New immigration clearance

Everyone who’s been to US as a foreigner is probably aware of the long immigration clearance in US stations. Like everyone else, I had to join the long queue in JFK. JFK is ranked the first busiest busiest airport (Yah…. I did consider landing in EWR which is less busy and making connection to BUF but oh well… SQ didn’t give me that option so unless I do two separate bookings that requires 5-6hrs in between to be on the safe side for me.) followed by LAX, IAD, SFO and lastly SEA. I’m just using the airports I’ve landed in so far and the observations made. I may not be that accurate with it coz there’s like 24hrs in a day, what I’ve observed doesn’t really represent the whole day situation. 

How long can the queue be? In JFK, it can be as long as 4hrs! Tho I think the times we landed in JFK, it never went beyond 1.5hrs. Maybe more counters were opened then? 

Anyway, for the surprise record. Che-che landed in LAX this Jan with no long queue in airport, coz of the way the queue moved. The staff re-directed people infront of her to wait in other lines and there were only a few people ahead of her. 

I-94W and CBP 6059B 

On board and I was surprised that crew didn’t come with the forms to be filled up as I’ve read conflicting posts on the requirements. Just to be sure I checked with the crew onboard, maybe I could have missed it when they were distributing [me in Zzz-land] the forms? According to Chris, there’s nothing written on the crew circular so probably no need to fill up anything now. 

The last time I arrived on US soil was in Dec 2021, so anything can change after that. Out of concerned he asked me “you applied for visa right?” Of course lah! If not I get deported back home today.  It’s really a small matter, in any case if I need to fill up I have a pen with me so can do so while queuing up. Not that the immigration officers will clear us fast anyway 😆.   

Timeline of events that followed on 14th May 2024

Landed at 6.04pm. Message che-che. I’m not sure the happiness from me was the idea that I’m finally back in US land after 3 years OR I’m happy that I can finally ease my butt numbness for the next hour or so. 

6.12pm - Not related to immigration but I couldn’t sign in into Lyft coz they need to send code to me to my registered number - SIN number. Haha! Ok, I gotta re-register that later but Uber seems to work fine for me. So messaged che-che in the case if I cannot get any cab, she needs to send one to me. 

In the queue

Although I have a few hours to my next flight, lots of time to spare but to stand in the queue for that long with such slow service can be a dread. I messaged che-che to which she told me that I can download an app her friend’s mother was telling her about. They just arrived in US few days ago but they can’t apply coz the last time they went to US was 30years ago. 

I looked for the app name, checked. Looked around and only then I saw one staff was pushing the banner out. What the?! She dumb or what?! Shouldn’t they either leave it there or have it flipped over when a flight arrives?  The banner was hidden that’s why I didn’t see it. 

The mobile app, is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA.

I applied for it on the spot. They needed a photo but I couldn’t do a photo with the background filled with people. So I 📸 with me looking down and a light glare at the back. Asked the passenger behind me if he could let me come back to the line incase I can’t clear the other side. 

I showed that staff the app and asked if I can proceed to another lane, she removed the belt for me to pass through. When I went to the counter, the crew were queueing up next to me. There were 2 other people infront of me and I only waited less than 5mins before it came to my turn. Immigration officer asked me the usual questions why, how long, how much. And I’m out! I’m out even faster than majority of the crew. And the picture is passable. Haha!

I’m just so glad che-che messaged me at the right time, if not I’d still be waiting in line for the next 2hrs.