New international airport in Belize

[vladimir]

Yes, this is what one immigration officer told me when I asked. But when I said I couldn't see the connection or the benefit to security in processing vast numbers of transit passengers rather than simply shunting them off to one side in a secure location, he became quite over-wrought and started shouting at me, and threatened to deny me admittance to the USA. He also said the USA was the greatest country the world had ever seen - "everyone wanted to come here". With some difficulty I kept a straight face and just said that on this occasion I actually didn't want to but was forced by their system. The poor guy actually epitomised much of what is wrong with the USA, though of course I couldn't say that.

You see, in Britain we have lived with active terrorism for decades (I might add, mostly funded from the USA), and have learned the hard way what is a correct measured level of response. I have always felt safer in a British airport with little visible security than in an American one with highly intrusive "security" measures constantly thrust in your face.

Thank you for yet another post identifying the many flaws in the United States. You seem to fancy yourself an expert on the subject. I have spent a year in the UK, eight in Singapore, and three in China (or the SAR) without ever feeling the need to point out those countries flaws to their citizens, either publicly or privately.

 

[Hank49]

Yes, this is what one immigration officer told me when I asked. But when I said I couldn't see the connection or the benefit to security in processing vast numbers of transit passengers rather than simply shunting them off to one side in a secure location, .

The transit passengers in the US have been screened thoroughly during the process to get their visa. Hopefully.
The transit area in a large airport in the US would double the size of the airport. Miami, Chicago, LA...there are a lot of transit passengers that would sit....where? while waiting for their next flight? In one small area, and then hustled to the boarding gate when it's time?
And you are being a bit harsh in your criticism of the US. Maybe tone it down a bit. You're severely outnumbered on SB....does the name "Custer" mean anything to you?

 

[peterbj7]

Well, just lost my reply and I'm not typing it out again. But I can sum it up as "don't shoot the messenger". Many people feel pretty strongly about their treatment at US Immigration, sufficient to deter them from going there. I am certainly criticising the US's Immigration service, but not the American people or other aspects of US life.

 

[DandyDon]

Whatever...

I'm sure that it is a hassle for Canadians and Europeans having to obtain US visas and entry when what they really want to do is skip the US and go to Belize. Very understandable. If flights cannot currently make it non-stop because of current airport limitations, that this new airport will resolve, super! That'd be better than connecting or even stopping for fuel in another country en route, such as Cancun or one of the Netherlands Antilles hubs.

Now, I would think that Canada to Belize City would be currently doable, but if this will help them too - cool. More eco-tourism hopefully, good for both.

 

[peterbj7]

The transit passengers in the US have been screened thoroughly during the process to get their visa

Until the recent requirement to register on-line before even arriving at the airport, many people have not required a visa so there can't have been any screening. Including Britain, home to more Muslim extremists than probably Pakistan.

As to a transit lounge, I don't see a problem. Many countries around the world have them at major airports with no problems. Heathrow has several in each wing of every terminal building. I believe the US used to have them anyway, though I'm not 100% sure of that. It's a good system, well proven, that works well wherever it's operated.

 

[vladimir]

Well, just lost my reply and I'm not typing it out again. But I can sum it up as "don't shoot the messenger". Many people feel pretty strongly about their treatment at US Immigration, sufficient to deter them from going there. I am certainly criticising the US's Immigration service, but not the American people or other aspects of US life.

I don't feel like typing a reply either, since I've covered it before. Here's how your posts look to an American:

This is the post that spawned this silly conversation:

Originally Posted by peterbj7
I don't know why the term "international" for reg mountings persists. It's purely an American term. I prefer the truly international name "yoke".

I should have just let it pass, but it seems that peterbj7 fancies himself an expert on all things American, and that he finds Americans somewhat irritating. But perhaps I'm reading too much into his posts.

I did a quick search of posts by peterbj7 with "american" in them. These are just some of them and are, of course, out of context. Individually most are somewhat reasonable. As a whole, however, it seems like a little disdain for all things American creeps in, from the way we dive to the way we drive our motorcycles. Again, hopefully I'm wrong, in which case I apologize:

Originally Posted by peterbj7
Most of our diving is very hardcore compared with what a lot of American recreational divers do, certainly the warm water ones, and it's invaluable to have that extra reserve of air.

Originally Posted by peterbj7
I know "experienced" American divers who won't carry or use one because they say their buoyancy control is so good they don't need an ascent platform. Rather missing the point..... Whether I need one or not I still use it.

Originally Posted by peterbj7
Deployment is indeed a skill that has to be taught and learned. I generally start this right at beginner diver training, though I get many American divers who may have been certified years and have never seen or maybe heard of a DSMB. They have quite a steep learning curve! European divers are generally brought up with them and most visiting certiffied divers bring their own - and use them.

Originally Posted by peterbj7
Sadly not many "Norte Americanos" seem to understand that. You'll look very hard for a diver in UK waters who doesn't have a DSMB & reel (not so sure about a mirror); you'll look even harder down here for a visiting American diver who DOES have one.

Originally Posted by peterbj7
Do you have any idea why Americans persist in calling what they speak and write as English", when at any one time it has substantial differences from that language? Why not just "American"?

Originally Posted by peterbj7
I do though sometimes have a problem distinguishing between bad English and standard American.

Originally Posted by peterbj7
If these were separate incidents then you are indeed unlucky (though not as unlucky as they were). I've motorcycled for over 40 years, ride big bikes generally pretty fast (by American standards),

Originally Posted by peterbj7
The Belikin beer here is a monopoly, but pretty good by most American standards (of course, we Brits wouldn't wash our feet in it!).

Originally Posted by peterbj7
Can I ask what the abbreviations stand for? I'm sure GBR and PNG are totally meaningful to many people, but some of us aren't American and haven't a clue.

I have lived half of my adult life as an American abroad, and I have generally felt welcome by the people in my host countries, including the UK. I show them respect and find that it is usually reciprocated. If you can't manage that, you should probably stay home, literally or figuratively. Surely there must be a scuba-related forum in the UK where Peter would feel more at home?

 

[peterbj7]

Most of those are objective and factual comments, individually perfectly valid. To think of the time it must have taken you to assemble that post really worries me. What have I said that is offensive? What have I said that is even inaccurate, or which hasn't been said thousands of times before? To make it clear, I am not remotely anti-American. I have many friends in the USA and I often visit them. But that doesn't mean I accept everything about America unquestioningly, any more than I do about Britain or any other country. Currently there is far more about living in Britain or indeed anywhere in Europe to worry me than about living in the USA. But my comments about US Immigration (and airport/line security) have been widely made by others. I presume you are a US citizen, which means you have never entered the country as an alien? So you don't actually know what non-Americans are put through?

Be this as it may, I have not intended to offend anyone and apologise if inadvertently I have done so. But I do not retract any of the factual things I have said, because they are just that - facts.

 

[vladimir]

Don't worry, Peter, that post didn't take very long at all. It's just a search and a few copy-and-pastes.

As I stated in that post, I recognize that many of the statements have some validity, just as some are remarkably inane. That is beside the point. Why do you find so many occasions to criticize the United States? Where are your posts criticizing the UK?

By the way, I agree with your assessment of US Immigration, as I expressed about a year ago:

While I was living in New York and Chicago my girlfriend traveled fairly regularly between Singapore and the United States to visit me. As post-9/11 hysteria and fear-mongering in the United States grew, it became increasingly difficult for her to clear immigration, and the experience became increasingly unpleasant, culminating in a three-hour detention at one point. I have lived abroad for half of my adult life and no host country has ever treated me so shabbily. It is shameful.

 

[darkstar]

So, Canadians don't need visa's to travel to or through the U.S. Only if you plan to take up residency. Not yet anyway. But by then you'll probably need a visa to travel from California to Texas.

I have traveled through and to the U.S. many dozens of times per year for 45 years. While I've come across the odd jerk, most (98%) of the U.S. border guards I've met have been fine. Better in fact than the Canadian border guards, and much friendlier than the Mexican guys. They have a job to do. I try and make it as easy as possible for them to pass me through. Some have even given me tips on how to cross more smoothly.

If I can travel to Belize directly, more cheaply, with one less line to wait in, it is a good deal. I'm not sure why there a no direct flights to from Canada to Belize City, but if the new airport opens things up, I hope it happens before my next trip.


Peter - you should absolutely tell the next U.S. border guard that you meet that the system is stupid. After all, it's his system right. Give him some smart ass answers about how you're not staying in his crappy country, because I'm sure nobody has ever told him that before. While you're at it, you should tie some pot leaves to your head and make some fake fuses for your shoes. It will sure lighten up the guards day and he's sure to appreciate your point of view.

 

[peterbj7]

Why do you find so many occasions to criticize the United States?

That is precisely my point. I have NEVER criticised the United States, nor does anything you have quoted constitute a criticism. I have merely remarked, in context, on several points. I don't see how what I have said can even be interpreted as criticism.