. When I fly
into Frankfurt or Munich, I spend maybe 5 minutes in the Passkontrolle
line. When I return to the U.S., I deplane and literally run as fast as I
can to get to U.S. passport control before the lines start to mass.

Thanks for link to article.

thorough the guy must have been asleep when he left

The fingerprinting is so that they can check that you left again.


Are they not bright enough to look at the passport photograph?