Maddog888 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2007, 159 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 12389 times:
Just thought I would share with you the details of an e-mail from British Airways. The story behind it is that in July I returned from Boston to London by British Airways but the BA agents never took my I-94W exit card. I did not discover this until after I had destroyed my boarding card etc that might be proof to the US immigration department that I had left the US. When I first wrote to BA they replied with words to the effect that it was not their problem. Accordingly I wrote to BA giving them the flight details, ticket number and even my Frequent flyer number and explaining that I had no proof for US immigration. I requested that they send me a letter confirming that I was on that flight so that I could send it to the US Immigration. I have just received their reply stating that they can send me the letter as soon as I FAX THEM PROOF THAT I WAS ON THE FLIGHT. What the f***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do they think I was writing to them in the first place?
I intend writing back when I have calmed down and sending them a copy of my Executive Club statements but with geniuses like that at work there I don't hold much hope. It should make for an interesting time when I go to Boston again at the end of the month. The only consolation I have is that at least I won't be classed as an overstayer as the original i-94W goes until October, but I doubt it will be fun at Boston Immigration given the current security levels.
EHHO From Bulgaria, joined Dec 2005, 815 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 12358 times:
In the other thread about the US-VISIT program a few people said that they arrived at entry points with departure cards from previous visits still in their passports, and nothing happened to them: US-Visit Program, Still Exist? (by Venezuela747 Aug 5 2007 in Civil Aviation)
Basically, I would just stay cool if I were you, and not worry about it at all. If you do get a tough time at BOS, just say that you don't know anything and that BA's must've screwed up.
"Get your facts first. Then you may distort them as much as you please" -- Mark Twain
Maddog888 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2007, 159 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 12271 times:
Quoting EHHO (Reply 1): Basically, I would just stay cool if I were you, and not worry about it at all. If you do get a tough time at BOS, just say that you don't know anything and that BA's must've screwed up.
Yup, that sounds like a good idea. I figured I couldn't have been the only one it had happened to, it's just the first time in a decade +'s worth of flying to the states 3 times a year. having calmed down a bit after BA's e-mail I intend to keep mellow but it would be a real shame to be blacklisted from the country for something so stupid. I just never thought to check at the gate that it had been collected, not something that will happen again
MainMAN From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 2064 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 12247 times:
Quoting Maddog888 (Thread starter): The story behind it is that in July I returned from Boston to London by British Airways but the BA agents never took my I-94W exit card.
That happened to me too at a border crossing between the US and Canada. I asked immigration at MAN to stamp that I'd arrived back in the UK, which they did. Not that this helps you though....Is it worth asking the agent in BOS to acknowledge the fact that you're arriving in the US and that you've previously departed? I really don't think you'll have a problem, obviously the fact that they can't be bothered collecting the exit cards means they're more concerned with terrorism and knowing who's in the country than any immigration matters.
Antonovman From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 719 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 12208 times:
It happens all the time. Don't worry about it.I was in a US immigration office one day while there as a crew member doing something and one agent came in with a bagfull of those slips and threw them straight in the bin
Maddog888 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2007, 159 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 12193 times:
Quoting MainMAN (Reply 3): .Is it worth asking the agent in BOS to acknowledge the fact that you're arriving in the US and that you've previously departed?
.
Well if you mean the BA Agent, I sure wouldn't hold my breath on that especially as this time I am flying AA. But I certainly intend to get it sorted out at the Immigration desk in Boston. What I don't want to have happen is to get passed in and out for the August trip but still have an outstanding issue with July which could drag on until after the October 5 expiry date for that trip.
XXXX10 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2000, 777 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 11885 times:
You could just contact the US embassy in London, you can prove to them that you hve left the US by just turning up! I know that this is a pain in the A*** but I would imagane that calling them will probably be sufficient.
Access-Air From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1939 posts, RR: 15 Reply 8, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 11208 times:
Quoting Maddog888 (Thread starter): I did not discover this until after I had destroyed my boarding card etc that might be proof to the US immigration department that I had left the US.
Your first mistake.....Destroying your travel documents.....need I say more?????
Kanebear From United States of America, joined May 2002, 953 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 11074 times:
BAEC do online statements don't they? Go online, print out your activity showing the flight, fax that to BA along with a printout of that photo floating around the net of a guy with his head up his arse.
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1713 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 10743 times:
pardon such a dumb question, but why is it important that you have a stamp in your passport that says you reentered your own country?
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
Bongo From Colombia, joined Oct 2003, 1858 posts, RR: 5 Reply 11, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 10528 times:
It happened the same to me on a AA flight MIA-MDE ... imagine how scared I was!!! However the flight attendant received the exit card and made some sort of report. Fortunately I kept my boarding pass as a proof and it is still in my passport. Besides that I renewed my US visa on May so I have another proof.
But my question is what is the procedure to return the exit card when you are in the airport and have an electronic ticket, so no contact with any person at the airline.
MDE: First airport in the Americas visited by the A380!
MCO2BRS From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2007, 520 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 10386 times:
This happened to me a while ago when leaving through MCO, it was no big deal, I just explained to the immigration agent that it wasn't collected on my departure; though having said that I don't know if the fact that I had a valid 5yr visa helped in making it a non-issue for the agent.
Quoting Bongo (Reply 11): But my question is what is the procedure to return the exit card when you are in the airport and have an electronic ticket, so no contact with any person at the airline.
Normally when flying internationally on an e-ticket, an agent will check your passport when your baggage receipts are printed. Thats how its happened with me the last few times I've flown int'l out of here.
Readytotaxi From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 2596 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 7670 times:
This also happened to me on return from MCO with BA.
I had kept my travel documents and sent off the paperwork to the address on the US Embassy website.
Next time I went to MCO the agent had the details and I was cleared in minutes, the service worked well.
you don't get a second chance to make a first impression!
Ushermittwoch From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 2888 posts, RR: 18 Reply 14, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 7068 times:
As I posted in that other thread, it is your responsibility that you make sure, the gate agent or CSA take your I-94(W) document in.
The thing that I find absolutely hilarious about this whole thing though is, that the airlines have to provide the US government with a ton of information, but telling them that you actually left the country seems to be too much to handle...
Well, I am hoping that the people in EWR wont be too mean to me on Wednesday...
ManchesterMAN From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 1192 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 6554 times:
First off I really wouldn't worry about this one bit. If you return to the US within 3 months or get a stamp in your passport from another country within 3 months then you are golden as this is concrete proof that you never out stayed your welcome. If not just keep the offending I94W in your pocket when you re-enter the US and don't mention it. Chances are nothing will be said and you'll be on your way. After all those things must get lost all the time by airline staff etc. As a regular visitor to the US they will know you have a pattern of coming and going and won't hassle you. The immigration folks in the US don't even speak to me anymore they just point at finger print machine and camera and then stamp passport. No questions about why I am there etc. If only the Canadians were that welcoming. I crap my pants every time I enter Canada as I always get 20 questions.
As an aside it is your responsibility to surrender your I94W card to the airline. If they forget to take it from you then you need to make a point of giving it to them. However I'd just completely forget about this if I were you. It will be a complete non-event when you next go to the US.
Parabolica From Spain, joined Mar 2006, 85 posts, RR: 14 Reply 16, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 5203 times:
hello all,
in my experience with BA over the last few years, you are wasting your time. That is an airline that has completely forgotten what "customer service" means, the (ground and retail) staff are by and large disgruntled and uninterested, uninformed, and as such would expect no help there.
US Customs and Immigration are tough and yet if you are patient and pleasant with any tough guys, they are almost always pretty understanding. I hate the current US immigration situation for its time consuming and difficult entry - exit process too, but as usual people are not ogres if you are relaxed and explain your situation. I wouldn´t worry over much.
Now Heathrow on the other hand ....
Best Regards
P -
oh please let there never be cell phones in airliners...
NA747 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 117 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 5102 times:
Maddog888,
It's not the end of the world.
But, if you can, just turn it in to your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (I know it may be a pain in the ---),
or just hold on to it and show it upon arrival back into the U.S. on your next trip there. If asked by Immigration officials, just simply state the airline did not collect it.
It happens all the time. Believe me. I check in many departing passengers who still hold their old/previous I-94 and I just collect them and turn them in. Sometimes I see paxs holding 2 or 3 of them.
Yes, U.S. immigration officials are generally tough and difficult, but with a little patience, honesty and cooperation you should be fine.
Just make sure that the next time you fly out the airline or agent collects the card.
Vasu From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2005, 3761 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 5009 times:
Certainly not a problem... I've still got an exit card from ATL in 2005... I went back to the US in APR this year. The security guy glanced at my old exit card, but then just carried on as normal. I still have it...
Smokeyrosco From Ireland, joined Dec 2005, 2112 posts, RR: 14 Reply 19, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 4843 times:
It happened to me before, I left the card in my passport and the agent just asked me about it next time I went back and ripped it out himself then stamped the passport and let me through.
Theredbaron From Mexico, joined Mar 2005, 1699 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 4624 times:
This problem has happened to me twice, the first I did not even notice I still had the form attached till 2 months later.. and the second I really worried so I called the embassy and they gave me the phone number of the national security whatever office in Omaha and I fax them my info, and they sent me back a letter to carry in the even I had problems entering the U.S. but then again I was prepared to fly to Tijuana and use the gigant hole they have there just in case...
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 21, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 4544 times:
The last time I left the USA was PHL and they had exit computer teminals around the international gate areas. You submitted your passport under a scanner and fingerprints and it gave a me departure slip stating I had left the country. I thought they were rolling this out in all airports??
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
ManchesterMAN From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 1192 posts, RR: 1 Reply 23, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 3736 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 21): The last time I left the USA was PHL and they had exit computer teminals around the international gate areas. You submitted your passport under a scanner and fingerprints and it gave a me departure slip stating I had left the country. I thought they were rolling this out in all airports??
The US VISIT exit stations have now been scrapped. They said it was just a trial and the trial has ended. I think they realised it was completely pointless.
10MID From Singapore, joined Aug 2004, 198 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (5 years 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 3357 times:
Quoting N911YX (Reply 7): No need to worry brother, just fly into Tijuana or Monterey and walk across the border with everyone else. Sarcasm/off
Monterrey to the border is quite a hike.
25 Flyer732: A passenger APIS list was generated and sent to US Customs when the flight departed BOS. They know you're gone by the simple fact that the electronic
26 NonRev: Happened to me before. UA advised that I take it to their ticket desk and they would send back. Seemed to work, have never had any problems since.
27 IFEMaster: Why is this BA's responsibility? Before I moved here, this happened to me many times and I never had a problem reentering, but there's no need to get
28 Rikkus67: For myself up in Canada, the days of showing my drivers licence to enter the states is long gone. My niece came with me on vacation, and all I needed
29 WJ: Its amazing to me that in this electronic age, the tracking of visitors in and out of the US is so dependant on these flimsy peices of paper, that may
30 EHHO: Because they broke US law in Maddog888's case. From the Code of Federal Regulations, title 8, sec. 231.2 par. b: I've never heard of an I-94 departur
31 Goldorak: it has to be sent to a private company in London, KY. All details as well as what can be considered as proofs of departure from the US are given on U
32 Ned Kelly: "If It Was In A Movie No-one Would Believe It But..!!" I can't believe that anyone would have the nerve to write to an airline to request this in the
33 EHHO: Well, that's a strong statement! As I mentioned in my earlier post, BA broke the law in this case, so it's only fair that they should be the addresse
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