[persian54]

I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not this is normal procedure or racial profiling:

When I returned from Dubai over the weekend, I noticed many Indians/Europeans and such go to the officer, give their paperwork, then quickly walk away.

However, when it was my turn, the officer began asking various questions, such as:
What high school did you go to?
What year did you graduate?

Where are you working now?
Where is it located?
Your job title?

Previous employment?

He asked a few more but you get what I mean.

Then the normal "What was the purpose of this trip?" and "How many family members are traveling with you?"

I travel several times a year, and am used to getting 'random' security checks, but I have never had anything out of the ordinary (or at least what I feel to be 'ordinary')

Not criticizing immigration or anything remotely close to that; purely asking out of curiosity

[Negotiator]

I had a rather strict discussion with an officer while he recorded my biometrics last time i traveled. He kept asking similar questions, making sure that the replies were consistent. I'm rather pale.

[Baoer]

my cousin was detained for 4 hours in customs at lax, but i think he's on the list as not being able to come into the country at the time because he was getting divorced...sorted it out since he was there on business and had a legitimate visa and business

[CollinsE90]

im guessing you're brown, probably just a typical "random" search

[ABQ325i]

I think it depends on the officer and their current mood. I am English and medium toned skin and dark hair. I have been grilled in the past but my favourite was when the officer at JFK found out I was from Manchester and worked in Football. He was a huge Manchester United fan and my questions that day all revolved around Manchester United. Best welcome into the country I have ever had.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

im guessing you're brown, probably just a typical "random" search

Not that dark actually; pretty light skinned for a Persian.

Though I do have a goatee and my passport says "Iran" as my birth place

But I make a note to dress clean and be clean cut... guess it wasn't too helpful.

They let my dad go no problem though.

[NYCGarbagePrince]

i just got back from Dominican Republic and my best friend is Iranian. It was 2 italians and an iranian and guess who got "randomly" selected when going through security. However, he made it through customs faster than us.

[infinitekidM2C]

I'm glad to see our security is handling business. Don't worry Persian54 its nothing personal.

[Feyd]

I would imagine that they are required to grill 1 in 10 people just to keep up appearances, etc.

I'm the whitest American looking American you've ever seen, but I got yanked out of line and searched in Denmark when I was flying back the states year ago. Went through all my belongings, made me power up my laptop and prove that it wasn't any kind of a bomb, etc. Just roll with it... I'm glad people are doing it. Yes it's annoying, but the alternative sucks.

[ghosthi32]

i never get searched here. only in germany....bastards....

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by ghosthi32

i never get searched here. only in germany....bastards....

wait till next time, i reported you to langley

[ghosthi32]

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

wait till next time, i reported you to langley

i dont loook middle eastern fuck stain haha

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by ghosthi32

i dont loook middle eastern fuck stain haha

terrorists realized the security is more tight now, they now get people who dont look middle eastern o.0

[sb335is]

Never had a problem. Although I'm probably on a no fly list or something because a few weeks ago secret service sicked cops on me because they didn't like me taking pictures of them at their fundraiser. Cop was asking me my name, what I was doing ( I was in my own driveway). He asked me what I was doing 'here' a few times, and I just kept responding that this was my home.

Sigh,..



He doesn't look too happy with me.... I was about 150m+ away using my 200mm 2.8

[hks786]

Random check my ass

[JayKay335i]

I think racial profiling is OK.

[KingOfJericho]

I sold a car to a guy in TN a few years back and he paid me to drive it to him and fly back. I brought a buddy with me and we were right behind each other in line and both had one way tickets. Guess what? Both of us were "randomly selected." As someone mentioned before, it might be annoying but you have to understand that they're doing this for a good reason and it's nothing personal.

[dth656]

i'm brown, and get randomly checked all the time despite being born in the US. i figure if the sack of human detritus that works for immigration/ICE was that smart, he'd be working at mckinsey or goldman sachs instead of going thru my dirty socks for a living.


however, i do have to call out the folks at SEA, they are always pretty quick, professional, and seem to have their act together (as opposed to the folks i've dealt with at JFK, ORD, SFO, etc).

[Heinzftw]

When I was younger I often traveled along with my mother on her business trips and such. We would always get selected for a random check. I remember my mom told me that many drugs runners are merely a woman and her child. We were held up at SFO for hours one time and missed our flight to Sea-tac

[bmwmthree]

Originally Posted by persian54

Not that dark actually; pretty light skinned for a Persian.

Though I do have a goatee and my passport says "Iran" as my birth place

But I make a note to dress clean and be clean cut... guess it wasn't too helpful.

They let my dad go no problem though.

you gotta shave completely. no beard, mustache, etc.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by ghosthi32

i dont loook middle eastern fuck stain haha

you look like beavis

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

I think racial profiling is OK.

Same here.