Immigration is a mess at IAD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is the TSA such a sh*tshow at IAD? Probably fine for American citizens but not for the rest of us. Nine times out of ten, the lines are terrible and it is under resourced, but surely it’s the easiest thing in the world to plan for passenger numbers since this is all stuff that’s known in advance.

No, it is not fine for US citizens. In fact, I have repeatedly seen the lines for visa entrants pulled up to go in front of citizens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is the TSA such a sh*tshow at IAD? Probably fine for American citizens but not for the rest of us. Nine times out of ten, the lines are terrible and it is under resourced, but surely it’s the easiest thing in the world to plan for passenger numbers since this is all stuff that’s known in advance.

No, it is not fine for US citizens. In fact, I have repeatedly seen the lines for visa entrants pulled up to go in front of citizens.

Totally not fine. I was in a very long line yesterday. When I finally got through, all the baggage has already arrived and was waiting for us on the floor. Then a small airport dog became interested in my carry on bag, and I was asked if I had any fruits such as bananas or apples in my bag. Are the dogs looking for fruits and not drugs these days? I actually had both the banana and apple in that bag but ate them before boarding my fight. They asked me to open my bag to ensure that they aren’t there, and they weren’t, and they said: “Good job!” to the dog.

[Anonymous]

So why is it so hard to get their staffing right? They must know in advance exactly how many entrants are coming and from where. There must be lots of historical data that tracks volumes of arrivals at different points of the year, including around holidays and at times when absences from seasons illnesses surge.

[Anonymous]

Also took away my non-US citizen kid’s phone and laptop for an hour.

[Anonymous]

Immigration takes forever everywhere. In the past year or so, returned to the US through IAD and Miami...IAD was marginally better as a citizen. I've traveled to India multiple times, I love India but damn they love stamping things there multiple times. I feel like immigration is a show everywhere except maybe if you're EU going to another EU country. My over/under is an hour...if I get through in less than an hour, I win!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is the TSA such a sh*tshow at IAD? Probably fine for American citizens but not for the rest of us. Nine times out of ten, the lines are terrible and it is under resourced, but surely it’s the easiest thing in the world to plan for passenger numbers since this is all stuff that’s known in advance.

You could always go back to your home country and breeze through the citizen line there. I clear IAD in two minutes with Global Entry every time. What’s the problem?

[Anonymous]

Newark, Chicago, and CDG all are worse in my experience.

Only consistently good airport is SIN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just waited about 2 hours at France's customs and border patrol. Mexico was a mess too when I was there last month. This is not unique to IAD.

Yep. I’ve waited long periods of time at CDG a number of times over the past several years. This is pretty common worldwide when you are coming in to a country where you are not a citizen.

I figure, I’m a guest here, so I need to follow their rules and be patient.

That’s why I’m glad to enter US with Global Entry and EU with EU passport. Dual citizenship is really worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is the TSA such a sh*tshow at IAD? Probably fine for American citizens but not for the rest of us. Nine times out of ten, the lines are terrible and it is under resourced, but surely it’s the easiest thing in the world to plan for passenger numbers since this is all stuff that’s known in advance.

You could always go back to your home country and breeze through the citizen line there. I clear IAD in two minutes with Global Entry every time. What’s the problem?

You could also eff off. I'm assuming if you have global entry that means you have to deal with other airports where you are not a citizen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is the TSA such a sh*tshow at IAD? Probably fine for American citizens but not for the rest of us. Nine times out of ten, the lines are terrible and it is under resourced, but surely it’s the easiest thing in the world to plan for passenger numbers since this is all stuff that’s known in advance.

You could always go back to your home country and breeze through the citizen line there. I clear IAD in two minutes with Global Entry every time. What’s the problem?

You could also eff off. I'm assuming if you have global entry that means you have to deal with other airports where you are not a citizen.

As a dual US-EU citizen, not really.

[Anonymous]

So, don't travel to the US. Trump is making it difficult on everyone. Who would want to come here is beyond me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newark, Chicago, and CDG all are worse in my experience.

Only consistently good airport is SIN.

I fly into YVR in Canada multiple times each year and it’s always a breeze. Sydney, Australia a couple of months ago was straightforward too. Even Tokyo, which sorts you into lots of different lines, has been pretty quick since COVID. There are certainly better systems in functioning countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is the TSA such a sh*tshow at IAD? Probably fine for American citizens but not for the rest of us. Nine times out of ten, the lines are terrible and it is under resourced, but surely it’s the easiest thing in the world to plan for passenger numbers since this is all stuff that’s known in advance.

Welcome to The land of MAGA stupidity!!!

Yes a shit show bit dint he discouraged Piggy’s going to remake it into a fabulous fantastic crap hole with a golf course!!!

Don’t you dare be anything but white. And if you are a woman TSA gets to do lots of touching the pedo crowd loves that!

Spoken by someone who has most likely never been out of the country. OP, it's a worldwide problem now.

[Anonymous]

Are the dogs looking for fruits and not drugs these days?

The dogs have always been looking for fruits. Not sure why this is such a surprise to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newark, Chicago, and CDG all are worse in my experience.

Only consistently good airport is SIN.

I recently had great experiences at EWR and JFK with Global Entry. My companion without Global Entry hot through JFK in less than 10 minutes using mobile passport. It took her an hour at EWR because they were not honoring MPC that day. They made her go through the regular entry line.