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I guess I've been lucky. :up:

 

I've never had to endure a lengthy search upon returning to the US. As a matter of fact, most of the agents I've encountered have been really cool, the only exception being when I had to clear in LAX one time.

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Some conservatives and NGO's are trying to push thru a Homeland Security policy change where the bearer of any "purient" images (any kind of nude) will have the burden of providing documentation that the subject is 18 or over.

You could have hotel room photos of a 25 year old and still be charged if you couldn't prove her age.

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Not US, but Downunder.

I was a tad nervous coming home last weekend.

My Passport already shows 5 trips to LOS since last December and last week I did 2 days in Amsterdam & 2 days in Bkk.

I was concerned that I would get a major shake down, just because of my recent trip history....

 

I was praying for warm hands and 44 gallon drums of KY...lol...

 

Mind you, I had absolutely nothing to hide.

 

But absolutely no dramas...I declared carrying foodstuffs and was sent via the Quarantine line.

Guy was extremely courteous and checked my bag.....No problems and thanked me for declaring correctly.

 

Whole procedure...approx. 5 minutes and on my way.

 

But must admit there were no items of ladies clothing in my bag :: ::

Maybe this is what triggered their search OH...!!!! :o :o

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OH - I always get searched when re-entering the US. I know why. When i get off a plane with a 24 hour scruff I look like a criminal.

 

How is it that I can say 'I look like a criminal?' I lived in LA for a bit and was pursueing a career in showbusiness. I got my headshots done, eventually got an agent, but was always auditioning as the guy who stepped out from behind the van with a tire iron demanding money. Eventually I shaved my head, grew a goatee, and started auditioning for roles as: drug dealers, terrorists, and ex cons. I thought I was going to be the next 'Tom Cruise' yet how I saw myself and how others see me is a big difference.

 

I always get moved to the..."Um we just want to ask you a few questions line' and it spirals downhill from there. I always maintain a positive, no confrontational attitude, but I don't allow myself to get bullied.

 

Nobody has ever asked me to do anything but boot up my computer, and I am logged out when I do so, they cannot access my hard drive, have never asked for the password, and have no expectations of ever getting it. I don't have ANY photos or files that contain nudity or anything even remotely dicey on the hard drive, but nobody is getting a look at it period. I depend on my computer to make money, stop me, ask me any questions you want, but don't think for a second you get access to my hard drive.

 

Has anyone ever been told they have to log in and show the contents?

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I found that most of the time when I went thru US Customs on the west coast (SFO,, LA, etc), I could count on a hassle.

 

If I fly direct from Tokyo to Chicago, 99% of the time, no hassles in Chicago.

So I always try to avoid touching down on the west coast!!!

 

Of course in you live on the west coast, you have to put up with the hassles.

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Just to be clear:

 

You are asked to boot up to prove the device you are carrying is in fact a computer. If you log out the computer boots to a prompt where you would log in. Once the computer boots to this screen [mac, windows, unix, doesn't matter] it is proven to be a working computer.

 

I'm not giving anyone my password, and I'm not logging in.

 

What would happen?

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buddha said:

Just to be clear:

 

You are asked to boot up to prove the device you are carrying is in fact a computer. If you log out the computer boots to a prompt where you would log in. Once the computer boots to this screen [mac, windows, unix, doesn't matter] it is proven to be a working computer.

 

I'm not giving anyone my password, and I'm not logging in.

 

What would happen?

 

is this at security screening or customs? rather different.

 

security is trying to keep a bomb or other weapon off the plane, as you said, by proving it is a computer. (though I wonder if someone really wanted to, they could easily replace a battery (make it smaller) take out some of the inside works-- in order to smuggle a bomb/weapon. well, they x-ray the computer, too, or put it though bomb sniffing screening--so hopefully it is unlikely a terrorist would be successful there)

 

the interesting aspect of this question is that at customs, we have no civil rights. they could x-ray us, stick a finger up your bum, anything--justified by suspicion or profiling.

 

Refusing to open the computer hard drive could be considered suspicious, if they believe you to be a pedo. I would think they COULD in fact force you to open it, or confiscate it and detain you. (worst case scenario) but asking you to open the hard drive is, I believe, within their 'power'

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buddha said:

 

 

I always get moved to the..."Um we just want to ask you a few questions line' and it spirals downhill from there. I always maintain a positive, no confrontational attitude, but I don't allow myself to get bullied.

 

 

Has anyone ever been told they have to log in and show the contents?

 

 

is this at security while transiting to a domestic flight or, in fact, at "Customs'?

 

Last time going trough the USA I had a connection to a domestic flight, however, I had claimed all my luggage, and cleared customs prior to going through a security check, (with all luggage) then being able to re-check my bags, and head toward the domestic flight.

 

Once, after 11 September, a security agent (not customs) examined my boarding pass, seeing it was international in origin, escorted me to a separate line where I had to remove my shoes and (I guess) put my bags through a "higher" tech x-ray / bomb sniffer.

 

Cheers. :beer:

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I'm talking about customs when re-entering. If they have no prior info to suspect anything and they go through your stuff and boot up your computer. It goes to a screen prompting you to log in.

 

Customs official: what is the password?

 

Me: sorry that is sensative information. If you know my name, username, and password I would have to spend an hour or so changing several derivations of my password to prevent anyone from getting sensitive info about my financial records, personal info, etc. etc. [completely true]

 

----------------------------

 

Customs official: what is the password?

 

Me: It a work machine and I have agreed to several non disclosure agreements, one of which prevents me from sharing info on this machine with ANYONE. [actually true]

 

-------------------------

 

Customs official: what is the password?

 

Me: I don't know. I am hoping to find it in a pile of paperwork I have in a safety deposit box, damn computer!!!!! [false]

 

------------------------------

 

I have no reason other than I don't want anyone poking through my machine.

 

Customs official: Then we are confiscating the machine.

 

me: can you do that?

 

Customs official: Yes, why is the banana dancing?

 

me: I can't say for a month.

 

Customs official: why is the banana dancing?

 

me: ?????

 

:yay: :yay: :yay:

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