Purchasing one way tickets....

[rastagirl777]

It bears repeating - in the USA a one way ticket is a flag, plain and simple. Has been that way since 9/11/2001. I do believe that as long as you can produce a return ticket to the immigration agent in Jamaica you should be fine - a one way ticket might result in some extra questions...MIGHT. The hassle won't be with Jamaican immigration. It will be with the US airports. And that will all depend on the agent you get, the airport you are flying out of - the inconsistencies regarding "homeland security" are astounding. If you are choosing to fly this way leave plenty of time before your flight is scheduled to leave just in case.

[Rob]

Please lets not mislead/confuse anyone.

Just because someone has a one way ticket with a returning one way ticket DOES NOT mean that they will be pulled out of line for any special search. It does not mean that they will be hassled anywhere along their journey. As noted above, people travel here everyday, even from the USA, with similar tickets and receive no hassle whatsoever.

To try and convince people that this is an automatic, or near automatic flag that will cause you extra time and hassles is simply not the truth.

[airportworker]

Please lets not mislead/confuse anyone.

Just because someone has a one way ticket with a returning one way ticket DOES NOT mean that they will be pulled out of line for any special search. It does not mean that they will be hassled anywhere along their journey. As noted above, people travel here everyday, even from the USA, with similar tickets and receive no hassle whatsoever.

To try and convince people that this is an automatic, or near automatic flag that will cause you extra time and hassles is simply not the truth.

As long as you are able to show a ticket home or explain that you have another way of living the country (and by that i mean any country) you will not get anything more then maybe one extra question, it happens over here all the time

[rastagirl777]

As long as you are able to show a ticket home or explain that you have another way of living the country (and by that i mean any country) you will not get anything more then maybe one extra question, it happens over here all the time

You are absolutely right Miss Blue but your documentation shows that you've booked with a consolidator - when the agent pulls up your record that is reflected and treated as a round trip ticket. And it might not be a "huge issue" to worry about - but it is something you need to be aware of, just like the liquids rule, the removal of shoes, and those new scanner thingies and the fact that you have the option to not be radiated. Air travel is getting more and more complex and bizarre - and inconsistent. One airport one bat an eye at your one way ticket, the other might question you for a half-hour. Its just something to be prepared for.

Hub just reminded me and wanted me to pass this on...the perpetrators of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center all bought one way tickets and paid for them in cash. Before shoe guy, before underwear guy, before the liquid guys in London - this was the very first measure of security at the airports implemented after the attacks - scrutinize those with one way tickets, really scrutinize those who have paid for their ticket in cash.

[rastagirl777]

Please lets not mislead/confuse anyone.

Just because someone has a one way ticket with a returning one way ticket DOES NOT mean that they will be pulled out of line for any special search. It does not mean that they will be hassled anywhere along their journey. As noted above, people travel here everyday, even from the USA, with similar tickets and receive no hassle whatsoever.

To try and convince people that this is an automatic, or near automatic flag that will cause you extra time and hassles is simply not the truth.

Rob, I think you misunderstood me. As far as US Airports and security personnel goes - IT DOES raise a flag. Will you definitely be pulled aside for a special search? Can't say, but traveling with a one way ticket increases the chances that you will be. When traveling in the US, you hand over your ID to the check-in person who then ONLY sees your one way ticket to anywhere. It is then up to them to stick that little "SSSS" mark on your boarding pass which means "Special Search (SS, lol)". Not sure how this works if you check in online...might work the same without the obvious markings.

As far as getting TO and being IN a Jamaican airport with a one way ticket - I wasn't SURE if there would be a problem or additional time spent at immigration. I really can't speak from experience on that but I certainly can regarding US airports. I'm in one at least once a month (god help me). And I've had inane issues come up leaving Jamaica from "improper luggage tagging" to seat assignments - that has taken extra time at the counter in MoBay.

So just to be clear - my words of caution are regarding traveling out of a US airport as the OP will be. I travel by air all the time, once a month every month except for the months I am in Jamaica. I am very in tune with TSA, Homeland Security and their various whims to protect our skies. I'm really not speaking out of my butt here. Truly...

Go ahead and do the one-ways if its easier/cheaper. Just be aware of what the climate is at the airports in the US and leave time. You have nothing to hide, you've done nothing wrong but there's a good chance you'll get some extra questions and screening.