Opinions about P O E, Which Airport is the best.

[kennym 275]

Guys

I'd like to hear some thoughts about POE experiences..

I am looking at either Miami or Houston.. I have been reading some of the reviews, and some of them sound pretty tough expecially at Miami... Although Miami would be the best POE for us, I just worry about my Fiancees first experiences in the USA and how frightening it could be for her.. I'd love to hear opinions about these 2 airports from any of you that would like to share your thoughts.. I predict I will be buying tickets, for her travel, very soon.. I am guessing sometime in November, she'll arrive.. I will make that trip with her.

So, if it seems like Houston is the friendliest, I will buy tickets on Continental, otherwise, if Miami isn't to rough, I'll buy tickets on American..

One of the key questions I'd like some thoughts on, is if the POE allows the USC to be present if there are any questions or if she's asked to go into the secondary area for questioning. Also, what is a safe amount of time to plan our connection...

Thanks in advance for your input...

Kenny

[bruno. 4]

Hi,

I went through Houston twice and I had 2 very different experiences. Both times I had about 4 hours for the connection and 1 time I missed my flight (maily due to 3 or 4 other international flights arriving the same time as mine), the other time I cleared customs and security in about 15 minutes. I didn't have a visa at the time so it might be different. Both times the CBP officers were nice. I don't know if they allow the USC to be present but I doubt it since it is different lines for USC's and non-USC's and that in addition the fiancé(e) has to go to another room.

I'm going to go through Houston again with my K-1 but I didn't especially wanted it. I looked for reasonable prices for my flight and a sufficient connection time and that's it. So if Miami is more convenient for you and the plane ticket are cheaper, I wouldn't bother that much and just go through Miami because I don't think in the end there a big difference, but hey, that's just my opinion.

[aoifemc 2]

What is a POE? AM i rihg tin thinking Port of Entry? WIll they give you a POE close to where you'll be living?

[Amyyduck 20]

As the USC, you are entitled to go through either the US passport line OR the non-US passport line at immigration. I've gone through the non-US passport line when I've flown into the US with my British fiance. Granted, its easier because he visits on the visa waiver program, but my point is that it is definitely allowed. He was also once pulled aside for secondary screening when I was with him. They didn't make him go into a back room, just sit off to the side on a bench, so I just sat there with him. They never asked us to separate, although I don't know if this would have been different if they HAD made him go into another room. If that happens to you, all you can do is ask to accompany your fiancee.

I would be inclined to agree with what bruno said, if tickets are cheaper going through Miami vs. Houston, you should just do it. Since you're going to be flying with her, I should think you'd be ok at either POE. Just make sure you know your rights. Unless something is extremely suspicious or your fiancee did something really stupid like attack a CBP officer, they really have no right to deny her entry. Yes technically they CAN but if you start getting hassled, just ask to speak to a supervisor or manager because if you've done everything by the book, you should be fine. Just be prepared.

Good luck!

[Amyyduck 20]

What is a POE? AM i rihg tin thinking Port of Entry? WIll they give you a POE close to where you'll be living?

Yes POE stands for Port of Entry. You can choose your POE based on where it is convenient for you to have your fiance(e) enter the country. For many, the POE will be the closest international airport. For some, like Canadians for example, it could just be the nearest border crossing on whatever road leads them into the US. You are not assigned a POE, it will be chosen by you based on your travel itinerary. It will almost always be the first place you step onto US soil, including layovers. Some Caribbean, Canadian and Irish airports have pre-immigration that can be completely before actually entering the US.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Houston info

Houston is very friendly and there are Spanish speaking officers. Summer afternoons are the busiest. The USC can go through the visitor line. There is a separate room at the end of the counters where the K1 paperwork is done.The person in the regular line will call someone to escort her there, so she won't get lost with that part. I didn't actually ask to go in, because I went downstairs to get the luggage. The room has glass windows and isn't off down a corridor--it's right there at the edge of the gymnasium-like immigration hall. You can look in. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't let you go in, but you can always call the supervisor of CBP and talk to him. I called from England with a few questions before our flight. The immigrant sits in a chair until her turn to be called to the table to get the visa processed. There were no trick questions. The officer was Hispanic.

Just outside that room, the escalator down is easily visible. Go down and baggage claim is at the bottom. You make a U-turn at the bottom to walk back past the escalator. You can't go the wrong way because the escalator ends at some glass windows and the only way you can go is by doing the U-turn. You get your luggage and follow everybody else to go through customs. It's mostly just passing by a counter and handing a guy the green customs form without hardly slowing down. She doesn't have to list her items. They told us write "household goods" on the form and it was not a problem if two of my bags contained his items like men's clothing, computer parts, cameras etc. Immigrants are allowed to bring their household belongings. Don't bring things brand new with boxes and price tags. Those won't qualify as household goods. Ditch the tags and boxes.

Connecting flights are reached by going through a new bag check while staying air-side. There's no more customs or immigration at that point onward to you destination Only those with Houston as their final destination go out into the public arrivals lobby.

[kennym 275]

Guys Thanks

I travel through Immigration frequently with my job, but just not sure which airpot is best for my fiancee.. I just worry she'll get run through the ringer as soon as she steps off the plane.. I know her adjustment wont be easy, I just dont want her first experience here to be too bad..

I'm very interested in your experiences, so please continue to add comments to this thread.. I am sure it will be beneficial to others as well..

Kenny

[ryna 132]

Hi Kenny,

I suppose that Miami is the most convenient for you because of the flight availability but I've heard (and read here on VJ) that Orlando is pretty good as a POE. It probably has to do with the vast number of foreign tourists heading to DisneyWorld, but most of the reviews I've seen are pretty positive. That's where my fiancee will POE but it's very convenient for me as I live here.

Good luck!

Oh, and I should add that there is no problem at all with finding a Spanish speaking CBP agent.

Edited September 27, 2010 by ryna

[Lincoln23 0]

Hi Kenny,

I suppose that Miami is the most convenient for you because of the flight availability but I've heard (and read here on VJ) that Orlando is pretty good as a POE. It probably has to do with the vast number of foreign tourists heading to DisneyWorld, but most of the reviews I've seen are pretty positive. That's where my fiancee will POE but it's very convenient for me as I live here.

Good luck!

Oh, and I should add that there is no problem at all with finding a Spanish speaking CBP agent.

Thanks for the info on Orlando. I plan on my fiancee use that POE, first because Jet Blue has the only non-stop flight from Bogota to Orlando, and second I pesonally do not like the airport in Miami. (Has nothing to do with entry on a K-1) And since I live near Tampa, Orlando is much closer than Miami as well.

Good Luck to All

[ryna 132]

Thanks for the info on Orlando. I plan on my fiancee use that POE, first because Jet Blue has the only non-stop flight from Bogota to Orlando, and second I pesonally do not like the airport in Miami. (Has nothing to do with entry on a K-1) And since I live near Tampa, Orlando is much closer than Miami as well.

Good Luck to All

No problem! And I know that flight very well.

Hope you guys hear something soon! Good luck!

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

never been through HOU. I have travveled through MIA and the process there was rather quick... busy place but has the amount of officers necessary for quick processing at least though the lines. I've used MIA least 7 times and was good. I think the secondary room was a bit sluggish I had to be verified about 2 years ago and waited about 2 hours in the room. My parents often travel though HOU they too have found it a freeze. MIA all the way and they have a lot of spanish speakers there.

[MIKE AND FEY 0]

Guys

I'd like to hear some thoughts about POE experiences..

I am looking at either Miami or Houston.. I have been reading some of the reviews, and some of them sound pretty tough expecially at Miami... Although Miami would be the best POE for us, I just worry about my Fiancees first experiences in the USA and how frightening it could be for her.. I'd love to hear opinions about these 2 airports from any of you that would like to share your thoughts.. I predict I will be buying tickets, for her travel, very soon.. I am guessing sometime in November, she'll arrive.. I will make that trip with her.

So, if it seems like Houston is the friendliest, I will buy tickets on Continental, otherwise, if Miami isn't to rough, I'll buy tickets on American..

One of the key questions I'd like some thoughts on, is if the POE allows the USC to be present if there are any questions or if she's asked to go into the secondary area for questioning. Also, what is a safe amount of time to plan our connection...

Thanks in advance for your input...

Kenny

I like Fort Lauderdale. It is small which time wise is very helpful and there is not that much people. Plus for some reason if you check tickets they are always a little bit cheaper to and from FLL specially on Wednesdays. I think you can go in with her to the area where they process her paperwork and I don't see why they wouldn't allow you to be with her at the boot when she is asked to do her immigration process. SAfe amount for connections is 4 hours just in case it takes longer than expected. Hope this helps.

Fey

Edited September 28, 2010 by MIKE AND FEY

[freetv 7]

You mean the big (first time in the u.s. entry) or just a return trip? The big one is likely to be the same everywhere (but we never had secondary at Chicago. We went on a trip to South America two months ago and went through Miami, it was super easy... just "whats your job?... that's interesting... welcome home."

[TBoneTX 43,419]

Kenny: IAH processed the future Mrs. T-B. very efficiently; they know their business there. Depending upon how many international flights are arriving simultaneously, Customs could be a bear. I had good luck in calling the CBP office at IAH to ask their experience ("on Thursdays at _:__ p.m., what should be expected, si man?").

Another boon to using IAH as a POE is that y'all could (depending on the variables & on what fits your plans) hop the Colgan Air flight home to DRT on the same day, si man.

[Amos&Radio 2]

Just don't go through Atlanta airport!

It is the absolute worst - we had a nightmare at POE this time - I was taken into a back room and interrogated for over an hour - all the while my US Fiancée is waiting in baggage claim crying her eyes out - not one person would help her even though she asked 4 and was in flood of tears.

Ridiculous.

In all the times I have been over - I found Chicago to be the best. POE went something like this (before we were engaged) :

POE Officer : 'Hi. Why are you visiting the US today?'

Me : 'To visit my girlfriend'

POE Officer : 'Have a great trip'

If only it could be that easy every time!