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Non-Americans who have been to the US.. What is the weirdest thing about America that Americans don't realize is weird? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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[–] 14 points 2 years ago (10 children)

Not like that, they didn't let me board my flight from Europe to Texas. Even though I had a connecting flight to Mexico few hours later. Why can't they have a visa free transit zone like every other country in the world?

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  • [–] 9 points 2 years ago

    So they can rob noncitizens using asset forfeiture laws. Never travel in or through the US if you need to transport large sums of money or valuables.

    Actually, the better advice is never travel in or through the US. I wish that were an option for me.

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  • [–] 7 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    A couple of times I've travelled Air NZ route that goes London-Auckland via LAX. The plane has to stop to refuel I guess. All the passengers are forced to queue up to be fingerprinted and have their eyeballs scanned, while a security guard walks up and down screaming "STAY IN THE LINE!" Then they're herded into a lounge barely big enough to hold everyone (first class passengers have their own little pen next to the toilets). Apologetic air crew distribute apples, crisps and bottles of water. For hours. Through a glass wall is a view of the rest of the airport: shops, cafes, bars, space to stroll. But hey, at least you get to not miss your flight, and the US is safe from Kiwi tourists.

    I don't know if they still do this, I avoid the route.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 years ago

    did london via LAX as well. This was my only experience of the US:

    Arrive LAX and do the whole enter the US customs, the agent asks if anyone has had access to my baggage to which I answered "everyone here with security access". The shit head was not impressed and let me know.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    LAX is also just the worst fucking airport. I remember feeling shocked the first time I flew to LAX. I thought that a city like LA would have a nice, efficient airport, given how much traffic that airport gets and how much money LA has. It's been 10 years since I was last there, but I wouldn't be surprised if LAX was just as dingy and disorganized now.

    I'm sure the whole security theater bullshit would occur no matter what airport you flew through, and I don't know if the experience would have been any nicer anywhere else. I just don't like that airport, I'm in a bad mood, and I want to complain about things on the internet.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (2 children)

    I only stopped there for transit on a flight to Mexico. Just before boarding my flight I was told that I need a visa for the US, which is extremely weird because normally airports have transit zones where you don’t need any visa. But apparently the US is special, so you actually have to enter the country before going right back into the airport. This nonsense made me miss my flight.

    Not like that, they didn’t let me board my flight from Europe to Texas. Even though I had a connecting flight to Mexico few hours later.

    I am no longer on your side. if your journey is :

    European country X -> Somewhere in the US -> Texas -> Mexico

    Then of course you're going through security controls, etc etc. You're going from the international processing and flights part of the airport to the domestic flights part of the airport, which is the zone where any asshole in that country can travel in, so you're properly entering the US. Of course you need proper clearance and visas and all that.

    I initially assumed your journey was

    Non US country-> Somewhere in the US -> Mexico

    which you'd be completely right

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