By Rick Adams, FRAeS
After several years as the Chair of a major airline pilot training conference, held annually in the spring in Florida, USA (and attending for more than 20 years as moderator, exhibitor, etc.), I will sadly not participate in the event next year.
One reason is that I cannot, as a foreign national (Swiss), be confident of safe entry into (and out of) the United States. At least not until freedom of speech and due process are re-established.
You have no doubt seen the many news stories this spring and summer about citizens of various nations being turned back upon arrival at a US airport. French scientists, Norwegian tourists, Indian students and others… The Customs and Border Patrol excuse often has to do with something the foreigners have posted on social media – support for oppressed peoples or perceived injustices, memes or cartoons about politicians in power, whatever the particular border agent decides are unacceptable “indications of hostility toward the US or its policies”. This despite America’s history of free speech and protest. (https://theconversation.com/new-us-directive-for-visa-applicants-turns-social-media-feeds-into-political-documents-260201)
At this year’s conference, I was told of multiple program speakers and exhibitors who were, at minimum, harassed at the airport. Three young scientists, for example, had their French passports confiscated, they were escorted to a bare room, and finally after a couple of hours were aggressively questioned about their purpose for attending the conference. Were they selling products? Were they working (visa and US tax implications)? Finally they were released and allowed to continue their delayed journey.
I have spoken with many others who pre-emptively scrubbed their computers and telephones of potentially offensive content or carried innocuous ‘burner’ phones.
I am not willing to give up my right to privacy, my passwords, or my right to unlawful search and seizure by overzealous agents. Nor, as a journalist, will I give up my story sources.
And now there’s yet another reason for foreign business people to avoid the US – a new Visa ‘integrity fee’ of at least $250 on top of ESTA (which is increasing to $40). Allegedly the fee will be refundable if you behave yourself… but have you ever tried to request a refund from a government? (https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/travel/new-visa-integrity-fee-could-impact-travelers)
And then, of course, there are the on-again/ off-again tariffs which US businesses and consumers will pay on imported goods and services. (https://aviationvoices.com/tariff-vortex-for-eu-business-aviation/)
Since posting this message – https://aviationvoices.com/the-new-threat-to-aviation-technical-conferences/, I’ve received numerous responses from international business people who have opted not to attend conferences in the US, including some who were announced featured speakers. I’ve heard from others that the uncertain tariffs mean the pool of potential US buyers of foreign-made products is dwindling.
These ominous developments are seriously damaging potential international exchanges. America is isolating itself from the diversity of ideas and open discussion – scientific, intellectual, humanitarian. That’s not good for them, or for the rest of the world. In the future, Americans will be talking only among themselves and the ROW will trade with each other.
If you’re thinking about a conference or business sojourn in the US, what’s the ROI? And what’s the possible downside risk? Is it worth the expense? The long, cramped flight? The angst of what might go wrong? Sacrificing your personal privacy and human dignity to see a few colleagues for a couple of days?