Originally Posted by
bschaff1
In comparison, I have never been able to get past UK customs without being grilled for 5 minutes. No idea what flags I set off, but I can't think why young, gainfully employed, clean cut, white, German last name, and from the USA sets off the alarms ever time. This is one thing I find insulting about the UK. I have been there about 10 times and have never caused a problem, yet whenever I enter that country I am always treated like a potential criminal. I should add that the UK is the only country that ever gives me trouble anyplace in the world.
I had the same experience when arriving in LHR for a weekend MR earlier this year. It was an actual, entire weekend! Yet, the agent grilled me endlessly and made me show him my hotel reservations and return itinerary/ticket.
I recently applied for and have been approved for Global Entry - looking forward to seeing how it works when I get back after the next MR.
However, the interview process felt like the arrival in LHR. I tend to think they ask in a certain fashion to see how you'd react. If you have nothing to hide, you might get a litttle annoyed or surprised but probably not nervous. The agent interviewing me grilled me quite a bit about my short trips.