18.02.09
US immigration officials rude! (but they make us feel safe)
US and UK immigration given vote of confidence
US immigration officials have been voted the rudest in the world in an online survey by travel and social networking site WAYN.com (Where Are You Now?).
In the survey 2250 passengers were asked questions about baggage handling, customs and security at major international airports.
American immigration officials came out worst, followed by India and Russia.
“Our survey would suggest that the US customs and immigration need to address their attitude towards visitors, simplify the form filling, generally be a lot more welcoming and better reflect the personality of the American people,” said Jerome Touze, joint founder and joint chief executive of the site.
Despite the the USA immigration verdict, New York’s JFK performed well in the security question coming joint first with London Heathrow, which was also voted the most annoying airport for passport queues followed closely 2nd by JFK.
Tell us your experiences of immigration around the world, who do you think sucks? What’s been your best and worst experience? Stories related to mile high are particularly welcome. Leave your comments below and read some experiences of UK immigration!
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas in Global indian immigration and visa news, UK immigration, USA Immigration and work visas
April 1st, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Has anyone been to the USA since this survey was reported in February 2009 and found any changes with US immigration officials ?
March 20th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Hi
I would like to share some experiences with the US immigration customs -I started my trip to the US on 22 Jan ’10. We were being made to wait in a long line because the officers were taking at least 10 minutes to talk to each traveler. While waiting, i could hear the questions loud and clear in one booth. Is this their manner to be blunt, loud, and insensitve to strangers? talking to them as if they’re some piece of shit.? As soon as it was my turn to make it to the booth. I got asked to verify my age (first time, i was asked that travelling to any countries from Australia), occupation status (i said student – I fibbed and this lead on to question what course i was studying…) and why i was here and if i knew anybody in US. And the fact i forgotten to take my itinerary with me to show proof of return details). Got hold up for half an hour, i was lead to a section where they asked me again my reasons for travelling to the US, and age and i told them my dates for returning and shown them the piece of paper that was written down (i remembered). Eventually i was able to get through the customs.
Is this just me stereo typing but i found the males US immigration customs to be really down right rude, paranoid and hostile and while the females were nice, polite and neutral?
I have second thoughts about ever going to the US again because of their horrible attitudes. So the survey results has confirmed it to me that they are still fookin rude and the worst people to deal with.
June 10th, 2010 at 3:01 am
The immigration customs people are rude and they are not making any changes to improve anything. They make jokes of the passengers who the custom officers work with right in front of them. Also, they are patronizing and overbearing. In addition, I wonder if they even got the proper training.
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:59 am
I think they are mostly only rude to non-citizens (permanent residents included) It would be unfair to say that all customs officials need manner and respect lessons, but some of them certainly need them badly. Expecially their curse-breathing mouths.
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:02 am
Sorry, I’m referring to the NYC customs at the cruise piers.