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

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.


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 ?

Cue for what? It takes me, on average, at Newark Airport 10 to 15
minutes to get through security if that is what you are talking about.


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 ??


At risk of what? By whom?

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.

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

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?

--

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 ?

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 ??

Safety is not the problem. Frustration and boredom of dealing with
bureaucrats is. I think 2-3 hours wait is more likely than 5-7, and
you might get lucky and whiz through.
As for your last question, there are webpages of things to avoid
taking on board. There was a local "art" exhibit of things
confiscated. Thousands of scissors, swiss army knives, etc. Stuff you
used to take for granted is now contraband.

Turby the Turbosurfer

wrote in message . ..
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.

What do you mean by examined ?

Do they scan your hardrive , cd's etc ??




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 ?

Cue for what? It takes me, on average, at Newark Airport 10 to 15
minutes to get through security if that is what you are talking about.


immagration, I heard they round up you up like cattle , pretty rude
etc etc

I don't know if it's true but if it is it's annoying considering we
were the only country to come to their aid.



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 ??


At risk of what? By whom?

I don't know getting falsely accused of something ??

This only happened once , but I do remember getting detained for 1
hour even after showing them my doctors address etc I think it had
something to do with the fact I had over 10,000.00 in travellers
cheques ..I've never taken that much since then..

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

(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

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