Originally Posted by
Wollstonecraft
It wasn't of my person, it was of my bags. I had a rollerboard and a backpack. They pulled me and a guy behind me out of line and we walked over to a table (there were about 6 of them) and he asked me the usual questions, do I have any fruit, how much money, etc. Right before he opened the suitcase, he asked me if I wanted to revise any of my answers and I said no. He took all the stuff out of my suitcase. I did have a big bar of European chocolate, but he didn't seem to concerned about that. While I packed everything back up, he entered information into a database, then handed me the card as I left.
He was very polite and cheerful, a young guy. I was extremely concerned because I had a very tight connection to make but I didn't want to panic and make it worse. I would say the entire process took 10 minutes from beginning to end.
I did fill out the card and gave him and CBP a very positive review. This was LAX.
This is the normal first level of secondary done both "randomly" and because of CBP power trips. Its not particularly bothersome.
that said, I would never give a positive review, simply because it gives them more ammunition to act with impunity. I've personally thanked people I thought did a good job/were respectful/etc, but will not comment well on them through a card.