[ale] Fwd: Jim - cannot post this message to ALE, please post for me

[Jay Lozier]

On 05/07/2012 03:10 PM, Jim Lynch wrote:
> On 05/07/2012 02:57 PM, Rich Faulkner wrote:
>> I travel a fair amount and have since 9/11...had tools confiscated by
>> TSA (in December 2001) but have had no issues since.  Go through
>> security with lots of h/w (USB-HDD, media, laptops, you name it) w/o
>> issue.  Canada/US border does require valid passport card or
>> passport.  The passport card is good for travel on this
>> continent...otherwise you need a full-blown passport to go overseas.
>> (Don't know about Bahamas or points South regarding passport cards).
>> Before 9/11 you could go to Nassau w/o a passport and on just a valid
>> DL.  But now.....
>>
> I travel out of the country 4 or 5 times a year.  Most of the time, the
> airline asks for your passport before they will let you on a plane.  I
> know of nowhere from which you can get back into the US without a
> passport or equivalent.  I've not seen anyone at TSA or Customs that has
> paid any attention to laptops on any of my trips.  I've also heard about
> the confiscations but it's not widespread from my experience.  I travel
> about half the time with a netbook or laptop.
>
> Jim.
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In my very limited international travel (all pre 9/11) I saw one person 
get searched by US Customs at JFK while reentering the US (1970's). I 
was the next person and watched this. I do not remember if the person 
was arrested or had to pay an immediate fine to enter.I think his 
contraband was seized. Another time, when entering Canada, I was hand 
carry some tools and testing samples for some testing I was doing. 
Canadian customs was very interested in them but were satisfied with my 
answers. On another trip to Canada, once I mentioned where I was going 
the company I was visiting I was waived through.

Customs and passport control have always been point of possible search 
wiht contraband seizure even pre 9/11.

-- 
Jay Lozier
jslozier at gmail.com