APEC Business Travel card into the US

[spiggy_topes]

Just got the following in an email from the Dept of Immigration when requesting an interim APEC card:

It may also interest you that although the US and Canada will not appear on this card (as they are not full members of the scheme), both economies are now allowing all ABTC holders to use priority lanes at their international airports. Normal immigration procedures will still apply for travel to the US and Canada, but without the long queues!

Has anyone actually tried this, particularly on the East Coast?

BTW processing time was pretty quick - applied October, confirmation letter dated 10/12, 12 countries approved so far including PRC (=China) and Chinese Taipei (=Taiwan) - was expecting a much longer wait.

[dajop]

Was going to try it at ORD in October, but the specially marked APEC lane was at the other end of the arrivals hall, and I was one of the first in the hall, so didn't bother, as there were plenty of empty counters.

I did use it on arrival at Montreal though as the normal queue was massive, and there were two large APEC signs on the diplomatic lane. I was met with a frosty reception, but was grudgingly allowed through, despite the large signs at the start of the lane - the official promised to check them after she processed me - which I noticed she did.

[tscharke]

have used successfully through LAX, ORD & YOW! The guy at YOW had to check what it was all about as he had never heard of it - no problems though!

[serfty]

Plenty of APEC info in this forum:

• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...fran-7481.html (APEC almost bounced in San Fran)
• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...y-us-8728.html (APEC BTC and entry to the US)
• [And the granddaddy of them all:] http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...ress-5653.html (APEC Business Travel Card - Express Immigration Clearance)

[moa999]

Now tried and worked in JFK, LAX, HNL and ORD

[Febs]

I always use it in LAX - the ONE airport where you really, really need it!

Had a great experience on Sunday - showed my APEC card and was directed to the air crew queue. About 10 hostesses in front of me (SQ and some Korean airline), then another 10-15 behind me.

I obviously looked very out of place, because a TSA officer walked up to me after a few minutes, asked if I had an APEC card, then told me to jump under the barrier, and stand at one of the counters. He then asked the lady serving to serve me next, ahead of the (still 7 or so) aircrew who were in front of me.

[dot]

I've used mine successfully at both LAX and BOS. Into DFW (cant remember which terminal) - there didn't appear to be an aircrew line, and nothing labelled APEC - I asked an attendant, and he directed me to the normal passenger lines. I dont think he had ever seen an APEC BT card before and I guess aircrew are processed in a specialised facility away form the PAX.

[NM]

Originally Posted by dot

I've used mine successfully at both LAX and BOS. Into DFW (cant remember which terminal) - there didn't appear to be an aircrew line, and nothing labelled APEC - I asked an attendant, and he directed me to the normal passenger lines. I dont think he had ever seen an APEC BT card before and I guess aircrew are processed in a specialised facility away form the PAX.

I had no problems at DFW Terminal D arriving on AA. Directed straight to the crew line right in the middle of the hall.

[Foreigner]

I arrived into SFO from Sydney on 27 Feb and looked out for the APEC line which was also used by airline crew. The Qantas flight was half full but by the time I was cleared by immigration, there were just 6 or so pax left in the other queues. The immigration office told me in a matter of fact manner and in hearing distance of crew behind me that "these folks can wait forever, Congress has passed laws that all others (meaning visitors and other travellers) need to clear within 60 minutes. His good advice was to avoid APEC. I will heed his advice as I looked like silly coming off the aircraft amongst the first and clearing immigration amongst the last.

On another point, I will try to avoid LAX if I can. After zig-zagging SFO-LAX-LAS vv to get SCs, then returning to LAX to catch qf12 was a dreadful experience. AA came into terminal 4, then to wait for a bus on ground level @ gate 44 (bus was not on time advised by ground agent), then bus ride to TBIT, past construction site to OW lounge, back to catch bus ride to aircraft was all too frustrating. I reckon SFO to SYD direct would be far simpler and nicer experience.

f

[sierragolf]

Has anyone tried using the APEC BT Card at Dulles (IAD)? I am arriving next month.

Does the crew lane sign post include APEC?

Thanks!