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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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 Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Cleopatra wrote: |
When I read threads like this, I always think that we are in need of a sticky "FAQ" thread on the Saudi board. I don't know how many times the same question about bringing laptops/DVD's/books etc through customs has been asked over the years - and the answers are always the same.
What does anyone else think? |
Yes, I agree.
A flashing light should also be added that says, "Read me first before posting". |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
I blame the customs authorities at KAAA completely for taking a decently-working machine, and within a few months, turning it into a rather elaborate paper weight. 
I should note that nothing illegal was noted upon it's return or I'd be tapping out this post from the darkest, dustiest saudi prison.
Why it was physically opened is open to speculation... 
NCTBA |
Hey, Simpson, was your story before or after 9/11? 
Of course, I beleive your story, because the same thing happened with my German friend, all his CD's were confiscated for cheking, and was asked to come after two weeks to find half of his CD's damaged!!! This was in 1996.
I have heard that Uncle Sam gave the Magic Kingdom a special USB device which is used by the Saudi customs in airports to be inserted to any electronic device that a 'suspected' passenger is carrying. This USB device can scan any laptop for videos, pictures, jpeg, bmp, hidden data, etc. and the contents of your laptop will be recorded to their main computer system hidden somewhere in Riyadh and linked to CIA!!.
Any laptop with nude pictures or illegal content will be confiscated immediately, and the passenegr will be fined, or send to the black box of Uncle Bandar for interogation and probably deportation if found guilty of anything illegal, and possible of putting his name in the blacklist of the Magic Kingdom!
This is the hidden rule of Uncle Bandar! |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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It would be nice if you would avoid passing on every bit of paranoid crap you hear about some country about which you obviously know so little.
As to the sticky idea... while a good one, I have found that very few people seem to bother to read them. Over on the UAE board we have constant questions about scam job offers... and they have never read the sticky that has been at the top of the page for years now.
And the ones that have read it will still start a new thread just to see if anything has changed...
VS |
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gibon
Joined: 22 Feb 2010
Posts: 40
Location: Warsaw
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Cleopatra wrote: |
When I read threads like this, I always think that we are in need of a sticky "FAQ" thread on the Saudi board. I don't know how many times the same question about bringing laptops/DVD's/books etc through customs has been asked over the years - and the answers are always the same.
What does anyone else think? |
A good idea, except that things seem to change fast in Saudi and the rules seem to be arbitrarily applied. When I went, I was belt and braces careful but they didn't check anything. Others have had big problems.
| 007 wrote: |
| a special USB device which is used by the Saudi customs in airports to be inserted to any electronic device that a 'suspected' passenger is carrying. This USB device can scan any laptop for videos, pictures, jpeg, bmp, hidden data, etc |
Colleagues in Jubail certainly believed the customs could check hard drives for hidden files using a machine. They didn't mention the spy stuff though. |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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| A good idea, except that things seem to change fast in Saudi and the rules seem to be arbitrarily applied. When I went, I was belt and braces careful but they didn't check anything. Others have had big problems. |
But this in itself is good information for a 'newbie'. That's basically what we've all been telling posters for years: You're very unlikely to be searched, but that is not to say that you definitely won't be searched. Pretty similar to going through customs in just about any country, in fact. It's nowhere near as scary as many people think.
Another thing about which the same could be said is internet censorship in the Kingdom - it's not nearly as strict as many people imagine. That might also be an idea for this FAQ sticky I would like to see.
VS
| Quote: |
| As to the sticky idea... while a good one, I have found that very few people seem to bother to read them. Over on the UAE board we have constant questions about scam job offers... and they have never read the sticky that has been at the top of the page for years now. |
True. But redirecting someone to a sticky would be much easier than them doing a search for relevant threads. Not that either task is particularly arduous, mind. |
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Bebsi
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 958
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I should note that nothing illegal was noted upon it's return or I'd be tapping out this post from the darkest, dustiest saudi prison. |
Hardly, as you wouldn't have had your laptop with you!
Seriously, you'd have been tapping it out from the departure lounge at worst, that's about it.
I never had a problem with my laptop going into Saudi, and only ever had a cursory peek in my bags for DVDs, with an indifferent, "Any pornography, sir?"
To which you say, if you're ever asked, "No, sir". You do not tell him about P*ss Crazy Lesbians (it actually exists), Squirting Sissies, or Hornee Harlots in the bottom of the duffel bag.
Bear in mind, tho, they're more interested in titles than in content. So if you have a business DVD about ladies' raingear sales in Stockholm, but it's called Wet Swedish Girls in Nylon, maybe you'd best leave it at home! |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Bebsi wrote: |
| Hardly, as you wouldn't have had your laptop with you! |
Er...'twas a desktop and as I worked for a military subcontractor with base access, it would have been dealt with more seriously that "just" another English teacher tripping up... 
NCTBA |
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Bebsi
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 958
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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Well, if it was a desktop, you'd have been even less likely to have been using it in the departure lounge!
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Bebsi
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 958
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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| ... or the prison cell ... |
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egyptfan
Joined: 29 Nov 2004
Posts: 105
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 9:06 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for responses but I did ask for recent experiences as we all know various officials go through a phase of checking everything and then forgetting the whole subject for a year or two.
Once I was help up for a half an hour while a serious-looking, bearded chap checked the content of a promotional DVD of Ireland. I cringed as he came across the bits in Irish pubs with traditional dancers and punters drinking pints of Guinness. He never batted an eyelid and we engaged in an interesting exchange about ways to improve his English language skills. Gave me his phone number if I ever needed help and I gave him my email in case he needed any more advice. We parted the best of buddies and what started out as an official check almost ended in a friendship. A polite, respectful approach with the odd smile and an interest in where he learned his English was a great ice breaker. An arrogant, how dare you check my computer might have yielded a very different outcome  |
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Cleopatra
Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
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| Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Gave me his phone number if I ever needed help and I gave him my email in case he needed any more advice. We parted the best of buddies and what started out as an official check almost ended in a friendship. |
I take it you are a man? |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Cleopatra wrote: |
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| Gave me his phone number if I ever needed help and I gave him my email in case he needed any more advice. We parted the best of buddies and what started out as an official check almost ended in a friendship. |
I take it you are a man? |
egyptfan is an Irish man with blue eyes!
I guess the bearded chap was more interested in the colour of egyptfan's eyes and Irish traditional dancers than to improve his English skills! |
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egyptfan
Joined: 29 Nov 2004
Posts: 105
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 6:15 am Post subject: |
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| well, green eyes actually and I couldn't care less as long as he had a sense of humour ... and gave me no hassle. I'll report back later on what happens this time round |
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Bebsi
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 958
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| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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I completely agree with your approach, Egyptfan.
All earlier joking aside, I must say that I've had far more experiences like the one you describe, than bad ones. A bit of respect and a non-confrontational approach go a long way.
Did someone say you're Irish? Me too. It must be our Celtic charm? |
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egyptfan
Joined: 29 Nov 2004
Posts: 105
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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yes, Irish and kissed the Blarney Stone too! Fully agree with you about the correct attitude and I have had far more positive experiences than negative ones.
Absolutely no problems with a large amount of luggage, laptop and even a few DVDs. The lot went through the scanner in Dammam. Nothing was opened or examined. The official checked my passport and wished me a nice day!
The only minor complaint I would have had was the long delay for the biometric procedure. Initially, there was only one guy doing it and there was a long queue. Eventually, a second guy started processing it was all over in about an hour. |
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