Look at the cause and effect: If you act like a suspect, or act suspiciously, then you're going to be treated like a suspect. Then who's fault is it? Yours, for acting suspicious in the first place.Ghost wrote:Good advice. Americans let this bullshit happen, and it's far too late now to do anything about it. Might as well just get through it and get to your destination unscathed. Smile and go on by. But it does suck and going into the U.S. you are treated as a suspect. Suspect of what? Who knows? You're a traveler. You must be weird or criminal or something. Dress decently, smile, don't bring gadgets with you when possible, and travel light.Halwick wrote:Most people fear the inspection/audit/interrogation process if they're trying to hide something, carry contraband or get away with something. What have you got to hide?Hero wrote:I'm more afraid of the interrogation from U.S. Customs when I get back.
I just got back from Bolivia and Panama and went through customs/immigration in both those countries and U.S. upon return without any problems because I had nothing to hide, cooperated with them and smiled and did my best to look harmless and non-threatening. When one of the officials in Bolivia requested to inspect one of my bags, I smiled, ooperated fully as I had nothing to hide. After a cursory look, they smiled back and sent me on my way.
I'll admit the process is an inconvenience, but so what? It's like a game. Cooperate, move on and get over it. I think next time I'll wear a Japanese style loose-fitting Yukata, with speedo underneath, wrapped all over with suran wrap and go barefeet, just to assure the officials I've nothing to hide. Results should be amusing.
And by the way, I have no problems disclosing where I'm from, the purpose of my visit (in this case visiting relatives and tourism), providing the address of where I will be staying. It's just part of the routine.
Now when you start acting indignant about having your so-called "personal freedom, rights and property violated", or try to hide something that you know you shouldn't be carrying, and antagonistic about the whole thing, then you're going to have problems.
A long time ago (and this was way before 911) one of my friends travelled to Israel on El Al Airlines for tourism reasons. Even though he's a WASP, he went through quite an interrogation about where he is from, the purpose of his visit, where he is staying, etc. My friend also happens to be an attorney and doesn't tolerate nonsense, But in this case, he knew well enough not to act suspicious or give the officials any reason to suspect anything. He was cooperative during the whole time, answered all questions truthfully. After the El Al officials were satisfied he was not a terrorist, they were all smiles and wished him a pleasant trip and he boarded his flight. When he got off his flight, he had no problems going through customs.
When he returned to the U.S. on El Al, there were no problems, as he already established himself previously as a non-threat.
But you're right......best to nowadays travel light without gadgets, dress sensibly, smile and present yourself as non-suspicious and low-profile as possible.