Upon the date 07:06 PM 8/19/99 +0001, Hans Franke said something like:
>> > >Nope, customs was very painless for us both ways. When we got to customs
>> > >back in the US, there were three paths. Paths 1 and 2 led to a search of
>> > >your bags, path 3 led to freedom. The customs dude looked at our
>> > >passports, looked at us, and then directed us to path 3. Freedom.
>
>> > Path 3?? Jeeez, I saw your photo online re VCF and I find this extremely
>> > hard to believe!! <G>
>
>> Yeah, and an Arabic name to boot! Makes you wonder whether these guys
>> are doing their job or not.
>
>I vote for 'not', but thats not that bad - last year, when I entered
>JFK with two bags of classic computers, I realy tried to get them
>'legal' into ... they insist in not checking anything for customs !
I can't recall how you told me you brought them over (hand carry or checked
with baggage) but if they were checked, I'm sure they were sniffed all over
by the dogs in M?nchen Flughafen and x-rayed until they smoked. However, if
indeed they were hand carried, which I *think* I recall your saying, then
JFK security messed up.
Then again, I know you travel quite a bit and when they checked your
passport in that scanning machine the computer said "He's okay" probably
based upon info from Interpol, US State Department and various customs
agencies worldwide.
When I flew into Frankfurt back in '94 or '95 the customs officer just
waved me through without caring to even *look* at my passport. I then flew
on to D?sseldorf. He probably thought I was either a German which I often
was considered as in Bavaria (before I would open my big mouth and speak :)
or one of those US Military or Government guys who usually come through
from the States without any problem ever.
Makes you kind of wonder. The bombing at Frankfurt ten years ago or more is
still remembered by me and others.
Regards, Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt_at_netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL:
http://www.antiquewireless.org/
Received on Thu Aug 19 1999 - 16:13:23 BST