Does it get easier?

So I'm taking one last jaunt across the pond before I take the final leap. We have a meeting with the solicitor and such while I'm there for 3wks.
Anyways.
I;m just curious-Does immigration get nicer the more times you go?
The first 2 times, I was questioned, the last time the girl barely cared. So Not sure what to expect for this time. I'll have a 1000 cash on hand, 5 credit cards, My return ticket and a letter from work. Plus a notarized copy of my bank statement issued the day I leave.
Just curious to hear others stories.

I;m just curious-Does immigration get nicer the more times you go?
The first 2 times, I was questioned, the last time the girl barely cared. So Not sure what to expect for this time. I'll have a 1000 cash on hand, 5 credit cards, My return ticket and a letter from work. Plus a notarized copy of my bank statement issued the day I leave.
Just curious to hear others stories.

I don't think so. It depends entirely on the officer. Sometimes they hassle you (maybe they're having a bad day, going through a divorce, they think you're suspicious, they're bored) and sometimes they don't. In my experience, I found the IOs to be less welcoming as time wore on even with a visa, but that's me. Not to scare you, but I really doubt that there's any pattern, rhyme or reason to it (unless you have adverse immigration history). Just try to have the proper documentation with you, prepare as best as you can and relax. You're doing yourself more trouble by shifting nervously in front of the IOs because they're trained to look for such behavior.

I think once it's obvious that you're coming over for an extended amount of time, they tend to be pretty friendly. At least that's been my experience. I feel like I get more hassle when going back to the States than I do when re-entering the UK.

When I was a long term visa holder, I never had any issues with IOs.  Actually, I only had one hard time at immigration in Manchester when the IO was more aggressive than he needed to be. 

Once you have your spousal visa or ILR, you won't have hassles.  It's more of a "hi, welcome home" type thing on both sides.

I fly in at Bristol, So at least I don't have to deal with the aggressiveness of the Heathrow type IO's. I'm hoping I don't have a massive issue. It's only 3wks, and its Half term in the US so I'm sure me coming across this time of year shouldn't be a hassle. I noticed during the summer they are way more Lax vs in the fall. Maybe thats just my experience. must say, is it just me or are Most IO's female? I've only seen One male in my 3 trips abroad.

must say, is it just me or are Most IO's female? I've only seen One male in my 3 trips abroad.

I personally can't remember ever having a female IO.  I've entered the UK probably around 10-12 times in the past 6 years under various visas. 

I'm not sure if it "gets easier" because I never found it that difficult, really.  I've always just told the truth and then answered whatever questions they wanted from there.  Sometimes they asked more detailed questions than other times, but for the most part, as long as you're entering under the correct route and don't use deceit to gain entry, it'll be fine!

Enjoy your trip

So I'm taking one last jaunt across the pond before I take the final leap. We have a meeting with the solicitor and such while I'm there for 3wks.
Anyways.
I;m just curious-Does immigration get nicer the more times you go?
The first 2 times, I was questioned, the last time the girl barely cared. So Not sure what to expect for this time. I'll have a 1000 cash on hand, 5 credit cards, My return ticket and a letter from work. Plus a notarized copy of my bank statement issued the day I leave.
Just curious to hear others stories.

It does seem to depend on who you get.

The first time I went through, I was questioned very heavily and had my bags searched. My own fault, admittedly. The second time I went, three months after, I was told to sit down and was questioned more extensively again. Not as bad as the first time, though. The last time I went, 6 months after my second visit, the guy basically said, "oh, so you've been here before. Let me see your return flight info." and then stamped my passport, said "on ya go..."

So... my experience has been that it gets easier. But, I guess we will find out when I go back in a few months...

I fly in at Bristol, So at least I don't have to deal with the aggressiveness of the Heathrow type IO's. I'm hoping I don't have a massive issue. It's only 3wks, and its Half term in the US so I'm sure me coming across this time of year shouldn't be a hassle. I noticed during the summer they are way more Lax vs in the fall. Maybe thats just my experience. must say, is it just me or are Most IO's female? I've only seen One male in my 3 trips abroad.

I don't fly into Bristol, but my experience at Glasgow has been, so far, that I've gotten 1 female officer, and 2 male officers, out of my three visits. I have seen a lot of female ones though. I tend to prefer dealing with the males, so far, as I find them to be a lot friendlier.

I've also had a harder time when I've gone in the summertime than I have when I've gone in winter. I'm going again this summer, though, so we will see that rings true again.

Over the course of 16 trips to London, I was given a properly hard time once, somewhere in the middle of it all. But I usually got an "oh, that's romantic/adorable/incredible" about our relationship or the piss taken out of me about the Arsenal.

Most of my trips were very short though. Never longer than 10 days, and often literally 28 hours (fly out Friday night, arrive Saturday morning, fly out Sunday afternoon). So it was clear that, despite frequent visits, I always went back — or I wouldn't have been standing there yet again. By and large, my experience with immigration at LHR was a delight.

I'd like to second that you get more of a grilling coming back into the States. I'd just assumed it was the Philadelphia, blue-collar, tough-guy, go-Eagles!/Eagles-suck! (depending on the day), yeah-America mentality, so it's nice to know I'm not the only one who got that.

The first couple times I went, I was asked a litany of questions, some of which I just didn't have the answers to at that point (e.g., IO: Where was your boyfriend posted with the military before this current posting?  Me: Northern Ireland.  IO: Which base?  Me: The RAF one?  I don't know - we weren't dating then!)  On my second visit, which was only for a few days, the IO asked/commented: "Why are you only here for a few days?  How can you afford it?  You know, it's cheaper if you stay here for a couple weeks."  Me: "Yes, but unfortunately, my *employer* doesn't allow me to take off for such a long time."  Sheesh! 

By the third and fourth visits, I don't remember being questioned as much.  And by the fifth time I entered, I was on a Tier 4 visa.

As far as grilling in the States, my husband has gotten it good.  Each of the first two times he visited, he was taken to the "back room."  The first time, the IO wanted to see evidence of his military service.  He shows the IO his card, and the IO comments: "This is expiring in two months."  My husband: "Yes, but it's not yet expired, and I'm going back in a week."  The IO then asks for proof of his return ticket.  My husband of course forgot to print it out, but has a copy on his iPhone.  He suggests showing that to the IO, who barked: "You can't have that on here!  You're required to have printed proof of your return!"  So my husband goes to the back room; waits an hour for someone to tend to him; and when someone does, he just shows him what's on his phone.  Took all of 2 seconds but nearly cost him his connecting flight. 

Over the course of 16 trips to London, I was given a properly hard time once, somewhere in the middle of it all. But I usually got an "oh, that's romantic/adorable/incredible" about our relationship or the piss taken out of me about the Arsenal.

Most of my trips were very short though. Never longer than 10 days, and often literally 28 hours (fly out Friday night, arrive Saturday morning, fly out Sunday afternoon). So it was clear that, despite frequent visits, I always went back — or I wouldn't have been standing there yet again. By and large, my experience with immigration at LHR was a delight.

I'd like to second that you get more of a grilling coming back into the States. I'd just assumed it was the Philadelphia, blue-collar, tough-guy, go-Eagles!/Eagles-suck! (depending on the day), yeah-America mentality, so it's nice to know I'm not the only one who got that.

Nope, it's not just Philly. I always go to Dulles when I visit my parents. I think they just tend to be suspicious when you leave the country. I think it actually gets worse the longer you stay abroad, it's like they just can't fathom why you would want to stay out of the country long term.

Nope, it's not just Philly. I always go to Dulles when I visit my parents. I think they just tend to be suspicious when you leave the country. I think it actually gets worse the longer you stay abroad, it's like they just can't fathom why you would want to stay out of the country long term.

Sometimes I wonder if it's a fault of my perception, because when I get to PHL, I'm tired and emotional and just want to go home to a shower and my a-hole cats. But I definitely get questions I don't get at LHR ("How much money are you carrying!" "... uhh, £3. And $4. ... So almost $10?").

Not shocked to hear US immigration gets worse — although I'm glad for the solidarity here!

Sometimes I wonder if it's a fault of my perception, because when I get to PHL, I'm tired and emotional and just want to go home to a shower and my a-hole cats. But I definitely get questions I don't get at LHR ("How much money are you carrying!" "... uhh, £3. And $4. ... So almost $10?").

Your my kind of person! Really made me laugh.

Your my kind of person! Really made me laugh.

Wahey! Thanks, Cheers. 

I loved the 'a-hole cats' remark.  I did actaully LO here at work.

On topic:  Never been grilled on any of my 11 trips to the UK (10 Manchester, 1 Heathrow). Just a couple quick questions and stamped on my merry way.

Totally agree about the US re-entry.  Talk about a-holes...