V-Flyer

Of all the things not to say to those cheery immigration folk this must rank in the top 5..

Paul

Thanks for the post, Paul.

Oh, dear. You must be joking. I know that our DHS agents are not exactly the most friendly, but this incident is somewhat difficult to square with reality.

Chuck-

At least he was honest.

5 hours[B)]

Stick to yes/no; vacation/business when within earshot of the booths;)

VS.

and throw in the odd "Sir/Mam" now and again. Never hurts.

On my last trip to NYC I went with the chatty approach, and the agent asked what hotel I was in, then told me about a guy that was staying in a hotel known more for renting rooms by the hour and the drugs. He had booked it online and didn't know apparently, but he was detained for a bit longer while they worked out he was just a tourist [:o)]

What not to tell the UK immigration un-uniformed squad: I am going to the UK for bowling and a gathering.

Old Immi Guy: But young man, I would never waste my money or time going to New York for the weekend.

Me: It is not a waste of money or time. I enjoy it.

Back and forth. Questions me about various basic procedures in my job. BS crap. 20 minutes later I am freed.

There are pricks on both sides. Look at from both sides; not just the popular one.

Goint point, Ben. Mixed in with all their sometimes irritating chatter and seeming pointless questions the agents on both ends of the Pond are working hard to protect the rest of us from the one who the agents fail to query (or query sufficiently). A delicate balance.

Chuck-

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
There are pricks on both sides. Look at from both sides; not just the popular one.

Ben

Assuming that the "sides" to which you refer are the USA and the UK immigration services, please be assured it wasn't my intent to make a value judgement about the behaviour of the DHS in this case. It was intended merely as a lighthearted comment about the ability of even a seasoned traveller to manage to fail to engage brain before speaking.

Paul