Bush's war isn't working

[kendo1]

I see from the latest statistics that more people are going to the US than ever before, thanks to the exchange rate.

It makes it much easier for us Brits and Continentals to afford it. Indeed, it's cheaper going to the States than it is to the south of Europe. Not to mention the cost of hiring cars and filling up at the gas station.

So I don't reckon that Bush's War on Tourism is working.

 

[oggbashan]

It is for some of my friends.

They used to take the kids to Disney Florida. Now they go to Disney Europe.

Some used to go to the States every couple of years. Now they go to China or Australia.

A few unpleasant experiences on entry to the US is more than enough for a lifetime.

Of course some of my friends object to being called "ragheads" or "kikes" - and that has happened even in the airport arrival area. People with Middle-Eastern appearance and names are made unwelcome even if they have been British for several generations.

Og

PS. The return through Heathrow can be just as unpleasant. Taking a Eurostar train is much more civilised than flying.

 

[kendo1]

Ah, but you, my friend, live a wee bit closer to major airports and the good Olde Continent.

 

[oggbashan]

Ah, but you, my friend, live a wee bit closer to major airports and the good Olde Continent.

Yes. I know. I can be in France sooner than in London.

Cité Europe is a better shopping centre than Bluewater or Lakeside with less traffic.

Og

 

[kendo1]

Remember never to buy coffee at Charles de Gaulle.

The memory will never leave me.

 

[oggbashan]

Remember never to buy coffee at Charles de Gaulle.

The memory will never leave me.

What do you expect?

All airports and motorway service areas serve shit for coffee.

Now there's this great little cafe inside the walls of the Old Town of Boulougne...

Og

 

[R. Richard]

PS. The return through Heathrow can be just as unpleasant. Taking a Eurostar train is much more civilised than flying.

I had the experience of flying through Heathrow a few years back. I can tell you that the security people in Heathrow are as nasty a lot as I have ever encountered in a first world airport. And, no, I don't have a middle-eastern appearance.

 

[3113]

So I don't reckon that Bush's War on Tourism is working.

Hey! I will have you know that we in the good ole' U.S. of A. are working very hard to make experiences at the airport as miserable as possible, especially for those going through customs. It's not easy, but we're getting a reputation for some of the most unfriendly airports in the world.

We can't help it if we're heading into a recession and everything here is so much cheaper. While you're here, wanna buy a house?

 

[iluvyou3638]

So I don't reckon that Bush's War on Tourism is working.

i could have told you that from day one.

 

[kendo1]

I had the experience of flying through Heathrow a few years back. I can tell you that the security people in Heathrow are as nasty a lot as I have ever encountered in a first world airport. And, no, I don't have a middle-eastern appearance.

It seems to be the same all over Europe. Security personnel in airports need a lesson in tact. I know they have an unloved job, but we're all human- apart from the nutters. Rome and Nice were not too bad, and Charles de Gaulle, come to think about it.

The worst I've found were Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow, Manchester, Geneva (really bad).

The best were Cyprus and Antigua - so laid back.

 

[iluvyou3638]

I had the experience of flying through Heathrow a few years back. I can tell you that the security people in Heathrow are as nasty a lot as I have ever encountered in a first world airport. And, no, I don't have a middle-eastern appearance.

omg. the heathrow airport is scary and big and there are people yelling in SO many languages. the Frankfurt airport is scary to. and WAY meaner than any american airport i have ever been in....i got patted down like 4 times. and yelled at. IN GERMAN!

i like the airport in paris best. the people are very nice, and don't care much about security unless you're ticking or vibrating. i had a lighter in my carry on and i didn't even realize it until i got home.