Sealed packets. no hand luggage and the UK

[lizaanne 0]

Ok then!! Fill us in on what you hear!

~Liza

[Joey559 1]

Ok, so I just called the Dept. of Homeland security and asked what happens if the security guards in Newcastle, UK open and break the seal on my fiance's brown immigration envelope. Operator 61 informed me that they will and that the immigration office in Detroit will accept it due to the High Security Level. That they will KNOW security had to open it...but I have my doubts. I'm calling back and seeing if operator 45, 58, 34 or whoever I get gives me the same line....

Ok, SO operator 3 was like, ummm well they could open it I suppose. So I asked what happens if they do? Will immigration turn him away? And she said, " that thing is sealed?" Uh yeah...thanks Homeland. So I wouldn't count on Op. 61...

Gah

[lizaanne 0]

Drat. That blows. So much for consistancy in government. ----did I say that???-----

~Liza

[RosaMystica7 0]

Ok, so I just called the Dept. of Homeland security and asked what happens if the security guards in Newcastle, UK open and break the seal on my fiance's brown immigration envelope. Operator 61 informed me that they will and that the immigration office in Detroit will accept it due to the High Security Level. That they will KNOW security had to open it...but I have my doubts. I'm calling back and seeing if operator 45, 58, 34 or whoever I get gives me the same line....

Ok, SO operator 3 was like, ummm well they could open it I suppose. So I asked what happens if they do? Will immigration turn him away? And she said, " that thing is sealed?" Uh yeah...thanks Homeland. So I wouldn't count on Op. 61...

Gah

Keep trying and see what the highest number of them say... if ANY of them say the same thing, that is.

[Joey559 1]

Just got off the phone with Customs and Border Patrol. I have literally been passed around like a new baby at a Mommy and Me meeting...

Right, she checked with one of the actual guards in Detroit. According to them this is what SHOULD happen, and I'm taking what a customs and borders officer says over op. 61...

UK security agents will X-Ray the package. They will not open it!

I ask, "ok, WHAT if he gets an overzealous guard who INSISTS on it?? Should he step out of line and refuse to let them and refuse to fly that day??"

They said, no, first, argue nicely with them that it's technically US gov't documents and SHOULD NOT BE OPENED, point out the seal in, I kid you not, a nice way. Tell them feel free to x-ray it again...oh brother.

IF they insist on opening it, LET THEM BUT ONLY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THEY WILL NEED TO DOCUMENT THAT THEYOPENED IT. She said to have them stamp/sticker it showing they are the ones that opened it. I know over here the TSA puts that card in inspected luggage, they were thinking a stamp or sticker along those lines. She said with that he would be fine but of course, NO FOREIGNER, despite what they may carry (Like the visa) is guaranteed to be allowed in anyway. Its' no higher risk than travelling with the visa otherwise.

Basically, we aren't getting a concrete answer, but at least i feel better about what they see as a procedure. I asked point blank, will Detroit turn him away? and she said if Newcastle security indicates on the package that they opened it it would be ok....So I suppose if they can show you some official looking stamp, sticker they say yes. But only if they HAVE to open it. Ahh,finally some solid answers ...

Anyone who wants to call and push the issue the number is: 202-354-1000

Edited August 11, 2006 by Joey559

[rebeccajo 14]

Well Joey that sounds like good advice from CBP. Should work I would think.

[RosaMystica7 0]

Let us know how it turns out!

[gag54611 1]

If the folks in Newcastle want to open it, let them, then once they are done they can stamp it and sign it to show that they opened it, then they can re-seal it with clear tape over the opening, and over their stamps and signatures.

G

[lizaanne 0]

I am going to be a total wreck till he gets here and past all this nonesense.

Joey - thank you SO MUCH for doing all the checking and posting!!

Please let us all know how things go for you, Simon will be flying shortly after you.

~Liza

[Joey559 1]

I am going to be a total wreck till he gets here and past all this nonesense.

Joey - thank you SO MUCH for doing all the checking and posting!!

Please let us all know how things go for you, Simon will be flying shortly after you.

~Liza

We definitley will!

[Darknight 0]

Hey, Joey - I know Michigan is a big place, but if you and the other half are close enough to us and wanna meet up for drinks and dinner when we are all there and laughing over the August 2006 Security Debacle, I'll spring.

Hell, the £2/$1 exchange rate has gotta be good for something.

[Joey559 1]

Hey, Joey - I know Michigan is a big place, but if you and the other half are close enough to us and wanna meet up for drinks and dinner when we are all there and laughing over the August 2006 Security Debacle, I'll spring.

Hell, the £2/$1 exchange rate has gotta be good for something.

LOL I'll mention it to Paul...sounds good to me!

[Ladylethal 12]

I hope I get an easy time flying from Brasil at the end of September. Good luck you all coming out of the troubled areas!

[Kajikit 65]

They'll HAVE to let you take it as carryon because you won't be able to get at your suitcases until after you come through Immigration, and you need to hand it over then so they can process you! It should come under the same category as your passport - it's an Essential Document for international travel.

I really wouldn't expect this huge kerfuffle to last for long though... they've got to ease back on the restrictions fairly soon or people won't stand for it.

[lizaanne 0]

I'll stand for ANYTHING that can possibly prevent my fiance's plane from being blown up in the sky.

~Liza