Flying to USA question.

[marjan]

These may seem like silly questions  but I can't find the answers anywhere. We have always flown to the USA direct but this year we are taking 2 flights, one from Manchester to Chicago and then another on to San Francisco. Here come the silly questions.

1. Will we get all our outbound boarding passes at Manchester?.

2. Do we need to re- check in at Chicago?.

3. Will we go through immigration & customs at Chicago or San Francisco?.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[strapping young lad]

if your flight from manchester to chicago is return i guess you will get your return passes at the check-in desk

customs will own your hide in chicago but you didnt say if its the same flight having a stop or you are using two different carriers

if so the 2nd will be internal but you will still be checked as theyve actually bothered to id people now since 9-11

i recently went to disney orlando and the security checks going INTO america is more tedious than leaving this country but leaving america is a doddle

but you have go go through the x-rays bare-footed, all shoes go through the machine

so dont wear doc martens!

[freelanderpx54]

When we went to Las Vegas to get married (3 years ago) we did the customs and immigration bit at Chicago which was our entry point to the USA. A point worth noting is that the American Customs DO NOT HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR AT ALL, HONEST, NOT ONE IOTA OF HAPPINESS AND WILL TREAT ANY ATTEMPT AT HUMOUR WITH A Hmmmm OR COME HERE AND GET SEARCHED WHILST YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT.

Sorry for shouting but Kim had a go at an  American Customs chap once and now gets stopped and searched whenever we go across the pond.


Back to the thread, I think your bags will have to be collected at Chicago and taken through to the next carrier, but you will still need to check in for your corresponding flights.

Do any of your party smoke? Chicago Airport is great, you can buy cigarettes, cigars, rolling tobacco and pipe tobacco but you can't buy anything to light them with  :-.

Kim smoked when we last went and had surrendered her lighter and matches thinking she could buy a cheap lighter and throw it away  when we got the connecting flight. She lost her temper a bit in the shop. It went along the lines of " What is the F..........point of selling f........... cigarettes if you don't sell anything to f..............light them. You B..........."


California is very anti smoking. My how we all laughed when the pilot said to us as we were landing " Ladies and gentlemen, please refrain from Smoking until you have left the State of California"

We only stayed in San Francisco for less than 24 hours (Return leg from Maui) and we didn't enjoy it much but that isn't to say that there isn't lots to do. We had come from a temp of 90 degrees plus to a temp of around 70, and we were a bit tired :dance:  Pier 39 is supposed to be a wonderful shopping experience but it is nothing of the sort.

I agree with SYL, make sure that your foot wear comes off and goes on easily. Another tip, put stuff like shampoo, toothpaste sun lotion - basically anything in a squeezy bottle or bottle that will leak into a clear grip seal bag. With a bit of luck, when Customs rifle through your bag they will not leave the tops off all your bottles of suncream like they did with us :x


Other than that, have a great holiday


Cheers
John

[zebidee]

Received this yesterday at work concerning travel to the USA:

USA: Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)

In January 2009, the US Department of Homeland Security will be requesting that all travellers entering the USA complete their entry clearance details on line, using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This will replace the current system of completing the I-94 card by hand on the plane/ship before arrival.

This is not a visa, the Visa Waiver Program will still be in operation.
ESTA will determine, almost immediately in many cases, if an individual is eligible for Visa Waiver Program travel, and if such travel poses any law enforcement or security risks. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel (recommended no later than 72 hours before departure), and once approved, will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant's passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations will also be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. A third party will be permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveller.
 
In August 2008, a voluntary program will be established for applicants who may wish to apply for an ESTA. Note, applicants who participate will still be required to handwrite the I-94 card.  CIBT will continue to update you on developments and offer support and assistance in application if required. Please access http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/dhs_esta_press_release_03jun08.html for further information.

[strapping young lad]

yeh they dont do sarcasm so if you are asked if you packed it yourself, dont say no your "insert axis of evil country" servant did it

kind of gets you in trouble