Thread: Travelling to the USA

My father just sent me this advising I take no phone, no laptop, no ipod, no flashdrive, no books, and no documentation of any sort with me when I fly to NY on buisiness. I wish it was that simple. But we all know it's not.

I'm not that familiar with our own anti-terrorism laws in the UK and I suspect that we have the power to confiscate anything if reasonable suspicion is there. But of course, one can always trump up a case of reasonable suspicion, so maybe the US policy of no requirement of suspicion is just a little more honest?

Thoughts?

It's possible.
Honestly there are draconian laws all over the place, usually at the behest of groups of people concerned about one thing or another who then demand their congressman, etc. "do something about it". Congressmen and senators are not superheroes, they just write laws. Which always make things more strict, not less.

That said, news pieces are also aimed at getting the most dramatic side of things possible. Your thumb drives, laptop, and other such things, are IMHO quite safe.
Years ago, I sold one of my prized rifles and dreaded my first orders, after finding I was going to be stationed north of Los Angeles. On the news and indeed in television and movies, the place was made to be a lair for gangsters, thugs, ridiculous gun laws and drive by shootings. Reality was it was for the most part, nothing of the sort (other than the laws). Every town has its "bad areas" and so does every country. Doesn't mean it's like in the news, exactly.
I'm sure if you were coming from the mountainous regions of Pakistan/Afghanistan, with an I "heart" Bin Laden shirt on under your beard and dark glasses, some eyebrows would be raised, but ultimately just like most places if you are friendly people will be friendly back. The rules are rules, if they want to scan your laptop in a separate box, just put it in a separate box. It's nothing personal. The underpaid, often no sense-of-humor TSA employee is just doing what he or she is told to do for a job, and has generally no interest at all in your laptop or personal belongings.

I'm rambling.
By all this I meant to say, if you want to bring it, and it's not against flight rules (e.g. switchblade in the carry on, that sort of thing) go ahead. Enjoy your visit here and welcome!
John P.

I would agree with John. Just try to think of anything that could be seen as a problem - For example, if you call the middle east on a regular basis for some reason, you might have reason for pause. Otherwise, you should be fine.

Jordan

Honestly,
Even calling the middle east a lot isn't necessarily a huge problem. I call the middle east from work quite often. Getting on a plane with no luggage, praying fervently and asking an Imam/Priest/Rabbi to administer last rites before boarding...ahem, well you know that's different.
The article (like ones here) is mostly trying to raise eyebrows in alarm and help circulation. The bored inspectors see so many thousands of people a day they really aren't interested in your phone conversations, so long as you don't hold them on the airplane (no-no for everyone) and possibly while they search your bags, if, like me, you are unlucky enough to have your bag routinely chosen by "random".
I did learn one thing.
I often carry a lot of magazines in a carry on, and perhaps a radio/mp3 player. This is a no-no, I found out, as the employees are taught to look for large masses of cellulose type material with adjacent electronics. My stack of magazines with a radio on top fit this description perfectly. I also found that it is best to err on the side of caution with those travel sized bottles. Everything, including deodorants, needs to go into the seperate zip-loc bag for least amount of hassle, I've found.
Typically when you have everything separated in advance how the TSA screeners like, you pretty much cruise right through, the longest pause being to replace belt (if you wear one) and shoes.

Again, sorry for all the hassle coming here, we go through the same stuff too-nobody's looking to pick on Brits...well ok I admit somedays I get into a way about me...

Welcome. Get on over here and have a good time.


John P.

Originally Posted by majurey

My father just sent me this advising I take no phone, no laptop, no ipod, no flashdrive, no books, and no documentation of any sort with me when I fly to NY on buisiness.

I travel frequently overseas and have never had a problem with a computer, ipod, thumb drives, phones, cameras or anything else.

Enjoy the trip!
Welcome to the US in advance.

Originally Posted by JohnP

Honestly,
Getting on a plane with no luggage...

Yes, my one and only experience of being pulled aside at every opportunity was when I had to fly to Boca Raton for a meeting. Having no other business to attend, and Boca being, ummm how to put this, not exactly the most stimulating place to be, I decided to fly in and fly out in 24 hours, from London. So, stupidly, I packed a small backpack and no other luggage. That of course drew attention from security, customs, etc. and it was only afterwards I realised it would have been quicker for me to pack luggage in the hold, even if it were empty!

"Where are you coming from, Sir?"
-- London, the UK.
"Where's your luggage, Sir?"
-- this is it, I only have this.
"How long are you staying?"
-- one night.
"You've come all that way for one night?!"
-- yes, it's just for one business meeting and then I return.
"What business are you in, Sir?"
etc.

Afterwards I realised what a dumb thing it was to do, but like the tip about having lots of paper and electronics, I guess you only realise after the fact.

BTW, thanks for the welcome guys! I've been visiting the US for years, and I love the time I spend there.

I can only imagine the hassle! I thought I had it bad for my magazines, and I was only going across country...

Oh well, the ways we get stories to tell.


John P.

I wouldn't expect you would have a problem with any normal items provided they meet the size restrictions (for liquids/gels) and you properly follow the carryon and checked baggage rules. It is probably worth spending a little time on the US's Transportation Security Administration site reviewing the current rules.

As a precaution, I always make a backup of my laptop before leaving home... I've found that to be a good idea regardless of security quirks.

Originally Posted by majurey

My father just sent me this advising I take no phone, no laptop, no ipod, no flashdrive, no books, and no documentation of any sort with me when I fly to NY on buisiness. I wish it was that simple. But we all know it's not.

I'm not that familiar with our own anti-terrorism laws in the UK and I suspect that we have the power to confiscate anything if reasonable suspicion is there. But of course, one can always trump up a case of reasonable suspicion, so maybe the US policy of no requirement of suspicion is just a little more honest?

Thoughts?

I'm in an out of the US all the time and I carry:

1 Laptop
Multiple flash drives
Ipod
Blackberry
Pretty much any book I want
Pretty much any document I want

I used to carry a knife, in my pocket until the slimy terrorist hit the WTC, and then checked in my bag along with my razors, but now this knife is actually illegal in the UK (it has a locking blade) so I just leave it at home.

The Telegraph is not know of its honesty with regards to the US.