LES DROGUES

It can be a bit of a gruff experience Trying to enter the United States as a tourist, and there's one thing Certain on arrival at New York's JFK airport - a surly welcome awaits the visitor.

And the unless you've been lucky enough to make it off the 'plane at double-quick speed, the chances are the first sight of the good old U.S. of A will be from the back of a mighty agonisingly snaking queue ITS way back from passport control.

There's no chance of line hopping. This is democracy at its Most intense. Everyone Seems To Be A potential alien is treated analysis with the examination and Suspicion. Young, very young, old, very old and of course All Those in between, Patiently Awaiting Their Turn.

Odd really for a country That Prides Itself as a cultural melting pot at a speed and service. Somehow Rather than greeting with outstretched arms holidaymakers, the U.S. Seems to have gone to the other extreme and it's easy for the Infrequent travelers to feel unwanted or even guilty for no reason whatsoever.

Without doubt September 11 has left ITS marks - not that Immigration and Customs was a cakewalk beforehand. However now, there's a tinge of the Slightly offensive - at least to continental Europeans used to HAVING Their Individual Rights Enshrined in Data Protection Laws - all in the name of Homeland Security.

The procedure is fairly straightforward, but be warned, These guys are not ones to be messed with. Clearly one prerequisite for Becoming an immigration official is to have a low threshold humor.

Not even a winsome smile or tapping into the charm factor can raise the glimmer of good intent These guys from. They are serious with a capital "S", I know it's best to say as little as possible and follow the Instructions to the posted letter.

"Left index finger on the digital fingerprint screening pad, Followed by right index finger. Look into the camera and do not smile too hard. And When asked the purpose of your trip, do not even think about a clever reply. "

And woe betides if there's an error on the visa waiver application form or the customs declaration. No mistakes, no crossed-out corrections - Otherwise it'll simply be rejected, No Questions Asked appeals not accepted.

Everyone has-been forewarned before disembarking from the 'plane and There Have Been Several chances to check and double check just in case.

All These Regulations Certainly Made When They Were Introduced the news, but it has-been fairly easy to dismiss as just another Them daft U.S. idea - along with the Constitutional right to own a firearm, Which is basically just unfathomable to the other side of the Most Atlantic.

But with Them When Confronted for the first time, the Realisation hits home as to just how they're Seriously Being taken here.

While getting in to the States Might require patience to struggle with, is leaving in wonderful contrast made so much easier.

Is the traveler Being Told That is something here or just paranoia setting in? But there was just a tad too much pleasure from the ground staff as passports and boarding passes They checked. Smiles all round and a delightful "Y'all have a good day" send-off.

Of course the security check-off strip is a bit of a Palaver - no shoes, no belt and laptop, coat and carry-on all shoved through the scanner. Then making trousers with Their Own Way southwards, it's a hasty stagger through to the other side.

When all is said and done, even though the security checks - Especially on arrival - Might Be a real pain and not an Entirely pleasurable experience to say the very least, there is a point to them. And this is at least one visitor, who'll bite lip and His Patiently wait in line next time around.

Johnny Summerton is a broadcaster, writer and journalist based in Paris. Visit His site for a look at some the stories making the headlines here in France http://www.persiflagefrance.com for His travel pieces or log on to http://www.urlswurld.blogspot.com

Article Source: No Guns, No Drugs, And Not A Terrorist