I am sure that many NW travelers who fly international have dealt with customs officials in MSP. My question deals with their prodedures. Perhaps not individual officials themselvelves, but rules that exist...at least In MSP.

Last week, I flew back on Icelandair (FI) to connect to an NW flight to SEA. After clearing Immigration, I waited, as we all do, for checked luggage to show up. I am sure that you have been there.....cleared immigration and are waiting for your luggage to show up on the belt.

There is a big sign over the luggage claim belt....."NO PHOTOGRAPHY...". OK, who wants photos in baggage claim. But this last time something unusual happened....folks on the flight who had cleared immigration, and were in the customs area waiting for checked luggage, were on their cell phone and immigration officers came thru to tell them to shut off their phones. Cell phone transmision in the area where you get you checked luggage is not allowed.

This came as a big suprize to many on the flight, who went fairly swiftly thru immigration, only to wait (as we all do) for checked luggage and find that they are not allowed to call from that point.

What is the deal? Is this MSP only or other airports as well?

Why, after clearing immigration and having proven myself to be a US citizen, can I not use my phone to make a call?

Not sure, but PHL and CLT are the same.

This a rule in all airports, not just MSP.

The reasoning behind it is that someone about to pass through customs wouldn't be able to get information on which line to use or how to act from someone who had been through earlier.

Greg