Finally, Janx is going back to the U.S.A and is... freaking out?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Yes, I’m so happy, and sad at the same time. After 6 years I am leaving Brazil for an extended
period (a year or so maybe more). I wont clog up the OP with why at this point, suffice to say it is for work and also my wife of 15 years and I have decided that it’s time to separate for a while, look at our situation through fresh eyes and decide how we want to proceed with the next 40 years.

So now I am wondering what to expect with regard to all things about the trip and what to expect when I get there. Knowing how the world has changed since 9/11, my first curiosity is about the air port arrival.

When I left the States, the airport was a pretty straight forward affair. With all the things I have heard here and other places, about when you leave the states, you should be prepared serious scrutiny. Don’t bring any sharp objects, be prepared for long lines at the check in because of security checks, wear slip on tennis shoes because they make you remove them. They may even exclude you from a flight because your name is on some secret list – and the Gestapo doesn’t even have to tell you why. No big deal, I’m * arriving *, not departing.

So what’s it like when you come in. From what I have been able to piece together, when you get there,
they swipe your passport, do a nationwide criminal search, fingerprint you, go through your luggage then off you go. Is this for real? Has anyone come in on an international flight lately who can really tell me what to expect. My sister will be picking me up there in L.A., should I tell her to expect a 3 hour lag from when the plane lands to when I leave the processing area? (the flight comes in around 7am, but if she doesn’t need to be there until 10 or 11, I would like to let her know). I can’t imagine they would go through this with 400 or so people on every plane that comes in – but from all I have heard this is the way it is. (BTW I know that customs checks have always been there, depending on weather or not they think you may be carrying illegal food, drugs or to many purchases, but finger prints and national background checks?). I’m preparing for this because I think I will fit “the profile”, coming in alone, with LOTS of luggage on an expired passport (I have an extension), so I’m thinking I should be ready for the 3rd degree.

Can someone set me straight on this?

The other stuff I’m wondering about are social changes, remember I haven’t even seen a garbage disposal in 6 years. To get an Idea of the economy nowadays what is the general minimum wage?
How much does gas cost? A gallon of milk? Cigarettes? I hear that smoking indoors is all but a capital offence these days including bars, restraints and public buildings. I was also told that after the attacks on 9/11 that there was a major exodus from New York, so getting a place in L.A. is a very expensive prospect. A thread I started about this many months ago was inconclusive and web searches show that rent in L.A. is about what you would expect after not living there for 6 years, though real estate advertisements are well known to take lots of license with the facts. Are there as many SUVs on the roads as I have been let to believe? Is the population really as paranoid about being attacked as I have been led to believe (duct tape, plastic sheeting, colors to designate national alert status, the homeland security act, big losses of personal liberty). Has the design of money itself changed that much? (will I know a real dollar when I see it?). How’s the job market in general , will it be weeks, months or years of unemployment? (I know this is subjective, but here I know more than one person who has been out of work for more than year, I do not want to be one of them, so I’m going back). I guess slang has pretty much stayed the same but there some new ones, like “wife beater shirts”, “Bling-Bling”, “Ricer” but I think all that comes from the generation prior to mine. Can I expect my mom to tell that I need more “Bling-Bling”?

So that’s it, I’m just trying to mentally prepare myself for the culture shock and getting reacquainted with things that I had forgotten over the years, so that I can readjust as soon, and as painlessly as possible.

Any other hints, tips or tricks you would like toss out would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

2

To get an Idea of the economy nowadays what is the general minimum wage?
$5.15, I think.

How much does gas cost?
Here, it’s like $1.50. Much higher in CA.

A gallon of milk?
$2.20?

Cigarettes?
$2.75

>I hear that smoking indoors is all but a capital offence these days including bars, restraints and public buildings.
In CA.
>Are there as many SUVs on the roads as I have been let to believe?
Probably 30% of automobiles are SUVs Not sure why that matters.

>Is the population really as paranoid about being attacked as I have been led to believe (duct tape, plastic sheeting, colors to designate national alert status, the homeland security act, big losses of personal liberty).
No. Well, there are the colors and some people are afraid of the Patriot Act but nobody I know is “paranoid”.

Has the design of money itself changed that much? (will I know a real dollar when I see it?).
Twenties look different, but you’ll recognize them. :wink:

>How’s the job market in general , will it be weeks, months or years of unemployment? (I know this is subjective, but here I know more than one person who has been out of work for more than year, I do not want to be one of them, so I’m going back).
Varies from place to place. The county I live in has 4-5% unemployment which is basically full employment. Two counties over is 8-9%. Move to where the food is, I guess.

>I guess slang has pretty much stayed the same but there some new ones, like “wife beater shirts”, “Bling-Bling”, “Ricer” but I think all that comes from the generation prior to mine. Can I expect my mom to tell that I need more “Bling-Bling”?
Maybe. Just tell her she has a nice badonkadonk.

Welcome back!

3

Wow. What do you do with all that extra money you have?
Gas is near $1.75 here (lowest octane available), milk is about $2.75, and smokes (Marlboro Lights Hardpack is where my expertise in this area lies) go for $4.05, at least. If you don’t have the foresight to buy before going to the bar, expect the machine to ask you for 6 dollar bills.

IIRC, national minimum wage is set to shoot up to $6.65.

4

Oh, most importantly (and I’m suprised Bruce_Daddy and I missed touching on it in our posts), a pint of your favorite domestic beer is $2.00 in my neck of the woods. Bottles run about $2.50. I imagine prices are similar outside of major cities (NYC wants around $4 for a pint of Miller Lite, but my memories of this are blurry :wink: ).

5

So what’s it like when you come in. From what I have been able to piece together, when you get there,
they swipe your passport, do a nationwide criminal search, fingerprint you, go through your luggage then off you go. Is this for real? Has anyone come in on an international flight lately who can really tell me what to expect.

I just came back from a flight to South Africa, and it was no big deal at all - very straightforward - go through customs, show your passport, get your bags and go. In all, I was at the aiport coming home about 30 minutes (and only that long because I couldn’t find my luggage)

My answers are all Connecticut/New York Based:

To get an Idea of the economy nowadays what is the general minimum wage?

7.10 in CT, I believe, in the mid 6s on average everywhere else, I think.
**
How much does gas cost? **

1.85 for 87 Octane

**A gallon of milk? **

3.05

**Cigarettes? **
5 for Marlboro in CT - about 7 in NYC

**I hear that smoking indoors is all but a capital offence these days including bars, restraints and public buildings. **
This is definitely very true… In CT, and NYC (not sure the rest of NY?) smoking indoors is basically impossible - although I hear tell that some establisments might be a little more lax in retaliation.

**I was also told that after the attacks on 9/11 that there was a major exodus from New York, **
There has?? Then where the hell do all these people come from? :wink: I think that has been seriously overstated, I’ve definitely heard it before but NYC is still NYC, and just as crowded (if not moreso) than ever. New Yorkers run?? Pah!
Are there as many SUVs on the roads as I have been let to believe?

Well depends on how you look at it - there’s a LOT more cars in general on the road, so of course there are more SUVs… And they’re bigger, so people notice em more.

Is the population really as paranoid about being attacked as I have been led to believe (duct tape, plastic sheeting, colors to designate national alert status, the homeland security act, big losses of personal liberty).

Hmmm I have duct tape… in my garage somewhere. The colors for alert status are true - but basically nonintrusive - they just tell you if we go up to Orange Status, or whatever and the governements and municipalities make their adjustments accordingly. Am I personally paranoid? nah. But nothing worries me. LOL
**
Has the design of money itself changed that much? **

The 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 have all gone through changes. The 20 has gone through yet another makeover, with some color added. They look odd when you first look at them. The quarters have changed too in that they release 5 commemorative quarters each year, recognizing the states (in order of ratification of the Constitution, I think?) It doesn’t look drastically different - it’s still rectangular, green, and spends.

**How’s the job market in general , will it be weeks, months or years of unemployment? **
Depends on where you are, what you do, etc, but my general feeling is that it’s improving, but still not great. I work in IT as a consultant. The number of inquiries I’ve been getting has greatly increased, especially now that I have a good gig. (Believe me, the irony of this is not lost on me.)

**I guess slang has pretty much stayed the same but there some new ones, like “wife beater shirts”, “Bling-Bling”, “Ricer” but I think all that comes from the generation prior to mine. Can I expect my mom to tell that I need more “Bling-Bling”? **

I am no source of info here. LOL

**
So that’s it, I’m just trying to mentally prepare myself for the culture shock and getting reacquainted with things that I had forgotten over the years, so that I can readjust as soon, and as painlessly as possible.

Any other hints, tips or tricks you would like toss out would be most appreciated.**

Good luck, and just remember… Home is whereever you are.

Something like that.
Thanks