Tech's off to the Big Apple! - Advice etc

[Kite159]

That's a bizarre statement. Most countries that I can think of charge a processing fee for entry visas/authorisations where they are required. To look at just a few countries, entry to China requires a visa (minimum £36pp)*, entry to Turkey requires a visa for a minimum of US$20 (you can purchase this at point of entry), entry to Canada requires an eTA ($7), entry to Australia requires a free ETA (but there is a $20 service charge), Japan charges 3000 Yen for a visa, Russia charge £35.40 + the fee for the visa you need, Egypt charge a $25 visa on arrival... I could go on. We get visa free travel to Europe that we take for granted, but if we did not have that we'd have to pay for a Schengen visa.

I assume you'll be boycotting all of these countries?

It's not uncommon to charge a processing fee for immigration documents.

It seems illogical to refuse to pay $14 for a Visa when your flight and hotel alone will contribute considerably more in US tax. $14 for two years unlimited travel (provided you are traveling for the purposes for which visa-free travel is permitted; basically, not for work and for stays <90 days) is a relatively good deal. And you only pay $4 if for any reason your application is declined.

You can, alternatively, travel without paying for an ESTA. The airline won't convey you (if they do, you'll be turned back and they'll be fined). Or you can get a Visa, which requires you to go for an interview in London and comes with a fee of $160 (B2 tourist visa).

*A Chinese transit visa for Beijing (and maybe Shanghai now) can allow free visa-free transit in Beijing for stays <72 hours.

Japan is a free 90 day Visa for visitors from the UK, and when I went to Canada I didn't have to pay any sort of visa entry fee (unless it was included in the holiday price)

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I'm not disagreeing with countries charging, but do you remember the uproar from the US when we proposed to do the same system for/to them? They ended up getting their own way - besides, all I have to do is go to Canada and drive over as there is no charge if coming over the boarder by land

 

[Kristofferson]

0330 numbers are included in your minutes bundle, Tech

 

[me123]

I'm not disagreeing with countries charging, but do you remember the uproar from the US when we proposed to do the same system for/to them? They ended up getting their own way - besides, all I have to do is go to Canada and drive over as there is no charge if coming over the boarder by land

Instead, you pay the Canadians $7 under the (new, BTW, I checked*) eTA system they're introducing. Brilliant. :roll:

There's actually a very good reason for this. As I've alluded to, your airline is fined if they take you to America without authorisation to travel (same for sea vessels entering the US at a sea port). So they have to have a system that can authorise travel under the VWP and communicate this to airlines. It minimises the number of people getting refused entry at an airport (I know a couple of people who were in this situation because of a criminal record). It's easy to turn people back at the road border - they simply turn their car in a 180 degree direction and drive off into the sunset. It's more difficult at an airport - they ultimately have to detain you until the next flight back to your country.

It doesn't prevent a border guard turning you back for another reason; entry is always at the discretion of the CBP officer. But by using the electronic check for things such as criminal records, previous refused entries etc, you can potentially stop people traveling to the country who are otherwise going to get turned back when they find out they don't qualify for visa free travel - they can then apply for a visa if they want to travel to the US and go through a more thorough check.

*(FWIW, my post above isn't necessarily accurate, I made a quick search, and indeed Japan allows visa-free travel to UK residents under certain conditions. My point is the same - many countries levy charges. We're very lucky in that a UK passport offers huge options for visa-free travel. Lots of countries do not have this, and holders of some passports must apply for a formal visa at many more locations than we do).

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Mmm... America hasn't got anything that I don't have here anyway!

 

[306024]

Mmm... America hasn't got anything that I don't have here anyway!

Back on topic, my advice would be to go to the Big Apple in preference to Hull. I'd also caution against over planning everything (although that may not be in your nature) and go with the flow. New York is full of surprises.

Instead, you pay the Canadians $7 under the (new, BTW, I checked) eTA system they're introducing.

It certainly wasn't in place last year, glad you mentioned it. And as the US website says, posession of an ESTA does not guarantee entry into the US.

 

[Techniquest]

Aye we're not planning everything to the letter, that's not a holiday, thats not fun, it becomes a chore. We didn't entirely plan the Stockholm trip too carefully, and that worked just fine. I know there's things we're definitely doing, and have been planned which are:

Monday evening, taxi from JFK to base camp, no questions asked. Over 15 hours of travelling and even I will want to simply just get there. I can sample the delights of Air Train etc on the way home.

Tuesday morning, sleep in an attempt to adjust to USA time. Tuesday afternoon, find a good size WalMart for a big supply run and explore.

Wednesday, depending on the weather get started on sightseeing. After that, nothing is planned in any sense at all.

Final thought for now. My mate James is partially deaf, to the point of needing hearing aids. When it comes to the immigration desks/border control, is this likely to cause an issue? I'm happy to help him with hearing what they're saying if he can't hear (other noises can interfere with his hearing aids, say if a tannoy comes on it may prove awkward timing) but we have worries they won't like it if we're both at, say, the passport desk at the same time to ensure there's no issues. Any ideas gang, should I contact the airline and ask them?

As for the ESTA thing, if £9-ish means we're given the initial clearance to actually go then so be it. We're looking at it as being a welcome way to help stop dodgy people travelling to the USA!

 

[NY Yankee]

Aye we're not planning everything to the letter, that's not a holiday, thats not fun, it becomes a chore. We didn't entirely plan the Stockholm trip too carefully, and that worked just fine. I know there's things we're definitely doing, and have been planned which are:

Monday evening, taxi from JFK to base camp, no questions asked. Over 15 hours of travelling and even I will want to simply just get there. I can sample the delights of Air Train etc on the way home.

Tuesday morning, sleep in an attempt to adjust to USA time. Tuesday afternoon, find a good size WalMart for a big supply run and explore.

Wednesday, depending on the weather get started on sightseeing. After that, nothing is planned in any sense at all.

Final thought for now. My mate James is partially deaf, to the point of needing hearing aids. When it comes to the immigration desks/border control, is this likely to cause an issue? I'm happy to help him with hearing what they're saying if he can't hear (other noises can interfere with his hearing aids, say if a tannoy comes on it may prove awkward timing) but we have worries they won't like it if we're both at, say, the passport desk at the same time to ensure there's no issues. Any ideas gang, should I contact the airline and ask them?

As for the ESTA thing, if £9-ish means we're given the initial clearance to actually go then so be it. We're looking at it as being a welcome way to help stop dodgy people travelling to the USA!

There aren't any Walmarts in the city (thank the NYC Council for that). However, there are Targets (which is essentially the same thing). The closest Walmart to the city is at Green Acres mall near the Queens-Nassau border.

 

[Techniquest]

Walmart.com reckons there's at least 3 in the Brooklyn area!

 

[Minilad]

Mmm... America hasn't got anything that I don't have here anyway!

Well they don't have Pacers. But if you think America has nothing you don't get here then you are very much mistaken.
Horses for courses though

 

[Techniquest]

There's those monster locos in America after all!

 

[Bald Rick]

Final thought for now. My mate James is partially deaf, to the point of needing hearing aids. When it comes to the immigration desks/border control, is this likely to cause an issue? I'm happy to help him with hearing what they're saying if he can't hear (other noises can interfere with his hearing aids, say if a tannoy comes on it may prove awkward timing) but we have worries they won't like it if we're both at, say, the passport desk at the same time to ensure there's no issues. Any ideas gang, should I contact the airline and ask them?
!

US immigration officials are notoriously straight faced and do everything by the book. Any stroppiness on the part of the potential visitor will lead to a trip to 'Secondary' for a more detailed interview, no tea, no biscuits.

Having said that, they are used to people with difficulties understanding them, more usually through a language barrier. Invariably there is an official at the start of what will be a long queue (line), and if you ask him/her nicely they will be able to advise on how best to approach the immigration desk with your friend. I'm sure it won't be a problem. You will get asked to do fingerprints on an electronic reader, the four fingers in one go, then the thumb. Both hands.

Note there are two stages, immigration and customs; you are likely to be asked similar questions at each.


Separately, even with a very long day travelling the previous day, you will find yourself up and about early on your first full day. This is for two reasons:

1) the 5 hour time difference means that waking up at what your body thinks is, say, midday will only be 0700 NY time

2) YOU'RE IN NEW YORK BABY!!!!

 

[Techniquest]

I think you may be right on the time difference thing, it's going to hit hard when we get back!

Good advice on talking to the TSA/CBP guys/girls when we get there. I don't think it'll be an issue either to be fair.

Flight socks and plug socket adaptors sourced from Asda, two more little bits done. At this rate I'll be packing the case before I know it!

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Just be polite and no "wise cracks" to uniformed Homeland Security / Customs staff - they do have a sense of humour I am sure - but not wired in to our channels. Two tips.

(a) Do not try and take in a tin of Welsh laverbread - they aint seen it and did not know what it was. (took 30 mins of explanation
(b) On one occasion - the agent made a comment on "come over to see the Colony ? - best ignored with a smile and praise for the good old USA.

When you hit the streets - it will be awesome - London is a mere hamlet compared to the energy of NYC - embrace it with gusto. New Yorkers are basically very friendly and very proud of their marvellous city - and getting a map put will inevitably get some one asking if they can help in a cordial manner. They will honestly go out of their way to help you.

The real joy of course is the subway with the manual announcements on the older trains - "step in and watch the closing doors - this is a Brooklyn bound C train making all local stops via 8th Avenue - West 4th is next .." etc.

Have some unexpected money turn up - guess where we are going to next ..?

Oh - going out jet lag wise is just a very long day ....keep going and rest when you get to your hotel. The return is the killer.

 

[ac6000cw]

Oh - going out jet lag wise is just a very long day ....keep going and rest when you get to your hotel. The return is the killer.

I agree (and NYC is only 5 hours time difference anyway).

Re. taking food into the US - don't even think about taking in anything fresh e.g. fruit/veg/meat/meat products, because of rules designed to protect agriculture from imported diseases and pests. They do ask if you have any of those foods (and use sniffer dogs sometimes to check).

 

[NY Yankee]

Just be polite and no "wise cracks" to uniformed Homeland Security / Customs staff - they do have a sense of humour I am sure - but not wired in to our channels. Two tips.

(a) Do not try and take in a tin of Welsh laverbread - they aint seen it and did not know what it was. (took 30 mins of explanation
(b) On one occasion - the agent made a comment on "come over to see the Colony ? - best ignored with a smile and praise for the good old USA.

When you hit the streets - it will be awesome - London is a mere hamlet compared to the energy of NYC - embrace it with gusto. New Yorkers are basically very friendly and very proud of their marvellous city - and getting a map put will inevitably get some one asking if they can help in a cordial manner. They will honestly go out of their way to help you.

The real joy of course is the subway with the manual announcements on the older trains - "step in and watch the closing doors - this is a Brooklyn bound C train making all local stops via 8th Avenue - West 4th is next .." etc.

Have some unexpected money turn up - guess where we are going to next ..?

Oh - going out jet lag wise is just a very long day ....keep going and rest when you get to your hotel. The return is the killer.

Where are the friendly New Yorkers? I haven't seen them...

While there are a few decent people in the Big Apple, the majority of them are quite rude. They bump into you without apologising, they refuse to move to the center of the carriage when they ride the subway, they talk loudly on cellphones, and they cough and don't cover their mouths. Some of them even refuse to clean up after their dogs.

There are these annoying kids who ride the subway. They play music on the radio at a ridiculously high volume. After they start playing the music, they dance and flip around the carriage. When they're finished with their performance, they harass people for money.

There are also a lot of homeless people in the city. Unlike the UK where there's an abundance of jobs and social safety nets, NYC is full of the haves and have nots. Homeless people like to congregate at Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal. They also ride the subway. In addition to the homeless and the annoying kids, there are a few mentally ill people who commit random crimes in the subway.

NYC has many attractions like Times Square, Chinatown, the Met Museum, Brooklyn Bridge, and exquisite restaurants. It's definitely an interesting city. However, there's a darker side to the city that few tourists know of.

 

[atillathehunn]

Electronic System for Travel Authorization is the reason I will not go to the USA - because I believe it to be unfair and just another tax to fund the US government

Are you going to boycott your own country as well?

Visas for the CTA are notoriously difficult to obtain and expensive. I am in the process of organising this for some Jordanian colleagues and the cost is over $100 each for a 2 day trip.

And of course it's to fund the government. Where do you think governments get money from? It's a tax. In what way is it unfair?

Of all the paid-for visas the American ESTA is among the cheapest.

 

[ac6000cw]

Where are the friendly New Yorkers? I haven't seen them...

While there are a few decent people in the Big Apple, the majority of them are quite rude. They bump into you without apologising, they refuse to move to the center of the carriage when they ride the subway, they talk loudly on cellphones, and they cough and don't cover their mouths. Some of them even refuse to clean up after their dogs.

There are these annoying kids who ride the subway. They play music on the radio at a ridiculously high volume. After they start playing the music, they dance and flip around the carriage. When they're finished with their performance, they harass people for money.

There are also a lot of homeless people in the city. Unlike the UK where there's an abundance of jobs and social safety nets, NYC is full of the haves and have nots. Homeless people like to congregate at Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal. They also ride the subway. In addition to the homeless and the annoying kids, there are a few mentally ill people who commit random crimes in the subway.

NYC has many attractions like Times Square, Chinatown, the Met Museum, Brooklyn Bridge, and exquisite restaurants. It's definitely an interesting city. However, there's a darker side to the city that few tourists know of.

Every big city has it's good/bad/lighter/darker sides - it comes with the territory. As a first-time visitor you can only scratch the surface anyway, so you concentrate on what you perceive as the good/interesting parts and ignore the rest.

 

[carriageline]

I went to NY just before Christmas, with our hotel being 'out the way' in queens, with a 10/15 minute walk from the nearest station.

Not once did me or the missus feel unsafe or threatened.

Subway took a little getting used to, but once you get it it's easy.

The city was amazing, literally breathtaking. We did the new 'One world trade Center' observatory deck which was amazing.

 

[fowler9]

Never really felt threatened anywhere I have been including La Paz and Buenos Aires where we were warned to watch our backs by some of the "People in the know". (I don't mean you guys here). Don't wander around like you haven't got a clue where you are, plan first. Don't wander around with headphones covering your ears (I won't even do that in Liverpool). Don't wander around with expensive camera equipment dangling around your neck. Dress like a scruff and hang around with all the people doing what I said before. I also carry my bag loose on my shoulder, easier to feel if someone is having a go at it and also to let it go if they are aggressive.Moneybelt, trousers with hidden pockets, drop wallet. You'll never need any of that if you just look alert.