Originally Posted by
jaws3
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?
Ignoring the rudeness of the agent and all the other stuff and purely answering this list of questions, I'd answer yes to all of these.
I'm not excusing a bad attitude (I'm thinking mainly about #4), but it's pretty common knowledge that airport security/immigration has lots of employees who could use more training/empathy.
All the possible red flags jaimeto mentioned flashed through my mind when I read your post. Considering they ultimately let you go after the search and interview, it sounds like that's what they thought too but ultimately felt you were clean. Could they have been nicer about it? Sure, but the attitude might also have been an act to gauge your reaction and see if it provokes some kind of response that indicates if you're hiding something. It could just have been a bad attitude too. Who knows, but I've had cops tell me they act gruff and as intimidating as possible to try and see what reactions they get. Still, I'm not sure, based on what you posted, that the guy was anything but just a different manner of speech than you. Remember, their primary job is not to retain you as a customer.
Considering the litany of horrendous examples out there, both your responses sound like you're blowing this way out of proportion. Just my two cents.