First Time to America....whats to know....?
Discussion
Very True...should add specifics...
Planning to fly Dec 28th...fly back 4th Jan
Heading to Pensacola Florida, have an old friend there...
Just want to make sure any temp VISAs or other Hoops are jumped through nice and early
Followed the above link and did the ESTA thing.....and yes I am the safe/nice kind the Americans like...apparently
Planning to fly Dec 28th...fly back 4th Jan
Heading to Pensacola Florida, have an old friend there...
Just want to make sure any temp VISAs or other Hoops are jumped through nice and early
Followed the above link and did the ESTA thing.....and yes I am the safe/nice kind the Americans like...apparently
On that basis you are good to go. Your easiest route will be into either Atlanta, or Tampa - or Orlando and then a puddle-jumper to P/cola. Just about all major US airlines fly into ATL, BA do Tampa and Orlando - and Virgin do Orlando too, obviously. You are choosing an expensive time of year to travel, however. The sooner you book this, the less painful it will be.
I have to say that FL is not very "festive". There is very little Christmas vibe when the temp is in the 80's and everyone is back at work between Xmas and New Year.
I have to say that FL is not very "festive". There is very little Christmas vibe when the temp is in the 80's and everyone is back at work between Xmas and New Year.
They love to be corrected with their 'English' pronunciation.
Don't forget to remind them they turned up late for the war.
When they give you the "if it wasn't for us you'd all be speaking German" line, tell them it would be a better society than the american ruled one.
They prefer to be called Yanks.
They love European cars and realise they are so much better than american ones.
Remind the Southerners that they are all gay and descended from black Africans!
HTH
Don't forget to remind them they turned up late for the war.
When they give you the "if it wasn't for us you'd all be speaking German" line, tell them it would be a better society than the american ruled one.
They prefer to be called Yanks.
They love European cars and realise they are so much better than american ones.
Remind the Southerners that they are all gay and descended from black Africans!
HTH
When they hand out the custom forms on the aircraft, get two of the green ones. The design is poor and its easy to make a mistake.
Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
Poledriver said:
They love to be corrected with their 'English' pronunciation.
Don't forget to remind them they turned up late for the war.
When they give you the "if it wasn't for us you'd all be speaking German" line, tell them it would be a better society than the american ruled one.
They prefer to be called Yanks.
They love European cars and realise they are so much better than american ones.
Remind the Southerners that they are all gay and descended from black Africans!
HTH
Don't forget to remind them they turned up late for the war.
When they give you the "if it wasn't for us you'd all be speaking German" line, tell them it would be a better society than the american ruled one.
They prefer to be called Yanks.
They love European cars and realise they are so much better than american ones.
Remind the Southerners that they are all gay and descended from black Africans!
HTH
douglasr said:
When they hand out the custom forms on the aircraft, get two of the green ones. The design is poor and its easy to make a mistake.
Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
Fill out your ESTA for on-line before you go. Use the official site, it's free! Don't fall for the rip-off sites who charge you £25.00!Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
Poledriver said:
douglasr said:
When they hand out the custom forms on the aircraft, get two of the green ones. The design is poor and its easy to make a mistake.
Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
Fill out your ESTA for on-line before you go. Use the official site, it's free! Don't fall for the rip-off sites who charge you £25.00!Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
They'll ask you plenty of questions about your trip, why you're there, who are you seeing, how long have you known them, how did you meet them etc.
douglasr said:
When they hand out the custom forms on the aircraft, get two of the green ones. The design is poor and its easy to make a mistake.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Just a couple of observations:It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
I-94W (green visa waiver form) is no longer utilised by CBT at Atlanta, Tampa or Orlando International (though still req at Sanford apparently).
I live in central, rather than NW FL, but temps have been in the 80's on Christmas Day for the previous 3 years. Just my experience - you may well be right - being coastal etc. It snowed in Pensacola last Feb!
CanadianScot said:
Poledriver said:
douglasr said:
When they hand out the custom forms on the aircraft, get two of the green ones. The design is poor and its easy to make a mistake.
Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
Fill out your ESTA for on-line before you go. Use the official site, it's free! Don't fall for the rip-off sites who charge you £25.00!Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
They'll ask you plenty of questions about your trip, why you're there, who are you seeing, how long have you known them, how did you meet them etc.
mat13 said:
Dont try and be funny with the immigration guys, they have no sense of humour and a finger just itching to press the big red button marked terrorist.
The one "interviewing" me and the gf a few weeks back suggested she give me a blowjob as payment for taking her on holiday Poledriver said:
douglasr said:
When they hand out the custom forms on the aircraft, get two of the green ones. The design is poor and its easy to make a mistake.
Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
Fill out your ESTA for on-line before you go. Use the official site, it's free! Don't fall for the rip-off sites who charge you £25.00!Don't get smart with Government officials at immigration, if he/she tells you do something (like correct the form and go back to the end of the queue...do it. Same with security on the way back.
If there is a Cheeburger Cheeburger near you, go there. Buy a 1/2 lb burger, fries and a shake, love it for what it is and then forget you have just consumed 3000 calories.
It may be cooler than you expect in North Florida, certainly not in the 80's,more like mid 60's.
Find a good micro-brewery. American beer is not the best. Their dark beers are good though, or try Anchor beers (Anchor Bock and Anchor Steam) if you can find them.
They're phasing out the green I-94W form, in fact I think it's totally gone now. The last 3 times I've been I haven't needed it (all this year), though earlier in the year I did, March I think was the last time I filled one out.
Nothing else to do other than pack your bags and enjoy the flight if you've done your ESTA.
Generally, people seem to get a bit uptight and unduly concerned about flying through the states since 9/11. The tales of woe surrounding the whole process are enough to get most people concerned, but the reality is it's really not that bad besides having to deal with some really boring and frequent security checks. They seem to pride themselves on making you wait as long as possible, and getting you as hot as possible (especially in NYC), but it's remarkable how fast you get out once you're through. Immigration I've never had a problem with when travelling on a civvy passport, try flying with a seafarers visa and you seem to get treated like you're there to rape their wives and kids though for some reason.
Last time I was in Florida they were a lot less uppity than the NYC lot, presumably because they know most of the people coming through are tourists. I'm off there next month so I'll be sure to warn them you're coming
Really, aside of having to take your laptop out of your bag and taking your belt and shoes off a few times, it's completely painless. Well, aside of the body cavity searches and gunpoint interrogation.
Nothing else to do other than pack your bags and enjoy the flight if you've done your ESTA.
Generally, people seem to get a bit uptight and unduly concerned about flying through the states since 9/11. The tales of woe surrounding the whole process are enough to get most people concerned, but the reality is it's really not that bad besides having to deal with some really boring and frequent security checks. They seem to pride themselves on making you wait as long as possible, and getting you as hot as possible (especially in NYC), but it's remarkable how fast you get out once you're through. Immigration I've never had a problem with when travelling on a civvy passport, try flying with a seafarers visa and you seem to get treated like you're there to rape their wives and kids though for some reason.
Last time I was in Florida they were a lot less uppity than the NYC lot, presumably because they know most of the people coming through are tourists. I'm off there next month so I'll be sure to warn them you're coming
Really, aside of having to take your laptop out of your bag and taking your belt and shoes off a few times, it's completely painless. Well, aside of the body cavity searches and gunpoint interrogation.
Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 29th September 08:39
Awesome place....
I love the US. Good advice regarding immigration, they do not mess around. Flying into Vegas a couple of years ago, scrote on plane smoking in toilets. Met at the aircraft doors by burly security guards, frogmarched to customs, scrote starts to protest, scrote handcuffed in a very 'unfriendly' manner and informed he would be returning to the UK and banned from entering the US again.
Cue round of applause from other passengers
I love the US. Good advice regarding immigration, they do not mess around. Flying into Vegas a couple of years ago, scrote on plane smoking in toilets. Met at the aircraft doors by burly security guards, frogmarched to customs, scrote starts to protest, scrote handcuffed in a very 'unfriendly' manner and informed he would be returning to the UK and banned from entering the US again.
Cue round of applause from other passengers
The jiffle king said:
Think carefully about tipping... 15-20% for a meal is the usual, and drinks are usually tipped a dollar a time. It's very different to the UK, so be prepared to tip much more than in the UK or have some very grumpy staff
Just to add, tip the 15-20% on the amount BEFORE tax.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff