CTR?
 

A friend of mine (US citizen) was recently sidelined into the 'back room' at JFK, made to wait two hours, was then asked a series of simple and asinine questions for 2 minutes and told he could leave as it was a "routine check". They did not check his baggage, nor did they care to when he specifically asked them if they were going to do so.

Written across his landing card in red was "CTR". Anyone know what this means?

Isn't there a law that requires a US Citizen to be cleared through Immigration (not Customs) within 45 minutes?

Maybe counter?

Is there any standardization to the codes used from airport to airport? I know my cards occasionally have red writing and usually there is something to convey the number of people flying on that customs form and some other random stuff.

Where was he coming from?

Paris

And he arrived in Paris to change planes from where?

Sorry, I do not understand the question, he was flying into the US from Paris, not the other way around...

Lots of choices and it reads like an absolutely infuriating experience. :td:

I am willing to bet he changed planes while in Paris. Meaning he arrived into Paris from another destination, changed planes and flew to the US.

I don't think you are getting the whole story from your friend.................

Oh, he flew from Istanbul. Should not be a problem,something I've done dozens of times without such treatment.

Keep digging. Where did his trip originate from?

Istanbul, that is it, his previous flight was JFK-IST nonstop. So after all this questioning, and idea what CRT stands for??