| TWTD Travellers 19:46 - Mar 13 with 1659 views | textbackup |
Do you need an ESTA if you have a flight layover in the USA en route to Mexico??
Google seems to suggest I do, along with the kids too (under 18)
But I can’t really believe this is the case considering it’s a layover of 2.5hrs
Thanks in advance
(illy sneak us in then will ya buh!?) [Post edited 13 Mar 19:57]
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| TWTD Travellers on 19:50 - Mar 13 with 1625 views | NeedhamChris |
Yeah, as annoying as it sounds. |  |
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| TWTD Travellers on 19:51 - Mar 13 with 1620 views | WeWereZombies |
Yes, you do. |  |
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| TWTD Travellers on 19:56 - Mar 13 with 1592 views | textbackup |
That’s what I read too… was hoping I’d misread it!
Ta muchly | |
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| TWTD Travellers on 20:15 - Mar 13 with 1521 views | Illinoisblue |
Remember to smile for the U.S. customs people. Some of the most miserable workers on earth! |  |
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| TWTD Travellers on 20:51 - Mar 13 with 1449 views | textbackup |
| TWTD Travellers on 20:15 - Mar 13 by Illinoisblue |
Remember to smile for the U.S. customs people. Some of the most miserable workers on earth! |
They’ll meet their match when my wife steps up after a 10hr flight sat next to me… | |
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| TWTD Travellers on 20:53 - Mar 13 with 1422 views | Illinoisblue |
| TWTD Travellers on 20:51 - Mar 13 by textbackup |
They’ll meet their match when my wife steps up after a 10hr flight sat next to me… |
lol. 😄😄 | |
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| TWTD Travellers on 21:15 - Mar 13 with 1379 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
Yes, and it's really not something to F About with, because you will Find Out! | | | |
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| TWTD Travellers on 23:23 - Mar 13 with 1284 views | Wacko |
Yes but it's valid for 2 years | |
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| TWTD Travellers on 08:17 - Mar 14 with 1093 views | Churchman |
| TWTD Travellers on 20:15 - Mar 13 by Illinoisblue |
Remember to smile for the U.S. customs people. Some of the most miserable workers on earth! |
Yes that helps. Smile and try and adhere to whatever stupid system they’re operating that year. But they really are a dopey bunch and getting through customs there was usually a painful experience.
The last time I went, about five years ago now (Denver) you had to an automated machine. It produced a ticket with the usual stuff or the same with a red X on it. Down the stairs you went to the same queue to see the same people, do the same I’d stuff answer the same inane questions as the year before when there were no machines. Utter shambles for nothing.
I always got the impression with US customers that they were going through the motions. Oven the sniffer dogs looked bored. |  | | |
| TWTD Travellers on 08:22 - Mar 14 with 1093 views | JakeITFC |
Yes you do, and I got very lucky that I was doing a trip to DC and NYC after I had a layover at JFK en route to Toronto and so had an ESTA when I landed (as I didn’t realise this was a rule). You get the full border treatment despite only going to sit in the airport for a bit and it can be very intense. |  | | |
| TWTD Travellers on 08:23 - Mar 14 with 1090 views | BloomBlue |
Yes, if you want to get to Mexico.
Although I'm sure they won't let you on the flight out of the UK anyway without one. |  | | |
| TWTD Travellers on 08:56 - Mar 14 with 1014 views | StokieBlue |
| TWTD Travellers on 08:22 - Mar 14 by JakeITFC |
Yes you do, and I got very lucky that I was doing a trip to DC and NYC after I had a layover at JFK en route to Toronto and so had an ESTA when I landed (as I didn’t realise this was a rule). You get the full border treatment despite only going to sit in the airport for a bit and it can be very intense. |
No airside transfers in the US.
Everyone who lands has to fully enter the country and then fully leave again regardless of duration of stay.
SB |  | | |
| TWTD Travellers on 09:41 - Mar 14 with 932 views | MJallday |
| TWTD Travellers on 20:15 - Mar 13 by Illinoisblue |
Remember to smile for the U.S. customs people. Some of the most miserable workers on earth! |
you can make them smile by telling them that they can list "annoying british people" is one of their 5 things they have to do that week.
also yes you need a ESTA for a layover. it is annoying.
[Post edited 14 Mar 9:41]
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| TWTD Travellers on 09:54 - Mar 14 with 906 views | textbackup |
| TWTD Travellers on 08:56 - Mar 14 by StokieBlue |
No airside transfers in the US.
Everyone who lands has to fully enter the country and then fully leave again regardless of duration of stay.
SB |
I didn’t realise that.
I’d like to think the 1hr 6mins between the two flights is enough time to get through the various stages of the airport…!
Thanks for the info 👍 | |
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| TWTD Travellers on 10:05 - Mar 14 with 892 views | VanDusen |
| TWTD Travellers on 09:54 - Mar 14 by textbackup |
I didn’t realise that.
I’d like to think the 1hr 6mins between the two flights is enough time to get through the various stages of the airport…!
Thanks for the info 👍 |
Bear in mind it may not be. The most advanced country in the world doesn't seem to realise how easily a transfer system works everywhere else. So seems to be par for the course queueing for 2-3 hours to get through and pick up your bag only to then check it back in straight away and go back though security... Last time I changed in San Francisco several people missed their connecting flights and we were just lucky our flight back to the UK had a 3.5 hour gap - was still tight. | | | |
| TWTD Travellers on 10:19 - Mar 14 with 853 views | WeWereZombies |
| TWTD Travellers on 10:05 - Mar 14 by VanDusen |
Bear in mind it may not be. The most advanced country in the world doesn't seem to realise how easily a transfer system works everywhere else. So seems to be par for the course queueing for 2-3 hours to get through and pick up your bag only to then check it back in straight away and go back though security... Last time I changed in San Francisco several people missed their connecting flights and we were just lucky our flight back to the UK had a 3.5 hour gap - was still tight. |
The most advanced country in the World...I doubt it. | |
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| TWTD Travellers on 11:30 - Mar 14 with 780 views | textbackup |
| TWTD Travellers on 10:05 - Mar 14 by VanDusen |
Bear in mind it may not be. The most advanced country in the world doesn't seem to realise how easily a transfer system works everywhere else. So seems to be par for the course queueing for 2-3 hours to get through and pick up your bag only to then check it back in straight away and go back though security... Last time I changed in San Francisco several people missed their connecting flights and we were just lucky our flight back to the UK had a 3.5 hour gap - was still tight. |
Brilliant!
I mean the trip is booked through Tui, using United airlines, so with that in mind… they’d HAVE to get us home somehow if they’ve left the logistics too tight… wouldn’t they?! 😂 | |
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| TWTD Travellers on 12:56 - Mar 14 with 686 views | portmanking |
| TWTD Travellers on 09:54 - Mar 14 by textbackup |
I didn’t realise that.
I’d like to think the 1hr 6mins between the two flights is enough time to get through the various stages of the airport…!
Thanks for the info 👍 |
1hr 6 mins is nowhere near enough to negotiate US border plus connect IMO.
Most travel agents would recommend 2.5hrs minimum. | | | |
| TWTD Travellers on 14:21 - Mar 14 with 603 views | Meadowlark |
| TWTD Travellers on 20:15 - Mar 13 by Illinoisblue |
Remember to smile for the U.S. customs people. Some of the most miserable workers on earth! |
I transitted through the USA on the way to New Zealand and back in 1984 for work. I was only in New Zealand for a week and the immigration lady at Honolulu on the way home wouldn't believe that someone "like me" (mid 20s, long hair, biker attire) could possibly travel half way around the world just for a week's work.
I concur. The US immigration service employs some of the most dour people I've ever met. Nothing like our jolly British customs officers. |  | | |
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