V-Flyer

Sorry Ihad put this post in the wrong discussion forum -

I have noticed a lot of passangers complain regarding the immigration at US airports upon arrival and I have a suggestion that could make everybodies journey better and maybe Uk AIRPORTS could look at same - In Dublin airport we have US immigration before boarding and this makes the arrival process so much better. It also means anybody being refused into the US is in Dublin and not at arrival in the US , hence cutting back on the cost to the airline the get this pasanger back to the UK / Ireland. Do you agree that if Virgin /BA put this process into place it could help the pressure at immigration on the other side of the Atlantic?

It's not up to the airlines, Keith.

It's an arrangement between the Irish and American Governments - the same one that offers Canadians the same service.

Oh I see - It could help if they could get some agreement in place as it makes the flying aspect to the US from Dublin a lot more seamless with all process done in Ireland - maybe it just would not work in Heathrow etc due to the much higher traffic etc.

Wow, I never knew this happened - thats awesome.........I wanna move to Ireland, lol.

I dont think that would ever happen in the UK though, hopefully i am wrong!

The guys/gals who clear you through immigration in Ireland - are they the usual American immigration officials or Irish??

Nick

Technically there's no reason why it should not - in fact if you use the Eurotunnel then you "clear" French immigration in Folkestone before the train enters the tunnel and vice-versa!

I guess its just down to someone taking the initiative?

They are all American -in fact I think its a "little part of America" at the desks - Ameriacan law applies - I think -Its a great idea - I believe its was set up many years ago when so many Irish wanted to "get to the states" , the amount being turned around due to no green card etc in the USA , they had to set something up. -

I remember my first couple of trans-Atlantic flights where we had to stop to re-fuel on the way there (usually in Bangor, Maine), you used to do the immigration process during that re-fueling stop-off and then when you got to you final destination, you could just collect your luggage and leave the airport.

Regards

Shannon was simular for many years when all flights to the USA from Ireland had to go through immigration - Now they have in both Dublin and Shannon.

Originally posted by mitchja
I remember my first couple of trans-Atlantic flights where we had to stop to re-fuel on the way there (usually in Bangor, Maine), you used to do the immigration process during that re-fueling stop-off and then when you got to you final destination, you could just collect your luggage and leave the airport.

Regards

I remember doing this also, alot of years ago

I think also that another reason why it was able to be set up over here is that hardly anyone connects through DUB or SNN from another country. Also we were somewhat mono-cultural with very few non-Irish passing through except for returning holiday makers, so it made it very easy for the Immigration officials. I personally have wondered whether this arrangement will be allowed to continue in the future.

On a different note, bad and all as it is to queue for Immigration on arrival in the US, at least once you are processed you are free to go whereas over here, I rather think you are kept in a holding area till the plane is ready to board

Originally posted by honey lamb
I think also that another reason why it was able to be set up over here is that hardly anyone connects through DUB or SNN from another country. Also we were somewhat mono-cultural with very few non-Irish passing through except for returning holiday makers, so it made it very easy for the Immigration officials. I personally have wondered whether this arrangement will be allowed to continue in the future.

On a different note, bad and all as it is to queue for Immigration on arrival in the US, at least once you are processed you are free to go whereas over here, I rather think you are kept in a holding area till the plane is ready to board

I would rather be kept in a room for a while and then once landed free to go.

One thing I do on the outbound fl is to pick a seat as close to entrance of plane as poss.........this way I can get to the immigration line as quickly as possible!

Nick thats a good idea -

Originally posted by porsche911
Nick thats a good idea -

Well spotted mate [y]

I was gonna say that![:(!]

They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, so I thought I would lower myself first to save you the trouble Mark

When we flew from Nassau to Miami on AA a few years back we cleared US Immigration at NAS much the same as the DUB procedure. It certainly helped speed things up when we arrived in MIA. It is a pity that it can be more universally introduced.

Originally posted by Bazz
When we flew from Nassau to Miami on AA a few years back we cleared US Immigration at NAS much the same as the DUB procedure. It certainly helped speed things up when we arrived in MIA. It is a pity that it can be more universally introduced.

Think this happened on a cruise ship once when we came back from Nassau so that when we docked we could just get straight off in Miami.

Its a good idea - but what needs to be done to raise it on the political agenda - write to our MP's maybe - start a campaign? Im sure there are thousands of travellers who would find it useful?

Hey this is not a political movement , or is it - Lets make it an election issue - lol

Originally posted by porsche911
Hey this is not a political movement , or is it - Lets make it an election issue - lol

How can you when you don't have a vote in the UK and we already have pre-clearance in Ireland [:?]

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by porsche911
Hey this is not a political movement , or is it - Lets make it an election issue - lol

How can you when you don't have a vote in the UK and we already have pre-clearance in Ireland [:?]

Maybe Keith wants it to be an issue in Ireland on our behalf?? [:?]

eh no thanks

There are several American Immigration/TSA staff that go around from flight to flight in T3 but simply there aren't enough of them to cover every single flight to the USA leaving LHR a day.

Maybe with Heathrow being so busy it would not be possible there but sone of the other UK airports I am sure it could easily be put into action.

I can remember pre-flight US Immigration at Gatwick years ago (15-18 years) flying Continental to MIA. I always thought it was a good idea.

Well lets start the campaign and get it into the airports - even if only for VS - lol