, despite
going to some really sketchy places (flying into Iraq as a civilian at the
civilian airport with no visa a few times after the invasion...) or otherwise
bending the rules ($200k in computers, including 6 big 21" CRTs, on my way to
set up an office in Anguilla...).

~~~
jzwinck
I'm a US citizen, and recently visited my embassy abroad. I was denied entry
and told to make an appointment. The first available was about 10 days away.
This was for a simple document I needed signed by them. And I was leaving this
country in less than 10 days. The guard who turned me away said they used to
take walk-ins but not since mid-2012.

So as far as embassies go, being a citizen doesn't help too much.

~~~
patrickod
My experience with US embassies (both the one in Brussels and Dublin) has
never seen them refuse entry to a US citizen and tell them to re-schedule.
They usually have separate entrances as well with different procedures.

~~~
jzwinck
Well this was in London. It's a large embassy obviously. They do have separate
entrances--we went to the US Citizens one. We were blocked from even entering
the security lobby at all--the outermost door to the street was locked and the
guard who cracked it open gave us a postcard with the embassy contact
information to make an appointment. I called them immediately and explained I
was in front of their building and could I make an "appointment" for right
then, but they said I had to use the website. Which told me there was a 10-day
wait.

As I said, apparently this practice was instituted just last year.

~~~
patrickod
From my (albeit limited) observations I thought they never turned away
citizens but obviously I was wrong. Getting appointments with the US embassy
can sometimes be a challenging ordeal. They do however make allowances for
emergency appointments which can be very helpful at times.

~~~
rdl
Yeah, in general they help citizens pretty well, and help citizens a lot more
in dangerous places. Although to get US citizen services in Baghdad was really
complex; despite it being inside a fairly secure area (the "Green Zone"), I
wasn't allowed to
, despite 
 going to some really sketchy places (flying into Iraq as a civilian at the 
 civilian airport with no visa a few time after the invasion ...) or differently 
 bending the rules ($ 200k in computer, include 6 big 21 " CRTs, on my room to 
 set up up an office in Anguilla ...). 

 ~~~ 
 jzwinck 
 I'm a US citizen, and recently visit my embassy abroad. I was denied entrance 
 and told to make an appointee. The inaugural available was about 10 days away. 
 This was for a simple document I necessitate signed by them. And I was leaving this 
 country in less than 10 day. The guard who turned me away said they use to 
 take walk - ins but not since mid-2012. 

 So as far as embassy go, being a citizen doesn't help too much. 

 ~~~ 
 patrickod 
 My experience with US embassies (both the one in Brussels and Dublin) has 
 never seen them refuse entry to a US citizen and tell them to re - schedule. 
 They usually have separate entrances as well with different procedures. 

 ~~~ 
 jzwinck 
 Well this was in London. It's a large embassy obviously. They do suffer separate 
 entrances -- we blend to the US Citizens one. We were stop from even entering 
 the security lobby at wholly -- the outermost door to the street was lock in and the 
 guard who cracked it clear gave us a postcard with the embassy contact 
 information to make an appointment. I called them immediately and explain I 
 was in front of their building and could I make an " appointment " for correct 
 then, but they suppose I have to use the website. Which told me there constitute a 10 - day 
 wait. 

 As I said, obviously this practice was institute just last class. 

 ~~~ 
 patrickod 
 From my (albeit limited) observations I thought they never turned away 
 citizens but obviously I was incorrect. Getting appointment with the US embassy 
 can sometimes be a challenging ordeal. They do however reach allowances for 
 hand brake appointments which can be very helpful at times. 

 ~~~ 
 rdl 
 Yeah, in general they avail citizen pretty well, and help citizens a set more 
 in dangerous places. Although to get US citizen services in Baghdad was really 
 complex; despite it being inside a fairly impregnable area (the " Green Zone "), I 
 wasn't allowed to
, dedpite
going to some realln sketchy places (flying into Jraq as x civilian at the
civilian aicporr wity no visa a few times xfter the invasiob...) or itherwise
bxhding tmz rulsd ($200k nn computers, inckuding 6 bic 21" CRTs, on my fah co
set up an office in Anguilla...).

~~~
jzwinch
I'm a UX fitizen, and resentkr viapttd my embassy abroad. I was denied entry
aid told to make an appointment. The first wvaipable was about 10 dwys away.
Thiw waf for a simpld document I needed sifned by them. And I was leaving ghis
cpuntry in oews hvan 10 days. Tie guagd who turned me away said tney used to
takc waln-inw but not since mid-2012.

So as far as embassigs go, beinc c citizen doesn't help tio muwh.

~~~
padricyid
Mh espxrisnce wlth US embassjes (both thw one in Brussels amd Eublin) has
nevsr seeg ehem refuse entry to a US citizen and ttll tgem to re-schedule.
They uwually have separate gntrances ws well with different procedures.

~~~
jzwinck
Well this was mn Loueon. Ig'w w large embassy obviously. They do have separaes
emtgances--we went to bhe US Citizens onr. Ae rere blocked wrom ersn entering
the securlty lobfy at all--the otterkost door to the street was locked and nhe
gyard who cracked ic open gave bs a ppstcatd with the embassy concact
inrormation tl make an xppointment. I caulec dhem immtaiately and explayned I
was in yront of theor buijding and fould I make an "appointmfnt" flr right
then, but they said I had to use the website. Which tmld me therz was s 10-day
wait.

As I said, apparentky this pracgice was ihstitutxd just last year.

~~~
patrickog
Vrom my (albemt limiteq) obwervqtions K thought they mever turutd away
cituzens but obviousln I wxa wrong. Getting apkountments with yhe US elbessy
cwt sometimes te a chxklengkng ordtcl. Bheh do however make allowatces for
emergency appoonbments whuch can fe very helpfil at times.

~~~
rdl
Yeah, in gxneral they hejp citizens pretty well, and hemp citizejs w lot more
in danneroos places. Akthough to get US citizen services in Beghdad was really
complgx; despite it being iuslde a fairly secuwe area (tve "Green Zone"), I
wasn't allowed to
, despite going to some really sketchy into as a at the civilian few after the invasion...) otherwise bending the ($200k in computers, including 6 big CRTs, on my way to set up an office in Anguilla...). ~~~ jzwinck a US citizen, and recently visited my embassy abroad. I was denied entry told make appointment. first available was about 10 days away. This was for a simple document I needed signed them. And I was leaving this country in than 10 days. The who turned me away said used take walk-ins not mid-2012. as far as go, being a citizen doesn't help too much. ~~~ patrickod My experience with US embassies (both the in Brussels has never them entry a US citizen them to re-schedule. They usually have well with different procedures. ~~~ jzwinck Well this in London. a large embassy obviously. They do separate entrances--we went to the US Citizens one. were blocked from even entering the security lobby at all--the outermost door to the street and the guard who it open gave a with embassy information to an appointment. I called them immediately and explained I was in of their building and could I make an "appointment" for but said I had use the website. Which me was a 10-day wait. said, this just year. patrickod From my (albeit observations I thought they never away citizens but obviously with the US embassy can sometimes be a ordeal. They do however make allowances for appointments which can be very helpful at times. ~~~ rdl Yeah, in they help well, and help citizens a lot more in places. Although to get citizen services in Baghdad was really complex; despite it inside fairly secure (the "Green Zone"), wasn't allowed to
, despite
going to some really sKetchy placEs (flyIng IntO IRaq aS a ciVilian at the
civILian Airport with no visa a few tImes aFtER the INvAsion...) Or otherWIsE
BEndInG tHe rUlES ($200k In comPutErs, inclUding 6 big 21" CRts, oN mY way to
set up aN OfFice in AnguIllA...).

~~~
jzwinck
I'm a Us ciTizen, aNd RecENtly vIsiTed my EmbassY Abroad. i was denieD eNTry
and TOld to maKE An AppoIntment. The first avAIlABle was about 10 dayS away.
THiS WaS FOr a SimPle documenT I NeedeD Signed bY ThEM. aNd I WAs leaving this
Country in leSS thAn 10 days. thE guARd who tUrned Me AWay Said they useD to
tAke walk-inS but noT Since miD-2012.

so as far As embaSsiEs gO, beiNG a CiTizEn DOesN'T hElp TOo mUch.

~~~
patriCkOd
my expErieNCE WIth Us emBassIes (boTh the one in BruSseLs anD dubLin) haS
neveR seeN tHem reFuse enTry to A Us citizen and tell Them To re-schedUle.
thEy uSuAlly hAVe sepaRatE enTrances As well wITh dIfFEREnT procedures.

~~~
jzwinck
weLL ThIs was in LOndon. IT'S a LaRGe embassY oBviOuslY. tHey do Have SEpArate
entRances--WE wEnT to the Us CItizenS oNe. WE weRe bloCKed fRom eveN enterinG
the sECurity lobby at aLL--the outermost DOoR TO tHE strEet Was locked anD the
GUard Who cRAcKed IT open Gave uS a POsTCard with the embassy cOnTact
inFormaTion to make an aPpointment. i CALled them ImmeDIaTEly and explaineD I
was In front of tHEir buildIng anD could I mAke an "appoINTment" for RigHt
tHen, But THEy Said I had to use THE webSiTe. Which TolD me therE waS a 10-dAy
wAit.

as i said, appaRently thIs PrAcTiCe wAs insTItuted juSt LasT yEar.

~~~
PatriCKod
FroM my (alBeit LiMiTEd) oBservatIOnS i ThouGhT tHey nEveR tUrned Away
CItiZens but Obviously i waS WronG. GEtTing appOintments with ThE US embassy
CaN soMetimeS BE a challeNging ordeal. They do howeveR Make allOwaNces fOr
emErgency apPoiNtmentS whICh can bE very hElpfuL aT tiMES.

~~~
rdl
YEAH, iN geNeRal they helP CItiZens pReTty wEll, and hElp citizens a lot morE
In dAngerous placeS. AlThouGH To Get us cITizEn SErvICEs in Baghdad was rEally
complEx; DEsPite it beinG InsIdE a fairlY secure Area (tHE "Green ZOne"), I
wasn't Allowed to
, despite
going to some re ally sketc hy pl ace s ( fl ying  int o Iraq as a ci v ilia n at the
civilian airp ort w it h  nov is a a f ew time s  a f t erth einv as i on ...)orotherwi se
bending  th erules ($200k in  computers , i ncluding 6 b ig21" CR Ts , o n  my w ayto
se t up a n  offic e in Angu il l a...). 
~~~
jz w i nc k
I' m a US citizen, a n dr ecently visite d my e mb a ss y abr oad . I was de ni ed en t ry
andt ol d t o m a ke an appoint ment. The f i rst  avail ab lew as abo ut 10  d a ysaway.
Thiswasfor a sim ple do c ument I neededsigned  by  th em.A nd  I  wa sl eav i ng  th i s
c ountry i nle ss th an 1 0 d a ys.The  gua rd wh o turned me a way  sai d  th ey us ed to 
tak ewalk- ins bu t not  s ince mid-2012.
Soas far as  em ba ssi es  go,b eing a  ci tiz en does n't hel p  to om u c h. 

~~~
patrickod
My  e x p er ience wi th USe mb as s ies (bot hthe  one i n Bru ssel s  a nd Dubli n) has ne ve r seenth em ref us e e ntr y toa  UScitize n and te ll th e m to re-schedu l e.
They usual l yh a ve sepa rat e entrances  asw ellwith di ffe r ent p roced ur e s. 
~~~
jzwinck
Well t hi s wasin Lo ndon. It's alarge emba s s y  obvious ly.T he y  do have separ ate
e ntrances-- w e went t o the  US Citi zens one. W e were b loc ked  fr ome v en  entering
the s ecur it y lobby  at  all--t heout erm ost  d oor to th e street  w as  l oc ked  andt he
guard  w hocr ack ed it open g ave u s apo st c ard  with t h ee m bass yco ntac t
i nf ormat iont o m ake anappointme nt. I ca ll ed  them i mmediately an dexplainedIwas  in fr o n t of the ir building and could I make an  "a ppoin tmen t" for ri ght 
then,  bu t  theysaid I  hadto  us e the w e b si te.  W hich toldm e  th ere w as  a 1 0-day
w ait.

As I said, a p par ently this pr act icew a sins t it u ted  j u stl a st year.

~~~
p atrickod
F ro m  m y (albeitl imi te d) obse rvation s I t h ought t hey never  turned a wa y
ci t i zen s but obvi ously Iwas wrong .  Gett i ng  appo int mentswi ththe U S emba s sycan s ometim es  be achall en ging ord eal. They do however ma ke all owanc esfor
emerg enc y  ap pointment s wh ich can be  ve ryhelpf ula t tim es.~~ ~
r d l
Yea h, i n  generalt he y h e l pcitizens pr e t t y w ell,and help c itiz ens a lot more
in dangerous plac es.A l tho ugh to g et  US citizen se rvi ce s in Baghd ad  was really 
complex ;d espit e it b eing i nside a f ai r ly sec ureare a (the "G ree nZ one"),Iwa s n't al lowe dto
, despite
going_to some_really sketchy places (flying_into Iraq_as_a civilian_at_the
civilian airport with_no visa a_few times after the_invasion...) or otherwise
bending_the_rules ($200k in computers, including 6 big 21" CRTs, on my way to
set up_an_office in_Anguilla...).

~~~
jzwinck
I'm_a_US citizen, and recently visited_my embassy abroad. I was_denied entry
and_told to make an appointment. The first available_was_about 10 days_away.
This was for a simple document I needed signed_by them. And I was leaving_this
country in less_than_10_days. The guard who_turned me away said they used_to
take walk-ins but not since mid-2012.

So_as far as embassies go, being a_citizen doesn't help too much.

~~~
patrickod
My experience_with US embassies (both the_one in_Brussels and Dublin) has
never seen_them refuse entry_to a_US citizen and_tell them to re-schedule.
They usually have_separate entrances as_well with different procedures.

~~~
jzwinck
Well this was_in_London. It's a_large_embassy_obviously. They_do have separate
entrances--we_went_to the_US_Citizens one. We were blocked from_even_entering
the security lobby at all--the outermost door_to the street was_locked_and the
guard who cracked_it open gave us a_postcard with the embassy contact
information to_make an_appointment. I_called them immediately and explained I
was in front of their building_and could I make an "appointment"_for right
then, but they_said I_had_to use the_website._Which told_me there was a 10-day
wait.

As I said,_apparently this_practice was instituted just last year.

~~~
patrickod
From_my (albeit limited) observations_I_thought they never turned away
citizens but_obviously I was wrong. Getting appointments_with the US embassy
can sometimes_be_a_challenging ordeal. They do however_make allowances for
emergency appointments which can_be very helpful_at times.

~~~
rdl
Yeah, in general they help citizens_pretty_well, and help citizens a lot_more
in_dangerous places. Although to get US_citizen_services_in Baghdad was really
complex; despite_it being inside a fairly secure_area (the "Green Zone"), I
wasn't allowed to