Armed US immigration officers stationed at British airports

[AtW]

Armed US immigration officers stationed at British airports under radical new plan that could drive up air fares and queues

British holidaymakers visiting the US could be hit with higher air fares and extra security before boarding flights, under new plans for armed US immigration officers to be stationed at UK airports.

The change, which would see transatlantic passengers clearing immigration formalities before boarding an aircraft, is being discussed in Washington and Whitehall with officials understood to be negotiating over the practicalities.

Under the plans airlines could be forced to pay for US security staff and their families to live in the UK, meaning they are likely to pass these extra costs onto passengers travelling from Britain to the US.

Passengers are also likely to be asked to leave more time between turning up at airports before flights, as they will have to undergo questioning by US security in addition to usual checks.

Armed US immigration officers stationed at British airports under radical new plan that could drive up air fares and queues

[centurian]

If it's similar to what happens at some airports in Ireland, it's not a bad thing. You effectively clear US immigration and customs before you get on the flight. When you land in the US, you arrive just like any domestic flight.

Why is this useful - because apparently immigration queues at some airports are absolutely horrendous.

BA001 from London City to New York does a refuelling stop in Shannon. While the plane is being refuelled, passengers get off the plane and go through the US immigration processes and then get back on again. Despite the extra stop, it's apparently quicker than queueing for potentially hours at JFK

Quite why they need to be armed is another matter.

[vetran]

I thought the Visa waiver programme was expected to solve this?

[darmstadt]

Wasn't this proposed some time ago:

American armed guards could be posted at British airports under new plans | Metro News

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...cks-passengers

[AtW]

Why the fook do they need to be armed inside British airport?

[centurian]

I thought the Visa waiver programme was expected to solve this?

That only "helps" when you get to the front of the queue - and even then, I suspect it helps less than it used to.

But if the flight that lands before you is from a non-VWP country, or worse, what they deem is a "high risk" country, they'll spend ages processing those passengers.

[Paddy]

Armed US immigration officers stationed at British airports under radical new plan that could drive up air fares and queues

British holidaymakers visiting the US could be hit with higher air fares and extra security before boarding flights, under new plans for armed US immigration officers to be stationed at UK airports.

The change, which would see transatlantic passengers clearing immigration formalities before boarding an aircraft, is being discussed in Washington and Whitehall with officials understood to be negotiating over the practicalities.

Under the plans airlines could be forced to pay for US security staff and their families to live in the UK, meaning they are likely to pass these extra costs onto passengers travelling from Britain to the US.

Passengers are also likely to be asked to leave more time between turning up at airports before flights, as they will have to undergo questioning by US security in addition to usual checks.

Armed US immigration officers stationed at British airports under radical new plan that could drive up air fares and queues

If it was the EU doing this, one can imagine the reaction from the DM and Express

[BrilloPad]

Of course, this will only affect the UK and not the EU.

Alexei - are you trying to sink to sasguru's level of cretinosity?

[AtW]

Of course, this will only affect the UK and not the EU.

Ah, so if EU loses part of it's sovereignty then it's ok for UK to do the same?

If US wants to do extra checks then should do so inside their own airplanes upon boarding.

[BrilloPad]

Ah, so if EU loses part of it's sovereignty then it's ok for UK to do the same?

If US wants to do extra checks then should do so inside their own airplanes upon boarding.

The USA can do as it pleases. It is important that the UK does the same. At the moment its easier for US citizens getting into the UK than UK citizens getting into the US.