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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
I have been hearing and reading all kinds of horror stories about
whats going in US airports, is it actually safe ? I plan to go over for 3 months on holiday visa to get medical treatment I can't get in the uk , I have valid doctors address and proof of funds but somehow I still don't feel very secure or thrilled about going over , esp if you have to wait 5-7 hours in cue as I've heard ? Can any one enlighten as to what is actually going on and whether someone such as myself is any risk , is there anything I should be aware of that might make them suspicious ?? Thanks f-man |
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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
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#3
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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
fergal wrote:
I have been hearing and reading all kinds of horror stories about whats going in US airports, is it actually safe ? The airports are likely the safer places in the US with plenty of security/police and general awareness. The airports tend to error on the safe side and would evaculate part of an airport before putting people at risk if they had any such suspicions of wrong doing. To be honest, I haven't heard a whole lot recently about any legitimate crime other than drugs or people smuggling at the airports. The media here likes to sensationalize any rumor and often those rumors are meritless and of course the media usually doesn't report if the story has no substance. I plan to go over for 3 months on holiday visa to get medical treatment I can't get in the uk , I have valid doctors address and proof of funds but somehow I still don't feel very secure or thrilled about going over , esp if you have to wait 5-7 hours in cue as I've heard ? If you are talking about immigration, I really can't offer you much insight into that as I haven't heard any first hand knowledge. If you have the papers that you have stated and are honest and polite with the immigration people, you shouldn't be delayed all that much. If you have recently visited on the of the locations the government looks at as hostile, there is a chance that getting through may take a lot longer, but with your paperwork you will have been fully prepared to prove to them you are not going to cause any harm. I'd suggest that if you have a health issue that requires you that you not be on your feet for long periods of time or you require special assistance, mention that to the first employee you see in the line and they will likely assist you or bring you to the front of the line. What airport are you coming in at? Someone might be able to advise you better on how fast their immigration processing is or what you should look out for. Can any one enlighten as to what is actually going on and whether someone such as myself is any risk , is there anything I should be aware of that might make them suspicious ?? Again, if you are asking about general crime, you will likely be safer at the airport than elsewhere. The airports tend to have a zero tolerance and will secure anyone who makes a joke in regards to everyone's safety or gives good reason for security to suspect something wrong is going on. I definitely can understand your hesitation with the government caught up with so many scandals, bad decisions, etc. But generally the government employees you would come into contact at the airport are polite or cordial and will accomodate you the best they can (note: this may exclude many airline employees). As for traveling outside the airport, stay aware of your surroundings. Ensure you don't leave your bags unattended at any time. Don't flash large amounts of cash. Avoid bad areas at night - often hotel employees will advise you if walking is safe in the area. Look confident when walking. And if you have any trouble, call 911 (the national number for emergencies). You may want to inform us as to which city you are planning on staying at during your visit so we can advise you further safety precautions (i.e. At night in NYC, take Taxis and avoid subway, etc.). All in all, don't waste your energy on worry - US is a very large place and the majority of the people are often upstanding citizens. |
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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
It's all a political show. Safety is pretty much the same as any other first
world country I'd guess. The queues and repeated individual checks make the American voters feel better. The skill shown and level of intelligence of most scanning employees appears limited (as does the sensitivity of the same people)!! IMHO the best secured airports are in the UK!! "fergal" wrote in message om... I have been hearing and reading all kinds of horror stories about whats going in US airports, is it actually safe ? I plan to go over for 3 months on holiday visa to get medical treatment I can't get in the uk , I have valid doctors address and proof of funds but somehow I still don't feel very secure or thrilled about going over , esp if you have to wait 5-7 hours in cue as I've heard ? Can any one enlighten as to what is actually going on and whether someone such as myself is any risk , is there anything I should be aware of that might make them suspicious ?? Thanks f-man |
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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
In article ,
fergal wrote: I have been hearing and reading all kinds of horror stories about whats going in US airports, is it actually safe ? Usually not a problem. Robert Pelton's Dangerous Places Guide rates the USA 1 star (*). This is a reasonable calibration. It means that there is largely avoidable crime (in contrast to North Korea (4 hands) or some place like the Central African Republic which has rated 5 stars in the past). His website is www.combackalive.com I plan to go over for 3 months on holiday visa to get medical treatment I can't get in the uk , I have valid doctors address and proof of funds but somehow I still don't feel very secure or thrilled about going over , esp if you have to wait 5-7 hours in cue as I've heard ? Talk a bit with the US embassy in your capital, and talk to your country's embassyy and consulates in the nearest US cities. They is why they exist to help you (within bounds). 5-7 hrs. at a hospital, an airport, or lines in general? That's pretty rare. I've certainly had that time duration in lay overs at airports, but that's generally pretty rare. Can any one enlighten as to what is actually going on and whether someone such as myself is any risk , is there anything I should be aware of that might make them suspicious ?? How do you avoid common crime where you live? -- |
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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
In the past I have usually flown into Chicago and found them very
suspicious .. not rude but lets just say doubting . I have no criminal record , nothing I can think of that would make any one suspect anything other than the fact I am getting a treatment for something really rare that the average joe would have no idea about a might think I was making up. I have no officaly diagnosis for what I have because there is no way to officially diagnose it . I suppose the best thing is for them just to talk to my doc if they doubt me and the room mates I plan on staying with. ferg |
#9
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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
(Eugene Miya) wrote in message news:40a1c6a2$1@darkstar...
In article , fergal wrote: I have been hearing and reading all kinds of horror stories about whats going in US airports, is it actually safe ? Usually not a problem. Robert Pelton's Dangerous Places Guide rates the USA 1 star (*). This is a reasonable calibration. It means that there is largely avoidable crime (in contrast to North Korea (4 hands) or some place like the Central African Republic which has rated 5 stars in the past). His website is www.combackalive.com I plan to go over for 3 months on holiday visa to get medical treatment I can't get in the uk , I have valid doctors address and proof of funds but somehow I still don't feel very secure or thrilled about going over , esp if you have to wait 5-7 hours in cue as I've heard ? Talk a bit with the US embassy in your capital, and talk to your country's embassyy and consulates in the nearest US cities. They is why they exist to help you (within bounds). 5-7 hrs. at a hospital, an airport, or lines in general? That's pretty rare. I've certainly had that time duration in lay overs at airports, but that's generally pretty rare. Can any one enlighten as to what is actually going on and whether someone such as myself is any risk , is there anything I should be aware of that might make them suspicious ?? How do you avoid common crime where you live? I don't know you'd haVE to ask the sheep |
#10
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How safe is it to travel to the US ?
wrote:
On 10 May 2004 05:38:58 -0700, (fergal) wrote: I have been hearing and reading all kinds of horror stories about whats going in US airports, is it actually safe ? As safe as anywhere I've been. For example, in every US airport I have flown, you have to take out your laptop and have it separately examined. Not the case in any other airport I have been elsewhere in the world. Surely you had that in the UK. They were doing ion testing and power-on tests of laptops way back in the late '90s. -- Ken Tough |
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