Originally Posted by
labdoctor
I was given a piece of knowledge that may prove useful and it has proved correct on several occasions.
If you are able to choose who you go to...be it an immigration officer or a customs officer...always choose the oldest ones.
The younger ones have everything to prove to their bosses and are keen to make an impression.The older ones couldn't give a toss as they are relatively senior in their role and don't have anything to prove.
The older ones in my experience won't interrogate as much, if at all.
Really good advice!
I have traveled a lot and had a number of unexpected interactions with border agents. Most challenging have been younger agents.
Originally Posted by
bafan
Yes. It happened as described. And nothing more to it.
We’re both lawyers and have no reason to lie for likes.
Thank you for posting. A good reminder to us all it can happen.
I get some level of questioning in BRU, but nowhere else in the UK or EU. MUC customs will rip my luggage apart if they see from the luggage tag I am coming from/through South America or Thailand. But it's their right, and there is nothing interesting to see.
Originally Posted by
linz36
Is the "denied entry" recorded? I wonder if the OPs friend could not have waited an hour or so and tried again, preferably alongside another plane full of brits? (HUACA but for the border....)
I once transited non-Schengen to non-Schengen in ATH and the limited number of open immigration booths were for Schengen entry. The first agent turned me back since I was in transit to non-Schengen and said I was ineligible to enter the EU during "international transit". Told me to stand against the wall and wait. There were no seats and I had a 4 hour connection.
After 20 minutes when the lines cleared I quietly went to a different agent who processed me in. Got some souvenirs, exited the country and waited in the A3 lounge. Chatted with the lounge agent who said yeah, they sometimes make people stand and wait for hours if there are no immediate non-Schengen departures. Happens a lot on their Cyprus connections. Also said I was a bit lucky to get an agent who let me through.
Originally Posted by
fartoomanyusers
I'm still attempting to boycott Canada after a nasty experience with their border staff in 2016
I hear you, US passport holder, been to Canada on business closing in on 200 times over 25 or so years. Am usually thoroughly questioned and have been sent to secondary maybe a dozen times to verify I don't need a business visa. Only stay 1-2 nights each time, always entering YUL or YYZ to meet Canadian suppliers. And those meetings usually don't align requiring separate trips. China is much easier for me to enter and I have entered China more often than Canada.
In fact, when I have colleagues from China, Taiwan or Japan with me they get in with no questions asked. Just us US passport holders. It is what it is.