Been travelling YWG-MSP-AMS-JNB on return trips for the past 11 years. About 2 - 3 times every year. Came back on JNB-AMS-MSP-YWG on 19 April 2009.
Then when I realized I had Mothers Day week-end free and had a shot at getting Tripple EQM bonus on Worldperks, I decided to get a B fare ticket and leave YWG on Friday 8 May, arrrive JNB on Saturday 9 May, visit my mother for less than 24 hours and return on Sunday 10 May via JNB-AMS-MSP-YWG to arrive MSP on 11 May.
I did not check any luggage just in case I had to change flights at short notice. Am Worldperks Elite (in various tiers) for past 11 years. Canadian Citizen. Only "trouble" I have had before on entering MSP from AMS, was 4 years ago when an agent at passport control asked me what my profession was and when I answered that I am in the medical field, she said " well, you sure travell a lotfor a doctor!". She was not friendly at all and I thought that she was doubting my answer.
Arrived in MSP yesteday on NW 55 in WBC. Was third in line for passport control in the US Citizen line. Agent aksed usual questions and I told him I went through MSP 3 days ago on the way to Africa to see my mom for a few hours and now I am back. Something must have come up on his screen because he suddenly stopped talking and waved to another agent at the back of the passport cubicles. The other agent came over and scrolled through the computer screen. He asked me how long I was gone and what for. Gave the same answer about going to visit for mothers day. He took my passport and entry form and told me to go with him. We walked towards the rear of the arrival hall where they usually open the bags they want to check out. On the way there, near the end of the carrousel closest to the windows, he tells me "wait here" and runs towards the windows, unlocks a door leading to the corridor that leads to the plane, and disappears out of sight with my passport and entry form.
I stood there waiting for more than 10 minutes before he came back and took me to one of the tables where he opened my laptop bag and carry on. He went through each and every compartment, all my papers, opened the news paper I brought from home, my shaving kit bag, asked me to empty my pockets of my pants and jacket. He asked me what I do and I told him. Then his phone rang. "What up boss?" he said. I could not hear the answer but then the agent said "Watch out for that white haired pilot who argued with me when I told him he cannot go back to the plane" and he hung up. (that was the captain of my AMS-MSP flight). He proceeded to examine my stuff a while longer. Told me to close everything up, typed something on his computer and wrote something illegible on my blue entry form and told me I can leave.
I was trying to write down his name and badge number when he ran away to unlock and enter the corridor. After that, I was so upset at his attitude, while trying to byte my lip and not make things worse, that I forgot to finish taking his details.
I had absolutely no problem when I entered Canada last night and told the same "mothers day" story to the border agent. That I had no luggage did not concern them either.
1. Was my lack of checked luggage that caught their attention?
2. Or was it because I came from JNB only 3 weeks ago and now went back there just for a day visit?
3. Should my family expect the same treatment this coming week-end when they fly YWG-MSP-DTW-AMS-DTW-MSP-YWG on a mile run? They will only be in AMS for about 2 hours before their return flight departs.
4. Am I overly sensitive about being searched and questioned this way? It's the first time ever this has happened to me and I do travel quite a bit - 75 - 100k per year for the past 12 years. I have entered the USA by air 4 times this year before this trip.
5. or was it because I came from South Africa?
I feel I want to dump NW/Delta route to JNB because of my experience in MSP and just do Air Canada via YYZ/LHR/JNB.
