Fast track thru immigration at JFK: Does this exist for 1st class passengers
 

Hi there, could someone tell me if there is a dedicated fast track desk for First Class passengers (in this case British Airways) at JFK or do they have to line up with everyone else?

Thanks!
AP

Immigration is not conrolled by the airlines - everyone has to line up together based only on country of origin - US or not - unless you are an official VIP (ie major government official).

The couple of times I've flown FC back into the country, the fact that FC gets off the plane first and the FC luggage gets off first, helped tremendously.

the US does not have the same type of "fast track" for business and first class passenger as the UK does. Such a system would never go over too well in the US. I have to admit I feel a bit uncomfortable going through fast track (but not for long).
You might want to post your question over on the Europe Board for more info.

Agree that a government system discriminating against certain passengers based on their apparent lack of income would not go over well - in fact it would cause a major scandal! The only way this might work is if certain passengers chose to pay the government a fee for expedited processing - and I would think it would have to be a very hefty one!

Not aware of such things, but consider these:

- The INS do have special lines for airline crews, and so do most countries in the world.

- At most hub airports, "elite" or First/Business passengers have seperate lines to go through security, and the TSA is a government agency, just like the INS.

nytraveler,

FastTrack in the UK is paid for. The airlines pay for the extra officer or two, so their business and first class passengers could go through the "special" line. It's a great service and it is too bad that they do not do it here in US. This has nothing to do with discrimination and as rkkwan posted above, in most airports there are "special" security lines for elites, business and first class passengers.

AllyPally,

Sorry, no such service at JFK or any other airport in US, but since you will be one of the first to be off the plane, at least you will be ahead of everybody else:-). On the other hand, it won't help you much, if there were few other planes that unloaded human cargo just before yours did:-(.

I think there IS a fast track service, but only for VIPs (celebrities, high ranking govt. officials). I've read various articles to that effect. And I've never heard of anyone standing behind Tom Cruise, for example, in the immigration line (assuming the celebrity isn't flying by private jet). "Regular" FC passengers have to line up with the great unwashed, but getting their luggage first gives them a head start.

My experience has been that non-US citizens have a big advantage at Immigration/Passport control when they fly a US-flag carrier. Most of the passengers on these carriers are usually American so the non-US "visitor" lines are usually much shorter. The reverse may be true with foreign carriers like BA, where most of the passengers are probably British.

Case in point: last year I flew USAirways through Charlotte. A flight from Cozumel (I think) landed just before our London flight. About 100 people from the Cozumel flight and then another 200 Americans from the London flight were in line at Immigration, while the 20 or so European travelers darted to the front of the "visitor" line and were through the system in a few minutes. It took us an hour!

It's true that there are different lines for first class passengers and staff are employed by the government but these services are funded by the airline - not the general public - as immigration is. Also, in my expeience the First Class security line is often slower - since there are usually only 1 or 2 lines/agents versus many for economy - and 1 problem brings the entire line to a complete stop. (I've done this several times with co-workers who fly more and get free upgrades and in all cases I have gotten through security first.)

If I recall correctly, the USA did away with the British aristocracy about 225 years ago!

But seriously, first class passengers pay more for spacious seating, but in the USA they do not pay more for immigration services, so get in line "with everyone else."

Thanks for all your responses - they were very informative and helpful. I knew I would get some sensible advice on this board. I was actually asking for my own peace of mind as I got a bollocking from my boss for not booking him into First Class as he thought he could fast track through immigration this way. I was sceptical myself.

I now realise that I should have specified my nationality, income level and related information when I posted this message as the usual shoulder chips are on display. Not that I want to get political but Gekko, if you think you haven't replaced the British aristocracy with your own aristocracy, you are very much mistaken. You should see they way some Americans behave in London. But I digress.

I can see, AllyPally, why you are still booking flights for others!

AllyPally, Pay no mind to Singletail - a classic example of American wit! As an American, I was pleased to be mistaken for a Canadian in the V&A because we were "so quiet".

Naaaah, I like a challenge! I get paid lots of money for 'booking flights for others' and I like it that way. I am also American, British AND Canadian, so I feel pretty well placed to comment on Pond Relations. Cheers

I am wondering if a voluntary travel card identification will open up a "speed pass" line. Those citizens who register would be allowed to go through the fast line because (theoretically) they would just need to make declarations and have their fingerprint or retina matched to the ID.
I think this will happen in the future.
There is already a Speed Pass for specially registered persons coming back into the US from Mexico.