yesterday: flying Vancouver - Chicago - Vancouver on the same day - for a 7 hours stay in Chicago, the US immigration-people were very suspicient (and I laught at and about them - at the end they joined in laughing).

The immigration officer at Vancouver airport obviously didn't belive me, that I did make this (supplementary) trip to reach/pass the 100'000 miles limit. He handed me/my problem over to his supervisor who questioned me for more than 30 minutes (he did not believe my 49er-season-ticket story either and tried to phone the 49er-office - but nobody replied at 6AM!).

At the end - when he finally gave up - he laughed at me and said, I have never heard such a cracy reason for travelling, I don't believe you, but I know you are going anyway - have a good trip!

I am glad I had enough time left before the flight - and so I enjoyed the situation from the beginning - but it seems he didn't like first my "cool"/laughing-reaction.

Interesting story Rudi, I guess with the large load factor travel and you doing a normal ff thing, the immigration folks got a little excited. They should tune in to FlyerTalk and experience some of our trip nonsense. We are all addicted.

I had the same thing, but in Chicago two weeks ago. I was selected for a full "Shakedown" and this guy lokked at every article of clothing and stamp in my passport. I was going for the PremEx level and got 30 minutes of grilling for the trouble. I unfi\ortunately had some generic Tylenol in a plastic bag (because I buy the economy of everything except plane tickets) and he spent ten minutes trying to find the serial number for acetaminophen in the PDF. **Tip of the Week: Take the original packaging!!

I eventually got into town for some Carson's ribs and Goose River Ale.

The funniest thing was though that after the Customs guy was finished rifling through my carry-on, a guy from Booz-Allen wanted me to answer a survey regarding the experience. When I had done the good citizen thing, I was handed a key chain engraved with the U.S.Treasury Service Customs Section logo.

And they did not even kiss me first.

Whoops!

Computers on the brain, that should read PDR. (Physicians Desk Reference)

Haha. I once scared a Customs Agent for having a bowling ball in my suitcase. He thought it was a bomb since it didn't have the holes drilled in.

I don't do it much anymore, but I used to travel internationally a lot, including a LOT of trips to mthe (then) Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. I became convinced that the United States is the hardest country in the world to get into; and it doesn't really matter whether you're a US citizen or not. A couple of weeks ago, coming back from the Cayman Islands (during Mitch) through Atlanta, my wife and I were berated by a Customs Officer for going to the wrong side of his podium - plenty of space on both sides and no arrows or anything. His remark: "Can't you see we're all facing the same direction?".
On the other hand, getting OUT of the country is easy. I'll never forget one experience coming out of the (then) USSR. The metal detector went off. I was ushered into a little booth, where the KGB (Russian for Customs, not necessarily spies) guy had me empty my pockets. He went through the change and asked if I had any silver dollars. I said no. He then took one of each coin, gave the rest back to me and let me go.

Generally I get through customs without problems. Maybe it's because I have an honest face. Maybe it's because I have cat hair on my clothes (A plaque in my kitchen says "Never trust anyone without a little cat hair on their clothes!)

But once coming through U-S Customs in EWR
straight from Hong Kong wrapping up my China Trip I had two big shopping bags full of gifts (they were small jade statues, jewelry
and ash trays shaped like the Great Wall Of China.) This angry looking Customs agent waved me over and told me to put the bags.

Beforehand, I listed EVERYTHING that I bought in China. The total value in U-S dollars was
about 250 dollars. The list took up four cards. He started looking through the cards and I started taking otu each item, one at a time, starting with the Great Wall of China
Ashtrays. He got flustered said "Oh this is all junk anyway" and told me to get out of there.

I do declare when I have to. Mostly I ship. (the BeerSteins from Vienna had to be carried to the U-S as well as Holly's Paris Hermes scarf) and I list everything. Even the stuffed toy mice I got in Vienna for the cats. I guess honesty pays. CATMAN