Arriving in NY

Folks,

what can I expect when we touchdown at JFK? I%26#39;ve never flown to the USA before so don%26#39;t quite know what to expect...

Will there be loads of forms to fill in when we arrive or anything like that? Is there anything I can do that will speed up the process from leaving the plane to jumping in a taxi? Also, what is the airport security like - can I expect to have my hand luggage searched or is it still just totally random?

I think we%26#39;ve been concentrating too much on what we%26#39;ll do when we get there rather than actually getting there - it was only last night I thought I%26#39;d better check that my passport was still valid for another year!

Thanks in advance....

Arriving in NY

You will be given forms to complete on the plane. If you have these and your passport ready for immigration that%26#39;s all the speeding up you yourself can do.

I myself have never had my hand luggage searched either on departure from the UK (just the normal scanner thing) or entry into the US.

Arriving in NY

Hi, just to confirm. You will receive 1 visa waiver form per passenger and 1 customs form per party (same surname party)on the plane, you fill these out before landing (you will need your passport number, flight number and accommodation details so make sure you have them to hand). They are now fingerprinting you on these new scanning machines on arrival in the US, I travelled last Sept and again in January, I was fingerprinted in January but neither time was I photographed although I saw this happening to alot of other people so be prepared. I have found the luggage searching is more frequent in the US than the UK, (not hand luggage but hold luggage-suitcases). On my visit in January 1 of the suitcases in our party was opened on the way out by US security (they broke the lock!), on the way back they advised us if they wanted the case open so we could supply the padlock key if required - moral of the tale - dont lock your cases! This may sound silly but make sure you smile and are courteous to the immigration officers, some people get fed up with the waiting around and take out their frustration on the officials - be warned, this does not go down well!. All in all, we would rather have the extra security than not. Timewise, I have found some airports take longer to clear than others but have found JFK to be average, approx 60-90 mins to clear customs and immigration. Hope this helps.

Agree with what Coxy said - The visa waiver form that I filled in on the plane, I filled in wrong, put my date of birth in the wrong set of boxes, and you cant cross out. Asked the airhostess for another one and they had no more, so I was panicing a bit before we got to immigration. ANyway some guy came up and down the lines asking if forms were needed, so I got another one there (panic over). I got seperated from hubby while I was filling mine in, they opened more desks and he was ushered through. THe guy wouldnt let him wait at the other side of the desk for me he had to move behind a roped area so I couldnt see him, panic sets in again. ANyway when I got to the desk, got fingerprinted and photographed, the immigration official told me ';Dont worry, your husband is waiting just round the corner, he couldnt stay here'; and he was there, so my panic was for nothing the Immigration chap told hubby he would tell me where he was and he did, so I was most impressed. Sailed through customs and no luggage opened. Just be polite and do as you are asked.