On what authority is cell phone use banned at Customs?
Jan 22, 2011, 2:21 pm
#61
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 628
Persons in and on property must at all times comply with official
signs of a prohibitory, regulatory or directory nature and with the
lawful direction of Federal police officers and other authorized
individuals.
signs of a prohibitory, regulatory or directory nature and with the
lawful direction of Federal police officers and other authorized
individuals.
Jan 22, 2011, 2:42 pm
#62
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
That wouldn't shock me, but that is an invitation for all sorts of government abuse of the people and would seem to excuse all sorts of nonsense and invite inconsistency (beyond that which is already the situation when it comes to DHS). For example, by such a "standard", if DHS clowns put up a sign telling passengers to drop trouser and get raped without complaint in the "federally controlled area", that's a sign that would then "require compliance" by US persons?
I think its partly to keep the lines going as I've been behind too many people in other places who are not paying attention because they have to be on their phone (unless is a dire emergency).
The stuff about smuggling and stuff, I can see why the phones need to be off. I have no issue with leaving my phone off until I've cleared customs/immigration. I remember at DTW when I was returning from London, and a customs office was constantly saying to people not to be on their mobile phones. I understand people want to tell their loved ones they've landed etc. but those calls can wait the few minutes til you've cleared customs.
The stuff about smuggling and stuff, I can see why the phones need to be off. I have no issue with leaving my phone off until I've cleared customs/immigration. I remember at DTW when I was returning from London, and a customs office was constantly saying to people not to be on their mobile phones. I understand people want to tell their loved ones they've landed etc. but those calls can wait the few minutes til you've cleared customs.
Preventing people from doing something normal out of paranoia that a very small minority of people might use the same means to aid or abet or engage in criminal activity is a ridiculous reason upon which to justify CBP's mission creep to subjugate people who may wish to use phones on arrival to the US for all sorts of ordinary reasons that are perfectly lawful.
Personally, as soon as I land on the ground in the US, I send a barrage of communications to those whom I consider ought to be contacted ASAP -- and that may include emails, text messages and/or phone calls.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Jan 28, 2011 at 7:26 pm Reason: merge consecutive posts
Jan 22, 2011, 2:48 pm
#63
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SAP/YYZ
Programs: Persona Non-Status, DYKWIA Club President, Formerly of Pa Kettle Fame
Posts: 348
I regularly get sent to the interview area after customs. Twice, I've been processed by an agent on their cellphone. While I like the no cellphone rule, I wish that they would apply to more uniformly.
Jan 22, 2011, 5:31 pm
#67
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: CMH
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, United
Posts: 433
Jan 22, 2011, 8:02 pm
#70
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,972
It appears that it does exist without limitation. 41 CFR 102-74.385 reads in its entirety:
Persons in and on property must at all times comply with official
signs of a prohibitory, regulatory or directory nature and with the
lawful direction of Federal police officers and other authorized
individuals.
Persons in and on property must at all times comply with official
signs of a prohibitory, regulatory or directory nature and with the
lawful direction of Federal police officers and other authorized
individuals.
Jan 22, 2011, 8:57 pm
#71
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 156
If cbp is soooo concerned about people "seeing the computer screens" then why don't they just...SHIELD THEM FROM VIEW!?!?!? WHAT I ask is the difference between a camera and a person with good memory!?!? If this agency is so incompetent that it can't keep "unauthorized" people from seeing a little computer screen, then it's no wonder we have so many illegals roaming our country! If they can't guard a little 17 inch screen, then why are we trusting these clowns to guad twelve thousand MILES of border!?
Jan 22, 2011, 9:42 pm
#72
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 449
signs of a prohibitory, regulatory or directory nature and with the
lawful direction of Federal police officers and other authorized
individuals.
It requires compliance with signs "of a prohibitory, regulatory, or directory nature." Presumably, a sign prohibiting cell phone usage would be a sign of "prohibitory nature." I don't see a requirement in that regulation that requires the sign to have a basis in law or regulation.
Jan 22, 2011, 10:07 pm
#73
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
It requires compliance with signs "of a prohibitory, regulatory, or directory nature." Presumably, a sign prohibiting cell phone usage would be a sign of "prohibitory nature." I don't see a requirement in that regulation that requires the sign to have a basis in law or regulation.
Jan 22, 2011, 10:39 pm
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Erstwhile Accidental AC E35K
Posts: 2,918
Based on what I've seen so far, I'm not convinced there is a legitimate authority that allows them to do this. I would point out that I'm talking about the time spent waiting in line. I can accept that once you reach the agent the phone should be off, however I have some difficulty with the notion that we (CBP) can keep you waiting for us, but you can't keep us waiting for you. But that's just me thinking that I'm just as important as they are.