Odd questions by Immigration
May 15, 2007, 10:28 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,670
"It's a small company."
"You're not working in our field."
"Hardly anyone knows it outside the filed of..."
HTB.
May 16, 2007, 12:40 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1P, HH Gold, SPG+
Posts: 157
Interestingly, the complaint form, that I had to fight with a supervisor for, had a box saying "abuse of authority". seems to happen a lot then I guess.
Last edited by richard; May 16, 2007 at 1:37 pm
May 16, 2007, 9:17 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,621
Being an Asian naturalized citizen, I've noticed this trend:
...
The Asian version of Ma and Pa Kettle, with 2 huge suitcases or cardboard boxes per person, plus 2 carry-on bags - now they always get sent for secondary screening post-customs. Maybe they failed to answer questions correctly.
Back when I traveled with my parents, no matter how we adhere to rules and answer correctly, albeit with accented English, it seems if you have too much luggage and aren't fluent, you get secondary bag searched!
...
The Asian version of Ma and Pa Kettle, with 2 huge suitcases or cardboard boxes per person, plus 2 carry-on bags - now they always get sent for secondary screening post-customs. Maybe they failed to answer questions correctly.
Back when I traveled with my parents, no matter how we adhere to rules and answer correctly, albeit with accented English, it seems if you have too much luggage and aren't fluent, you get secondary bag searched!
May 17, 2007, 6:15 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
I have upon entry, frequently been asked "are you carrying a large quantity of money?"
Since large is a relative term, I always answer "no". after all, what's 20 grand to a guy like me?
have also been checked and patted down more than once at LHR and asked about "large sums of cash" when leaving.
Since large is a relative term, I always answer "no". after all, what's 20 grand to a guy like me?
have also been checked and patted down more than once at LHR and asked about "large sums of cash" when leaving.
May 17, 2007, 7:55 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,243
I have upon entry, frequently been asked "are you carrying a large quantity of money?"
Since large is a relative term, I always answer "no". after all, what's 20 grand to a guy like me?
have also been checked and patted down more than once at LHR and asked about "large sums of cash" when leaving.
Since large is a relative term, I always answer "no". after all, what's 20 grand to a guy like me?
have also been checked and patted down more than once at LHR and asked about "large sums of cash" when leaving.
May 17, 2007, 10:48 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: bouncing around
Posts: 1,274
Mostly agricultural. The food rule coming into the US from Taiwan has always been quite strange:
Bakery products are ok.
No raw fruits. Dried fruits are ok.
No raw poultry or fish. Cooked poultry or fish are ok.
Beef and pork are never ok.
So a plate of fried rice with chicken or shrimp would pass, but not with beef. By the way, none of this is specifically told to passengers.
My mother once returned TPE-ANC with a small red plastic jewelry case (common in Asia). The jewelry was given to a relative as present, and she kept the case. Customs officer asked her if she brought back any jewelry, and when she said no (albeit with poor English), she was sent for a cavity search, sans translator. That experience scarred her for life in terms of flying.
I guess there must be a lot of jewelry smugglers from Asia, or something.
Bakery products are ok.
No raw fruits. Dried fruits are ok.
No raw poultry or fish. Cooked poultry or fish are ok.
Beef and pork are never ok.
So a plate of fried rice with chicken or shrimp would pass, but not with beef. By the way, none of this is specifically told to passengers.
My mother once returned TPE-ANC with a small red plastic jewelry case (common in Asia). The jewelry was given to a relative as present, and she kept the case. Customs officer asked her if she brought back any jewelry, and when she said no (albeit with poor English), she was sent for a cavity search, sans translator. That experience scarred her for life in terms of flying.
I guess there must be a lot of jewelry smugglers from Asia, or something.
May 17, 2007, 11:09 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
May 17, 2007, 11:30 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sometimes Houston, Sometimes London.
Programs: CO Gold Elite, BA Blue, for the moment - Hyatt Gold Passport, Priority Club, Marriott etc etc
Posts: 2,126
I am often asked by UK immigration if I'm planning on staying in the country longer than 3 months, if I am planning on living there, etc. My husband is British, so I guess it's a fair question. My favorite exchange:
"What is the reason for your visit?"
"I'm visiting family."
"What family do you have here?"
"My in-laws live in Dorking."
"Where is your husband?"
"He's here already, I'm meeting him in the arrivals hall."
"Are you planning on staying in the UK permanently?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"It's too expensive. I can't afford to live here."
"Neither can I. I wish I could emigrate."
THUNK of entry stamp and I'm on my way...
"What is the reason for your visit?"
"I'm visiting family."
"What family do you have here?"
"My in-laws live in Dorking."
"Where is your husband?"
"He's here already, I'm meeting him in the arrivals hall."
"Are you planning on staying in the UK permanently?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"It's too expensive. I can't afford to live here."
"Neither can I. I wish I could emigrate."
THUNK of entry stamp and I'm on my way...
May 17, 2007, 12:03 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1P, HH Gold, SPG+
Posts: 157
May 17, 2007, 12:11 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,243
Who knows where they come up with their profiles?
I used to travel with an uptight straight-laced clean-shaven boss who'd dress in suit and tie. At the time, I was raggedy and travelled in comfort. He got stopped at customs every time while I waltzed through. I loved it.
May 17, 2007, 5:15 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Some where in the Mountains
Posts: 5,353
Immigration: "Does your company give bonuses?"
Me: "Yes."
I: "How'd you do?"
M: "Great, thanks."
Or
I: "Do you own any firearms?
M: "Yes."
I: "What kind?"
M: "An X and a Y"
I: "Do you have any ammo with you?"
M: "No."
Stares at me for about 10 seconds. I stare back.
I: "Okay, go ahead."
Me: "Yes."
I: "How'd you do?"
M: "Great, thanks."
Or
I: "Do you own any firearms?
M: "Yes."
I: "What kind?"
M: "An X and a Y"
I: "Do you have any ammo with you?"
M: "No."
Stares at me for about 10 seconds. I stare back.
I: "Okay, go ahead."
May 17, 2007, 6:02 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 174
If they want to test the reaction of people they should throw out the occasional
"how man twinkies have your eaten today"
or
"who's buried in Grants tomb"
or my favorite
"whats the frequency Kenneth"
someones gotta know the answer to that question
"how man twinkies have your eaten today"
or
"who's buried in Grants tomb"
or my favorite
"whats the frequency Kenneth"
someones gotta know the answer to that question
May 17, 2007, 7:22 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: LAX
Posts: 453
Odd Questions
Those last few really had me laughing.
This is one of my favorites, at the customs checkpoint at TBIT:
CO: Can I help you?
PAX: US Citizen
CO: Excuse me?
PAX: I'm a US Citizen
CO: Okay, are you trying to get out of here?
PAX: Yeah, I'm a US Citizen
CO: Okay, do you have anything to declare?
PAX: No, I didn't buy anything. I'm a US Citizen
And it just went on and on and on
This is one of my favorites, at the customs checkpoint at TBIT:
CO: Can I help you?
PAX: US Citizen
CO: Excuse me?
PAX: I'm a US Citizen
CO: Okay, are you trying to get out of here?
PAX: Yeah, I'm a US Citizen
CO: Okay, do you have anything to declare?
PAX: No, I didn't buy anything. I'm a US Citizen
And it just went on and on and on