Arriving in Portland Oregon USA
Korean Airlines delivered me to SEA-TAC (Seattle Tacoma) airport, and United airlines did the last leg from Seattle to Portland. For those who have never been to the US, the immigration and security is a little more intense than other countries. The flight from Seoul was 95% Asian passengers and the immigration staff were getting frustrated at the language didficulties. Korean speaking staff had to shuttle between desks to ask questions.
If you are visiting the US on holiday, the immigration will try to trick you into saying you are there for work. I watched one officer deleiver the same line of questioning to a seroies of Korean passengers, even people in theri 60's, "You coming here to work?" "Will you be working here?" "Do you have business connections here?" "Are you your own boss?" If you give ambiguous answers they will jump on you.
A young Asian officer passed me through and stamped my passport. On my way down to collect the luggage I was stopped by another immigration officer. "Where are you going?" he asked. "I told him I was heading to the carousel. "Just a moment Sir" he said "Let me take a look at your travel documents." "After asking a whole range of questions about where I was coming from and who I was visiting, he went on to question me about Baliblog. "So if I go to your website how do I buy things from you?" he said. He wasn't interested in Bali at probably didn't know where it was, its just that he was trying to draw a line between myself, Baliblog and working in the US. I understand why they have to do it but its a bit of a police state mentality. The good thing over here is that no one asks for money.
I did not tell the officer I am a Muslim
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
Bill,
Continental Airlines are now on their “winter schedule” and the Guam layovers both ways are overnighters. I’m not sure why they change their schedule duing the winter season from the 45 minute Guam layover to the overnight, but it certainly makes travelling from Hawaii to Bali & back much more inconvenient. Other options, at least to Hawaii include JAL (warning: JAL has changed their flight schedules to Bali since the last series of bombings and now include at least a 12 hr. layover at either Nairita or Osaka for one of the legs of the trip) or China Air which flies daily to & from Hawaii but requires an overnight in Taipei on both legs of the trip. Garuda also used to fly from LA to Jakarta to Denpasar with a short layover in Jakarta, but since they no longer fly in and out of Hawaii, I have no idea if they continue the route from LA to Jakarta & back.
I am returning to Bali from Hawaii in three weeks and have had a bloody hellofatime trying to find flights to Bali that meet my date requirements since the October “incidents”.
Nick
very ‘TYPICAL of US immigration’ treatment. we flew to SF last year for visiting family. my other half who lived in CA most of his life was almost lost his temper. they were treated us like we’re refugees in a sheep camp! particularly after 10 hr flight fr uk with a 3,5 months old baby. agree they didn’t asked for monies but that kind of attitude is beyond civilised,land of freedom they always banging about. in my 13 years in the UK i never had that kind of treatment at any UK apts even with my indonesian passport nor my husband in his 5th year in uk.
Beth, maybe if British immigration were alittle more careful about who they let in, you wouldn’t have bombs on buses. America is free…….if you don’t like it you’re free not to go. I’ve never had a problem going there and I’m neither American nor white.
Yes I’m free not to go. I’m free to bang my head against a wall and I’m free to say nothing and take what comes.
You said America is free. Well that was my freedom of speech being exercised.
Nick, when you go back to Bali don’t forget to have your 50,000Rp note in your passport. It makes immigration go much easier…..unlike in the US.
Note: The *only* place I’ve ever had trouble with Immigration is is Indonesia…….because I’m Chinese.
Tony
I am confident you are a One Pass member on Continental, which offers a free round trip ticket, honolulu - bali - honolulu after 2 paid tickets. great deal….
aloha
Portland’s airport immigration/custom was known to be problematic for foreigners. Couple years ago, many visitors from Japan were treated badly, with higher de-portation rate compared to other airports.
Hi
Mistake giving these brain-dead goons in uniforms too much information like u work on Bali Blog; just say you are researching birdie flue in Indonesia and maybe see them back away..
ironically whoever commented as Beth(or co-incidently have same name?)to my previous comment should have remembered that the immigration in the US has appaling record hence 9/11. plus US also shared with UK on the in grown breeding terrorism - does oklahoma rings a bell to you?
my point is in the US, surely if the immigration suspect anything the FEEBs or any intelijens bods already have they gloves warmed than treating bunch of long haul passengers like cattles in the market.
Nick, may the force of cold november air be with you 
Hey Nick, been following your blog since the 20th of Oct. after returning from 2 1/2 wks in Bali… with plans to return asap.Very much enjoying the commentary & information, keeping me connected and educated! Living in Hawaii, but from Portland & really having fun hearing about your journey. Just wanted to say thanx for sharing & hope you enjoy P-Town. Try & make it up to Touche on 21st & Glisan for a pizza… worth it!
Heather
Mate
Continental flight #901 Dps - Guam
Continental flight #2 Guam - Honolulu
Continental flight #5440 Honolulu - Portland
Guam layover 35 minutes
Hnl layover 4 hours