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Offline Servonaut

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Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« on: May 05, 2008, 03:18:02 PM »
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3235215


Quote
48percenter  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-02-08 08:13 AM
Original message
Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
Okay, so I am beginning to think the US is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. I felt stressed out from the time we landed until I cleared the customs hall: you see my feeling is that these days in the US, everyone is guilty until proven innocent going through customs here. It is so different in Europe, they check your passport, and let you though, no harassment, no confrontations. You don't feel like a "criminal."

Yesterday I flew into a major East Coast city, only to be slightly harassed by the customs officer. He took my passport and my customs declaration page, and said, "so Jane, are you traveling alone?" Me: "Yes." Him: "Why do you travel alone?" Me: slightly shocked at his question, "why not travel alone?"

If I had been thinking, I should have said, "why are only men allowed to travel alone?"

My daughter said they are looking for "drug mules." Yeah, like I really look like a drug mule.
 


Quote
leftofcool  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-02-08 08:16 AM
Response to Original message
1. Welcome to America
 anal cavity searches coming to an airport near you
 


Quote
Debau2005  (1000+ posts)       Fri May-02-08 08:22 AM
Response to Original message
3. Same thing happened to me by border patrol in New Mexico
 I had flown into El Paso, spent 1 night in Los Cruces before heading to Gila, NM for a week of working on a ranch...yes, it is my idea of a relaxing vacation 
Outside Los Cruces, NM, was a border patrol stop point on the interstate. I was in a rental car and alone, my family and friends didn't feel the need to spent 7 days working cows in August.

Stopped, rolled down my window, and was immediately assaulted with questions. Where am I going...Gila, NM, why am I going....vacation, do I always travel "ALONE"...no, why am I traveling "ALONE" this time....because I want to.

My answers got more sarcastic and nasty to the point that the other guy with him got amused and walked off. I finally told him, if he wanted to question me further and search my car, then go ahead, I was not going to sit with the car running wasting gas to answer his questions. And that if he needed my "paper" I had them to show where I was going and for how long.

I got the impression that woman shouldn't travel alone on vacation. If he wanted to search me for drugs, then stop me, get the dog sniffing and let's move on! I would have understood that, but the tone and the line of questioning was more of a stab at me vacationing alone.


Quote
Cassandra  (1000+ posts)       Fri May-02-08 08:29 AM
Response to Original message
5. Leaving the Orlando airport...
 maybe 10 years ago, I was wanded with one of those drug detection wands. Apparently, some profiling idiots couldn't comprehend the possibility that a woman, owning her own business, could be traveling alone, from Orlando to New York, after finishing up a trade show at the convention center.


Drug detection wand ? I work for an airline and fly quite a bit,  I've never been DDW before.

Quote
TalkingDog (1000+ posts)       Fri May-02-08 08:35 AM
Response to Original message
6. What does a drug mule look like, anyway?
 Just askin.


Quote
48percenter  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-02-08 09:28 AM
Response to Reply #6
13. I am not sure, but not like me.
 


Quote
Squatch  (1000+ posts)       Fri May-02-08 08:48 AM
Response to Original message
9. Having done the border patrol gig back in 2006...
 I can assure you that you most certainly fit the description of a "drug mule". So do I. So does my cube mate. Point is, after having seen the sheer variety in the types of people coming across the border, some of whom are carrying drugs, there is no "typical" drug mule "look". If you're northbound from the border, you're going to raise suspicion.


Quote
ProdigalJunkMail (1000+ posts)       Fri May-02-08 08:55 AM
Response to Original message
11. i have been grilled in European travelpoints as well
 Frankfurt Germany was particularly difficult as they asked about 20 questions. Zürich was tough too. The all time champ for tough questions was the EXIT interview in Israel...much easier to get into the country than get out...

It is not just the US.


Quote
48percenter  (1000+ posts)      Fri May-02-08 09:31 AM
Response to Reply #11
14. Well I have been traveling back and forth to Europe for
 decades, and I have NEVER been asked any questions upon entry. Never in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome.

When it comes to Customs, the US is the worst, it never used to be like this. 


Quote
Squatch  (1000+ posts)       Fri May-02-08 09:48 AM
Response to Reply #14
17. I find that very hard to believe.
 "I have NEVER been asked any questions upon entry. Never in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome."

I'm German. From Germany. When entering Germany I have never NOT been stopped and grilled for a few minutes.

On the other hand, I am very rarely asked questions when entering the US. For example, when coming back from my honeymoon to Argentina, my wife and I were carrying a couple cases of wine and other booze (like Legui...yummy). I even filled out the customs declaration...but when it came time to declare the items, the US customs dude didn't want to be bothered with it...he just waved us through even though I wanted to declare those items. Weird.
 


48percenter should try customs in some Middle East countries, she might change her tune. 




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Offline PatriotGame

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2008, 03:27:28 PM »
Good gosh almighty!
What a paranoid sack of shit!
I have traveled to/from China alone over a dozen times and going through Chinese customs was FAR more stressful than U.S. customs.

Although I never really sweated it going through Chinese customs because I didn't have anything to hide (other than the 10 iPod knock-offs in my suitcase), I always enjoyed the moment I landed on U.S. soil then cleared customs.

These DUmmys see evil and bad behind everything American!
Why can't we just cut them out of our nation like the cancer they are?
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Offline Bondai

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2008, 03:29:46 PM »
Debau2005  (1000+ posts)       Fri May-02-08 08:22 AM
Response to Original message
3. Same thing happened to me by border patrol in New Mexico
 I had flown into El Paso, spent 1 night in Los Cruces before heading to Gila, NM for a week of working on a ranch...yes, it is my idea of a relaxing vacation 
Outside Los Cruces, NM, was a border patrol stop point on the interstate. I was in a rental car and alone, my family and friends didn't feel the need to spent 7 days working cows in August.

Stopped, rolled down my window, and was immediately assaulted with questions. Where am I going...Gila, NM, why am I going....vacation, do I always travel "ALONE"...no, why am I traveling "ALONE" this time....because I want to.

My answers got more sarcastic and nasty to the point that the other guy with him got amused and walked off. I finally told him, if he wanted to question me further and search my car, then go ahead, I was not going to sit with the car running wasting gas to answer his questions. And that if he needed my "paper" I had them to show where I was going and for how long.

I got the impression that woman shouldn't travel alone on vacation. If he wanted to search me for drugs, then stop me, get the dog sniffing and let's move on! I would have understood that, but the tone and the line of questioning was more of a stab at me vacationing alone.


Bullshit!  :bs: :bs: :bs:
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Offline Ralph Wiggum

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2008, 03:44:14 PM »
It would help if you didn't wear your "**** BUSH" hat and "Chimpeachment 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008" shirt when you go through customs.
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Offline jendf

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2008, 03:49:05 PM »
Quote from: Ralph Wiggum on May 05, 2008, 03:44:14 PM
It would help if you didn't wear your "**** BUSH" hat and "Chimpeachment 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008" shirt when you go through customs.

I bet someone really does have a shirt like that. I can just picture it now.  :lmao:
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2008, 03:51:51 PM »
Quote from: jendf on May 05, 2008, 03:49:05 PM
Quote from: Ralph Wiggum on May 05, 2008, 03:44:14 PM
It would help if you didn't wear your "**** BUSH" hat and "Chimpeachment 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008" shirt when you go through customs.

I bet someone really does have a shirt like that. I can just picture it now.  :lmao:

That would be a freaking HILARIOUS shirt to have and wear.  Only the Conservatives would get the joke.
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Offline dandi

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2008, 03:53:52 PM »
Quote
Bush_MUST_Go (317 posts)      Fri May-02-08 09:38 PM
Response to Reply #44
45. I see "security" questions are as STOOOPID as ever.
 Do you always travel alone? "No, only when I'm planning a surprise terror attack."

Please say that at an airport.

Please oh please oh please say that an airport.

 :lmao:
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Offline jukin

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2008, 03:55:02 PM »
What a load of shit. Euro airports are even more security concerned.

1. OP DUmbass does not go through euro airports.

2. OP DUmbass does not go through USA airports.

3. OP DUmbass watches a lot of TV and frequents conspiracy websites.

4. OP DUmbass does not know why the hotels in europe take your passport.

5. OP DUmbass is well.... a DUMBASS.
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Offline Ralph Wiggum

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2008, 03:59:17 PM »
Quote from: jukin on May 05, 2008, 03:55:02 PM
5. OP DUmbass is well.... a DUMBASS.

Isn't it basically required to be a DUMBASS to post at DU anyway?  Other than the moles, of course. :evillaugh:
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2008, 03:59:59 PM »
Quote from: PatriotGame on May 05, 2008, 03:27:28 PM
Good gosh almighty!
What a paranoid sack of shit!
I have traveled to/from China alone over a dozen times and going through Chinese customs was FAR more stressful than U.S. customs.

Although I never really sweated it going through Chinese customs because I didn't have anything to hide (other than the 10 iPod knock-offs in my suitcase), I always enjoyed the moment I landed on U.S. soil then cleared customs.

These DUmmys see evil and bad behind everything American!
Why can't we just cut them out of our nation like the cancer they are?

You don't have to go to China to get the once-over. Canadian Customs are the worst anywhere.  With so little to protect they act like your sole reason to go to Canada is to hijack all the country's (paltry) wealth.  This is true whether you enter via land or air.
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Offline Baruch Menachem

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2008, 04:19:04 PM »
Entry into Russia was horrible the first time I went there.   You walked up to a box and the slammed shutters closed in front and behind you as they reviewed your passport (Which they kept)


When I went to England, the trip into the airport past customs and immigration was so casual I couldn't believe it.  There were a couple of immigration officers supporting a wall and gossiping about the women passing by.  You walked past them, that was immigration.

You come into the states, you just get asked a couple questions, and in you go, mostly.  Those with US passports got done in 20 minutes to empty a whole 747.

Of course, I haven't travled overseas since 1994, so I understand it is a different universe now.

But I do imagine attitude gets responded to.   I am always polite, unlike Debau2003
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Offline PatriotGame

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2008, 04:37:34 PM »
Quote from: Ralph Wiggum on May 05, 2008, 03:44:14 PM
It would help if you didn't wear your "**** BUSH" hat and "Chimpeachment 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008" shirt when you go through customs.

 :lmao: :rotf: :lmao: :rotf:

Oh yea!
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Offline PatriotGame

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2008, 04:44:44 PM »
Quote from: freedumb2003 on May 05, 2008, 03:59:59 PM
Quote from: PatriotGame on May 05, 2008, 03:27:28 PM
Good gosh almighty!
What a paranoid sack of shit!
I have traveled to/from China alone over a dozen times and going through Chinese customs was FAR more stressful than U.S. customs.

Although I never really sweated it going through Chinese customs because I didn't have anything to hide (other than the 10 iPod knock-offs in my suitcase), I always enjoyed the moment I landed on U.S. soil then cleared customs.

These DUmmys see evil and bad behind everything American!
Why can't we just cut them out of our nation like the cancer they are?

You don't have to go to China to get the once-over. Canadian Customs are the worst anywhere.  With so little to protect they act like your sole reason to go to Canada is to hijack all the country's (paltry) wealth.  This is true whether you enter via land or air.


Actually I have been to Canada several times. Each time the customs dork sent me to immigration so I had to stand in a line for an hour just to show another federal bureaucrat my passport. I can't believe it was just because I sucked down eight beers between Seattle and Calgary.
The socialist nation of Canada is very protective of their labor parties so I always had to show documentation why I was the best source for the industrial automation training I was there to do. Eventually I had to show the customs gooks a copy of the NAFTA policy that stated I could do my job in Canada even if there were Canadians that could do the same.

Other than customs though, most all of the Canadians I interacted with were great people. They knew they were getting screwed on taxes but they have just given up and agreed to be herded like cows by the government.
Great beer drinkers though.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: Welcome Home, US Customs Question: Do you always travel alone?
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2008, 05:17:31 PM »
Quote from: jukin on May 05, 2008, 03:55:02 PM
What a load of shit. Euro airports are even more security concerned.

1. OP DUmbass does not go through euro airports.

2. OP DUmbass does not go through USA airports.

3. OP DUmbass watches a lot of TV and frequents conspiracy websites.

4. OP DUmbass does not know why the hotels in europe take your passport.

5. OP DUmbass is well.... a DUMBASS.

You and Bondai are probably right.

The less-than-half primitive probably put together a bunch of anecdotal things into one post.

And obviously the less-than-half primitive never went through customs in airports at other countries.
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