My friends never go with me through custom or security. Always get "swabbed" and asked questions about drugs. Last month in Yellowknife one guy of a full plane got stopped and swab stick came up That was me. (I did not help that I had a wolf and a polar bear in my checked luggage).

Many north/west african countries visited last years and Pakistan probably did not help add how I look and you get stopped lol.

With increased security, comes more individual searches. Way back in the day, I returned from Jamaica and as I was threading through the Miami airport, I noticed a Customs agent with a dog maneuvering on a path to intercept me. Just for kicks, I changed my trajectory and she immediately made a change in her route. I wasn't caring anything that was of interest to the dog, but apparently single individuals coming from drug-rich countries are subject to increased security.

BH63

Just an update:

I received an email about open spots for interviews last week, or the prior week. My interview was yesterday. It was not a problem, other than the long wait to get the interview date.

I guess I'm lucky. Never a hassle anytime coming back into the states--hunting or not. I'm in Zim now, we'll see when I arrive on the 28th.
Cal

I believe the "X" gets triggered if you answer yes to any of the questions on the customs form. Normally I bring back some chocolate or other things bought from the duty free and have always received the "X" when answering yes to the "Do you have food" question.

Came back from Prague on Monday and had no yes answers, cleared immigration and customs in about 10 minutes total.

I did the "interview" last week and received my trusted traveler card on Friday. It was a breeze, except the wait for the interview.

I just returned from Argentina this morning with my fresh GE card. I got the X ticket at the kiosk and was "detained" again without explanation.

I was given information to where I can write a letter. I'm sure that will work. That's treacle in 9-10 months or so. I had hoped the GE would have helped, but no.

I was asked about the purpose of my visit. I said to see my girlfriend. They asked her name. I still don't understand why I get nabbed, yet others/refugees get in without hassle.

My only guess is that I changed flights due to delays at the airport the day of travel. It's rather frustrating, though.

You should change your name to Saddam al-Assad al-Islam Gaddafi. You will sail through US customs without delay.

My wife had a three week business trip to China back in 2007, and I tagged along to play tourist. Going through Customs in Beijing, the customs officers spoke excellent English, smiled a lot, and seemed genuinely happy to see us. Coming back, we flew through LAX. The Customs people there were all named Chamiqua, Turdelle, Pablo or Juan. The lines were unbelievably long because the agents were all BS'ing with each other, rather than processing the US citizens waiting in line. They all had attitudes, and were difficult to understand. Sad when these "public servants" just don't care.

quote:

Originally posted by Bud Meadows:
My wife had a three week business trip to China back in 2007, and I tagged along to play tourist. Going through Customs in Beijing, the customs officers spoke excellent English, smiled a lot, and seemed genuinely happy to see us. Coming back, we flew through LAX. The Customs people there were all named Chamiqua, Turdelle, Pablo or Juan. The lines were unbelievably long because the agents were all BS'ing with each other, rather than processing the US citizens waiting in line. They all had attitudes, and were difficult to understand. Sad when these "public servants" just don't care.

I see this same thing every time I go to Africa as well!!!!!

It's infuriating to be treated this way by people whose wages I pay!

.

I received a redress number from CBP a month ago. I booked another ticket to Argentina through my agent, giving her the GE number and the redress number. I don't know if she provided said information upon booking, but I still did not get to use the TSA precheck (part of the GE program). That's not too big of a deal, but we will see what happens upon my return.

I got stopped by customs in Miami last week cause I was carrying a crappy plastic bag for my carry on belongings.

The custom agent asked why I had a plastic bag - I said I gave my roller bag and most my belongings to my Indian fishing guide in Brazil. What I needed to bring I brought along in a cheap plastic bag.

He asked why I did it and I said it is my stuff I can do with it as I pleased. He saw I was a little upset and he explained he stopped people with plastic bags as they were normally taken from checked baggage. I got his logic. He was overall a nice professional pubkic servant.

Also global express is becoming irrelevant - at both abu dbhabi and Miami there were a lot of self check terminals that do the same as global express.

Mike

We just flew back through JFK last Sunday. I had the X. We were taken to a room for a while. While it was annoying it was not that big of a deal . They indicated that there was a computer problem. Never felt threatened. Actually had a rather interesting discussion with the agents.

That was not the end of things . We had to wait two hours while we had wait for Port Authority police to escort us from the first floor to the forth floor so I could recheck my guns with TSA. We waited for two hours.