Very interesting. But now I'm curious if the numbers of business trips from the US to Europe have been reduced as well. I sure know a lot of execs who used to travel all the time to Europe on business, but now use teleconferencing, and all those other technical things I know nothing about instead of a constant back and forth.

Quite alarming to see that a fair number of people think that processing immigrants/visitors automatically necessitates agressiveness and intimidation by officials. That it's 'part of the job'. Why?!

Believe it or not, you can check someone's credentials and question them about their trip thoroughly without being rude or overbearing.

As someone who as been subjected to such hostility on entering the US, and who has seen tourists shouted at and manhandled by gun-toting officials, for (shock-horror!) simply changing immigration queue when theirs was moving slowly, I can tell you the report isn't a myth.

Yes, it's your own country. Yes, you can do what ever you like. But you should know that in the process it helps re-enforce every negative stereotype people have about the US.

<i>Quite alarming to see that a fair number of people think that processing immigrants/visitors automatically necessitates agressiveness and intimidation by officials.</i>

If you want to make believe that is true I can't stop you, but I don't see it.

I'm not 'making belive' - try reading GoTravel's post for a perfect example of this.

Have to say I've found the American people to be very pleasant and welcoming on all my visits - just can't work out why immigration are so unpleasant.