'Roving' Customs agents
Aug 2, 2003 | 10:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,972
'Roving' Customs agents
Connected from int'l to domestic at YVR the other day. I was randomly(?) questioned by 3 different Customs officers in the baggage claim area within a space of 5 minutes (NB this was before exiting).
Now, after 9 hours on a plane I may look a bit p*ssed off and thus fit some kind of 'profile', but why can't these people watch what each other is doing. Questioning the same person (me) 3 times surely cuts down on the odds of them really finding a bad guy.
Perhaps it was just a training session, they all were young and there was an older agent propping up the wall looking nonchalant. Anyone else had this experience ?
WB
Now, after 9 hours on a plane I may look a bit p*ssed off and thus fit some kind of 'profile', but why can't these people watch what each other is doing. Questioning the same person (me) 3 times surely cuts down on the odds of them really finding a bad guy.
Perhaps it was just a training session, they all were young and there was an older agent propping up the wall looking nonchalant. Anyone else had this experience ?
WB
Aug 4, 2003 | 11:07 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 142
i knows of what you speaks. been through yvr's int'l terminal/customs a million times. it has not happened to me, but i've seen it happen. you're right; you grab your luggage and try to exit through the gates and there are a few people there to take your customs form and question you...everyone just takes mine and smiles. don't really know what they're looking for at that point.
Aug 5, 2003 | 3:58 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,972
Midday arrival.
These were not agents at the exit from customs, they were 'roving' around the whole arrivals area, like I said. The first two accosted me before the bags had even arrived. The third one 'caught' me just as I was walking towards (but not near) the exit.
The more I think about it, the more they did look like trainees. Guess I just got lucky that day
[This message has been edited by Wally Bird (edited 08-05-2003).]
These were not agents at the exit from customs, they were 'roving' around the whole arrivals area, like I said. The first two accosted me before the bags had even arrived. The third one 'caught' me just as I was walking towards (but not near) the exit.
The more I think about it, the more they did look like trainees. Guess I just got lucky that day
[This message has been edited by Wally Bird (edited 08-05-2003).]
Aug 5, 2003 | 11:10 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: DL GM, UA 1P, AA GLD
Posts: 1,963
i saw a documentary on INS on the travel channel. it mentioned how INS puts several agents to intermingle with the crowd to find people who match descriptions of people they expect to see, or to find people who they might expect to be committing a crime (e.g. drug trafficking or any other smuggling). for example, a man travelling alone, wearing a suit carrying a briefcase, and pushing several large duffel bags looks suspicious.
however, it should be noted that INS agents are allowed to racially profile; it is part of their job description.
however, it should be noted that INS agents are allowed to racially profile; it is part of their job description.