4 ms·

> all the checks and long security procedures Could you provide more detail?

imartin2k 9y ago
Sure. It varies a bit depending on the airline and airport that you depart from, but this is how it looks like: 1. ESTA application online form before the actual travel for those who don't need a Visa (most EU countries e.g.) with extensive range of questions, even about parents, social media profiles (still optional) and so on. You do only need to apply again once every few years, but before a flight you need to update the flight information (afaik). 2. A 5 minute "interview" at check in/baggage drop (or otherwise at the gate) in which a (contracted) security personnel asks you about your trip while you wait in line. You might hear comments such as "oh so you are traveling alone to place XY? That is uncommon...". "Where do you live?" "Do you speak language XYZ?". Some airlines don't do this interview, but United does it always and I assume all U.S. airlines do it. 3. Additional security screening at the gate for selected people (apparently by random choice), can go quick, or might take longer. They take an additional look in your luggage. Some airports even have a second official security check & and scanner infrastructure near the designated gates for U.S. flights (I have experienced this only once though, in Munich. Not sure how common it is). 4. After arrival, immigration procedure (even for those who only want to transit). The waiting time for non-residents is usually 1-2 hours until you reach the booth. The immigration officer asks a couple of questions (or not). If you are suspicious, you are being send to 2nd check (I can't speak about that one, hasn't happened to me - but that's the stuff we often read about in the media). 5. Customs. Some people are chosen for detailed luggage checks. The decisions seems to be made by the immigration officer (or his/her computer system), because it is based on the type of signs they write on your customs card. If you are transiting, 6: Rechecking the luggage, a new security check to reach the gate. In most countries, there is a dedicated security check and logistics infrastructure for transiting passengers, which makes the process simple. On U.S. airports, you start again on square 1, as if you would just begin your travel, which means you might have to go to another terminal and queue up again for security. If you don't have airline frequent flyer status and thus access to the fast lane, this can take another hour (depending on the time of the day, airport and the number of TSA staff available). A 2 1/2 hour connection in EWR gets extremely tight for example, but airlines keep selling tickets with even shorter connecting times. Overall, it is quite an ordeal. And I don't even belong to an ethnical or religious group who might be specifically targeted. For them, the stress level must be even higher.
- Macha 9y ago
  Dublin also has a second us security check. Going Dublin to Baltimore gets the immigration questions three times at least, once at the check in line, once after the second security line and once on arrival in BWI. The queues for the second and third time are reasonably lengthy and the TSA security in Dublin airport is more pushy and invasive than normal Dublin airport security.

Sure. It varies a bit depending on the airline and airport that you depart from, but this is how it looks like: 1. ESTA application online form before the actual travel for those who don't need a Visa (most EU countries e.g.) with extensive range of questions, even about parents, social media profiles (still optional) and so on. You do only need to apply again once every few years, but before a flight you need to update the flight information (afaik). 2. A 5 minute "interview" at check in/baggage drop (or otherwise at the gate) in which a (contracted) security personnel asks you about your trip while you wait in line. You might hear comments such as "oh so you are traveling alone to place XY? That is uncommon...". "Where do you live?" "Do you speak language XYZ?". Some airlines don't do this interview, but United does it always and I assume all U.S. airlines do it. 3. Additional security screening at the gate for selected people (apparently by random choice), can go quick, or might take longer. They take an additional look in your luggage. Some airports even have a second official security check & and scanner infrastructure near the designated gates for U.S. flights (I have experienced this only once though, in Munich. Not sure how common it is). 4. After arrival, immigration procedure (even for those who only want to transit). The waiting time for non-residents is usually 1-2 hours until you reach the booth. The immigration officer asks a couple of questions (or not). If you are suspicious, you are being send to 2nd check (I can't speak about that one, hasn't happened to me - but that's the stuff we often read about in the media). 5. Customs. Some people are chosen for detailed luggage checks. The decisions seems to be made by the immigration officer (or his/her computer system), because it is based on the type of signs they write on your customs card. If you are transiting, 6: Rechecking the luggage, a new security check to reach the gate. In most countries, there is a dedicated security check and logistics infrastructure for transiting passengers, which makes the process simple. On U.S. airports, you start again on square 1, as if you would just begin your travel, which means you might have to go to another terminal and queue up again for security. If you don't have airline frequent flyer status and thus access to the fast lane, this can take another hour (depending on the time of the day, airport and the number of TSA staff available). A 2 1/2 hour connection in EWR gets extremely tight for example, but airlines keep selling tickets with even shorter connecting times. Overall, it is quite an ordeal. And I don't even belong to an ethnical or religious group who might be specifically targeted. For them, the stress level must be even higher.

Macha 9y ago
Dublin also has a second us security check. Going Dublin to Baltimore gets the immigration questions three times at least, once at the check in line, once after the second security line and once on arrival in BWI. The queues for the second and third time are reasonably lengthy and the TSA security in Dublin airport is more pushy and invasive than normal Dublin airport security.