Job Discussion Forums

[kimo]

Your gifts idea was very nice. I think most of us just bring our attitudes for the staff.

As for immigration and customs in the USA: I am the typical white American male (in appearance anyway) and they always seem to latch onto me for a shakedown. They open up my carry-ons (checked one had a Homeland Security "We checked your bag" card in it) and rummage through them. Even had my toes tickled with that wand as I sat in a chair with my shoes off on my last trip. But they were exceptionally polite. This has happened to me for years in the States.

Must be my beady eyes!

[Steiner]

If I may jump in with a little story.... One time when I was flying standby trying to get a flight out of Cincinnati there was this little old lady also flying standby. Neither of us got on the flight, but she didn't understand how standby works or why she couldn't get on the plane. Her daughter worked for the airline and sent her the tickets and she just didn't have it explained to her well, I guess. Anyway, I felt bad for her as I stood behind her while she was listing for the next flight. She was pretty confused and the airline people weren't as polite as kimo's people. When she finally boarded, they pulled her aside to go through all the bag searching, made her take off her shoes, and all that bit. It was ridiculous and cruel. There's no way that poor lady is a terrorist. That's when I decided (again) that the air travel industry sucks.

I always get searched, too, but that's because I do things like, say, asking when we'll start boarding.

My brother-in-law hassled a lady who was slacking on her job at a check-in counter for Northwest Airlines, and when he got to his destination he found that the zipper on his check-in bag had been broken. Nothing was missing except all his underwear. True.

[stil]

Hi kate

Yeah, it's hit or miss with whatever mood they are in. I guess they are under a lot of pressure though. It is best to avoid any transit through the States if possible. Are you from the downtown core? I'm from Burlington, now I'm near Guangzhou.

Good luck in Hangzhou
Stil

[danielb]

I have had occasion to deal with numerous law enforcement agencies and this may shed some light on why particular persons are regularly searched. All of the agencies with which I have had dealings are required to enter details in a search register when they have had more than a cursory glance at luggage or search the person of the person. This is certainly the case with Australian Customs so I imagine the US would have similar provisions. These registers usually include reasons for the search. Afeter you have been searched once, whenever your name is checked it will pop previous searches. It's kinda like self perpetuating myth from then on. The more a name comes up with having been searched, the greater suspicion aroused, the more likely a search. Knowing the above, an old trick is to tip off customs when a friend is returning from a trip overseas. Pretty good joke if it results in a cavity search and from then on it shows up the person was searched on suspicion of carrying drugs. Never done it myself but I had a boss it was done to.