Your Worst POE experiences outside of the US
#61
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Houston
Posts: 282
UK Border at LHR Jul/Aug2009
I was on a holiday at Hurghada for a week, with 1 job interview in London in between.
My passport was not biometric and for some reason UK required all non biometric passports from Venezuela to be screened at their embassies prior to travel. (I was not aware as I don't live in my country of origin)
As soon as I landed in London and went to passport control all the flags that possible could be raised were there... told them I was not aware of such rule and that I knew I could enter UK without a visa so no reason to pass by an embassy prior my trip, showed them all details about my visit to the country and explained I was supposed to be there only for 22 hours as I was on holidays but that earlier that morning I managed to change my ticket for an earlier departure so only 18 hours, they told me I was trying to enter illegally and I was going to be detained.
All sort of question including why I have so much cash, clothes (Only a weekend bag with 3 changes) etc, etc in a very rude way. I told them that if there was anything I could do to fix the situation like to book the next available flight out of UK to any country I could enter (all europe most likely) and they got angrier and send me to a temporary immigration detention center at the airport with some immigrants from different places. At this point I was so angry and tired (2 hours of search and questioning and already missed my scheduled appointment).
They allowed me to make a phone call to my girlfriend to explain her the situation as she was expecting me back in egypt the next day, no answer as she was scuba diving, and the UK Border agent asked me, What nobody loves you? as she did not answer the phone. I had to keep quiet and not answer to that as It could make it worse for me...
After two more hours they allowed me to enter UK without my passport and I should return to the security office in the airport before my departure to be escorted to the plane...
The good side of the story is that I got upgraded on my return as the airline was informed about my case (they were not aware of such rule for my passport), I did not get a second chance for another interview but the job was in Lybia and we all know what happened there few years ago, and I ended getting a job in Brazil
I was on a holiday at Hurghada for a week, with 1 job interview in London in between.
My passport was not biometric and for some reason UK required all non biometric passports from Venezuela to be screened at their embassies prior to travel. (I was not aware as I don't live in my country of origin)
As soon as I landed in London and went to passport control all the flags that possible could be raised were there... told them I was not aware of such rule and that I knew I could enter UK without a visa so no reason to pass by an embassy prior my trip, showed them all details about my visit to the country and explained I was supposed to be there only for 22 hours as I was on holidays but that earlier that morning I managed to change my ticket for an earlier departure so only 18 hours, they told me I was trying to enter illegally and I was going to be detained.
All sort of question including why I have so much cash, clothes (Only a weekend bag with 3 changes) etc, etc in a very rude way. I told them that if there was anything I could do to fix the situation like to book the next available flight out of UK to any country I could enter (all europe most likely) and they got angrier and send me to a temporary immigration detention center at the airport with some immigrants from different places. At this point I was so angry and tired (2 hours of search and questioning and already missed my scheduled appointment).
They allowed me to make a phone call to my girlfriend to explain her the situation as she was expecting me back in egypt the next day, no answer as she was scuba diving, and the UK Border agent asked me, What nobody loves you? as she did not answer the phone. I had to keep quiet and not answer to that as It could make it worse for me...
After two more hours they allowed me to enter UK without my passport and I should return to the security office in the airport before my departure to be escorted to the plane...
The good side of the story is that I got upgraded on my return as the airline was informed about my case (they were not aware of such rule for my passport), I did not get a second chance for another interview but the job was in Lybia and we all know what happened there few years ago, and I ended getting a job in Brazil
#62
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London
Posts: 224
As for A-shares, I would not own the ETFs, too many financials in the ETFs...
#63
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3
I will make virtually any booking to avoid LHR
No doubt by a mile, my worst experiences with non-CBP border guards are those NZ border officers at AKL airport.
After three very unpleasant encounters with AKL immigration, I will not be planning another visit there any time soon. I'm not sure why I deserve such treatments despite being cooperative, truthful and never once raising my temper. Was it because I've always entered as a solo traveller? FYI most of the other people I saw in secondaries were young and traveling alone. Also the officers who cross examined me in secondaries all three times looked very young (two females and one male). Though they were each different officers on the three separate entries, they all shared the same attitudes - officious and surly in a power tripping mission. Also since I had been selected for secondary the previous two entries (even though I never violated any laws), did it automatically raise a red flag on my third visit since most likely it was in their system the moment my passport was scanned?
Regardless, even if I have to return back to NZ, you bet I will not be selecting AKL as a POE. And really, a return to NZ is a big "IF" for me regardless of POE.
After three very unpleasant encounters with AKL immigration, I will not be planning another visit there any time soon. I'm not sure why I deserve such treatments despite being cooperative, truthful and never once raising my temper. Was it because I've always entered as a solo traveller? FYI most of the other people I saw in secondaries were young and traveling alone. Also the officers who cross examined me in secondaries all three times looked very young (two females and one male). Though they were each different officers on the three separate entries, they all shared the same attitudes - officious and surly in a power tripping mission. Also since I had been selected for secondary the previous two entries (even though I never violated any laws), did it automatically raise a red flag on my third visit since most likely it was in their system the moment my passport was scanned?
Regardless, even if I have to return back to NZ, you bet I will not be selecting AKL as a POE. And really, a return to NZ is a big "IF" for me regardless of POE.
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
My issue with transiting the UK (or even visiting the UK) is that the government has some awfully draconian powers to try to compel extraction of data from individuals' electronics. Of all the countries in the EU/EEA/EFTA, the UK quite literally already has the most extreme ability to detain and hassle admissible people at its airports of any country I frequently enter/exit/transit.
#65
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA, Hilton, IHG
Posts: 4
A long one..
I guess my longest experience was in Havana back in 2005. I was backpacking in Mexico with only OW tickets and realized Havana was a short flights from Cancun. Bought myself a R/T for a 10 day trip to Cuba and jumped on a plane.
I got off the plane looking like a non-discrete drug smuggler - unshaved, big straw hat, flip flops - you name it.
Two very friendly and young custom officers spent the next two hours going through every single nook and cranny in my luggage. I speak Spanish so we had an interesting conversation about my travels, Cuba, politics and religion. They didn't find anything - and I had superbly nice stay in Cuba.
Other story that comes to mind was crossing the border from the US to Canada driving to Montreal by car. I had my Israeli passport on me and the girl who was driving had her Saudi passport. You can imagine the surprised look on the officer's face. We said "Just don't tell our parents" - he smiled, stamped and let us go
I got off the plane looking like a non-discrete drug smuggler - unshaved, big straw hat, flip flops - you name it.
Two very friendly and young custom officers spent the next two hours going through every single nook and cranny in my luggage. I speak Spanish so we had an interesting conversation about my travels, Cuba, politics and religion. They didn't find anything - and I had superbly nice stay in Cuba.
Other story that comes to mind was crossing the border from the US to Canada driving to Montreal by car. I had my Israeli passport on me and the girl who was driving had her Saudi passport. You can imagine the surprised look on the officer's face. We said "Just don't tell our parents" - he smiled, stamped and let us go
#66
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: SQ TPP
Posts: 124
Worst situations for me - anywhere in the US - although never anything like you describe but had a visa problem in BOS many years ago. Apparently I had the wrong type of visa for my visit. And really hassled leaving Tel Aviv once.
Not bad really given the number of countries and airports I have visited.
#67
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Southern Cal
Programs: UA, AA, Delta, Marriott
Posts: 113
I can't top some of these stories, but my entry into Canada is rarely pleasant. Once in Montreal, my Asian partner and I were separated and interrogated, and then left to sit for quite a while. Once cleared, all I could get out of the guy was "some misunderstanding."
The US still takes the cake for rude Customs folks.
The US still takes the cake for rude Customs folks.
#68
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Programs: A3*G, LH FTL, VS Red, Avis Preferred, Hertz President's Circle, (RIP Diamond Club)
Posts: 2,356
My issue with transiting the UK (or even visiting the UK) is that the government has some awfully draconian powers to try to compel extraction of data from individuals' electronics. Of all the countries in the EU/EEA/EFTA, the UK quite literally already has the most extreme ability to detain and hassle admissible people at its airports of any country I frequently enter/exit/transit.
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
My worst was entering Canada at YYZ in June of 2008. I was beginning a 2 week vacation by spending a few days with a friend before heading on to Korea and Japan. Once I said I was there to visit a friend, I was grilled about how long I was staying, where I was staying, what I did for a living, how much I made, how long I worked there, wanting to see my onward ticket, etc.
I mean geez, does Canada have that big of a problem with Amercian overstays or illegal immigration to warrant that?
Ironically, at YUL where I expected more hassle because I didn't speak French, it was quick and painless.
EU's always been easy. Japan and Korea are annoying due to fingerprinting and photos, but other than that, have been painless. In those countries, if you're on certain prescription medicines that are legal here but banned there, you can be in a world of hurt without proper clearance prior to entering the country.
I mean geez, does Canada have that big of a problem with Amercian overstays or illegal immigration to warrant that?
Ironically, at YUL where I expected more hassle because I didn't speak French, it was quick and painless.
EU's always been easy. Japan and Korea are annoying due to fingerprinting and photos, but other than that, have been painless. In those countries, if you're on certain prescription medicines that are legal here but banned there, you can be in a world of hurt without proper clearance prior to entering the country.
#70
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
My worst was entering Canada at YYZ in June of 2008. I was beginning a 2 week vacation by spending a few days with a friend before heading on to Korea and Japan. Once I said I was there to visit a friend, I was grilled about how long I was staying, where I was staying, what I did for a living, how much I made, how long I worked there, wanting to see my onward ticket, etc.
I mean geez, does Canada have that big of a problem with Amercian overstays or illegal immigration to warrant that?
I mean geez, does Canada have that big of a problem with Amercian overstays or illegal immigration to warrant that?
That seems to be the attitude from Canadian Immigration officials in my experience.
#71
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PNW
Programs: BAEC Silver, DL GM, AA Plat, NEXUS
Posts: 467
Every single POE in Canada will have bilingual agents if not polyglots, I once came across an agent at YVR who fluently speaks Hungarian and German besides English/French.
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
I get that - I was going off of more of the Quebecois attitude of my not speaking French there vis their ability to speak English.
#73
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
Millions of Indians have names that sound like rather common Mexican names -- courtesy of Christian missionaries in India and the various European colonization of various parts of India. You should see what happens to Indian passport users with "Chinese"family names.. This just goes to show that passport control types aren't very well schooled in the ethno-cultural diversity that exists around the world and has even existed for more centuries in parts of the "Old Wolrd" than there has been an independent US -- let alone Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
I actually find UK agents at LHR to be generally bad. There are some really nice ones, but the surly ones always give you so much attitude. For convenience my wife, who is an investment banker, was on a youth mobility visa for over a year (normally those are for recent graduates doing odd jobs). Her being an investment banker with lots of stamps on her passport made every agent incredibly suspicious and she would always get extensive (and pretty condescending) questioning...
As for A-shares, I would not own the ETFs, too many financials in the ETFs...
As for A-shares, I would not own the ETFs, too many financials in the ETFs...
Last edited by t325; Dec 24, 2015 at 10:36 pm
#74
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,322
As for NZ, if even half of most large metro areas in the US were to move there they would completely overwhelm the country.
This doesn't excuse rudness, but even if you get grilled by smiling non-aggressive agents it is going to come across as intimidating.
#75
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: EWR/PHL
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 20
No passport trying to get back to US after 9/11
I got married shortly after 9/11 and had my family from India attended the wedding. After the wedding (and honeymoon), I decided to take my two aunts and two cousins to see Niagara Falls. We checked into a hotel on the US side after a long drive. My cousins eager decided they wanted to see Canada at night so while my aunts (both over 70 year old) decided to stay at hotel and sleep we hoped into the car and drove over to the Canadian side.
The Canadian border guard just asked why we are coming to Canada. I said we just want to see it Canadian side before we go back in a few hours. He waved us in and did not ask for anything else. After a few hours, we started to drive back. Once we got to the US checkpoint, the customers officer asked for our passports. Only then did I realize that we left them in the hotel.
The customers officer just looked at us and asked who the other two passengers are and I explained that I just got married and they are my cousins. He asked how we got into Canada and did not believe that they did not ask for our passports. He said we would have to have our aunts come and drop off our passports. Since this was the first trip to the US for them, I knew my aunts would not answer the phone. Also they did not know english and they would not be able to communicate with anyone from hotel nor would they answer the phone.
After pleading with the customers officer to let just me in to get the passports, he started asking me a lot of questions about what I do. Well that did not go well as I was working on a radiation dectector that would help our first responders in case of a dirty bomb. The guard face was almost blood red at this point. You could just see how he was thinking how to explain that three brown people without passports or IDs wanted to enter the US who worked on radiation detectors right after 9/11.
After talking to someone on the phone for 10-15 minutes, he started asking about sports and who I liked. I explained that I liked the Yankees. After answering endless number of questions about the Yankees he asked which football team I liked. I thought about lying but decided to tell the truth. As soon as I said cowboys he yelled "You f'ing have to be kidding me. I should arrest you for being a cowboys fan as lesson" and open the gate and said get the hell back to my hotel and never forget my passport again.
Lesson learned. I have never leave without my passport.
The Canadian border guard just asked why we are coming to Canada. I said we just want to see it Canadian side before we go back in a few hours. He waved us in and did not ask for anything else. After a few hours, we started to drive back. Once we got to the US checkpoint, the customers officer asked for our passports. Only then did I realize that we left them in the hotel.
The customers officer just looked at us and asked who the other two passengers are and I explained that I just got married and they are my cousins. He asked how we got into Canada and did not believe that they did not ask for our passports. He said we would have to have our aunts come and drop off our passports. Since this was the first trip to the US for them, I knew my aunts would not answer the phone. Also they did not know english and they would not be able to communicate with anyone from hotel nor would they answer the phone.
After pleading with the customers officer to let just me in to get the passports, he started asking me a lot of questions about what I do. Well that did not go well as I was working on a radiation dectector that would help our first responders in case of a dirty bomb. The guard face was almost blood red at this point. You could just see how he was thinking how to explain that three brown people without passports or IDs wanted to enter the US who worked on radiation detectors right after 9/11.
After talking to someone on the phone for 10-15 minutes, he started asking about sports and who I liked. I explained that I liked the Yankees. After answering endless number of questions about the Yankees he asked which football team I liked. I thought about lying but decided to tell the truth. As soon as I said cowboys he yelled "You f'ing have to be kidding me. I should arrest you for being a cowboys fan as lesson" and open the gate and said get the hell back to my hotel and never forget my passport again.
Lesson learned. I have never leave without my passport.