bruce t Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Just a note to those who come over to the USA to get their RVing hit. In the past it was possible, at the port of entry, to 'persuade' the person at immigration to give you a longer stay. Making it possible to stay longer. (This was always a risk but it had worked for many including us). Well we have just come through immigration and those folks no-longer exist. You have a nice friendly touch screen to deal with instead. The only human contact now is one official at customs. These changes are world wide. On leaving Australia the immigration folks had also been replaced by similar machines. All one does now is slide your passport in and answer a few questions on the touch screen. So no chance to seek any variations to you travel details. I don't now how many airports have changed but it on its way if it hasn't yet changed. This wont affect many but it is good to know for those who do 'play' the system. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VallAndMo Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Hi Bruce, Can you please tell us what airport was that? Also, was that for *all* Foreigners, or just for ESTA/visa waivers like I presume you to be (coming from Australia and all)? Thanks, -- Vall. Getting ready to join the RV full-time lifestyle in 2017! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce t Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 We flew out of Sydney and the new systems was in place there. We arrived at DFW and it was also there. My observations was the all incoming passengers were serviced by the 'machines'. The 'normal' booths manned by immigration staff were no longer present. A few staff helping folks understand the new system. We usually travle on visas but this time we entered using the ETSA/waiver system. But the visa section also had machines. My concern was those folks who had 'problems' had no one to help sort it it. Many of the new machines had problems and weren't working. Ahhh nothing like sacking real people and replacing them with machines!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Quiet Assassin Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Went through Miami a month ago. As a UK passport holder flying in from Grenada on a B1/B2 visa I still had to see an immigration officer. However queues were MUCH shorter than last year on the old system. FT since September 2007 Safari Trek + M/C http://johncarolandcharro.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce t Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 I 'think' my point is that everything is undergoing change. Just be alert to the fact that there is a move away from the human element. FWIW we still had to fill out the papers on the plane. We still have them. No one was interested in them. Even our QANTAS crew were taken by surprise with the new system. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 ATL has has had the system for years "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce t Posted March 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Stekay it can't have been for 'years'. It's only recently that 'electronic' technology has been introduced into passports. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Stekay it can't have been for 'years'. It's only recently that 'electronic' technology has been introduced into passports. regards My passport is 7 years old and has "'electronic' technology" built into it. At least, that's what I consider a bar code to be. Everybody wanna hear the truth, but everybody tell a lie. Everybody wanna go to Heaven, but nobody want to die. Albert King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladimir Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Here is the Wilki entry on bio-metric passports....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometric_passport They have been issued since 2007. I don't know what information is in there, but since I got mine going through the borders and traveling in Arizona has been a breeze. Once it gets scanned I am good to go!! Prior that time I got to visit the "little room" at every border crossing....both coming and going. Vladimr Steblina Retired Forester...exploring the public lands. usbackroads.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Passports have been digital for awhile, along with the cards. The customs terminals in major incoming terminals are swapping to electronic readers. Swipe your passport and move on. You are still observed and sniffed, just remotely. All the computerized do not fly lists, and new biometric scanners are all new technology that have taken the human element out of the equation of screening incoming passengers. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce t Posted March 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 I'll return to my original point. The human element, that some relied on to change their visa times, has changed. The opportunity to ask for a variation is no-longer possible with the new system/s. No doubt there will be a time lag between the first and last port of entry to be changed over. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 No offense, Bruce T, but why is it an issue that some want to "game" the system and no longer can. I am pretty sure you would not approve were directions of travel reversed. /shrug/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce t Posted March 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 Chalkie no offense taken and I have no issue with it. We've done it. All I was trying to do with the thread is to highlight the fact that the opportunity to 'convince' the immigration person is disappearing. Works in both directions. The worlds changing. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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