Well THAT sure got my heart racing!

[TheVTCGuy]

So, here I am in the executive lounge in Bogota airport, desperately needing a xanax! I am going through customs, the agent takes my passport, puts it on the reader... and nothing for like 30 seconds. Then.. Beep Beep. He takes it, looks at his screen, looks at me and in English says: “Come with me” Scenes from the TV show: “Locked up Abroad” race through my brain. I was lead to another part of the hall. Two other officers were there, the three of them look at my passport, at me, I feel about two inches tall. I speak perfect Spanish, but was not close enough to hear what they were saying. This goes on for about four minutes, which seems like four hours. Finally one of them walks up to me, hands me the passport and says (in Spanish) “You can go.”

I have no idea what the issue was but sure as hell didn’t wait around to find out!!!!

So much for sleeping on the plane, I should go run about 20 miles.

[520Matt]

I know that feeling Paul. Safe travels home.

[bdex75]

Sounds like Jocke played another bad joke on you Paul.


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[tritium8]

I'm always surprised when I don't get pulled aside. Domestic or international, I always get the VIP treatment. I recently submitted a freedom of info act request.... I'm sure that was a smart move. Glad you got it alive!

[Abdullah71601]

Wow. My worst fear travelling abroad realized. I’m glad they realized you are not the guy in the avatar and let you loose.

Safe travels home bud.

[BrazenC5]

No cavity search?

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[Runnin' Rebel]

I go through that all the time Paul due to where I was born. In MIA after a flight from Recife, Brasil. Literally locked up waiting for 4 hours for FBI who questioned me.

And last month leaving out of GRU I was held for a uncomfortable 15 mins. Outbound Global Entry has become a joke anymore, everyone seems to have it and the only good Benifits anymore is that shoes stay on and no pulling stuff out of my carry on. Oh, and coming back using kiosks. Until I get pulled out time after time. No sneaking watches back without declaring.

[RW16610]

Jeez... Well I'm glad it all turned out well in the end. I've never been through that but can imagine how nervous it would make anyone feel. Safe travels, Paul

[Wesley Crusher]

Paul, that's what happens when you draw a penis in Colombian airspace.

[Jocke]

Great to hear my prank works.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

I go through that all the time Paul due to where I was born. In MIA after a flight from Recife, Brasil. Literally locked up waiting for 4 hours for FBI who questioned me.

And last month leaving out of GRU I was held for a uncomfortable 15 mins. Outbound Global Entry has become a joke anymore, everyone seems to have it and the only good Benifits anymore is that shoes stay on and no pulling stuff out of my carry on. Oh, and coming back using kiosks. Until I get pulled out time after time. No sneaking watches back without declaring.

Wow. That sucks. You'd think they'd have you cleared in their system by now.

I had one detention, in DXB. Prescription meds were ID'd on the carry on x-ray following passport control. I had an attested prescription (required for many drugs in the UAE), but they needed to verify all the stamps. I knew I was OK, so it wasn't stressful, but your treatment sounds like they are on the verge of locking you away on every entry.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Great to hear my prank works.

I KNEW you were somehow behind this Jocke!!!!

[brandrea]

It can be a very intimidating process Paul. Glad to hear you got cleared and on your way.

I've had the same thing happen recently and now it seems whenever I cross to the US, Im flagged for secondary inspection and I have to go through immigration. I've been a frequent business traveller for busines for almost 28 years.

[Art 1]

Had the same thing happen recently in Toronto Pearson. We go back and forth a lot, the computer didn't like what it saw on the customs slip and I'm married to a Canadian citizen. I guess they were afraid I might not return to the US. Took about an hour to resolve. Something good come out of it. An official Canadian document was made up, folded and stapled into my passport allowing entry supposedly with out questioning and permission to stay for a year. When my wife crossed into the US last week she was questioned heavily and we have noticed the questions have become more invasive.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Paul, that's what happens when you draw a penis in Colombian airspace.

Is that possible with a drone?

[rolex75216]

I think they were wondering if you were the famous guy on TRF and maybe wanted an autograph!

In all seriousness, I'm glad you got out of there. Must have been scary!

[yannis]

Good to know you did not end up in a Colombian jail cell Pablo.

[CRM114]

Never much fun Paul, been there a few times and know the feeling.

The oddest/kinda funniest time for me was 10 or 12 years ago air-lining into Damascus for a crew swap on a private aircraft already there, scheduled to leave a few days later so therefore I hadn't bothered to travel on the airline flight in uniform. I'd previously been in and out of Damascus many times as an operating crew member of private, VIP aircraft and under those circumstances we were escorted and expedited through the Immigration/Customs process by a local handling agent who met us at the aircraft. There was a driver and handling agent waiting for me that night but since I was an airline passenger they were on the other side of Immigration/Passport control.

Got pulled out going through Immigration and cooled my heels for 2 hours in a little room. After about 20 minutes of initial questioning re the particulars of why I was there and presenting my credentials and contact for my handler, 2 guys disappeared with them (I assume to go check my story, the handler, and luggage) and left me with a babysitter in the little room.

The amusing part was, the remaining guy's main focus of conversation for the next 90 minutes was how good-looking the First Lady of Syria was compared to the U.S.'s First Lady, or any other First Lady on the planet for that matter. It seemed like a matter of extreme pride for him, and I had to admit he had me beat. If the same thing happened now I'd have a little more ammunition to counter with on this extremely important First Lady appearance-issue but, given the circumstances, perhaps it's best I didn't.

Anyway, it all ended well and eventually I was sent on my way. I'm happy you were too.

[GerardoG]

...well, they saw your pic with the Police...

[BNA/LION]

Glad to hear you made it out! You easily could have ended up as a house boy or pool guy for a wealthy narco representative.