Just curious if anyone knows the answer to this one (and I know all US airlines do this--so it's not unique to CO).

As you know, CO and other US airlines gave up while ago on asking dumb security questions when you check in (for both domestic and outbound international flights). They no longer ask questions like "Did anyone give you anything to transport?"

However, at many international stations (I'm not talking about developing countries where you might be concerned about the level of security either--I'm talking about Europe), you get asked the inane security questions by security personnel before you're allowed to check in. They also do random bag checks in the jetway when you board the aircraft.

I'm wondering if anyone knows why there's such a hassle on the way back.

Thanks,

Brooklynflyer

Those may be requirements of the departing country or airport authority. At least thos interviewers actually conduct an interview of sorts and are much more likely to uncover what they're looking for, instead of that inane thing the US implemented with the "two questions" that everyone just answered by rote.

I can remember these interviews since the first time I flew to Europe, which was over 20 years ago. I also had the not so pleasant experience of not being given the correct sticker on my ticket/passport and being given one heck of an interview when I tried to pass through the border patrol station. Not only did I have a lot of issues due to the fact that I had been in Europe backpacking for the better part of six months and had the hair to show it, but a wicked hangover to boot. Not a fun time!

But I agree it is interesting to still get grilled. The last time I flew back from ZRH they asked me where I stayed the night before. When I stated the Airport Hilton I swear the agent cross referenced me with some sort of guest list before moving forward with the remainder of typical questions. It doesnt bother me much considering how easy it is to get in and around Europe, but that "big brother" list certainly was an eye opener. Better to be careful rather than let some freak onboard.

Last year my team and I flew ex ZRH and upon arrival at Kloten I decided to use the Men's room before checking in. My co-workers checked in meanwhile and upon my return I apparantly had the same security agent as they did and when I mentioned that I was working in Zurich and I traveled with my team, she wanted to know why I did not check in with them.

When I responded that I had to use the men's room first, she looked at me and said, "ahh I see well.....okay and she then asked me my reason for work in Zurich."

Dan

There's definitely be an increase in this kind of stuff since 2001, and it's definitely directed at flights to the USA more than to other places. At AMS, for example, you'll get interviewed at the gate for flights to the USA and to TLV, but not to most other destinations.

I think there's some sort of new post-9/11 regulation that gives the US gov't the power to block flights with undesirables from entering the US. But there are also restrictions on how much data the airlines can share with the gov't ahead of time (particularly European carriers subject to the EU privacy directive). So they're very careful about who they let onto their planes, lest Uncle Sam get the manifest mid-flight and force the plane to land in Maine. At least I'm pretty sure that's the case for European flag carriers. Not sure if that would apply to CO or not, since they can probably share their manifests ahead of time.

I think it only happens from Europe. When we came back from NRT yesterday, we didn't get an interview like we did from CDG last year.

At CDG they wanted to know where I stayed the night before, how I paid for it, why we stayed there and not somewhere else, kept a copy of our receipt, etc. We thought it was insane, but I guess they do that to everyone.

It's because someone in this country thinks someone is always out to get us. I think it's silly. But hey what do i know?

Not only that, but it's only US Airlines to US destinations in AMS.

If you fly KL to the US, they won't grill you.

Just to be clear, it's only US and Israel bound flights that seem to have the additional screening. In the case of Israel bound flights, I understand the reasoning and I note that you get the "special" treatment both ways (ie entering or departing Israel), which makes more sense. The interview and jetway screening only seem to apply to US-bound flights--if you're doing AMS-MAD, for example, or even CDG-HKG, it's almost as hassle-free as checking in for Newark to Saint Louis. I also agree that the "interview" existed before 9/11 (although I think the random baggage checks in the jetway came after 9/11).

I just don't understand the need for the cross-examination and the random screening in the jetway (especially given that we dispense with them for flights originating in the US).

Also, my understanding is that all airlines (including foreign carriers) bound for the US are required to transmit the flight manifest to US authorities an hour before departure. Why isn't that and the regular screening process sufficient to ensure that "undesirables" are kept out of the US?

Cheers,
Brooklynflyer

It is done at Schiphol or other ( for example ) German airports for flights to the US operated on US airline metal, but not for flights on KL or LH metal, so I assume it has something to do with some silly US law or regulation....

While checking in at ATL yesterday, I was asked if I have any gun or munition in my bag by the TSA agent.I know that it is kind of usual in the US, but I had to laugh, because the question was so bizarre for someone from Europe or Germany...

As far as I know it's done since Lockerby on all flights departing certain European airports with a US destination on a US carrier. All pax get the special security interview.

I've gotten it on KL metal from AMS headed to the States more than once.

I guess other countries need Workfare positions too.

Are you sure ?

As pointed out it is standard procedure for flights on US metal , but has never been ( at least not frequently ) done on not US airline metal to the US...

Well my most recent AMS-USA flight (February) was on NW metal, and there I got interviewed.

On my last two AMS-NYC flights on KL metal (October and November 2004) I thought I got the interview. But it's possible I only had to go through the WTMD/xray check at the gate and didn't get interviewed. I'm not 100% sure. But they definitely had the extra WTMD/xray at the USA-bound KL metal gates.