no breakfast before getting off ship!

[MrPete]

I've been reading the OP's incident, as well as some of the comments, and wonder, HOW MUCH ADVANCE NOTICE DO YOU GIVE SOMEONE that IS smuggling, or doing something wrong.

 

This activity should be better publicized, if you ask me. It dertainly is an eye opener to some here.

 

I wonder how many people that DO smuggle things like duty free alcohol, and cigarettes, wonder how lax customs.seems now see something else is going on.

 

Thank you, OP, for letting the word out.

[big_duck]

I wasn't upset with them going through my things. I just wished Carnival could have said the our luggage was randomly picked to be searched and I must report to customs instead of the tight lipped, I don't know what's going on answers we received.

 

I'm sure this happens to numerous people every week so they obviously knew what was going on as they also knew where to escort us.

 

Bill

 

I understand your frustration, but odds are Carnival was told by customs not to advise you what was going on.

 

Better you were kept in the dark then Carnival pissing off Customs and everyone inboard having to go through a full search.

 

Thanks for taking one for the team.

[MichTraveler]

... when I do fly, I try to get business class on Air tran...Priority boarding and assigned seats. Dosent cost to much more.

 

As a frequent flyer with Elite status, I have priority boarding on my flights. Be priority boarding gets trumped by TSA. If you are called out of line, you could be one of the last to board.

[astropilot]

It's easy to forget those procedures and policies are in place to protect you and the rest of the public.

 

It's also easy to let it bother you if you are singled out. But, anyone that is innocent should accept it and appreciate the job these people do. I would be honored to experience it.

 

Yes, it's true that the procedures are there for "our" protection -- I guess.

 

But it was a sad day, the day the United States became a "Police State" in the guise of National Security.

[lobolady]

It's easy to forget those procedures and policies are in place to protect you and the rest of the public.

 

It's also easy to let it bother you if you are singled out. But, anyone that is innocent should accept it and appreciate the job these people do. I would be honored to experience it.

 

You say that UNTIL you are singled out, humiliated in public, delayed until your schedule is totally whacked out. Yes, they are "protecting" the public however some of the policies have gotten out of hand. Many dictators put their policies in place to "protect" the public. Also they can be polite while carrying out the search.

[lobolady]

Same question, is this all you bought?

 

My personal "best" for "is this all you bought?" was a London trip. We stayed a week and all I bought was a card at 221B Baker Street and a face cloth. I just don't tend to buy a lot of "stuff." The customs official in London smiled and said "thanks for supporting our economy." Usually when we travel we go for the sights, not the stores.:D

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

My personal "best" for "is this all you bought?" was a London trip. We stayed a week and all I bought was a card at 221B Baker Street and a face cloth. I just don't tend to buy a lot of "stuff." The customs official in London smiled and said "thanks for supporting our economy." Usually when we travel we go for the sights, not the stores.:D

 

OT alert:

 

I noticed in your signature that you have several NCL sailings in your history, but the last (and next) one are Carnival. Any issues with NCL, or are you just testing the waters elsewhere?

 

Tom

[nrdsb4]

Yikes, I think I have a stocker.

 

I fail to understand why you are so upset.

 

Uh, you mean "stalker," right?:confused:

 

Apology accepted.;):D

 

As to other comments on this thread, it's amazing to me that there are people who are under the impression that the customs agents are acting in the interest of public safety (i.e. anti terrorism). TSA, yes, immigration, perhaps, but as pointed out a few times, customs agents are interested in intercepting drugs and making sure Uncle Sam gets his cut of our purchases abroad.

[nrdsb4]

Yeah Tom. Just bend over and take it. It's all the rage. :p

 

No kidding.:rolleyes:

[CapeCodCruiser]

Note to self:

 

Don't answer the phone on the last morning! If it rings - get to breakfast ASAP:D

[MrPete]

You say that UNTIL you are singled out, humiliated in public, delayed until your schedule is totally whacked out. Yes, they are "protecting" the public however some of the policies have gotten out of hand. Many dictators put their policies in place to "protect" the public. Also they can be polite while carrying out the search.

 

I shop in a local supermarket that gives you a device where you scan your purchases as you shop, and at the same time bagging them.

 

The act of bagging on that side of the register resembles shoplifting. and I always wondered what checks and balance they had in place.

 

Well, I found out this week. As I completed my purchases. the device came up "Wait for attendant" , who then rescanned of selectively scanned my stuff.

 

I rolled my eyes, didn`t feel violated, realized why they did it, and moved on.

[nrdsb4]

Yes. As Tom and I were speculating earlier, the OP may have been singled out because the dogs twigged to something.

 

Yesterday I flew back to the States from London. I noticed an attractive young woman (late 20's probably) one row over traveling with her parents. She wore sunglasses for the duration of the flight, even when the lights were turned off, and must have gotten up to go to the bathroom at least 20 times or more. Quite frankly, I wondered if she had drug issues, though certainly there could have been any number of other plausible reasons for her behavior.

 

Once in the customs area, waiting for our luggage to come through, the drug dog alerted the agent to something in that family's carry on luggage, which they had placed all together on one cart. They spoke to the family, all of whom appeared calm and friendly (the daughter was no longer wearing the sunglasses and cooed and spoke to the dog while the agent looked through their bags), went through some of their stuff, then moved along after not finding anything.

 

I would probably have been sweating bullets if a drug dog hit on me, even though I have never done drugs or broken any laws. Then again, I get nervous when a cop car pulls up behind me when I'm on the highways driving the speed limit.:p:o

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I've been reading the OP's incident, as well as some of the comments, and wonder, HOW MUCH ADVANCE NOTICE DO YOU GIVE SOMEONE that IS smuggling, or doing something wrong.

 

This activity should be better publicized, if you ask me. It dertainly is an eye opener to some here.

 

I wonder how many people that DO smuggle things like duty free alcohol, and cigarettes, wonder how lax customs.seems now see something else is going on.

 

Thank you, OP, for letting the word out.

 

Since they were already in posession of my things I wouldnt have gotten any advance notice.

 

Bill

[DEL67]

Yesterday I flew back to the States from London. I noticed an attractive young woman (late 20's probably) one row over traveling with her parents. She wore sunglasses for the duration of the flight, even when the lights were turned off, and must have gotten up to go to the bathroom at least 20 times or more. Quite frankly, I wondered if she had drug issues, though certainly there could have been any number of other plausible reasons for her behavior.

 

Once in the customs area, waiting for our luggage to come through, the drug dog alerted the agent to something in that family's carry on luggage, which they had placed all together on one cart. They spoke to the family, all of whom appeared calm and friendly (the daughter was no longer wearing the sunglasses and cooed and spoke to the dog while the agent looked through their bags), went through some of their stuff, then moved along after not finding anything.

 

I would probably have been sweating bullets if a drug dog hit on me, even though I have never done drugs or broken any laws. Then again, I get nervous when a cop car pulls up behind me when I'm on the highways driving the speed limit.:p:o

 

The dogs may have not been looking for drugs. A year or so ago, my DD and I changed planes in El Salvador on our way to Peru. While we we waiting for our flight a soldier with a dog (and a machine gun) came by and the dog stopped in front of my DD's backpack. The soldier asked her to empty it. She started to do so. When she took out a wad of about 30 dollar bills which she had in case we needed small change, he said thank you and moved on.

[Mary Ellen1]

note to self:

 

Don't answer the phone on the last morning! If it rings - get to breakfast asap:d

 

yep! That's my takeaway from this thread.

[Gunnerpup]

Sounds like a job for LITIGATION!

[Oldpagan]

The dogs may have not been looking for drugs. A year or so ago, my DD and I changed planes in El Salvador on our way to Peru. While we we waiting for our flight a soldier with a dog (and a machine gun) came by and the dog stopped in front of my DD's backpack. The soldier asked her to empty it. She started to do so. When she took out a wad of about 30 dollar bills which she had in case we needed small change, he said thank you and moved on.

 

Pretty much any cash you have is going to have small traces of drugs on it, 30 bills together is enough to set the dog off.

 

I have been in law enforcement for over 27 years, TSA loves to pull me aside and search me, customs and immigrations pick me out at random all the time. Seems the habits and body language you develop as LE are the same as the bad guys. Some are rude and some are nice, they are just people doing a job. Yes they should be nice to everyone all the time, but as I said they are people so that's not going to happen. With customs its about money, DHS wants everyone to be safe, I still don't know what TSA wants...

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

yep! That's my takeaway from this thread.

 

YEP! :D

 

Let 'em hunt me down...! (usually we are off pretty early anyway, so I doubt I'll have the pleasure of playing that card);)

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... I still don't know what TSA wants...

 

To keep their jobs! :eek:

 

My understanding is that they were people who could not typically qualify for a customs or LE position...

 

Tom

[Ivanova]

Am I supposed to carry a receipt for EVERYTHING that we have as PROTECTION... so that we don't have to forfeit whatever it is that they are focused on??

 

If you don't, you should pre-register foreign made items with US Customs before you leave.

 

Foreign-made personal articles taken abroad are subject to US Customs duty and tax upon your return, unless you have proof of prior possession (receipt, bill of sale, insurance policy, jeweler's appraisal). If you do not have proof of prior possession, items such as foreign-made watches, cameras, computers, etc. that can be identified by serial number or permanent markings, may be taken to the Customs office nearest you, or to the port of departure for registration, before you depart the US. The certificate of registration provided can expedite free entry of these items when you return to the US.

 

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/register_items.xml

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

If you don't, you should pre-register foreign made items with US Customs before you leave.

 

Foreign-made personal articles taken abroad are subject to US Customs duty and tax upon your return, unless you have proof of prior possession (receipt, bill of sale, insurance policy, jeweler's appraisal). If you do not have proof of prior possession, items such as foreign-made watches, cameras, computers, etc. that can be identified by serial number or permanent markings, may be taken to the Customs office nearest you, or to the port of departure for registration, before you depart the US. The certificate of registration provided can expedite free entry of these items when you return to the US.

 

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/register_items.xml

 

Much thanks!

 

Tom

[tha sista]

Certainly could be that.

 

In all of our cruises, two times we have had a guy with a dog go up/down the line of people as they were getting off the ship. Even though you KNOW you don't have anything to worry about - there is still that image in the back of your mind that the dog is going to find you "interesting"! :eek:

 

Tom

 

I saw this post, Tom and had to comment...My dad in his 60s and on many medications that I am very familiar with was stopped questioned and searched because of his very common name I suppose. His meds were taken out. He has to keep them in a weekly/daily pill box because he takes so many but he has all his bottles with the labels.

 

The customs guy starts going through his pills, picking each little pill up asking what each one is and what its for. They asked me to step aside. Dad became very nervous but was answering to the best of his ability...Those pills become confusing...I finally stepped in and started answering for him. Prior to walking away, I asked for the agents name and badge number and I wrote it down. I wasn't angry or irrate, but as professional as I could be under the circumstances.

 

This guy was a total ass! I used to take my dad once a year just he and I on a cruise. He is now to ill to do this and this particular cruise was our last one, and man that pissed me off!!! Customs and Border protection has a job to do but they cross the line too frequently!!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I saw this post, Tom and had to comment...My dad in his 60s and on many medications that I am very familiar with was stopped questioned and searched because of his very common name I suppose. His meds were taken out. He has to keep them in a weekly/daily pill box because he takes so many but he has all his bottles with the labels.

 

The customs guy starts going through his pills, picking each little pill up asking what each one is and what its for. They asked me to step aside. Dad became very nervous but was answering to the best of his ability...Those pills become confusing...I finally stepped in and started answering for him. Prior to walking away, I asked for the agents name and badge number and I wrote it down. I wasn't angry or irrate, but as professional as I could be under the circumstances.

 

This guy was a total ass! I used to take my dad once a year just he and I on a cruise. He is now to ill to do this and this particular cruise was our last one, and man that pissed me off!!! Customs and Border protection has a job to do but they cross the line too frequently!!!

 

I can certainly understand your frustration in that case. To see ones we love cornered (in a manner of speaking) and then not being "allowed" to assist them is inhumane.

 

Tom

[ancientwokkadriver]

Reference the post about almost literally being hauled out of bed by USA Customs with no explanation, it begs the question as to why anyone would be prepared to put themselves in the path of being treated like this? Sure, US Customs can do what they like, but if no one went there anymore, they would go out of business, and so would the cruise lines who cravenly allow this to happen.

[Snoozeman]

Interesting thread. Nothing to offer, I just wanted to say 'hey' to Tom, Dog, Pete, et al. I don't get over here much anymore!;)