Things That Will Get You Searched at Customs

[FidelCashflow]

This thread is sort of the offshoot to the smuggler's list thread. I just want to know what the red flags are that will get you searched at customs.

I was surprised to learn that going through Amsterdam or carrying very little luggage could actually single you out for getting searched by customs. I recently learned of the smugglers list. I've found going through smaller airports instead of major hubs usually means customs are more lax and are less likely to search you. I also know answering any of those questions on your landing card wrong can get you searched. As well, visiting some parts of Asia seem to get you searched pretty thoroughly for fake goods from what friends have told me.

What else?

 

[Milhouse]

Suggesting that you have something hidden in your rectum will usually get you searched.

 

[West24]

being an A-RAB.

 

[rach2jlc]

Wearing that cool "GO CHAVEZ!" tshirt you picked up at Hot Topic, or the vintage CCCP jersey you found at the thriftstore and bought because you liked the color and had no clue what it actually meant...

 

[sho'nuff]

Perhaps talking out loud how you support Hussein Obama and will likely vote for him will get you to be searched.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by Milhouse

Suggesting that you have something hidden in your rectum will usually get you searched.
That reminds me of this classic sketch from Mr. Show about US Customs

 

[Eason]

If you buy your ticket with cash or buy a one way ticket, they'll mark your ticket with "SSSS" and you'll get searched.

 

[Stazy]

I've only been searched once and I'm not sure why. Asking the humorless customs agent if he was inclined to wash my dirty laundry after searching through it probably didn't help much though.

 

[Star]

Your face

I wish I was as suave as my Avatar however each time I come home back to Sydney I get approached by either Immigration and or Custom officers and asked a million questions. After I explain that I have travelled 24hrs across the globe, the stubble is for lack of shaving, and I like ripped jeans for flying.... they let me go.

I must pay my compliments to the US Immigration services. On a trip to NY, the guy at the JFK arrivals counters was so polite and even helped me with an error I made on my entry form.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by Eason

If you buy your ticket with cash or buy a one way ticket, they'll mark your ticket with "SSSS" and you'll get searched.

once, i was bumped from northwest and put on another airline (usairways), and that airline marked me for a search. i was pissed off.

even worse, my original flight was direct (DCA to Detroit), and my new flight took me through LaGuardia. I ended up going through security 3 times that day (Once to the small terminal at DCA, once through one of the large terminals at DCA, and then once again at Laguardia). Bastards.

 

[garmentmerchant]

I remember just before boarding a flight being pulled aside along with an arab gentlemen and an old lady for a random search . The arab guy looked at me and made the dumbass mistake of saying "they act like i have a bomb or something" the lady behind the ticket counter overheard and went ape **** and called in every security agent in the airport. When they asked me what the guy said I kindly replied "yes officer this man said he had a bomb" the old lady followed my lead and said "yeah that man said he was going to blow us up with a bomb". Needless to say they took the arab guy away in handcuffs and let me and the old lady on with out any further search.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by garmentmerchant

I remember just before boarding a flight being pulled aside along with an arab gentlemen and an old lady for a random search . The arab guy looked at me and made the dumbass mistake of saying "they act like i have a bomb or something" the lady behind the ticket counter overheard and went ape **** and called in every security agent in the airport. When they asked me what the guy said I kindly replied "yes officer this man said he had a bomb" the old lady followed my lead and said "yeah that man said he was going to blow us up with a bomb". Needless to say they took the arab guy away in handcuffs and let me and the old lady on with out any further search.

That's a real douche-bag move.

 

[garmentmerchant]

well this was post 911 and i had just returned home from a 1 year hardship tour in Iraq so I hope he is on the terrorism watch list from now till the end of time. Call me a douche for it the douche bag move was saying bomb and being an Arab getting on a plane after 9-11.

 

[sho'nuff]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

That's a real douche-bag move.

+1

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by garmentmerchant

well this was post 911 and i had just returned home from a 1 year hardship tour in Iraq so I hope he is on the terrorism watch list from now till the end of time. Call me a douche for it the douche bag move was saying bomb and being an Arab getting on a plane after 9-11.
According to your own story you purposely lied and blatantly misinterpreted what the arab guy said to make him look like a terrorist at the airport. You seem proud that you got the guy on the no-fly list even though he presents no danger to anyone. That's 100x worse than his dumb off-the-cuff remark. What part am I missing here?