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abuzinho
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Morocco
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 Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 10:52 pm Post subject: Multimedia - Entering KSA with movies and video games |
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Hello all,
I was wondering about the search protocol upon entering KSA in regards to multimedia. I seem to remember reading something a few years back about people's laptops actually being searched for inappropriate movies and the like (which sounded ridiculous). Do officials randomly and/or systematically search laptops & portable hard drives? What about Playstation video games that have been formally banned? (Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire, Hard Rain, etc.)
Thanks |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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Heaton
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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| I flew in and out of Dammam airport repeatedly and was never once searched. They will X-ray your bag but never opened it. I had an entire suitcase of books that I worried about--They didn't look. Another time I brought in jugs of rubbing alcohol--They didn't look. (TSA always examines jugs because they look like bombs.) They probably only care about guns and pills. Of course, they can apply "the rules" anytime they like (for example, if you're Pakastani they'll crawl up your ass looking for contraband). But if you're a white guy flying in from USA/EU to work for a reputable company or school, then you've already got a little wasta. If they're not even gonna look at the covers of my books, then there's no way they're going to plug and boot up any electronics just for a look-see. Customs is clearly underpaid. Even their drug sniffing dog looked bored. |
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jaffa
Joined: 25 Oct 2012
Posts: 403
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Heaton wrote: |
| I flew in and out of Dammam airport repeatedly and was never once searched. They will X-ray your bag but never opened it. I had an entire suitcase of books that I worried about--They didn't look. Another time I brought in jugs of rubbing alcohol--They didn't look. (TSA always examines jugs because they look like bombs.) They probably only care about guns and pills. Of course, they can apply "the rules" anytime they like (for example, if you're Pakastani they'll crawl up your ass looking for contraband). But if you're a white guy flying in from USA/EU to work for a reputable company or school, then you've already got a little wasta. If they're not even gonna look at the covers of my books, then there's no way they're going to plug and boot up any electronics just for a look-see. Customs is clearly underpaid. Even their drug sniffing dog looked bored. |
Quote Heaton: "TSA always examines jugs because they look like bombs"
Hehe:)
That dog, golden retriever, once smiled at me 
Last month the young and enthusiastic x-ray guy checked a thick book in my bag but wasn't interested in the content just the shape and solidity.
Apparently they have a separate room after passport control where Pakistanis and other infamous nationalities are taken off for a thorough search as Heaton says.
Dammam Airport arrivals procedure has been way faster for about a year now. I think their asses were kicked.
Theses days any movies and music can be streamed/downloaded online quite freely here (ie. illegally) so they won't bother checking stuff on disc. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Customs guys are more interested in Third Worlders bringing in heroin - candidates for the "Big Chop" |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652
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| Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 12:07 pm Post subject: Re: Multimedia - Entering KSA with movies and video games |
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| abuzinho wrote: |
Do officials randomly and/or systematically search laptops & portable hard drives? What about Playstation video games that have been formally banned? (Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire, Hard Rain, etc.)
Thanks |
No way are they going to take the time to do that. Things are x-rayed that's it and if they find something in that process then........... |
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auhruh
Joined: 01 Aug 2013
Posts: 37
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| Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: Multimedia - Entering KSA with movies and video games |
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| abuzinho wrote: |
Hello all,
I was wondering about the search protocol upon entering KSA in regards to multimedia. I seem to remember reading something a few years back about people's laptops actually being searched for inappropriate movies and the like (which sounded ridiculous). Do officials randomly and/or systematically search laptops & portable hard drives? What about Playstation video games that have been formally banned? (Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire, Hard Rain, etc.)
Thanks |
Don't worry, your porn-drive is safe.  |
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