quote:

Originally posted by Sinead: I was about to book flights for a two week holiday in Southern Maine next July, but the earlier part of this thread is making me slightly nervous, therefore, I am dithering and risk losing out on choice of rental accommodation.

Sinead,

I certainly agree with others that passing through immigration can be more of a challenge in this post 9/11 world, but think of it this way...why deny yourself a two week trip to Maine for the hour or so that it takes to to depart an airport? In these cases, I try not to pay it any mind and do what is necessary to move forward...and out the door!

Have a lovely time.

Pat

Yet another article on this topic.

It is funny to think of NYC as "world’s most fabulous discount mall". That is worth a chuckle!

Tim W said "It will be interesting if the proposed Europe wide changes go through, and UK airports "toughen up" and demand things like fingerprints and retinal scans. I wonder if this will deter US travellers?"

I think for some it's got to be the principle of the thing: that the United States is going to fingerprint and photograph them, when their country doesn't require that of US travellers.

If that level of security is implemented more widely, I expect some travellers will just quit flying. I know I wouldn't like being subject to that scrutiny.

But, I guess I like travelling more than I would hate being made to feel like a criminal for a few minutes in the immigration process. They're just following the rules.

Now rudeness by immigration officials, that's another matter. And inexcusable. Must have been having a bad day. (Though in that job, it's hard to imagine a good day!)