Re: [Leica] U.S. Customs

[ken@iisaka.org]

On Mon, 07 August 2000, Nathan Wajsman wrote:
> Has any of the LUGgers here ever actually been questioned about the content of
> their camera bag when entering the U.S.? I have done so several times, both
> when I lived there and since moving to Europe; mostly via JFK or Newark but
> also Orlando on one occasion. None of the customs officers ever expressed any
> interest in anything beyond getting the white form you fill out on the plane.
> 

The only time ever in my 20 years of international travel to be asked to open my luggage was when I was entering Japan.  I then sported a long pony-tail then, and that probably was it.  I otherwise only get a yawn from the agents.  (Now, I jinxed it!)

I probably never travelled to countries on the "list."  Passengers travelling from countries such as Netherlands, Columbia, and middle-eastern countries are rumoured to be searched more often than those travelling within "clean" nations.