Am I just paranoid... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**bellelass** · 03-23-2006, 03:13 AM

I know Im not on a "Do Not Board" list because I've been able to board airplanes into the united states. Eventually. I've wondered for a while though, if there's a lesser sort of list, a kind of "hassle the hell out of this person and keep an eye on them" list.

I've never had a flight into the u.s. where I havent been searched, grilled, interrogated and searched again. Doesnt matter where Im coming from, how long Ive been gone, what Im wearing, what I've got with me. Always always always always me. Once they asked me things like what I do for a living (I'm a student, sir), where I study(UT), what I study(Middle Eastern Studies), why I study it(I find it fascinating), what my father and mother do for a living, why, etc etc etc.

The most recent time was a few days ago in sydney going to the US. They ran my bag through the xray machine no fewer than five times before they made me disembowel it on a table in a cubicle. Aside from my arabic textbook and a book on suicide terror there wasnt anything suss. Of course. Then someone came up to me and started rubbing some wandy thing all over me without asking by your leave or dont mind if I do. When they ran it over everything in my backpack I timidly asked what it was for and was told I was being tested for explosives. They asked me several questions similar to the ones above. Then when I was finally released someone stopped me at the gate and demanded to see inside my bag, and someone gave me the old twice over with the metal detector wand.

I'm a part of the Arab Student's Association and the Muslim Students Association. I go to Womens rights in the mid east and religion of the mid east type talks on campus and Im sure if they looked my university internet record they'd see hundreds upon hundreds of hours logged on al-jazeera and other arabic news sources. And dont get started on my library check out records...

I dont have anything to hide, but I hate my country treating me like some sort of criminal. I've thought about this for a while, but never said anything til now. Last night I was telling mother about the most recent episode and she suggested something like that might be the case. So is there such a thing, or am I just paranoid and unlucky??

**tumblezweedz** · 03-23-2006, 03:49 AM

Looks like homeland security's found your name on a membership list, and you get special treatment because of it. I'd guess you have two choices, withdraw from the assn's and check out books in someone else's name (though once on the list, always on the list, probably) or stick to your principles, and grin and bear it. Remember, the staff at the airport didn't put you on the list, they're just trying to stop bad guys from blowing stuff up. They don't know you're not a bad guy...

My tickets back to the states last year were purchased (through the US Embassy) at the last minute because their travel guy screwed up. To make my life easier, my husband took all the checked baggage so I'd just have my carry-on and the baby to deal with through five airports. Traveling on a last-minute ticket with no bags tends to make people suspicious, apparently, and I've received special treatment on every flight since. Even when I'm traveling with FOUR LITTLE KIDS, for crying out loud!

I don't think you're paranoid, I think you are on a list...and probably will be 'til this whole terrorism thing settles down. I'd assume the worst and give yourself extra time for check in...and be sure not to pack any knives in your carry on.

**goyincognito** · 03-23-2006, 04:02 AM

You're probably on a watch list, like tumblezweedz said. If your name comes up they're sure to scrutinize you more at airports and maybe even check your phone/library records and personal information (none of that is privileged anymore). If you're not doing anything you're not going to get arrested, but the government is really paying close attention to people with ties to muslim/arab groups, especially in college (they did the same thing in the 60s and 70s...outlawed it, then made it legal again with USA PATRIOT. heh. go figure).

It's not going to change anytime soon, and you're probably gonna have to get used to the treatment, or start withdrawing memberships and making yourself less visible to them.

Sucks, I know, but that's the direction Western "freedom" has been going for a long, long while now. America is only just beginning to catch up to Europe in the "security state" sector...

**aliz** · 03-23-2006, 04:50 AM

i never used to get checked travelling with my family but last year i went to canada by myself and scored every single "random" security check there was, starting with a luggage check before i even checked in at sydney airport to the departure lounge in vancouver getting faxed an order not to let me board the plane until they did further questioning and security checks. i was like 'guys i just want to go home'... i don't know why i got checked everywhere, although i have travelled multiple times to indonesia, malaysia and brunei which does look a bit wierd if you look at a list of where i've been and when. maybe thats it

chasing a dream · 03-23-2006, 06:06 AM

One thing i've alwase been suprised about is i've NEVER been searched at an airport, and I look suspect, I'm a long haired metalhead. You'd think that the secruity guys would be all over me (local cops sure are!). With all the upcomming traveling, and multiple flights, I expect that to change.

**voyd** · 03-23-2006, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bellelass@Mar 23 2006, 05:13 AM
I'm a part of the Arab Student's Association and the Muslim Students Association.* I go to Womens rights in the mid east and religion of the mid east type talks on campus and Im sure if they looked my university internet record they'd see hundreds upon hundreds of hours logged on al-jazeera and other arabic news sources.* And dont get started on my library check out records...
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Yup, you're definitely on a covert watchlist. This is the real problem with us surrending our privacy rights and increased surveillance by Big br0. Alex Jones and others have been documenting the increasing 0rwe11ian po1ice state for years now...

But nobody listens until it affects THEM. Of course, by then, it is too little too late.

Until our populace wakes up - it's only going to get worse. In their "fight for freedom," they are steadily stripping it away from us. "We the people" have become "we the enemies." Anyone who then dares to think outside of narrow government-approved lines - will become a suspect and harrassed. The gov is even trying to obtain a million search queries from Google now - to basically turn the entire internet into one giant thought-p01iced dragnet.

Welcome to the New W0rld 0rder, folks! Thank you for all your passive acceptance and cooperation!

**MeTurk** · 03-23-2006, 06:50 AM

They must be spying on you! You should start checking out really weird books in the collage library to confuse them. I don't know what kind of mix you could do.? Maybe a load of hypnosis books and see if they keep trying to avoid eye contact next time you fly.

**noke_travel** · 03-23-2006, 07:28 AM

my sister has a similar problem. because she's traveled in and out of such places as spain, morocco and turkey for long weekends pretty frequently, she always gets seached both at heathrow and in the states. when asked why an IO told her she fit the profile of a drug trafficer, so now she always plans on being searched when flying internationally.

**bluepea** · 03-23-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

and I look suspect, I'm a long haired metalhead. You'd think that the secruity guys would be all over me (local cops sure are!).

Nah, I wouldn't worry about it. Long haired metal heads aren't terrorists, so the airports don't care. The cops care because we all know long haired metal heads are domestic criminals.

Well Belle, I bet you'd have a really tough time if you decided to visit Saudi Arabia or Iran.

I don't think it's so much of people not listening, but perhaps not fully comprehending the extent the government is going to.

**The Monsignor** · 03-23-2006, 07:50 AM

I recently flew to L.A. one-way, purchasing the ticket online...

For my trouble, I got to spend 30 minutes in the TSA lounge getting questioned. Same thing applies, I have two passports, an unexpired Saudi Arabian visa and entered several Middle Eastern countries in the last year. Unfortunately, that means extra time at check in....

You have the advantage of fitting the profile of a suicide bomber - you're in the right age group to be considered 'disaffected youth' (a good candidate for recruitment), you have a fascination with Middle Eastern culture (and language, etc) and you belong to a couple organizations that are probably on some watch list somewhere. In addition, you've probably traveled to the Middle East in the last year or so, leaving a pretty clear trail...

Only thing missing is explosives residue, I could loan you some explosives contaminated items if you really wanna piss people off...

Other than that, well, they don't let me carry a gun on airplanes, so I guess if I wanna fly, I gotta get used to depending on them... scarey thought.

**tumblezweedz** · 03-23-2006, 08:40 AM

^^ Aren't you military, Msgr? That was my saving grace when we finally landed in the US, the immigration guy was just as nice as can be when he saw my ID card (and I'm just a dependent - with a foreign passport...) Course, I still did get special treatment going out, and going out again, and going out again, and going out again....

Remember to wash that residue off your hands (and shoes!) before you board, man!

**blinkchick2134** · 03-23-2006, 09:29 AM

The only time I ever had trouble with security was when I was flying back to PHL from Paris. We got through the check points and started walking towards our terminal when this security guard came chasing after me (I figured I dropped something). He asked me to dump out m carryon on the floor so he could go through it. He just let my friend stand there with her bag and only searched me. WTF!?

**The Monsignor** · 03-23-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tumblezweedz@Mar 23 2006, 09:40 AM
^^ Aren't you military, Msgr?* That was my saving grace when we finally landed in the US, the immigration guy was just as nice as can be when he saw my ID card (and I'm just a dependent - with a foreign passport...)* Course, I still did get special treatment going out, and going out again, and going out again, and going out again....

Remember to wash that residue off your hands (and shoes!) before you board, man!

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Yeah, I'm EOD (bomb squad) so there's really nothing I own that doesn't have explosives residue on it...

The TSA was still a pain in the ass, despite my military ID (I think they had somethign special in their hearts for the military or something) and they don't give us EOD guys special credentials or anything (not for that sort of stuff)

**ScarlotteDorian** · 03-23-2006, 10:11 AM

yeah, i always thought my brother was paranoid when he told me that he thought the government was montering his phone calls. he even checks out library books under my name because he's worried about that. god, i hope i don't get listed because he checks out 'pegged' books under my name.

**beergal** · 03-23-2006, 10:27 AM

Steph i feel for you...i hope for your sake you never get the "spread them treatment"

I have also experienced something similar, was detained in Tunisian immigration at Monastir airport for 2 hours

My uncle boarded a flight from Edinburgh to Bristol to come visit my family for the day shortly after September 11th and was sat between two flight attendents because he didnt check in any luggage, and heaven forbid he is Persian!

I on the majority seem to always get a few funny looks when i head through immigration, white girl with the name Habib seems to cause some problems....fuck them and their negativity! Im proud of my mixed culture

thresheld · 03-23-2006, 10:59 AM

That's some pretty messed up stuff, there. I'm going to go ahead state what everyone else is stating, it certainly looks like you're on a watch list..
It's too bad the government is way too big of a thing to walk up to the front desk and start bitching at someone to get you the 'man in charge of this shit'.
...sorry I'm rambling because I just woke up. In any case, I wonder if it's at all possible to find yourself off the list?

**The Monsignor** · 03-23-2006, 11:10 AM

Yeah, cause every time they do an interview with you there's usually an entry somewhere (if the agent's doing his job right) and eventually they find a pattern that, though unusual, is normal for you and can be explained, so the interviews become simply a case of some agent somewhere getting a phone call when you go to pick up your tickets and they read the file, and clear you without any further delays.

In some cases, it could take a long time...

In my case, it's not likely to last much longer...

I'm completely resentful of any government involvement in my personal life, even if it is for my own 'safety'. I also realize that the sheer volume of data out there makes it very unlikely that you're being investigated any further than an entry in a database. You have enough entries, you get the special treatment...

Short of some serious elected official changes (and this isn't something that falls along party lines, anymore) we're not gonna see this go away any time soon... and, unfortunately, in this country people seem to be more and more willing to let Big Brother take care of their safety, and surrender their freedom in the process...

futboller · 03-23-2006, 11:22 AM

I'm all for airport security, but the fact that you belong to student groups and check books out of the library shouldn't be a trigger. In fact, there's really no excuse for the government to care what books you check out. And the last time we were spying on peaceful student groups was Nixon, I think.

Well, I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway.

**pinion** · 03-23-2006, 11:27 AM

**goyincognito** · 03-23-2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by futboller@Mar 23 2006, 09:22 PM
I'm all for airport security, but the fact that you belong to student groups and check books out of the library shouldn't be a trigger. In fact, there's really no excuse for the government to care what books you check out. And the last time we were spying on peaceful student groups was Nixon, I think.

Well, I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway.

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The thing that I found amazing is that the domestic Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) run by the FBI which infiltrated, spied on, and disrupted/destroyed student groups in the 60s/70s suspected of "subversive" activity (basically, whatever Nixon had a hair up his ass about...Communist or non-Communist) was later determined to be illegal--obviously largely due to its unpopularity and 1984 tactics--so it was closed down.

Then USA PATRIOT passed, and they pretty much just reactivated the infrastructure they established illegally/covertly in the Vietnam era. Only now it's completely legal and permanent

Civil liberties...who needs those?