US Customs Issues

Honestly, I would refrain from giving a customs officer smart ass comments. Unlike the TSA, they have some REAL power and frankly I am sure after a great trip to Oktoberfest you could do without any more harrasing ;-) . I've been doing a lot of international trips the past year (especially the 1-2 day Europe trip...just came back from CPH) and I always get the why were you in Europe for one day question. Just be honest and say you work for an airline and they tend to leave you alone.
 
pnc024 said:
Didn't know that...
Im guessing most people just ditch the uniform and deal with the security and lines? Does anyone travel international in uniform?
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The thing is regardless of supposed better treatment of flight crew members (which is hit or miss, anyways), do you REALLY want to sit on a plane for 9-12+hrs in uniform with all that goes along with that?

"Hey, are you a pilot??"

Just personal preference, though.
 
E_Dawg said:
The thing is regardless of supposed better treatment of flight crew members (which is hit or miss, anyways), do you REALLY want to sit on a plane for 9-12+hrs in uniform with all that goes along with that?

"Hey, are you a pilot??"

Just personal preference, though.
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In my *very limited experience*, I have realized that the benefits of wearing the uniform has slightly outweighed the infrequent annoyances of wearing it. Sitting on the plane for 9 hours isn't a problem. I got over it in 10 minutes and so did the people next to me.
I couldn't care less what people think about me. The lines and what I can bring through security is a lot more important.

You can turn "Hey, are you a pilot??" into whatever conversation you want in a matter of seconds. Or just shut'em down and say no.

Again, I'm new to this and don't know what I'm talking about.
 
Seggy said:
You get treated a lot better when deadheading, non-reving, jumpseating, etc when in uniform then when you are in normal people clothes, IMO.
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I tested your theory while jumpseating back from Amsterdam one time and it totally worked.

I got waved through the crew line in customs (in Amsterdam) and even when I told them "well, I'm actually not working, just going TO work" they said that it wasn't a problem at all.

Then in customs in Detroit, I'm standing there in full monkey suit...hat, blazer, tie, etc.... "sir, and what do you do for a living?"

It took every ounce of self control not to say something smart.
 
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