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Questioned in the departure jetway "How much cash do you have" at IAH

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Questioned in the departure jetway "How much cash do you have" at IAH

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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:12 pm
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Questioned in the departure jetway "How much cash do you have" at IAH

For the first time ever, on my IAH - FRA departure, there were three customs officers and a dog in the jetway.

The officer asked me 3 different ways "How much cash did I have with me" I answered the same "about $200" all three times. And then he asked the dog to sniff my carry on - They did the same thing to the guy behind me.

Is Uncle Sam up to something?
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:14 pm
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Bags weighed down by all the miles purchased ?
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:15 pm
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Sounds to me like they're enforcing the requirement that the export of more than $10,000 (in any currency or cash-like instruments) must be reported.
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:18 pm
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Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
Sounds to me like they're enforcing the requirement that the export of more than $10,000 (in any currency or cash-like instruments) must be reported.
/exactly. It's not uncommon. The dogs smell cash. http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/201...-pups-currency
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:19 pm
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Originally Posted by jimrgraham
For the first time ever, on my IAH - FRA departure, there were three customs officers and a dog in the jetway.

The officer asked me 3 different ways "How much cash did I have with me" I answered the same "about $200" all three times. And then he asked the dog to sniff my carry on - They did the same thing to the guy behind me.

Is Uncle Sam up to something?
Been some discussion about this sort of thing going on at IAH over in the Trusted Traveler forum. The concern with large sums of undeclared currency obviously having a lot to do with both the drug trade and/or the financing of terrorism.
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:19 pm
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Originally Posted by UA-NYC
Bags weighed down by all the miles purchased ?
LOL - If only the miles could smell
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:22 pm
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I've been asked this a few times over the years when entering or departing the U.S, along with the more common questions about fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:26 pm
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Originally Posted by jimrgraham
For the first time ever, on my IAH - FRA departure, there were three customs officers and a dog in the jetway.

The officer asked me 3 different ways "How much cash did I have with me" I answered the same "about $200" all three times. And then he asked the dog to sniff my carry on - They did the same thing to the guy behind me.

Is Uncle Sam up to something?
There is a law that you are only allowed to take $10,000 with you on departure from the country (I suppose to prevent money laundering).

I've seen these checks a lot on flights to Asia (a place where cash is king).
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:28 pm
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Standard US customs exit check for CFTRA enforcement.
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:28 pm
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You can leave or enter the U.S. with any amount of cash; it just has to be reported. OTOH, someone with a suitcase full of bills might have some explaining to do (but, should be let go if the answers are OK).
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:29 pm
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I have seen it several time in LAX, on the flights to central/ south America. I asked the custom agents why, his response was, mules transporting money back to drug lord, after finishing selling in US. And the dogs were trained to sniff cash. A little unusual on the flights to Europe tho.
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:30 pm
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Originally Posted by andrewwm
There is a law that you are only allowed to take $10,000 with you on departure from the country (I suppose to prevent money laundering).

I've seen these checks a lot on flights to Asia (a place where cash is king).
I understand it's the law. I've just never seen this before departing the US. I don't normally fly through IAH. I'm usually out of LAX or SFO where it's never happened and I'm on my 20th or so flight this year out of the US.

I showed him my wallet and then I guess it was enough after the dog was done.
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:33 pm
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Originally Posted by jimrgraham
LOL - If only the miles could smell
Well our miles stink
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:40 pm
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While this happened at IAH which is a United hub, this thread is more suited for Travel Safety and Security Forums so I'm moving it over there

goalie
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Old Aug 3, 2014, 8:42 pm
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Originally Posted by goalie
While this happened at IAH which is a United hub, this thread is more suited for Travel Safety and Security Forums so I'm moving it over there

goalie
UA Forum Moderator
I apologize for the miss.

Jim
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