Americas security

[awaaar]

heard this morning that any UK citizen going to the states will now have to provide a photo and finger prints at immigration control....

 

bit harsh, but I suppose its warranted with some of the people we have staying over here

 

[ 30. September 2004, 09:10 AM: Message edited by: awaaar ]

[Cranfield]

Its not just UK citizens.

 

We experienced a trial run at Atlanta International Airport, in May this year.

 

It took about 3 minutes, to fingerprint and photograph my Wife and I.

 

The additional security systems at Airports and possible delays, is just an unfortunate fact of flying now.

I can't see it ever changing.

[Scapanapper]

Wouldn't it be better to do the safety checks BEFORE you get on the plane. By the time you get to Ellis island it might be too late :confused: :confused:

[Cranfield]

I think this latest idea, is to enable the US Immigration people to control and keep a check on who is "visiting", rather than aircraft/travelling security (hopefully that happens at the departure Airport).

 

I think it is all too easy for "visitors" to any Country, to just disappear after arrival, live with relatives, work the black economy, become terorists etc.

At least the US is trying, which is more than the UK are doing.

[Scapanapper]

Cranfield:

rather than aircraft/travelling security (hopefully that happens at the departure Airport).

Yes Cranfield I realise that.

Airport security Questions:-

 

Check in attendant. Have you been given anything to take on board?

 

Terrorist. No (Thinks- I made and packed the bomb my self)

 

Check in Attendant. Could anyone have interferred with you luggage?

 

Terrorist. No (Thinks - I'm sure about that as I would have heard the explosion)

 

Check in Attendant. Have a good flight sir.

 

Terrorist. Thanks (Thinks- Phew that was close!)

 

The majority of security measures do little to stop a determined terrorist but only inconveinence the bona fide traveller.

[Socksy Squirrel]

What are they doing about their long and porous land border with Mexico, thousands must swim / walk in every week. A determined terrorist would fly to S. America and then cross in to the US. Lots of illegals do this already.

No need to worry about the Canadian border though. A Canadian would have to be crazy to walk in to the States

A serious lack of joined up thinking here.

[Vagabond]

Socksy Squirrel:

porous land border with Mexico, thousands must swim / walk in every week.

When we go to Texas, we usually spend a day on the nature reserve on the Texas side of the Rio Grande. Plenty of wildlife on the river and its banks , plus......

 

There are large numbers of each of four artefacts to be found along the riverbank.

 

Inner tubes of large wheels;

 

large polythene bags;

 

gents' underpants ;

 

ladies bragas (that's Spanish for knickers )

 

You don't need to be a Sherlock Holmes to deduce that many Mexicans swim the river with the aid of the inner tube, with their clothing in a polythene bag, then abandon their wet under-clothing, change into dry, chuck the polythene bag down, and hey presto they are in the USA and look just like any other Tex-Mex .

 

Although some stay, many others join the ranks of the underpaid "unofficial" farm workers for the appropriate season.

 

They do this on a yearly basis - returning to Mexico with money for their families and coming back in the new season - and a lot of Texan farmers rely on this cheap labour to make a decent living.

 

BTW I'm not judging this situation, merely reporting it.

 

[ 02. October 2004, 11:47 PM: Message edited by: Vagabond ]

[Jeff S]

Cranfield:

 

 

At least the US is trying, which is more than the UK are doing.

Last year while trying to catch a connecting flight from Heathrow into Leeds my wife and I were photographed at security. It's being done, they are just not making as big a deal about it.

 

And on another note, why don't they change the signs to UK residents and non-residents instead of foreign passports and UK passports?

[Cranfield]

Jeff, the photographing by Security, as you pass through into the Departure area has been going on for some time.

It becomes obvious when they have to "pose" couples travelling together.

When you board the aeroplane, that photograph is checked to ensure that the same people that checked in, are boarding the plane.

 

For the UK to duplicate the US system.

Non UK residents entering the UK would have to be fingerprinted and photographed, thats what is not happening.

[Jeff S]

Cranfield:

 

 

For the UK to duplicate the US system.

Non UK residents entering the UK would have to be fingerprinted and photographed, thats what is not happening.

Yep, wasn't thinking about the fingerprinting part. It would be nice to see them photographing and fingerprinting at every airport. Any idea if it's just foreign/international flights that are being checked?

 

I would bet there would be an uproar over it if it were internal flights as well. Violation of civil liberties or something like it. A bit like the national ID cards?

 

[ 03. October 2004, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: Jeff S ]