FYI: New Security Meaures for Travelers flying to the U.S.

[nelblu]

Travelers to the U.S. Should Plan for New Security Measures at Airports

 

 

 

 

by Meredith Carey

October 26, 2017

 

 

You'll have to spend more time at check-in at many international airports thanks to the new regulations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new security procedures go into effect Thursday, October 26.

 

 

Heading to the airport hours and hours before takeoff is a point of contention in the Condé Nast Traveler office, but as of today, it's no longer an option for many flying to the U.S. Starting October 26, both American citizens and foreigners may face security interviews prior to boarding flights to the U.S., thanks to heightened security regulations mandated by the Department of Homeland Security. The move comes after government officials lifted the electronics ban in July, giving airlines a three-month deadline to increase security. The goal? To "raise the baseline of global aviation security," according to the Department of Homeland Security.

 

 

Your best bet to avoid missing your flight is to arrive early—some airlines are suggesting at least three hours—to ensure you make it through the additional security with time to spare.

 

 

But it isn't that simple. The new regulations, which affect 280 airports in 105 countries, 180 airlines, and approximately 325,000 daily passengers, include heightened screening of personal electronic devices, but all the specifics of the American officials' requests have not been disclosed. In facts, it would appear that many of the long-haul airlines that have publicly announced their compliance are trying different methods.

 

 

Over the next two weeks, Air France will be passing out written questionnaires to all of its U.S.-bound passengers at Paris's Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports. Emirates has begun pre-screening interviews at the check-in counters at Dubai International Airport. Cathay Pacific, meanwhile, has suspended the in-town and curbside check-in at its Hong Kong hub, meaning all passengers traveling to the U.S. must check-in with airline personnel for a security interview. "They asked me if I packed my own bag, where I packed it from, where I came from, they looked at my itinerary, verify where I was, who I was," Fran Young, who was traveling from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, told Time.who was traveling

[Heyref]

Any changes for travelers from Canada??

[nelblu]

Any changes for travelers from Canada??

 

 

From reading it applies to both US/non citizens flying into the US. Don't know if my TSA pre-check will allow me to by-pass. In your case I believe it's "Nexus".

[Tin can]

I think we had the early stages of this when we flew to Chicago for our Oasis cruise in April. We had a very thorough grilling by US Customs before being allowed to transfer to our internal flight to Orlando (We are from the UK).

 

Everything was checked - our onward travel details, ESTA, the cash we were carrying, family questions etc. It was even brought up that we had visited the States five times over a short period eight years ago and what was the reason for this (Answer being Las Vegas visits before our son was born :D).

 

As a normal UK family on holiday this is all good and we have no issue with it, wish we adopted something similar over here.

[mcrcruiser]

These new regulations could be the last straw for many flying back from European cruises .:( Thus ,decreasing how many want to cruise to Europe on a TA & those who fly to Europe or elsewhere in the world to cruise . You know that these extra measures will create a larger log jam at airports :mad:

[bay guy]

I've experienced similar screenings for several years at various European airports. Heathrow and Shannon come to mind in regards to several questions being asked of us.

 

Just another hurdle to jump over because of a few idiots in this world who have no regard for human life.

[Tin can]

These new regulations could be the last straw for many flying back from European cruises .:( Thus ,decreasing how many want to cruise to Europe on a TA & those who fly to Europe or elsewhere in the world to cruise . You know that these extra measures will create a larger log jam at airports :mad:

 

I fully respect your point of view however this makes me as a UK citizen more comfortable and happier visiting the States. I wish we implemented something similar for arrivals in the UK.

 

Yes its a pain but as my post above, our arrival in the US at Chicago involved a fairly thorough interview and checking of documents by a person of authority. My arrival back in the UK involved being waved through passport control.

[Candleonwater]

From reading it applies to both US/non citizens flying into the US. Don't know if my TSA pre-check will allow me to by-pass. In your case I believe it's "Nexus".

 

I'm really curious about this as well. When we got our Nexus cards, they threw in Global Entry (the US version). DD is a fan of driving across the border making her flights all domestic.

[Biker19]

No diff on my flight from Mexico last week, even though I got a warning about if from my carrier.

[nelblu]

No diff on my flight from Mexico last week, even though I got a warning about if from my carrier.

 

From the warning, do you know if Global Entry/TSA pre-check make any difference.

[jamesr3939]

From the warning, do you know if Global Entry/TSA pre-check make any difference.

 

Don't think this will impact GE as that's only coming back into the US and not leaving.

 

From the NEWS reports in CA pre-check hasn't changed. But then again PC only works for most outbound USA flights. Sacramento just announced they were upping security procedures by requiring all electronic devices larger than a cel phone must go in a separate bin. But that doesn't apply to pre-check.

 

We are flying Cathay Pacific on Monday to Hong Kong out of SFO and I was already told Cathay doesn't participate in PC. We will be spending a few hours in Hong Kong before flying on so it will be interesting to see how re-clearing security works at HKG.

[Biker19]

From the warning, do you know if Global Entry/TSA pre-check make any difference.

Nope. It seems a lot of this will depend on the airport and/or carrier.

[Flatbush Flyer]

From reading it applies to both US/non citizens flying into the US. Don't know if my TSA pre-check will allow me to by-pass. In your case I believe it's "Nexus".

 

 

 

(as I understand it):

As regards US citizens, pre-check is for flights originating in the US; Global Entry is for clearing customs once you reenter the US.

We've experienced a type of the newly mandated prescreening abroad on our return to SFO from Frankfurt last year (United Airlines contract employees asking questions).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Ashland]

I'll be flying roundtrip from USA to Asia this week and the extra security measures are fine with me.

[CeeCee59]

Has anyone been asked for passwords for your electronic devices? I understand that this is now something that could be asked.

[Biker19]

No, but they can ask you to turn it on and show its functionality.

[jamesr3939]

Has anyone been asked for passwords for your electronic devices? I understand that this is now something that could be asked.

 

I doubt that would happen. As Biker19 said they have always been able to ask you to turn it on and see if it works.

[gnr25]

American and Canadian border guards can ask for passwords, but should really only do that if they believed something dangerous or criminal was on the phone, tablet, computer. Child porn is sometimes discovered this way. But normally there is no reason to ask for this, so it should rarely happen.

 

 

I doubt Canadian airport check-in staff will ask many questions, as passengers go through customs in the airport. U.S. customs is there to ask questions and deny entry right there at the airport. Also, if you have already printed your boarding pass, you do not need to check-in (if you only have carry on items). You just go to security and then customs and then your departure gate.

[nelblu]

(as I understand it):

As regards US citizens, pre-check is for flights originating in the US; Global Entry is for clearing customs once you reenter the US.

We've experienced a type of the newly mandated prescreening abroad on our return to SFO from Frankfurt last year (United Airlines contract employees asking questions).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Yes, American Airlines agent, when we checked in in Barcelona on Sept. 10, kept asking the most unusual questions which at that time I found very silly and I still do.

[nomis04]

We just flew in from CDG (Paris) last Thursday...On Wednesday night we were notified, via text, that "new U.S. regulations" would require more time to process and board and to be at the desk check-in 4 hours ahead instead of the normal 3 for International flights, as a result.

 

We were put in a processing line before getting to the airline desk where my wife and I were split up (which I was not happy about) and then questioned separately.

 

We were both asked mostly generic but targeted questions such as: where did we go while in Paris? where did we stay? What did we like or dislike? Then we were asked questions about where we lived In U.S? what did we do in U.S.? what did we like about where we live? etc etc....

 

Each answer seemed to prompt a next level question until we were allowed to go to the desk together to check in and hand off luggage.

 

I would describe it as a "soft grilling".

 

We made inquiry about the reason for the family separation and were told by a Supervisor that it shouldn't have happened and that the officers were still being trained on making sure what was now required with the new regulations.

 

We then both went to the metal detector where I was searched with a wand and then hand frisked before being allowed to go to the boarding gate (which I expected).

 

However, when we were called for boarding at the gate and waved thru the door to the ramp, I was again separated from my wife and directed to a temporary second setup where the officers did a second wand search, shoe removal, lifted my shirt, checked my socks and hand searched me for a second time. After approx. 5 minutes of being scrutinized again, I was allowed to meet up with my wife and we walked on the plane together and took our seats.

 

It turns out it was a random 2nd check where 1 out of every 5-10 people were selected and checked again.

I will say the officers were all courteous and respectful and always asked if I would allow them to search me, which I always calmly answered "yes" .

 

All in all, the process was long, slow and tedious but a reality of the times we live in.

[time4u2go]

No, but they can ask you to turn it on and show its functionality.

As if that would prove that it's not a threat.

[nelblu]

We just flew in from CDG (Paris) last Thursday...On Wednesday night we were notified, via text, that "new U.S. regulations" would require more time to process and board and to be at the desk check-in 4 hours ahead instead of the normal 3 for International flights, as a result.

 

We were put in a processing line before getting to the airline desk where my wife and I were split up (which I was not happy about) and then questioned separately.

 

We were both asked mostly generic but targeted questions such as: where did we go while in Paris? where did we stay? What did we like or dislike? Then we were asked questions about where we lived In U.S? what did we do in U.S.? what did we like about where we live? etc etc....

 

Each answer seemed to prompt a next level question until we were allowed to go to the desk together to check in and hand off luggage.

 

I would describe it as a "soft grilling".

 

We made inquiry about the reason for the family separation and were told by a Supervisor that it shouldn't have happened and that the officers were still being trained on making sure what was now required with the new regulations.

 

We then both went to the metal detector where I was searched with a wand and then hand frisked before being allowed to go to the boarding gate (which I expected).

 

However, when we were called for boarding at the gate and waved thru the door to the ramp, I was again separated from my wife and directed to a temporary second setup where the officers did a second wand search, shoe removal, lifted my shirt, checked my socks and hand searched me for a second time. After approx. 5 minutes of being scrutinized again, I was allowed to meet up with my wife and we walked on the plane together and took our seats.

 

It turns out it was a random 2nd check where 1 out of every 5-10 people were selected and checked again.

I will say the officers were all courteous and respectful and always asked if I would allow them to search me, which I always calmly answered "yes" .

 

All in all, the process was long, slow and tedious but a reality of the times we live in.

 

 

To me that would be nerve wrecking, especially in a foreign country. Some years ago, while flying out of San Juan, after cruising, my wife & my mom who was in her early 80s got pulled out and questioned. My wife was livid as to why they were selected and not me.:halo: On top of that, my mom spoke very little English and I had to translate in Italian.

[Big_G]

As if that would prove that it's not a threat.

At least they'd see your ISIS splash screen.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[clarky213]

Interesting fact today on the news:

 

since 911 - 155 people have died due to Terrorism in USA.

In the same time over 250,000 people have died due to Gun related crime in USA.

 

Make your own conclusions as to where your priorities should lie.

[Candleonwater]

Not looking forward to DD's next international flight. Since her flights originate in London, Ontario, and connect through Toronto, she goes through US immigration (or whatever it is) in Toronto. Rarely does she have a large chunk of time between her flights. This new process sounds like it can be quite time consuming, and maybe a bit intimidating for a teenager traveling home from school?