| Author |  Topic  |
Murph
United Kingdom
29 Posts
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Status: offline |  Posted - 11 May 2009 : 10:47:36  
| Our 19th and final trip. They messed up our entry documents because the guy on the desk was chatting to his 'mate'. The system then blocked us and we spent 5 hours in room 101. A detention centre crammed with people the bulk of whom were innocent victims intertwined with criminals being marched off in handcuffs. FIVE hours with two teenage boys being shouted at, told to sit down, told to turn phones off, people were missing connecting flights, people with infants,a 78 year old couple, Miami is a disgrace.
I've written to Governor Crist and The Consulate in Miami. Anybody else experience this? There were so manty people in that room it simply must be a routine experience. |
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blott
 United Kingdom
23818 Posts
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 11 May 2009 : 12:13:18
| Fortunately not, despite at least 30 trips to the US and also having passed through Miami on occasions.
I honestly believe that your experience must be relatively unusual, given the millions of people who travel to the US. There must be a very few number of travellers who experience this sort of thing although it probably made it worse that it wasn't your fault for doing anything wrong.
I do think that the same type of thing happens in the UK also, it's just that we very rarely get to hear about it because of the small numbers involved.
I know it still must all be fresh in your mind and I think it's right that you should complain about it but please don't let it put you off visiting the US as the chances of anything similar happening again to you must be infinitesimal. |
blott
www.orlandovillas.com/villas/150.aspx
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Mo Green
 United Kingdom
1460 Posts
Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 11 May 2009 : 12:57:23
| Blott I am the same as you having made over 30 trips to the US and have passed through immigration at several airports including Miami without any problems - the immigration officers have now got to the point of joking with us that the USA must be getting something right as we keep coming back so often.
The only problem I have ever had was on the last trip where the system reported a discepancy in my finger prints. Although I had to go to side room near immigration it was not in the least bit frightening. The immigration officer reassured me that he could see I was not a problem having been in and out so many times but he could not let me through until 'Computer says yes'. In the room there were several people of Carribean/third world origin but no one was upset, nobody was in hand cuffs and at no time was I concerned that there was a real problem. In the end the office I saw was very apolegetic and said the discepancy had probably been caused by lack of oils on my fingers (I had washed my hands shortly before being finger printed). Their advice was to wipe my fingers over my forehead next time to get some natural oils on them.
This has not put me off of looking forward to my next trip to Florida.
Mo
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http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1267.aspx |
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another
 United Kingdom
2392 Posts
Joined: 03 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 11 May 2009 : 13:05:33
| quote:
Originally posted by Mo Green
In the end the office I saw was very apolegetic and said the discepancy had probably been caused by lack of oils on my fingers (I had washed my hands shortly before being finger printed). Their advice was to wipe my fingers over my forehead next time to get some natural oils on them.
This has not put me off of looking forward to my next trip to Florida.
Mo
That is interesting Mo. The last time we went my MIL came with us. She had never been to the US before. When she came to give her finger print she put her finger on the 'reader' and the officer offered her a small tin with something that looked like 'burt's bees' lip balm in it. She said her fingers were very dry and the machine could not read her finger print. The tip of running your finger over your forehead is one I will try to remember!! |
Frances
http://www.villasflorida.com/florida-vacation-rental-3257.aspx |
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pieman790
United Kingdom
4051 Posts
Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 11 May 2009 : 14:57:26
| | We arrived in Houston in April and the officer explained that they could not match both of Cathy's hands up with the records on the system. They took her off to a holding room and re-printed her. Took about 20-30 mins but she was allowed to go. The same thing happened 4 years ago in Chicago. She spoke with the officers and they told her it was due to dehydration. |
Neil & Cathy
http://www.orlandovillas.com/villas/1401.aspx |
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Fourdents
1698 Posts
Joined: 05 Jul 2005
Status: offline | |
bjpointon
United Kingdom
898 Posts
Joined: 21 Jan 2004
Status: offline | |
Katys Grandad
United Kingdom
2233 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 12 May 2009 : 10:55:20
| I'm sure your experience is unusual but I'm not surprised it happened in Miami which has more international arrivals than any other airport in the US and is used as a major training venue for Immigration officials. I try to avoid it whenever possible
I've had a couple of pretty unpleasant 'secondary checks' (not as bad as your experience) when I've been travelling alone and my wife is asked about a particular couple of previous trips every time we enter. It's a shame you've been put off but you aren't alone in finding the conduct of a small minority of the officials unacceptable. |
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Snapper
 United Kingdom
4811 Posts
Joined: 11 Apr 2004
Status: offline | |
Jill
United Kingdom
2697 Posts
Joined: 23 Feb 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 12 May 2009 : 15:54:23
| | I have been through Miami on my own, with my husband and with sons and have never had any problems - apart from the first time when our then 15 year old son with long hair was told by a very tall large guard to get his haircut and his brother quickly shoved him as he realised he was about to comment on his lack of hair (shaved head) and we all wanted a holiday in the States not a speedy return trip to England. |
http://www.villasflorida.com/Villas/612.aspx |
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orlandodaze
Ireland
1126 Posts
Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2009 : 00:33:29
| John , so sorry you had such a horrible ordeal we have been very lucky over the years going to the states. but last February my daughter and I encountered a very rude customs man in San Francisco airport ,he asked for my ESPA number ,and although I had got one I didnt take it with me believing the Green Form was sufficient ,he told me I should have it but his collegue and said that in fact I was correct and the green form sufficed , that obviously maddened him because then he asked me what was the number of my flight, (I had just put in Aer Lingus) and seeing that there was only one Aer Lingus flight on that day that would be enough for 99%of customs officers but not my Buddy , I called over a fellow passenger who gave me the number and off we went .
Strangely only that Customs Officer was behaving like that on that occasion.
Dont let it put you off visiting the States , chances are that ordeal will hopefully never be repeated again. |
Olive |
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mfairhurst
 United Kingdom
3167 Posts
Joined: 07 May 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2009 : 10:51:26
| John sorry you had such a bad day ,we have had no problems and been going to Florida since 1989 and we traveled via Alanta a few days after 9/11 and it was very strict as you can imagine but they were all follwing different rules but it was all run very well and no one missed their flight to Orlando .
Do not let it put you off some customs persons ask more than others but it is very had to smile everyday in their job as they have many problems with all nationalities and ages .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx |
Edited by - mfairhurst on 17 May 2009 10:52:06 |
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dsv77
 United Kingdom
291 Posts
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2009 : 12:35:44
| We have been going back and forth to Florida for 15 years and touch wood never had any problems , even when my sons travel on their own to meet up with us they dont seem to have much bother, but then we have never entered through Miami.
On the other hand one of our friends entered Miami with his wife and 15 year old daughter, and security seperated the 15 year old from mum and dad and put her in a holding room for over 2 hours, the reason being she had the same name as someone who had committed an offence . This was a terrifying experience for a child and her parents were frantic as they were not allowed to speak to her. Eventually she was allowed to leave with her parents but to this day girl will not travel to the States . |
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Murph
United Kingdom
29 Posts
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 20 May 2009 : 11:53:05
| Steve
The INS fella was chatting, we handed him 4 passpiorts and green waiver cards, he applied my passport to my wife's fingerprint. An error fair enough, but 5 hours to put it right?
There were 5 people I spoke with were released after a 5 hour wait with no explanation much less an apology.
DSV 77 We had the opposite problem to your friend i.e. they messed up only one passport but would not release the other three, we had a room waiting at The Miami Airport Hotel, they could have let me boys through whilst they sorted my wife's passport out.
Utter pigs they were, I'm not going back. |
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SDJ
 United Kingdom
2515 Posts
Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 20 May 2009 : 19:00:43
| I tried rubbing my fingers on my forehead on Sunday when I came to Florida and it sure worked. I have always had a problem with my fingerprints, so thank you for the tip. Incidentally I had everyone in the queue rubbing their foreheads just in case. It must have looked very strange
Sandra |
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-3181.aspx |
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deb4444
United Kingdom
2 Posts
Joined: 20 Mar 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 18 Jun 2009 : 22:38:39
| My husband flew into Sanford a few years ago on his own because of a cheap flight we had found. He had gone over to do some work in our villa before me and the children arrived. They held him there for 9 hours. In and out of interview rooms, being questioned non stop. The reason they gave for this was the amount of times he had visited Florida. DOH we do have a home there. He had to prove that he had every intent to return to the UK. They even called me at home.
God was he annoyed to put it kindly. That was the last time he flew there on his own and since weve never had a problem.Which leads us to believe he was stopped because he was alone. |
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Tonish
United Kingdom
460 Posts
Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 19 Jun 2009 : 12:03:41
| A horrible experience, you have my sympathies. Situations like this do happen, we had an unpleasant one ourselves a year or so back, although nothing like as bad as yours.
It hasn't put us off travelling, but it has certainly made us very nervous going through immigration. Good for you writing to protest.
I do think though, hard as it is to rationalise it when you've been through the mangle, that it is important to consider the hundreds and hundreds of thousands of trips which go perfectly smoothly, and the likelihood of a repeat experience is negligible.
The bit that would smart with me is the unreasonabless and attitude which could put you off the entire US system and people fairly quickly. There is evidence that US Government is aware of this and is supposed to be sorting it out, instructing staff to smile, be courteous etc. But I suppose it's often down to a few unreasonable people with attitude to match. |
Tonish |
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domster
 United Kingdom
6723 Posts
Joined: 02 May 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 19 Jun 2009 : 21:30:03
| | I have never experienced a bad flight through Miami, although I did nearly miss a connection at New York a few years ago due to the lack of direction after going through passport control. Just caught the flight with minutes to spare. Must admit the flight was late n as well so put us under even more pressure! |
DOM
http://www.orlandovillas.com/Villas/2107.aspx |
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Maddie
United Kingdom
295 Posts
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 20 Jun 2009 : 13:01:03
| WOW what an experience one which I hope is never repeated!
Maddie |
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MJG
United Kingdom
180 Posts
Joined: 09 Aug 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 28 Jun 2009 : 16:36:57
| Makes me realise how lucky I was
- I had a bit of chew this time getting the finger print scanner to recognise my prints and had to repeat the process a couple of times - the officer cleaned the glass after the second failed attempt and it then worked fine,
I do have to say I personally this time found all the USA officials ie the immigration officers, the customs guys and the TSA guys and gals all very professional, courteous and even good humoured.
It was clear to me some of the 'chit chat' at immigration had a underlying purpose but is was done very politely and in a non confrontational way. |
Edited by - MJG on 28 Jun 2009 17:14:39 |
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Murph
United Kingdom
29 Posts
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 03 Feb 2010 : 21:46:24
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Well. We're going back on 21st March albeit into Orlando this time, I hope to God we have a smooth entry or that really will be 'it'. I e mailed my MP who to his credit took it up with the relevant body and wrote to the US Authorities on our behalf. I received acknowledgment of receipt of the letter in June and absolutely nothing else since, so apparently even Britain's Shadow Attorney General can't raise a civil response much less an explanation or apology.
But we've given it up now and return to the Florida to enjoy the many good things The Sunshine State has to offer, trip number TWENTY!! |
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