Clearing customs as a non rev...

[jetracer5]

Recently I was a non rev in uniform clearing customs in LAX. Now when I got to customs I think every international 747 landed at the same time! It was crazy... So here is my question. I just went through the crew line since I was in uniform. The customs agent noticed I was using the standerd blue form instead of the normal crew decloration form. He then asked if I was deadheading and I just smiled and said sure. He then stamped me and I was good to go. Are we not alowed to use the crew line if we are in uniform but just jumpseating or a non rev?

 

[flitnabudih]

About 4 years ago I did the same thing in PHL. The guy let me go but said use the other line next time. I guess you need a crew declaration in order to use the crew line.

 

[Dave's kid]

About 4 years ago I did the same thing in PHL. The guy let me go but said use the other line next time. I guess you need a crew declaration in order to use the crew line.

What he said, except I was in CLT.

 

[B727FA]

I had it go both ways...generally they're looking to match the crew names with the Gen Dec/VS Rpt...but when they use the crew lane for diplomats as well I'm not sure it matters.

Like I said one time they said, "You must be DH, *right?*" and another time they say, "You're in the wrong line..." Oops, habit, I guess. "That's ok."

Just play dumb...

 

[Gator1999]

Recently I was a non rev in uniform clearing customs in LAX. Now when I got to customs I think every international 747 landed at the same time! It was crazy... So here is my question. I just went through the crew line since I was in uniform. The customs agent noticed I was using the standerd blue form instead of the normal crew decloration form. He then asked if I was deadheading and I just smiled and said sure. He then stamped me and I was good to go. Are we not alowed to use the crew line if we are in uniform but just jumpseating or a non rev?

It depends on the airport and how busy that airport is. If there were a bunch of international heavies that just landed and all those crews were in line then I would see why they would have a problem with a nonrev in line. I was coming back from Germany, as a normal paying passenger, a couple of months ago through CLT and standing in the US citizen line right next to the line for crew and since there was no one else waiting in the crew line, they started calling us to go through the crew line since it was open. I wouldn't jump into the crew line as a nonrev (uniform or no uniform, you're not on the crew dec) if a lot of international crews were waiting to clear as courtesy to all of those who were working the flights and anxious to get to the hotel. CBP agents aren't the friendliest people and not usually very understanding...better just to steer clear and play by the rules when it comes to clearing customs and immigration.

As a sidenote...why do they carry guns? Do they really need a firearm to sit in that little booth and belittle us weary travellers? I have a hard time believing that they are real LEO's.

 

[wmuflyguy]

As a sidenote...why do they carry guns? Do they really need a firearm to sit in that little booth and belittle us weary travellers? I have a hard time believing that they are real LEO's.

Just in case you refuse to give up that apple or banana you were trying to smuggle into the country.

 

[Kneeboards Rock]

I once was going through EWR customs after non-reving in the PAX line but with my company ID around my neck (had it under my sweater during the flight but took the sweater off when we landed) and the customs guy asked if I was a crew member. I said no and he then said I needed to take off my ID or he would fine me X amount of dollars. I started to ask why but I thought why bother. I can't imagine what rule he was referring to.

 

[Thedude]

Are we not alowed to use the crew line if we are in uniform but just jumpseating or a non rev?

If you are not listed on the crew Gen Dec, then NO. As a non-rev or j/s I would be highly surprised if you are listed of the Gen Dec ,unless of course, your on a freighter.

 

[BLing]

Just in case you refuse to give up that apple or banana you were trying to smuggle into the country.

Im more of a grape smuggler!

 

[great cornholio]

About 3 years ago or so I was in PHL customs (in uniform) and had just gotten in the "regular line" when some customs guy told me to go to the crew line. When I got to the crew line booth the guy asked why I had the regular blue sheet and why I came thru his line. Told him the guy at the end of the line told me to go thru the crew line and he rolled his eyes and gave me the stamp and I was on my way. I'm not sure if they really have a "policy" I usually just go the "regular line" and most times I get pulled out of the line and told to go the crew line...granted I've only done the international thing 3 or 4 times all outta PHL or CLT.

 

[say again]

Like others, Ive been called to the crew line when non-reving during my airline days. I've also "accidentally" strayed over to the crew line as well and have been told that the "next time" I should be on the regular line. The agents know whats up, and most really could give a rats a$$ that you are on that crew line. Play dumb, be respectful/courteous, and most will let you thru without a problem.

 

[Gator1999]

I once was going through EWR customs after non-reving in the PAX line but with my company ID around my neck (had it under my sweater during the flight but took the sweater off when we landed) and the customs guy asked if I was a crew member. I said no and he then said I needed to take off my ID or he would fine me X amount of dollars. I started to ask why but I thought why bother. I can't imagine what rule he was referring to.

He was referring to the rule that he just made up. These agents all have their own things that they say are "standard". At NetJets, when we clear customs, our company has a sheet with a laundry list of forms and whatnot to make sure you have for the agents when arriving back in the country...it gets kinda confusing between 91, 91k and 135 but you will not find two customs agents that agree on the documents that they need. I came into PBI with passengers and had all the documents that the CBP sheet said that I needed and when I gave them to the agent, she grunted and snarled because I didn't have a white form instead of a blue form. So I showed her the memo that I had what it said I needed and she looked at it dumbfounded like she had never seen it before. She said that "she has always done it that way" and I should know what PBI wants because NetJets is always coming thru PBI. So obviously they don't even know their own rules...kinda sounds like another power hungry government body of inept and worthless workers we are all familiar with...

 

[Harmattan96]

So obviously they don't even know their own rules...kinda sounds like another power hungry government body of inept and worthless workers we are all familiar with...

The peter principle in US government agencies...no way!!!!

 

[BOX OFFICE]

As a sidenote...why do they carry guns? Do they really need a firearm to sit in that little booth and belittle us weary travellers? I have a hard time believing that they are real LEO's.

Postal inspectors carry guns too. Why?

Good thing the TSA isn't armed!

 

[Raskal]

He was referring to the rule that he just made up. These agents all have their own things that they say are "standard". At NetJets, when we clear customs, our company has a sheet with a laundry list of forms and whatnot to make sure you have for the agents when arriving back in the country...it gets kinda confusing between 91, 91k and 135 but you will not find two customs agents that agree on the documents that they need. I came into PBI with passengers and had all the documents that the CBP sheet said that I needed and when I gave them to the agent, she grunted and snarled because I didn't have a white form instead of a blue form. So I showed her the memo that I had what it said I needed and she looked at it dumbfounded like she had never seen it before. She said that "she has always done it that way" and I should know what PBI wants because NetJets is always coming thru PBI. So obviously they don't even know their own rules...kinda sounds like another power hungry government body of inept and worthless workers we are all familiar with...

Oh man, you aren't kidding about the "well, it's always been this way" bs. When I was doing the corporate thing we would be customs commercial at one station and private at a different one, sometimes they wanted the PASR form and sometimes they thought you were an idiot if you tried to give them one of those things...they have absolutely no idea what the hell they're doing compared to another agent at another airport. Frustrating, I definitely don't miss that.

 

[skypine69]

Us customs agents are the biggest a$$holes on the planet. I get grief almost everytime i come back to the states as a nonrev. Everytime I leave i get treated great by customs agents overseas...almost makes me want to stay!

 

[JustaNumber]

I once was going through EWR customs after non-reving in the PAX line but with my company ID around my neck (had it under my sweater during the flight but took the sweater off when we landed) and the customs guy asked if I was a crew member. I said no and he then said I needed to take off my ID or he would fine me X amount of dollars. I started to ask why but I thought why bother. I can't imagine what rule he was referring to.

There is a fairly new customs rule (as of about a year or two ago, at least in ATL), where pilots/airport employees inbound on a flight subject to customs inspection must not display an ID tag, versus employees allowed to be in the area but not subject to inspection must display the ID. I guess it helps them keep straight whether they can harass you about contraband fruit or not.

 

[ifly4food]

There is a fairly new customs rule (as of about a year or two ago, at least in ATL), where pilots/airport employees inbound on a flight subject to customs inspection must not display an ID tag, versus employees allowed to be in the area but not subject to inspection must display the ID. I guess it helps them keep straight whether they can harass you about contraband fruit or not.

That came about because someone (not a crew member, airport employee) got waived through customs based on an ATL SIDA badge when they were subject to inspection because the customs agent thought they were "just passing through". So in typical government knee jerk reaction, punish everyone instead of the agent who screwed up. Because we know that government employees are above the law and above reproach.