This isn't necessarily African travel, but relevant. I just returned from two weeks in Córdoba. My flight to Santiago was delayed and I missed my DFW connection. I was rerouted to Miami. At the passport kiosk, my receipt came back with an X on it. Upon proceeding to the immigration control officer, he had asked if I travel much. I replied that I travel some, but it's all relative (6 weeks in Argentina and 1 week in Mexico for 2015). I was then sent to a waiting room for nearly two hours. It seemed I was the only USA citizen in the room. Once my turn came, I was asked my profession, phone number, and many other mundane questions. At the conclusion, I asked why I was flagged. The officer said he could not tell me. Has this happened to others?

I've had the receipt with the "X" on it before but was not placed in a waiting room, just had an officer ask several questions and sort of look thru my luggage...no big deal to me. Maybe we just look guilty?

But you're Karl Evans, President of the DSC! Maybe he wanted an autograph? :-)

I had the same thing happen in Miami traveling back from Bolivia. Felt like a freakin' drug thug and was with some suspect characters in the Customs back office. Heck of a deal to endure for just getting Xed on Global Entry Kiosk. Got Xed in Houston once, a couple of perfunctory questions and I was on my way...

The ordeal in Miami was weird.

Used my Global Entry twice and been "x"d once, a few questions and I was on my way.

I've never been X'ed and I travel overseas 5-6 times a year.

The only time I've been held entering a country was in Brazil back in 2000, because I had just come out of China during the SARS epidemic.

I was questioned heavily on my way out of colombia once, they made me sign some paper concenting to an x ray, aparently they have a law where your choice is an xray or being held for up to 48 hours..... I read and signed the paper, they put me in a room and took a chest X-ray, then let me go, probably the wierdest thing that has happened to me in migrations/customs.....

Also in rumania this summer they held me for about 20 minutes while theye xamined my passport over and over again, something about the way the mexican consulate had glued my picture page on there, then they let me go.

You guys just must look guilty............

I get "X'd" every time. I thought it was because I was traveling with firearms.

Not sure if this applies to Global Entry or not but the "X" generated by the automated kiosks seems to be generated by your answers to the questions on the entry form.

If you answer "Yes" to any of the questions (eg. Are you bringing food into the country) it will generate an "X".

Generally I bring back some food from duty free (usually macaroons if traveling via Paris) but may give that up due to the hassle. Seems if you don't get the "X" you definitely go to a shorter line. Even with the "X" never been more than a cursory question from CBP.

I could say many things that could move my original post the the PF.

Yes, I will shut up about the situation. However, it makes me wonder about NRA, CHL, etc.

I do 'X' business. Damn, I'd get a faster connection as a refugee.

X'd in Atlanta and New Orleans this year. Took an extra 5-10 minutes each time.

The New Orleans X was a cruise with the family. Not sure what flagged it. Seems odd.

quote:

Originally posted by DCS Member:
I could say many things that could move my original post the the PF.

Yes, I will shut up about the situation. However, it makes me wonder about NRA, CHL, etc.

I do 'X' business. Damn, I'd get a faster connection as a refugee.

Marcus:

What is CHL?

I got stopped coming back from Zim this year. I can't remember why. I seem to recall the X. It took a few extra minutes and I was gone. It was not that big of a deal to me.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:

quote:

Originally posted by DCS Member:
I could say many things that could move my original post the the PF.

Yes, I will shut up about the situation. However, it makes me wonder about NRA, CHL, etc.

I do 'X' business. Damn, I'd get a faster connection as a refugee.

Marcus:

What is CHL?

I got stopped coming back from Zim this year. I can't remember why. I seem to recall the X. It took a few extra minutes and I was gone. It was not that big of a deal to me.

Concealed Handgun License.

I was harassed way beyond what I thought was appropriate getting my gun in ATL

Gunslinger: When and what happened?

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Gunslinger: When and what happened?

+1. I almost always fly through Atlanta. I am interested. I had a couple of guys with an attitude in the past but nothing severe.

Some years ago, we did experience some serious harassment by a customs guy. It had nothing to do with guns. Let's just say he learned a valuable lesson.

Coming back from Bahamas this week via FLL I (and several other travelers who appeared to be equally flummoxed) got the X from the machines.

Normally the X means your fingerprints are in the FBI database due to a "negative encounter with law enforcement". But I think they have now programmed the kiosks to randomly give out Xs.

For the most part all this means is that you have to repeat the process with a live CBP person and you are then on your way. But if your fingerprints are in the database, you get sent for "secondary screening" which means you sit in a room with a bunch of third world types while they run a background check on you. This is not supposed to happen to citizens, only to green card holders.

Fingerprints are or are NOT in the database Russ?

so much for advantage of Global Entry....

When they ARE in the database you get an X. When the FBI has your fingerprints that's generally not a good thing. If you are ever "booked", your fingerprints are in the database regardless of the outcome of your case. There is no way to get them out of the database, even through the "expungement" process.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
When they ARE in the database you get an X. When the FBI has your fingerprints that's generally not a good thing. If you are ever "booked", your fingerprints are in the database regardless of the outcome of your case. There is no way to get them out of the database, even through the "expungement" process.

My fingerprints are in several databases(fingerprinted when I got my Known Traveler ID and once when I got my CA medical license). I have been in and out of the US twice in the last 6 months. No X and no delays.

My fingerprints are in the FBI database for a myriad of reasons relating to numerous
state bar exam applications, concealed carry permit applications, federal judicial clerkship application and employment, Global entry application, etc etc, etc. NONE OF WHICH IS FOR ANY CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR WRONGDOING WHATSOEVER. Why would I then be subject to being 'X'd? Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I could see being X'd if I didn't have fingerprints in the system or if I had something come up on their scope relating to some criminal charge, but other than that it would be purely for harassment purposes, in my mind.

I had a hassle in Atlanta coming back from Zim this summer. The officer had an attitude and would not let me even touch my guns to get them out to show him the serial numbers. He didn't want to look at the 4457's, he just read the serial numbers and calibers out loud to another agent who was keying them in to the computer. I complained to the NRA and they started checking on what they were keying it in for. They ran into roadblocks with their questions and the last I heard they were pursuing members in Congress to have a hearing.

I was once diverted to MIA when a passenger died in route from JNB to ATL. Customs with guns in Miami was an experience. It was the only airport I've ever been in where the inspectors clearly were shocked and alarmed by my having rifles and the only place where it was insisted that I open my cases in private, where no one else could see "what I was hiding".

Re fingerprints ... I think they only stop you if you have been fingerprinted and mugshot ie charged with a crime, regardless of whether convicted. But who knows ... perhaps there is some random algorithm now that US passports have been compromised. Miami is the gateway to Latin America and all sorts of dubious people come through that way.

When you are arrested and charged with a crime you are entered into NCIC, a data base used by all law enforcement agencies. The problem is that if you are found innocent, declined prosecution the Courts often do not enter data into NCIC that removes you from the data base. So, for whatever reason the NCIC data base is queried your name will come up just as though you were convicted. I don't know exactly how many arrests I have made on outstanding arrest warrants that were not cleared out by the courts, but it has been many.

Any arrests on the above fellers Hoot?

Echoing what Hoot said...if you are not convicted of a crime but are arrested it will usually still show in NCIC that you were arrested but might not say anything about being acquitted, i.e. charges dropped, found not guilty in court or whatever the case may be.

Regardless...your prints are not expunged from the system no matter how the case is adjudicated. They are still on file.

My prints are in the system. Not because of a crime, but I'm an attorney and concealed handgun license holder.

Same for me.

Yeah similar to what I experienced. Very bad attitudes. The only thing on my NCIS is a disorderly charge from 1983 when I was 18 years old and was dismissed. Can't get it off. They went nuts over that as if I was some sort of drug/arms trafficker. Lets say I have been through many many rigourous background checks, have been a Federal Officer myself, Security clearances, CCW etc etc blah blah but they don't seem to care. I raised a stink but it went no where. As far as I was concerned they were out of control. If anyone has any suggestions to force them to treat us like law abiding American citizens I am all ears. I'll sign a statement. I am still pissed and this was a few years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Ed Scarboro:
I had a hassle in Atlanta coming back from Zim this summer. The officer had an attitude and would not let me even touch my guns to get them out to show him the serial numbers. He didn't want to look at the 4457's, he just read the serial numbers and calibers out loud to another agent who was keying them in to the computer. I complained to the NRA and they started checking on what they were keying it in for. They ran into roadblocks with their questions and the last I heard they were pursuing members in Congress to have a hearing.

On the several times I came back through Atlanta I ran into the TSA guy who had a nasty attitude. Rude and sharp kind like my first day in basic training in the
Air Force, no reason for it. Collected all of the passports of the guys with firearms and gave the wrong ones back lucky for all of us one of the guys caught the mistake before we were out of there. I just ignored him being a jerk is his problem more than mine. Was traveling with a friend of mine who was retired Sheriff he made the comment that when he was Sheriff he took pleasure in firing guys that treated the public that way . Sad because of the 20 or so times I have traveled with guns the TSA guys have always been polite and professional.

Coming back via Toronto was my worst experience. Went thru customs, declared firearms, showed 4457s, they checked the SNs on each receiver, was cleared and passed thru TSA. Then 30 mins later I was sitting in lounge, two goons showed up and escorted me back to customs. I had been sorting out my travel papers and made a little pile of the obsolete stuff (used tickets etc) which I put in the garbage. They fished it all out again. A little bantam cock of a man with some kind of rank insignia on his epaulettes (hispanic ironically) showed up and started interrogating me. He wanted to know how I got the firearms into Zimbabwe. I told him "a lot easier than getting them back into the USA". They went through my luggage a second time and checked each 4457 again and yes, they entered the firearm details into some kind of system and would not let me approach to see what they were doing. Then they sent me on my way. A good thing I was very early otherwise I would have missed my flight.

I have been X twice at the GOES kiosk. Most times I sail right through. My fingerprints are probably in most data bases from my time in the army, concealed weapon permit, GOES application process, and professional licenses. I do believe there is a consistent pattern at some international airports of harassment for those of us traveling with firearms.

I'm returning to Argentina via Miami in a month. We will see.

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
Yeah similar to what I experienced. Very bad attitudes. The only thing on my NCIS is a disorderly charge from 1983 when I was 18 years old and was dismissed. Can't get it off. They went nuts over that as if I was some sort of drug/arms trafficker. Lets say I have been through many many rigourous background checks, have been a Federal Officer myself, Security clearances, CCW etc etc blah blah but they don't seem to care. I raised a stink but it went no where. As far as I was concerned they were out of control. If anyone has any suggestions to force them to treat us like law abiding American citizens I am all ears. I'll sign a statement. I am still pissed and this was a few years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Ed Scarboro:
I had a hassle in Atlanta coming back from Zim this summer. The officer had an attitude and would not let me even touch my guns to get them out to show him the serial numbers. He didn't want to look at the 4457's, he just read the serial numbers and calibers out loud to another agent who was keying them in to the computer. I complained to the NRA and they started checking on what they were keying it in for. They ran into roadblocks with their questions and the last I heard they were pursuing members in Congress to have a hearing.

I HAVE A SUGGESTION FOR DCS, GUNSLINGER AND ED SCARBORO ... File a written complaint to their department, with a CC to your congressman. This kind of treatment for law abiding U.S. Citizens is total bullshit. I, for one, do not think any of us should tolerate it if we are completely in order, polite in our conduct toward any customs or TSA employee. When any government employee treats you with less than the respect you justify, get their name, the name of their supervisor and how to contact them. I'd file a complaint without hesitation. In the past, I've had a few instances where I was treated improperly by different government employees. Each time, I asked for their ID and who their supervisor was. When you tell them you intend to file a complaint about how they are conducting themselves, I've found every time that their attitude changes for the better very quickly. Of course, that assumes you didn't earn the brusque treatment to begin with.

So I applied for Global Entry and the first available interview is in August. I will call and see if I can just go to the office next week before I leave for Argentina.

I live near the Canadian border. Have crossed borders many, many times in my lifetime. I recently crossed border with a friend to buy fishing licencses in Canada so we could fish the border waters legally. Upon returning, we were directed to secondary. There we were questioned by an officer who demeanor was hostile and agresive, rude and unprofessional.I am retired law enforcement, my friend is current law enforcement. Neither f us could believe the conduct of this officer. I have several times on this forum commended the border officers for doing a great and professional job. This last incident left a very bad taste with us both. I filed a complaint after thinking about it for several days. The conduct of that officer was terrible and nobody should be treated as we were.