These days we’re speaking to more and more freelancers and contractors who are frequent fliers – attending conferences, providing consultancy or UK-specific advice to big businesses.
But for all their air-miles these guys and gals don’t know a lot about travelling abroad, especially to the US. Luckily for you, intrepid reader, my partner in crime is US-based, so I like to keep abreast of the latest travel rules and regulations when it comes to Fortress America.
The first thing any US-bound traveller should know about is ESTA. No, not that one. ESTA is the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, and it’s something that you have to go through before you travel to the States, or you’ll be denied boarding at the airport. It’s basically an online form to confirm your identity – the application is fairly straightforward, and although they say it can take up to two weeks to process, in most cases applications will be returned within a few minutes.
Secondly, you should be aware that for all its gusto US intelligence is still a fairly ham-fisted system, resulting in many travellers with similar names to people on no-fly lists being detained upon arrival or refused tickets with no explanation given. The US Department of Homeland Security has introduced a system for those unlucky enough to have names like Geoff Bin-Laden, and you can now pre-register your details with your airline, being sure to state that you are not a terrorist, so you don’t have to worry about being pepper-sprayed into submission upon your arrival in the Land of the Free.
The next thing you need to know about are the TSA, or Transport Security Adminstration. These guys are the American equivalent of our UK border guards – they manage everything between immigration and security – they’re the guys pepper-spraying poor Geoff Bin-Laden to the floor. The TSA regularly publish lists of items which are fit for travel, and tips on how to prepare for their procedures. For example, iPads are currently fine, you can leave them in your bag for X-Raying, but laptops need to come out for inspection because they’re a bit bigger. US airports are almost without exception very busy, so it’s a good idea to read up on the procedure before you travel to expedite the process.
One thing to note is that the TSA has started introducing the controversial backscatter screening process. It has had pretty minimal deployment in the UK, however the TSA seem to have embraced it with open arms. You probably heard about it – it’s the machine that basically gives the security guard a good look at your crown jewels.
You are completely within your rights to refuse this method of screening. The TSA will randomly select people to undergo the new screening, if you’re not comfortable with it you can politely refuse – however this will most likely lead to an “enhanced” pat-down, which – depending on your point of view – can be quite exciting, or borderline molestation. For a better insight into how this works, you can read the alarming tale of a traveller who refused both methods of screening.
The TSA publish a list of US airports which have the new scanners, just so you know what you’re potentially in for when you get there.
The TSA are generally a cheery bunch, but, as with anything, you’ll get the occasional bad egg. So be polite, have all your paperwork in order, and be sure not to describe the airport as “the bomb!”.
Travelling to the US has become more and more complicated in recent years, but with a bit of preparation you can skip most of the hassle and get busy enjoying all the Taco Bell and Samuel Adams you can stomach. Safe travels!
