Why is US customs so crappy

[Cisco333]

We walked off at 730 am

[Wiltonian]

Part of the reason is due to the "sequestration" that took place a few years ago. The government hasnt allocated the proper funding that customs has been asking for. My friend who works for US Customs in DC told me this; he said they just dont have the manpower to authorize more hiring, and they can't be granted overtime anymore. My suggestion, write your congressperson if you want it to change anytime soon.

 

 

No excuse; US customs were rude and surly when I landed in the middle of the night at JFK in 1971.

 

US immigration at LAX in 2008 were inefficient, ignorant and rude. We went to NZ via HK and came back via LAX. The representatives of that part of the People's Republic of China treated us with far greater politeness and efficiency than did the representatives of the US of A. Such things do affect people's vacation choices. We haven't been back since that LAX experience, after five previous visits.

 

Stuart

[iSailor]

No excuse; US customs were rude and surly when I landed in the middle of the night at JFK in 1971.

 

US immigration at LAX in 2008 were inefficient, ignorant and rude. We went to NZ via HK and came back via LAX. The representatives of that part of the People's Republic of China treated us with far greater politeness and efficiency than did the representatives of the US of A. Such things do affect people's vacation choices. We haven't been back since that LAX experience, after five previous visits.

 

Stuart

 

My friend they are not rude.

They just try their best to keep our country safe from terrorists.

[tomsafrica]

We've been in and out of the US many times and twice on TAs - and always found the customs officials polite and efficient and doing their best under the circumstances. Inadequate staffing, ageing computers, sagging tired ports from the 1970s, bottlenecked bridges and potholed roads is something else all together. Somehow the basic concept of INFRASTRUCTURE seems to have escaped politicians??

[Full90]

Friends have been waiting over 3-1/2 hours to get off the Reflection TA

Last year we wait about 3 hours to get off the Equniox after the fall TA

Why is the US customs so crappy, it does not take any time at all to clear customs heading into Europe?

 

Government agency..they are all run crappy because there is no accountability.

[ondeckatsea]

We've had different experiences at different times but last year, because of the cut in personnel (the Sequester) it took a lot longer. My only advice is to make sure you have plenty of time before your flight. It's better to cool your heels at the airport for a few extra hours than to have a horrible case of nerves hoping you get there in time. Better safe than sorry!

[hcat]

We walked off at 730 am

 

Thank you so much....I have been driving my husb crazy..we have a 12:15 flt out of FLL and hope to walk off...even better if we get luggage valet.

 

hope you enjoyed the cruise

[fortinweb]

Folks, if you want faster Customs service then be prepared to pay for it somehow. Money doesn't magically grow on trees (as much as our government would like us to believe). I would rather stand in line twice a year for an extra couple of hours than pay one more cent in taxes.

 

I consider this kind of thinking as being part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

 

Our worst experiences have been in Fort Lauderdale when crew have had to clear the ship. We've never had an issue at Heathrow - in and out in about 7 minutes.

 

How many cruises have you been on that docked at Heathrow? :rolleyes:

 

You are comparing apples and oranges. Heathrow is a major international airport and sees international arrivals 24/7, so it has a dedicated staff on site around the clock. Cruise ports do not. Cruise ports have an entirely different situation by needing customs support on an as needed basis a few times per year, not around the clock like at Heathrow. The majority of the time such support isn't needed, so there isn't regular staff available. Staff has to be called in from somewhere else, potentially causing manpower shortages where they are regularly stationed at. All of this has to be balanced. Especially when certain people demand fewer taxes, not more. If people aren't willing to pay for the staff, where is the money going to come from to pay for them. :(

 

Another reason why arrivals in European ports are more efficient is because they are smart enough to understand the relationship between services and taxes to pay for them, unlike a certain US political party and one of it's very vocal and clearly clueless factions.

Edited November 2, 2014 by fortinweb

[Sloop-JohnB]

I understand that as a Traveller it sucks to find yourself in a long line.

 

But entering the USA is a process since 9/11 like no where else... And quite frankly I have no problem with that whatsoever. Their country... Their rules.

 

What I think many don't realize are two fold...

 

One the clearing process:

 

When a cruise ship comes back into North American waters such as after a TA, she is listed basically as many things... A Passenger Ship, a mode of Transportation, an Importer with Cargo, and an Employer.

 

So the Ship, Crew & Cargo in addition to all the Pax have to be cleared by Customs & Immigration - TSA / Homeland Security - and The US Coast Guard... And all are checking out the TA Cruise Ship for a long list of clauses that mst be identified & cleared.

 

There are Customs & Immigration issues... Including the processing of Passports & Visas, interviews, photographs & fingerprinting. Homeland Security & Coast Guard boards the ship and inspects it in regards to things like fuel, emissions, sanitation processing, food and water. Alcohol on board must be recorded. As well as information obtained on the casino & items sold aboard. Sniffer Dogs are used to look for Drugs, Contraband, and Explosives.

 

With a cruise ship where a crew could easily be 2000 people from perhaps 100 countries, and no doubt quite a few coming to North America & the USA for the first time this can all take a good amount of time. And until the ship is cleared, regular Pax aboard must stay put.

 

Now add in recent elements...

 

The US Ebola Situation & the attack on Canada's Parliament* and things are going to be even more intense (I am guessing that in the last month / week that things at the US Borders have ramped up from Code Yellow to Orange or whatever coding they currently use since doing away with the "Colour System" in 2011)

 

Not surprised then if The Reflection was delayed in Debarkation.

 

Cheers!

* This is still heavily under investigation by both Canadian & US authorities as they try to determine if this was an act by one mentally ill / drug induced person... Or if this was something much bigger and he was a citizen who was a "radicalized terrorist" (a very serious issue for both our countries)

Edited November 1, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[blindrid]

Sloop: I'm disagreeing a bit TSA has nothing to do with cruise. Coast guard can inspect the ship, normally not but has nothing to do with passengers. The drug dogs are checking our luggage, again, not slowing down the passenger (unless :)).

 

I doubt there are people from a 100 countries as there is only 193 in the world. Crew and cargo are separate, again should not slow down pax.

 

Immigrations easily handle 2000 people on a daily basis, not buying that either.

 

My vote is understaffing. I've been in some long lines also but when we get there it takes ten seconds and we're gone.

[internetwhiz]

Us last Monday. 4.5 hours to get off Oasis TA.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sloop-JohnB]

Sloop: I'm disagreeing a bit TSA has nothing to do with cruise. Coast guard can inspect the ship, normally not but has nothing to do with passengers. The drug dogs are checking our luggage, again, not slowing down the passenger (unless :)).

 

I doubt there are people from a 100 countries as there is only 193 in the world. Crew and cargo are separate, again should not slow down pax.

 

Immigrations easily handle 2000 people on a daily basis, not buying that either.

 

My vote is understaffing. I've been in some long lines also but when we get there it takes ten seconds and we're gone.

 

Although most citizens are familiar with TSA at the airports, as the Transportation Security Administration, they are involved in all areas of transportation including cruise ships.

 

I quote from their website (2nd Paragraph under Overview)

 

http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/maritime

 

The U.S. Coast Guard is the lead federal agency in securing the maritime mode of transportation. TSA supports the U.S. Coast Guard in its maritime security efforts and focuses primarily on passenger security and intermodal connectivity to ports.* TSA also supports the U.S. Coast Guard by leveraging TSA’s core competencies of passenger screening, explosives detection, credentialing, and intermodal security. [/Quote]

 

The website goes on to explain various other TSA Marine Responsibilites & Programs... Including TWIC - Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, their Canine Program etc

 

I can guarantee you that the majority of the hold up when a Cruise Ship arrives in the USA after a transatlantic are indeed these various issues / elements

 

As for understaffing... That indeed could be an issue too, but when one is standing in line isn't the most opportune time to mention that fact.

 

Cheers!

Ps.. Ok maybe a 100 countries was a stretch... But it does seem at times like the ships are a mini version of the United Nations... Especially so if you are one to read Celebrity Name Tags (they have name & country listed) 50+ countries would probably be quickly accounted for.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

In Dec of 2013 , in Port Everglades, for the Silhouette TA , US custom add ONE officer checking people though for the first hour , and they had to check the crew first , it took forever to get off

[blindrid]

Although most citizens are familiar with TSA at the airports, as the Transportation Security Administration, they are involved in all areas of transportation including cruise ships.

 

I quote from their website (2nd Paragraph under Overview)

 

http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/maritime

 

 

 

The website goes on to explain various other TSA Marine Responsibilites & Programs... Including TWIC - Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, their Canine Program etc

 

I can guarantee you that the majority of the hold up when a Cruise Ship arrives in the USA after a transatlantic are indeed these various issues / elements

 

As for understaffing... That indeed could be an issue too, but when one is standing in line isn't the most opportune time to mention that fact.

 

Cheers!

Ps.. Ok maybe a 100 countries was a stretch... But it does seem at times like the ships are a mini version of the United Nations... Especially so if you are one to read Celebrity Name Tags (they have name & country listed) 50+ countries would probably be quickly accounted for.

 

I stand corrected but I have yet to see a TSA agent near a cruise ship. I was going on my neighbors input as he is a TSA agent. I view it no different than arriving by plane as TSA does not play a role but is there as backup as their website suggests as backup to coast guard.

 

Anyway, the end result is something we can agree on that a wait time like this is crazy. Now they're looking at missing a 1:00 flight (or so).

 

Have a good evening, Randy.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Folks, if you want faster Customs service then be prepared to pay for it somehow. Money doesn't magically grow on trees (as much as our government would like us to believe). I would rather stand in line twice a year for an extra couple of hours than pay one more cent in taxes.

 

Our worst experiences have been in Fort Lauderdale when crew have had to clear the ship. We've never had an issue at Heathrow - in and out in about 7 minutes.

 

Then you clearly haven't hit Heathrow at prime time when all the overnight international flights come in in the morning.

[dkjretired]

I stand corrected but I have yet to see a TSA agent near a cruise ship. I was going on my neighbors input as he is a TSA agent. I view it no different than arriving by plane as TSA does not play a role but is there as backup as their website suggests as backup to coast guard.

 

Anyway, the end result is something we can agree on that a wait time like this is crazy. Now they're looking at missing a 1:00 flight (or so).

 

Have a good evening, Randy.

 

Randy:

No reason to stand corrected, TSA plays very little role at the piers. The poster you quoted has a habit of quoting from books and has very little experience in reality. The people you are dealing with primarily are customs and immigration. The reason for delays boils down to available manpower, something odd happening on the ship, number of ships in port and the fact that this is the TA. Coast Guard inspections, etc are done while the ship is in port and is done while people are being unloaded all the time, generally has nothing to do with people going through customs. The delay caused by the Coast Guard will only hold up boarding the ship, not getting off. The first time in port after a TA they are on board and only hold up the people getting on the ship.

 

Happy Cruiser: Yes, I have done that Heathrow in the AM and it is not fun.

[uktog]

Heathrow in the am is way way better than Miami or JFK in the pm. At least they have their resources aligned to the flight schedules. The issue there is if flights go off schedule, issues arise whereas my experience arriving in the USA issues and delays always arise.

 

Last month at JFK was unbelievable, barked at to stand in a particular line, did as told, two from front, the agents pc fails, ok things happen, but then barked to return to the back of the line, we complied. Got to the front, stuck behind a family undergoing intensive questioning, ok that had to happen, but at least at Heathrow the screening process moves escalated queries out of the general line after a much shorter period of time. When it was our turn to move forward 20 mins later, agent says no, I'm at the end of my shift.....and yes it was back to the end of the line

We did try and ask the line Marshall if there was not another option, the barking made it clear she had never been on a customer service programme

 

Anyway third line and 105 mins after leaving the plane (and as we travelled business we were first off) we were finally processed by a very pleasant agent who apologised they never had enough staff on these days. (We had not said anything to him, the Canadian gent in front had ear bent him, we remained too scared to say anything, after all we had still not been "let in")

 

So our experience, Heathrow wins hands down, I'm often connecting to other flights there, as a UK passport holder we go a different route, in theory we should be quicker probably 75% of the time I rejoin up behind overseas passport holders who have been on my incoming flight at security so both routes work well and most times non UK passport holders get in quicker!

[JanineM]

Then you clearly haven't hit Heathrow at prime time when all the overnight international flights come in in the morning.

 

 

Yes, three times. Most recently just last week. Maybe we've been lucky but we got through Heathrow faster than Atlanta on the return.

[Caribbean Chris]

Some of us responding to ths post have had experience (and some have not) with disembarking from transatlantic crossings in both directions. None of us know what really causes a delay, it's all speculation.

 

It can be slow or fast. There are many so variables affecting the length that have nothing to do with terrorism or how many immigration staffers are there working. How often have we seen delays related to particular passengers who needed to show up in a lounge to clear and did not?

 

There have been times when peope got off fast but baggage was delayed by officials resulting in massive delays at the bag-claiming end. There are union-related issues. Crew issues. U.S. Public Health issues.

 

The officials (for any cruise arrival from a foreign country, not just TAs) are under no obligation to explain what they are doing and why. It is the nature of international travel.

[HokiePoq]

It was not always been this way

In Dec of 2012 after the TA , it was very smooth departing the ship,

Last year and it appears this year it is major problem

When you stop in Madeira, on a eastbound TA , there no major hold clearing customs

 

 

I think sequestration may have had an effect. The staff at CDC has been reduced and I imagine Immigration has, too. That said, it does vary port to port and some for far worse than others. I learned my lesson the hard way, tearing my knee racing for a flight after a "hostage" situation in San Diego. I'll have to plan better in the future.

Also, I wonder if they are now screening in some way for ill passengers.

We were delayed embarking in Miami in January as the previous cruise had Noro. CDC came onboard and had to approve the disinfecting before we were allowed to board. We were told that medical staff interviewed everyone getting off the ship. And this was before Ebola issues.

[Swinden]

We were also on the Reflection T/A and were delayed by about 90 minutes. I attribute it to 1) understaffing 2) there were four other cruise ships in port yesterday....so I'm assuming they also had to go through customs too.

 

 

On a side note - to the gentleman in the Reflection Theater waiting to disembark who made the comment to the staffer while they were doing the drill -- "You could get us some coffee while we are waiting". Really - have some class. Comment totally uncalled for.

[Rob the Cruiser]

Some of us responding to ths post have had experience (and some have not) with disembarking from transatlantic crossings in both directions. None of us know what really causes a delay, it's all speculation.

 

It can be slow or fast. There are many so variables affecting the length that have nothing to do with terrorism or how many immigration staffers are there working. How often have we seen delays related to particular passengers who needed to show up in a lounge to clear and did not?

 

There have been times when peope got off fast but baggage was delayed by officials resulting in massive delays at the bag-claiming end. There are union-related issues. Crew issues. U.S. Public Health issues.

 

The officials (for any cruise arrival from a foreign country, not just TAs) are under no obligation to explain what they are doing and why. It is the nature of international travel.

 

Excellent summary. Bottom line is "hope for the best and plan for the worst. :)

 

-

[SensFan11]

With long waits for customs at US cruise ports becoming more common, it's clear they've got to look at adding Global Entry...you would think that would speed things up for everyone...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited November 2, 2014 by SensFan11

[Cisco333]

Thank you so much....I have been driving my husb crazy..we have a 12:15 flt out of FLL and hope to walk off...even better if we get luggage valet.

 

hope you enjoyed the cruise

 

We had no problem making our 920 am flight

[hcat]

We had no problem making our 920 am flight

 

Wow..was that out of Miami or FLL? You must have flown thru imigration!

If you walked off at 7:30, what time did the ship come into port? She's due in at 7:00 am for our cruise

 

We are all set for walking off & getting into a taxi to FLL. We are.hoping we can do luggage valet to SW Air b/c our flight is after noon...but we can tote all our bags if we have to.,,

 

both cruiseports and airports will be heavy we but are more confident that we have a very good chance of making the 12:15...esp b/c this won't be a TA return...

 

For our next two cruises, we will already be down in Florida so no worries over flights!

 

Thanks again for your posts.

Edited November 2, 2014 by hcat