Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff said visitors to the US who do not need visa's will be required to register with the Government online.

The security regulation, set to begin next year, will require visitors to register 3 days before they travel.

The online registration will remain valid for 2 years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7434374.stm


If travellers register and still have to go thru Homeland Security at the US airport, this will put tourists off I think.

For a while tourism had gone down but recently it has rebounded. I was recently in Orlando, Florida at both Disneyland and Sea World and there were almost as many European tourists as Americans.

Yes Im sure. Id imagine that states such as Florida would depend on tourism a lot, I just think that too much hassle getten there could be off putting.

It may be a bit offputting but I don't think enough so as to drastically reduce tourism.

Maybe not "drastically" but it will certainly have an impact. However, I suspect that impact will be offset by the dollar's inflation.

Dont know Frogger. Europeans going on vacation dont mind running the security checks, but twice on one trip might piss them off a bit.

I cant see the benefit of online registration if it means having to do the same again once you get there.

Maybe not "drastically" but it will certainly have an impact. However, I suspect that impact will be offset by the dollar's inflation.

This is true, tho the dollar cant stay weak forever-can it ?

Also some airlines are getten ready to increase fares drastically due to oil prices, in Europe anyway. Tourism afar may be coming to an end :(

the increased cost will cause some people to change their vacation plans but others will continue to do as they have always done. Shopping in the U.S. is such a good deal for tourist from Europe that it far outweighs any increase in air fares.

Levis cost less than half what they do in Europe as do such makeups as Clinique. OTC medicines are also much cheaper. I have relatives who visit from Germany and shop up a storm, sending tons of stuff back home because of the extreme difference in cost.

the increased cost will cause some people to change their vacation plans but others will continue to do as they have always done. Shopping in the U.S. is such a good deal for tourist from Europe that it far outweighs any increase in air fares.

Levis cost less than half what they do in Europe as do such makeups as Clinique. OTC medicines are also much cheaper. I have relatives who visit from Germany and shop up a storm, sending tons of stuff back home because of the extreme difference in cost.

Yes, you guys have the good life thats for sure.

It probably won't hurt tourism that much, but we still shouldn't put up with the sort of attitude we present to visitors. On the airline industry board I lurk on, which is pretty international in flavor, having to deal with U.S. customs and immigration is pretty much universally hated. My dealings have been fairly limited and not especially bad, but the people letting me in to the other country were always more pleasant than the ones whose salaries my taxes pay for. There's no reason that they can't do a good job and be pleasant.

There's no reason that they can't do a good job and be pleasant.

well if that is going to be a cause of yours,i would stay away from homeland security,who's real job is to save your ass,and turn your attention to other government entities like the IRS or the DMV

At US airports what does Homeland Security do that airport security and Immigration didnt do before them ?

well if that is going to be a cause of yours,i would stay away from homeland security,who's real job is to save your ass,and turn your attention to other government entities like the IRS or the DMV

So if they're saving my ass, they're allowed to be jerks? Don't get me wrong - I'd rather have ass-saving jerks in there than some pleasant idiot who lets anyone just walk through, but at least until there's some suspicion of something afoot, there's no reason they can't be pleasant while they're saving my ass.

Ive heard mixed reports from holiday makers about Homeland personnel.
Some good reports, some bad, the biggest complaint Ive heard is they are
rude and ignorant, thats what I heard.

At US airports what does Homeland Security do that airport security and Immigration didnt do before them ?
the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) is the parent of airport security (TSA), and Immigration & Customs (ICE).

like General Motors is the parent of Chevrolet & Cadillac.

Ive heard mixed reports from holiday makers about Homeland personnel.
Some good reports, some bad, the biggest complaint Ive heard is they are
rude and ignorant, thats what I heard.
how cheerful are you after 8 hours of a 10 hour shift on your feet? the ignorant part comes from the top, the guys at that security checkpoint are just following orders. if taking your shoes off and running them thru the x-ray is so damn important, why isn't it done at every U.S. airport?:confused:

So if they're saving my ass, they're allowed to be jerks? Don't get me wrong - I'd rather have ass-saving jerks in there than some pleasant idiot who lets anyone just walk through, but at least until there's some suspicion of something afoot, there's no reason they can't be pleasant while they're saving my ass.
the one time i got the Disney pleasant boarding pass screener, she sent me for the extra pat down.:taser:

how cheerful are you after 8 hours of a 10 hour shift on your feet? the ignorant part comes from the top, the guys at that security checkpoint are just following orders. if taking your shoes off and running them thru the x-ray is so damn important, why isn't it done at every U.S. airport?:confused:

You mean it's NOT done at every U.S. airport? I'm surprised to hear that.

The best part about going thru intense security checks before being allowed to proceed to your gate means that everybody else on that plane has been screened, too. I like that part.

;)
SMW

So if they're saving my ass, they're allowed to be jerks? Don't get me wrong - I'd rather have ass-saving jerks in there than some pleasant idiot who lets anyone just walk through, but at least until there's some suspicion of something afoot, there's no reason they can't be pleasant while they're saving my ass.

Well untill there is a law against being a jerk,or a law against not being all rosey and full of sunshine and rainbows,you just are going to have to develop thicker skin,or stop flying.

Well untill there is a law against being a jerk,or a law against not being all rosey and full of sunshine and rainbows,you just are going to have to develop thicker skin,or stop flying.

Personally, I prefer both my president and airport security checkers to be a little on the DEADLY SERIOUS side. Smiling clowns are for the circus.

:lolhit:

the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) is the parent of airport security (TSA), and Immigration & Customs (ICE).

like General Motors is the parent of Chevrolet & Cadillac.

Thats all very well, but what do they do that airport security didnt do ?

how cheerful are you after 8 hours of a 10 hour shift on your feet? the ignorant part comes from the top, the guys at that security checkpoint are just following orders. if taking your shoes off and running them thru the x-ray is so damn important, why isn't it done at every U.S. airport?:confused:
As you well know, Im always cheery.
These people are the first Yanks tourists encounter on arrival, know what a mean.

Personally, I prefer both my president and airport security checkers to be a little on the DEADLY SERIOUS side. Smiling clowns are for the circus.

:lolhit:


Yeah yeah, guilty until searched, and proven innocent. :)

Yeah yeah, guilty until searched, and proven innocent. :)

Works for me!

Talking to a friend earlier today who was telling me about his flight from Amsterdam last month. Said they patted down EVERYONE, but to make things a little more enjoyable, had a beautiful female security person and a handsome male security person who did the patting. (before anybody books a ticket, they patted down members of their own sex) Said he thought it was a good PR move.

However, they also put their passengers thru TWO security checks. One to get to the gate and another before boarding. The second check involved sitting down at a table and being interviewed by a security person. He said there must've been 25-30 security personnel around.

Sounds like we're not the only ones who are not willing to take any chances these days.

Works for me!

Talking to a friend earlier today who was telling me about his flight from Amsterdam last month. Said they patted down EVERYONE, but to make things a little more enjoyable, had a beautiful female security person and a handsome male security person who did the patting. (before anybody books a ticket, they patted down members of their own sex) Said he thought it was a good PR move.

However, they also put their passengers thru TWO security checks. One to get to the gate and another before boarding. The second check involved sitting down at a table and being interviewed by a security person. He said there must've been 25-30 security personnel around.

Sounds like we're not the only ones who are not willing to take any chances these days.
From Amsterdam-so they didnt find the blow then :D

To make matters worse, travelling to America from Ireland you have to go thru Homeland Security here, in Ireland :(

From Amsterdam-so they didnt find the blow then :D

To make matters worse, travelling to America from Ireland you have to go thru Homeland Security here, in Ireland :(

Face it, Paulie... breezing thru airports is a thing of the past.

LOL, just remembered the old Hertz (or was it Avis?) commercial that showed O. J. Simpson running thru an airport, jumping over chairs and stuff while waving around a briefcase. Man, have times changed... he'd no doubt be shot today. (and for more reasons than simple airport security!)

:lolhit:

Face it, Paulie... breezing thru airports is a thing of the past.
Im afraid I have to agree with you on this one.

LOL, just remembered the old Hertz (or was it Avis?) commercial that showed O. J. Simpson running thru an airport, jumping over chairs and stuff while waving around a briefcase. Man, have times changed... he'd no doubt be shot today. (and for more reasons than simple airport security!)

:lolhit:Luckily for us we dont get American TV channels here, but is there any chance of running him thru this week, and getten security to plug him, please.

Thats all very well, but what do they do that airport security didnt do ?
so you don't waste your time flying over if they know you're not getting in...then there's the ever present threat of drug smuggling, so they have to check you once you get here too.

Well untill there is a law against being a jerk,or a law against not being all rosey and full of sunshine and rainbows,you just are going to have to develop thicker skin,or stop flying.

You're right - everything's perfect - no need to change anything. Gotta go - I'm late for my psychotherapy. Still recovering from my last flight, ya know.

You're right - everything's perfect - no need to change anything. Gotta go - I'm late for my psychotherapy. Still recovering from my last flight, ya know.

Ofcourse there will always be a REASON to chance things,but to have a NEED to change something is a different story entirely.

so you don't waste your time flying over if they know you're not getting in...then there's the ever present threat of drug smuggling, so they have to check you once you get here too.

Good idea, just incase you buy some dope over the Atlantic.

Good idea, just incase you buy some dope over the Atlantic.
it wouldn't be the 1st time something jumped into somebody's baggage that was missed on the departure.

it wouldn't be the 1st time something jumped into somebody's baggage that was missed on the departure.

You mean like 1kg of C4 no doubt.

You mean like 1kg of C4 no doubt.
like 5 or 6k of cocaine....or heroin.

....the dollar cant stay weak forever-can it ?

Yes.

And *weak* hardly describes what depths it will fall to if the world’s monetary standard of currency is moved --as many experts are predicting will happen-- to the euro instead of the dollar.

like 5 or 6k of cocaine....or heroin.

Yeah, ya wouldnt notice that going in yer hand luggage.

Yes.

And *weak* hardly describes what depths it will fall to if the world’s monetary standard of currency is moved --as many experts are predicting will happen-- to the euro instead of the dollar.
Well, that'll just halt our industry entirely now, won't it? :eek: Moron. :rolleyes:

Yeah, ya wouldnt notice that going in yer hand luggage.
ask any mule in detention. they have no idea how those balloons full of narcotics got in their GI tract.:@@:

...*weak* hardly describes what depths it (the dollar) will fall to if the world’s monetary standard of currency is moved --as many experts are predicting will happen-- to the euro instead of the dollar.

Well, that'll just halt our industry entirely now, won't it?

No. Not at all. But it will definitely signal the end of America as the number one economic power in the world.

__________________________

"Now the long-feared Asiatic colossus takes its turn as world leader, and we—the white race—have become the yellow man’s burden. Let us hope that he will treat us more kindly than we treated him." _________ Gore Vidal

No. Not at all. But it will definitely signal the end of America as the number one economic power in the world.

__________________________

"Now the long-feared Asiatic colossus takes its turn as world leader, and we—the white race—have become the yellow man’s burden. Let us hope that he will treat us more kindly than we treated him." _________ Gore Vidal
So we'll be relegated (monetarily) to the second spot (for a relatively short period of time before the pendulum swings the other way (which is inevitable, mind you)) - so in reality, who cares? Oh, and Gore Vidal's an asshole; I don't (and will never) fear the "yellow man" (IOW, the low-tech manufacturing "colossus" :rolleyes: ).

If they ever tried "enslaving" the white man (as per Vidal's ludicrous implication above), then we could end their very existence with the push of a button (which would, in turn, end our own existence, thus naturally resulting in a Mexican standoff).

They'll always be second tier, technologically speaking, because their government exists (i.e. profits) on purely exploitive principles; read - they'll never be the idea guys - just the copiers, and the best part is, THEY created that dynamic through their unique implementation faux-communism. In short, their chess moves are limited by their own design.

So give the Chicken Little routine a rest, will ya?

The delivery techniques of smuggling drugs is like a dry run for a nuclear bomb.

The delivery techniques of smuggling drugs is like a dry run for a nuclear bomb.

Yeah, Norh America must be some place then, dropping drugs from a B52.

The delivery techniques of smuggling drugs is like a dry run for a nuclear bomb.

Maybe the terrorists will put tiny nuclear bombs in condoms and swallow them. And then crap them out on us later.

Homeland Security do little that Immigration and airport security didnt do.
Better Intel and co-operation with foreign Governments regards they're security might be more productive.

This mindset that the US is constantly under threat from suicidal passengers, simply plays into the hands of Republican hardliners on one side, keeping the 'fear factor' alive and well, and on the other side, giving AQ more credit than they deserve.

Homeland Security do little that Immigration and airport security didnt do.
You obviously have NO idea what Homeland Security does. Their scope of responsibility has caused the international community to change the way they do business (for transparency purposes, which is a good thing, mind you). They oversee everything. The ICE and TSA factions are only individual components of that rather MASSIVE program, and they're subordinate in the grand scheme of things.

You obviously have NO idea what Homeland Security does. Their scope of responsibility has caused the international community to change the way they do business (for transparency purposes, which is a good thing, mind you). They oversee everything. The ICE and TSA factions are only individual components of that rather MASSIVE program, and they're subordinate in the grand scheme of things.

Id say they definitly have changed how people enter the US by air, tho illegals seem able to cross as usual, maybe they should watch the border as much as the ports.

Id say they definitly have changed how people enter the US by air, tho illegals seem able to cross as usual, maybe they should watch the border as much as the ports.
You'll get no argument from me.