Since Sept. 11th, foreign travel to the U.S. is still down. I'm curious what your experiences have been--rude officers or friendly ones? I've seen and experienced the best of both worlds. I'm also interested in the opinions of Americans returning home.
2007-08-20 13:21:57 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
My experience was a good one, the officers were pleasant and efficient. I do believe most are this way but if you give them attitudes watch out!!!
2007-08-25 09:17:36 · answer #1 · answered by cheri h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's been mixed. Recently, I had a very nice agent who was talkative, friendly and actually welcomed me back home. Before that, I had one who was indifferent at best, who glanced at me just to make sure my passport picture matched my face, and then stamped the necessary documents. I think I've only ever had one downright rude agent, who yelled at me for 5 minutes for not "moving fast enough" when the entire customs process only took about 2 minutes. The rest have ranged from indifferent to pleasant, probably more of the former.
Personally, I think it depends on which port you come into. Certain cities are just meaner to begin with, while others are more relaxed and people are more friendly.
2007-08-20 20:54:14 · answer #2 · answered by Owen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been traveling back and forth to Germany quite a bit and I must say the only bad experience I had was back in 1999, I still lived in Germany and my husband was already stationed in West Point, NY. I decided to visit him for a few weeks to see if we could get housing and when I went through customs in NY the officer was pretty tough on me. He asked me where I was going and I told him to West Point he wanted to know what I was doing there so I informed him that my husband is stationed there, next thing you know this officer told me that I was lying because West Point is strictly a military school and no other enlisted personnel would be stationed there. Luckily I had my husbands military orders with me so I had proof.
Besides this one time I must say I've only had pleasant experiences, they are just doing their job....I agree :)
2007-08-20 21:01:21 · answer #3 · answered by Armywifey32925 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an American. I really think it all depends on the person at customs. I have crossed from New York into Canada into Michigan, and then from Michigan into Canada and then in New York. I have done this six time. Each time I was with a van with about 12 people most of who were not related. We all have birth certificates and notarized papers. Sometimes was are allowed to pass right through and other they check everything and give us a hard time. It is usually easier to get into Canada than New York or Michigan though.
2007-08-20 20:33:16 · answer #4 · answered by qwerty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I haven't had the experiance but I would think although some times they are cold I wouldn't call it rude but careful. It's like a police officer you get too freindly you might become sloppy & the way things are now we cann't afford it. We should be more considerate to these servants & protectors of the public.
2007-08-20 20:52:54 · answer #5 · answered by GREGORIOUSITY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i am an american and when i cross the border from mexico to texas i have had some really friendly people and then i have had some really ignorant people also. The ones that are not friendly have totally harrassed me and my 4 children. They harrassed me by telling me that my husband belongs in mexico and not the US. so there is good and bad.
2007-08-20 21:07:13 · answer #6 · answered by slvjvm922000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Despite having never found one with any discernable sense of humor, more pleasant than rude
2007-08-20 20:34:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your experience is as an American it is much different for those who aren't.
My husband became a citizen in Jan and he was accused of having a false passport till he threatened them with a lawsuit and presented his old A# and the Naturalization document*which isn't required* only then did they leave him alone and they were still in a huff about the requirement to let him in.
2007-08-20 20:38:23 · answer #8 · answered by summermoondancer2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The guy who spoke to me was pleasant. He actually wanted to chat because he's been to my state (Hawaii) and was wondering why on earth I'd want to go to Europe when I already lived in "paradise."
2007-08-20 20:29:42 · answer #9 · answered by kari 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Customs Officers are federal police-- they do their job. You may not like his smile or way he communitates or the way he searched your luggage.. They are never rude.. By the way they can search your body...
2007-08-20 20:33:33 · answer #10 · answered by Gerald 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋