FWIW, the last few times into JFK, the customs checkpoint person asked for my passport and looked at the photo page. I wonder if this the new SOP.
Originally Posted by
SeeBuyFly
Unfortunately, this is a weak argument:
(a) He didn't look at the passport (main page), he just looked at the sticker. If I'm using someone else's receipt, I could also be using someone else's passport; he wouldn't have known.
(b) Your point also applies to the regular (hand-written) form; I could be using someone else's form. But they never ask to see the passport when I turn in the regular form. That's the main reason this is an issue---it's done only for GE.
(c) If it is indeed a security issue, why is it not a problem in airports other than ORD?
(d) Can you suggest any logical reason to switch forms? At this point both people have successfully passed immigration. We're only talking Customs, which is about luggage. If these people are smuggling something and feel that one person is more likely to be stopped and searched, then the other person would carry the contraband. Switching forms achieves nothing.