I think my other half has upset US CBP

uknick

From our experience of the last two years she must be on some sort of watch list for USA customs.

We've flown into the USA 5 times in the last two years. On 4 occasions her checked in luggage has been opened. How do we know this?

Well, the first time my binoculars, packed inside her suitcase, were taken apart and found like that when we opened the case at the hotel. After arriving back home at the end of the holiday we found her binoculars had been tampered with, breaking the lens cover. Someone had also examined her personal razor. Don't ask how we knew :-(.

Next trip was to Orlando, no evidence of anyone tampering with her bag on the way in but, upon return, we found some boxes of eye medication pills had been opened. We knew because the pills were strewn around her case. Also her large cuddly whale was unpacked from its plastic wrapping she'd put it in.

We've just returned from Boston and her case has been opened again. This time we know for a fact it was CBP as they left a nice note telling us they'd inspected the contents of the case. This was the first time any such note was left.


Cleary they're now profiling white, middle class, middle aged English ladies with no criminal record :-)

littlereddevil

Mine has been opened three times in two years. It's nothing to do with who you are but what they see in the case on the scanner. I have a very good idea why mine were opened each time. They usually leave a note, but not always. Last time they burst a bottle of shower gel then threw it back on top of the case!

novelty-socks

Mine have been opened several times. I think it's because I usually have some nice craft beer in on the way back from the US.

I've never notice this happen without them leaving a note though. Have you tried contacting your airline, or the CBP people to request compensation?

wondercollie

Yup, the Americans love to target middle life, white women. I get the full search every, single, time I cross by air.

Nothing beats finding the "your case was inspected" card wrapped in your bra cups.

The reason? There was something in my case they thought suspicious when they scanned it.

It's one of the reasons, I try my best not to transit through the US on international flights. Which can be hard to do living where I do.

For some strange reason it never happens to me on direct flights to the US, only on those where I make multiple connections.

uknick

We did try complaining the first time when items were damaged but got nowhere.


For the last couple of trips we have label my bags with her name and they still get opened. No doubt the person opening the bag gets a big disappointment when they only find my dirty smalls LOL.

stevie11

On the 3 or 4 trips a year to the US or via the US both our hold bags have been searched by TSA, they usually leave a calling card. Last week returning from the US, collecting our bags I noticed my TSA approved lock was missing on one bag and the other had been put back on but not securing the bag. So what is the point in the locks if they cant be botherred to securely fasten the bags again, might as well leave them unlocked Would they be held liable if further down the line if anything went missing or broken, I suspect not.

littlereddevil

They never lock mine after they have had their rummage

jackieblack

stevie11 wrote: »

Last week returning from the US, collecting our bags I noticed my TSA approved lock was missing on one bag

I thought my TSA lock was missing when I arrived home last year.
I found the lock earlier this year in a small pocket on the side of the case that I'd forgotten about

DigForVictory

It sounds like your other half has a name that's identical to someone on a watch list. Which is a bit frustrating, but very little you can do other than ensure the contraband or dubious stuff goes in someone else's baggage & speculate as to what sort of secret criminal mastermind your "twin" is?

It could be worse - it could be the full body search. Cousin has a name that matches someone elses & now her family barrel on through & get the luggage & a coffee, squash, etc while they wait. Last I heard, mum was a secret intelligence operative for Mossad (all that running a Brownie pack Clearly Suspicious - it's not as if all those notes exchanged with the vicar *couldn't* be encrypted) & the joke that she has to leave her exotic lingerie at home has her husband smiling sweetly as the offspring ask how do you spell Mata Hari anyway?

I'm sorry for your inconvenience, but do relax a bit, consider the packing & enjoy spinning the stories!

coffeehound

stevie11 wrote: »

... I noticed my TSA approved lock was missing on one bag and the other had been put back on but not securing the bag. So what is the point in the locks if they cant be botherred to securely fasten the bags again, might as well leave them unlocked

TSA compliant locks are about as good as leaving the case unlocked anyway. Master keys are sold on ebay

stevie11

jackieblack wrote: »

I thought my TSA lock was missing when I arrived home last year.
I found the lock earlier this year in a small pocket on the side of the case that I'd forgotten about

Thanks for that Jackie, I will have a look in the case next time I am up in my loft.