So when you land in USA, you get every fingerprint taken, as well as a photo of you.
Britain doesnt do that.
Why not?
And should we???
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The USA has a real problem with immigration, (read unwanted immigration) with a virtually open border with Mexico in the south and another with Canada in the north.
I don't think that fingerprinting and so-on is going to help.
The UK, being sea-girt, should have absolutely no problem in controlling unwanted immigration if the will to do so was there. Given proper immigration controls, I see no reason to further invade privacy by collecting fingerprints, photos or DNA, unless criminal activity has taken place within the UK.
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>> The UK, being sea-girt, should have absolutely no problem in controlling unwanted immigration if the
>> will to do so was there.
Never heard of boats? It's just as easy to get in to the UK undetected as it is to get into the US.
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>> Never heard of boats? It's just as easy to get in to the UK undetected
>> as it is to get into the US.
The land border between the north of Ireland and the Republic is easily crossed as well.
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In fact, thinking about it, I'd say it was easier to protect and patrol a land border than an oceanic one.
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>> The USA has a real problem with immigration, (read unwanted immigration) with a virtually open
>> border with Mexico in the south and another with Canada in the north.
The border to the north is not open, unless the illegals want to walk across the arctic. The border to canada is open because entry to canada is not.
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Do you mean immigrants in those that want to live, or when you say 'when you land in the USA' in the sense of a visitor?
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It might be some time off, perhaps not in my lifetime though I wouldn't bet on it, but there is an inevitability about the state eventually properly identifying and logging all of us.
A lot of the data already exist. Only connections are needed, plus some sort of 'ANPR for people' - get a big enough computer and you can use face recognition (need a law against hoodies etc) or cheaper, obligatory chip insertion.
Oblige the population to 'check in' passively whenever they shop, drive or ride in a car, withdraw cash, travel by bus, plane or train, and then you can get a grip on immigration, benefit fiddling, tax evasion.
It won't even need a repressive authoritarian regime to bring it about. Just the Mail and the Express.
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I've long felt that we should be fingerprinting Americans at the border simply because they do it to us. We should also charge them a totally pointless £20 fee before they travel for a name check, and should they need a visa, subject them to a tedious, humiliating, and expensive experience by insisting they travel to the British embassy in Washington, DC.
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Indeed FF, and have someone in a uniform three sizes too small for their ample frame walk up and down shouting at them while they are standing in the 2 hour queue to get in when they've just come off a transatlantic flight.
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When did they start this fingerprinting faff? I went to the US earlier this year and never got fingerprinted.
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Why do you bother going to the USA?
You could simply go to Sc*tl*nd if you want to meet grumpy people!
:-)
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>> Why do you bother going to the USA?
>>
>> You could simply go to Sc*tl*nd if you want to meet grumpy people!
>>
>> :-)
>>
Work reasons, on the occasions I've used the Immigration channels to enter the US they're not too bad, like you say just the misrable bunch you ever saw. Once you get past them though, you couldn't wish for a more friendly people than the americans.
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>>Once you get past them though, you couldn't wish for a more friendly people than the americans.
Yes indeed, that's the bit I don't get. Their border control staff are generally horrible ( although I did remark that the last time I went last month they were tolerably better.) Still shouted a lot but in a slightly less confrontational way maybe.
As you say though, once in the country, they are mostly very pleasant. Much more so than many of our own people.
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>> ( although I did remark that the last time I went last month they were
>> tolerably better.) Still shouted a lot but in a slightly less confrontational way maybe.
>>
Last month did you get fingerprinted as above? Do you know how long it's been in force?
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Yes I did, and previously perhaps 2 years ago. Electronic scanner thing.
Last edited by: Humph D'Bout on Thu 27 Jun 13 at 15:08
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Thanks, I can't say I've had to do it in the last two years, it must be only at certain US airports.
Last edited by: sooty123 on Thu 27 Jun 13 at 15:16
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JFK in my case both times. Going to Vegas in a few weeks on a business trip. Never been before so we'll see if they do the same.
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Never been through JFK that might be it. Spent quite some time out in LV the last few years, have fun! :-)
Last edited by: sooty123 on Thu 27 Jun 13 at 15:28
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The whole immigration / check point into America is a joke for a country that now has 55 million people depending upon food stamps and free dinner hand outs.
unless I HAVE to go there, I don't think I will ever bother.
Too much hassle to arrange for my details to be held without choice.
after all I am not that special to government agencies.
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My young son is primed to blurt out 'my dad is a Policeman as well'. Usually eases my passage through no end. I love the States. Wonderful people and service. I'd live there in a shot, but alas the (legal) immigration process makes it virtually impossible.
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Thanks Sooty. Not quite sure what to expect. Lots of old ladies in white trousers playing slot machines I suppose? What was that film where a bunch of guys go to Vegas on a stag weekend?
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I love Vegas, I usually stay at the MGM.
The pools are always worth a visit, the food in the bars is usually excellent, I love walking around the casinos, but avoid gambling very much.
There's some great outlet centres a little way out of town with organised trips available. There's obviously the main trips of the canyon and dam.
The Strip is pretty fascinating at night, although it pales pretty quickly for me. Its worth going into various of the hotels. Whilst you cannot distinguish one casino from another, the bars, restaurants and shops vary.
There are many shows on, and assuming you like the performers they are typically very good shows.
There are some excellent restaurants off the strip.
Its just a really fun place. Not subtle or sophisticated, but it is fun.
www.vegas.com/attractions/
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>> There are some excellent restaurants off the strip.
I've never been, but Adam Richman seemed to confirm this in an episode of Man v Food I saw recently. I always watch that programme drooling.
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Oh Al, if you like that one you need to get hold of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives".
I've no idea whether or not its on in the UK, but its great.
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>> I love Vegas, I usually stay at the MGM.
Echo all you say, except to say I usually stay at the Venetian.
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I've never stayed at the Venetian.
I like the whole environment at the MGM. Bit more casual than some of them. Once I was booked into the Bellagio but wasn't struck.
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I always feel that the MGM is a bit far off the action. Have they pulled that dump circus circus down yet?
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I like that the MGM is at the end.
Circus Circus is used to keep as many annoying people out of the MGM as possible. Long may it live.
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Have they pulled that dump circus circus down yet?
That's the only casino I've seen that's got it's own RV park. If wetherspoons did casinos...
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>> What was that film where a bunch of guys go
>> to Vegas on a stag weekend?
>>
The Hangover.
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Vegas really surprised me, in that I was almost dragged there last July, but once there, enjoyed the place.
I have always been, and always will be, a 'nature made is better then man made' person, hence my liking for wilderness areas and wild camping. However, once over the awfully early flight from Sacramento via LAX, upgrading to a suite on the 27th floor of the Palladio (we were booked in next door at the Venetian) I went with the flow. A 48 hr bus pass, walked the strip twice, spent a night around Fremont Street, found some great diners thanks to TA, and spent many late afternoon hours sat around the pools chatting to a group of lovely Argentinians.
Three full days was sufficient, but I would definitely return, and I didn't gamble a single dime.
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We flew into Phoenix and had all the fingerprints etc taken.
Been here since Sunday, head to Flagstaff tomorrow via Sedona, also spend a day at the Canyon.
Then onto Vegas on Sunday and then LA on Wednesday till Sunday.
Hired an SUV for my road trip, got a big American Hyundai Tucson, or an ix35 to you and me!!!
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>> We flew into Phoenix and had all the fingerprints etc taken.
>> Been here since Sunday, head to Flagstaff tomorrow via Sedona, also spend a day at
>> the Canyon.
>> Then onto Vegas on Sunday and then LA on Wednesday till Sunday.
>>
>> Hired an SUV for my road trip, got a big American Hyundai Tucson, or an
>> ix35 to you and me!!!
>>
When you go to Sedona, drive up the mesa that the airport lives on. Not only do you get a fantastic view of the surrounding scenery, the food in the restaurant is absolutely fantastic.
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>> We flew into Phoenix and had all the fingerprints etc taken.
>> Been here since Sunday, head to Flagstaff tomorrow via Sedona, also spend a day at
>> the Canyon.
>> Then onto Vegas on Sunday and then LA on Wednesday till Sunday.
Warm enough for you out there? 50c I hear.
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Passed a sign just after visiting Hoover Dam yesterday saying it was 119 degrees!
Almost had to remove my fleece.......
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Its a bit cooler in Doha today.....only 40 C.....
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>> Almost had to remove my fleece.......
And how are the feet doing Bobby? I imagine you've had your "holiday shoes" on for days now...
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Feet doing fine Humph!! Lots of air thru the walking sandals.
Was going to leave my smelly trainers for you but no one here seems to know where the Primark team are going to be staying . . . .
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Where you staying in Vegas Humph?
I could leave my trainers for you in the lobby!!!
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No problem with US immigration when we landed in Philadelphia couple of months ago - 20 minute wait, pleasant immigration staff who laughed and joked with/at us - fingerprints and eye scan taken on what seemed like an ancient desktop.
Las Vegas was something to tick off the bucket list - stayed at the Luxor which was just a sleep/eat factory really. Place was not my cup of tea - it was the topic of conversation last evening when I met up with a couple of former colleagues for a meal - one had been there and enjoyed it and the other was about to go there and was looking forward to it. Doubt whether I would specifically go back there, I have other ideas about the US that need to be chased up....not going to knock other peoples' enjoyment though - each to his own.
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My thoughts are similar to those already posted. It's a knockout place for many the first time they go, but not all. Hotel wise work won't pay for strip hotels so we also stay off the strip, but there are some nice ones if not as impressive. Many inside 'floor' wise are all pretty much the same, easy to get lost inside them. Many of the hotels are interconnected so you don't even need to go outside to change casinos. The best casino I found was the Wynn/Encore towers, very nice inside I'm sure the rooms were good too, worth a nudge to your boss ;-)
The strip does wear off, the shortest time I've spent there is a month so if you're there for some time go out and about. If your into mbiking (I think?) the red rock canyon is supposed to be excellent for that sort of thing.
As to the shows not really my thing, most of them seemed a bit far out for me so I never bothered with them, if you do go, go to the fashion mall and buy the discounted tickets.
Henderson which is the town near the Dam is well worth a look round, I thought it was a lovely little town and could see myself living there if given the chance. Tthe dam itself is worth a visit although on a weekend the traffic through Henderson is heavy. Try and get on the lake as well if you can, there's a few small islands to have some pictures taken and it's a nice get away. The lake is choc a block with fish if that's your thing.
Oh and freemont street is worth a visit too.
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>> Oh and freemont street is worth a visit too.
Its more than "worth a visit", if you don't go there you haven't been to Vegas. Its a "must tick"
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The other night I mistakenly posted something meant for here in another thread, causing Perro to tease me and suggest I was stoned.
The burden of my message was that all you have to do is say your name is Gutierrez, you slipped in from Tijuana 20 years ago and have lived a blameless life ever since flipping burgers in Peoria. Then, only 18 years later, they make you a citizen and bung you a US passport.
Much less hassle than US Immigration, and with a bankable dénouement too. Worth a pretty penny a genuine US passport with attached green card.
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USA immigration - Roger.
