General Reports

[Questner]

My usual is to say 'I like the beaches'.

[AggieDad1]

If you are a US citizen I would reccomend getting Global Entry. You have to pass a background check and if you pass the background check you have to go to a local airport for an interview. The interview is a joke, you are really there just to get your picture taken and so they can fingerprint you. Global Entry automatically enrolls you in TSA Precheck. With Global Entry you bypass immigration and go straight to a computer kiosk. There you scan your passport and fingerprints and answer the customs questions. You never interact with a person. When you finish you get a receipt that you had to a customs officer and you are on your way. Has mine since 2016 and will renew when it exspires in 2022.

[Oterri]

I am thankful to everyone who has posted in response to my original post about getting hassled at airports.

Believe me, for 2 decades I too never had big problem although I was grilled pretty harshly 2/3 times by overzealous bitchy female officers. They even asked me if I have relationship with women overseas or kids. WTF? I just visit for a week or two.

I knew solo men coming back from countries like Costa Rica, Colombia, Thailand are specially interrogated but never faced a reckoning moment till the last trip when an officer started asking me questions again and again. He asked me more questions than all the officers had done in 20 years. Yes I did travel quite frequently to several countries that year but many of my trips were to European countries with family. The too many visa stamps of above mentioned countries did not help, And perhaps the Cambodian visa made it worse because it a green page that is stapled to the passport. Because of these rascals I avoid going to Cambodia for almost 15 years and when I did, I made it a point to exit in 14 hours. But the scrutiny they put me under, the questioning by multiple officers including another ***** who thought I had made her day when I reached out for water bottle. LOL she probably thought I must have all the CP in the world and that her promotion is guaranteed. I don't mind if someone casually goes through electronic devices in front of me but to go through every single conversation I had on I'm and read every note and look at pics, away from me, for 1 hour! And for what? Because I am guilty of travelling as a solo male traveler. And then after wasting more than 3 hours of my time they won't even bother to apologize or pack the suitcases. Rather asked another group of officers to let me know that I am free to go.

You may not have had such a run but be prepared. Don't let these mothafucker low lifes look at the pictures they don't deserve to or need to in the first place.

[Run Mann]

But really who gives these people the right to ask such questions?

The Government of the countries they represent, that's who. But those officials are way more interested in passenger's transporting drugs and/or engaging in terrorist activities than if people got laid.

[Rob Jones]

That's crazy! You are just asking for trouble. The correct attitude (pose) upon landing in the USA is the closest one to how you feel ie I am dog tired from this long flight, I am glad it is over, and it's good to be home. The correct response to the question "what were you doing over there" is I was scuba diving and beachcombing or something similar. Just act the part of the jet weary tourist, play it straight, and you will not have any problems.

Never been asked in Australia, one of the many benefits of living here. I only leave the country 2 to 4 times a year so maybe if the Op is a frequent traveller he may be asked questions particularly if he is going to drug or terrorist hotspots. But really who gives these people the right to ask such questions?

[FL Hawk]

I have literally told them that I was over there fucking hoes when they asked what I was doing.

I absolutely believe you! Classic Mr. E. haha.

[RandoGuy]

Gentlemen,

After a failed second attempt at domestic tranquility, I am back in the game and planning a trip to the Land of Smiles. I would like to see how it compares to Colombia.

Many of you here are experts in international mongering, and your tips have been invaluable in helping me plan my trip. Let me return the favor by giving some advice in an area I have some small knowledge of. USA Federal law, and border crossing in particular. There has been some good advice given below, and some advice I would avoid. First, a brief explanation of the jurisprudence behind USA Border law. Anytime you attempt to enter the you. S, you are subject to search, seizure, arrest, inspection, inquires and examinations. Each of these things are triggered by a certain threshold of suspicion. What you must note is that this threshold is greatly reduced at the border crossing vs. Other areas, such as the monger below who had a friend who was a State detective. Briefly:

- Search: requires no warrant or probable cause (U. S v. Ramsey, 1977). This includes electronic devices. Right now, the circuit courts are split regarding warrantless searches of electronic devices, and SCOTUS refuses to address the issues. This means that, boots on the ground, devices are being searched daily with no warrant or probable cause. Not only can they search, they can copy your entire device, send you on your way, and then send that copy to a forensics lab to search. Entrants can be forced to unlock devices (or jailed until they do), and destructive searches authorized if reasonable suspicion exists. Even strip searches only require reasonable suspicion. That is the lowest threshold of suspicion and easily gained by an experienced officer. They also have the option of a customs / border search. This search allows them to look for anything that pertains to merchandise entering the USA Merchandise is defined as anything intended to be bought, sold, consumed or that may be subject to taxes / tariffs. This type of search is broad and deep, and requires only reasonable suspicion.

- Seizure: Any person or item may be seized provided there is reasonable suspicion of intent to cross a border. This includes electronic devices, which may be seized and possibly not returned.

- Arrest: does require a warrant or probable cause. Note that officers can, and do, become creative when looking for probable cause. Also note that if you are arrested (or "detained") on a border crossing, you can be released later at the officer's discretion, with no charges filed, and with no legitimate or actionable complaint. In other words, they can and do use arrest / detention as an intimidation tool to gain compliance.

Inspection. Officers may 'inspect" any and everything that you cross the border with that may full under an administrative inspection law. This is technically not a search and does not require any suspicion.

Inquire. Officers may make in-depth inquires to you regarding your attempt to cross the border. They may hold you for an extended time, limit your access to a lawyer (you have no right to council if you are not a USA Citizen).

Examinations. Officers may examine, in-depth and at their leisure, your papers, papers and effects.

Also be aware that you. S citizens can, and have been, prosecuted for violating USA Law abroad (RJR Nabisco Inc. V. European Community (2016)). This is normally reserved for things like RICO violations, [CodeWord908], narcotics, capital crimes, etc. However, the potential exists for any crime.

So how does this pertain to you, the returning monger? First, never attempt to bring anything that might be illegal into the you. S on an electronic device. You may get away with it a time or two, but you will eventually get caught and your mongering days will be over. If you have anything that might be questionable, leave it in the host country, destroy it, etc. Second, interact with a border officer the same way you would with any USA Officer while out mongering: be polite, stay silent beyond the required questions, and never admit to anything. If you are detained, always request a lawyer before talking; doubly so if you are innocent.

As someone mentioned below, most officers know why you went to Bangkok as a single man. Some might do the same thing. But you never know what kind of officer you will get, and if you get the wrong one, they can make your life a living hell trying to re-enter. When questioned, reply that you travel for pleasure and enjoy sightseeing, thai boxing, scuba, etc. You are happy to be home after a nice vacation. That is all they need to know. Understand that they can, and may search any and everything, including you, when you try to cross the border. Never admit to anything that is illegal in the you. S, like drugs or prostitution.

Take this advice as you see fit. Good hunting and stay safe.

[Kickoffs]

I agree, but in my case I am a scuba diver and a beach lover so I can easily answer one or two follow up questions, but usually there are no follow up questions. I have not been hassled coming back to the USA for over a decade. I have never been asked about what's on my phone or on my notebook computer. All I get is a "where you coming from" followed up with "have a good day" or "welcome back". There is no reason on Earth to say, "I have been shagging Nana Go Go girls non stop for 60 days and 60 nights." Not while these guys are on duty anyway.

Eh, you won't have to worry about follow up scuba questions. Highly likely they haven't done it themselves and a quick sane response to any question is what they are looking for.

[Member #4698]

When they start asking you some scuba diving and beachcombing questions that you can not answer, that is when you are in trouble.

I agree, but in my case I am a scuba diver and a beach lover so I can easily answer one or two follow up questions, but usually there are no follow up questions. I have not been hassled coming back to the USA for over a decade. I have never been asked about what's on my phone or on my notebook computer. All I get is a "where you coming from" followed up with "have a good day" or "welcome back". There is no reason on Earth to say, "I have been shagging Nana Go Go girls non stop for 60 days and 60 nights." Not while these guys are on duty anyway.

[Mr Enternational]

I typically get asked simply "business or pleasure? Last time when I said "pleasure", the guy looked at me with a barely perceptible twinkle in his eye as he motioned me on my way. They know what us single guys are doing but, as said, nothing they can do about it.

Nothing they want to do about it. Why don't people realize that it is just a job? Half of them go do the same shit that we do. My good buddy and fellow board member that died a couple weeks back was a New York City police detective. He would go to Thailand, Philppines, Brazil, Germany, wherever whenever he had time off work. We are all men and as men we all want to get chicks regardless of what our job is.

That's crazy! You are just asking for trouble.

You are funny. It is not asking for trouble. Many times I have discussed with immigration dudes about the places I have come from. They want details so that they can make the trip too. It is no secret what is done in these places. I have literally told them that I was over there fucking hoes when they asked what I was doing. All they said was okay have a good day. If you tell them that you were doing something illegal, now THAT would be crazy. When they start asking you some scuba diving and beachcombing questions that you can not answer, that is when you are in trouble.

[FL Hawk]

Not wise to use the term "younger".

I typically get asked simply "business or pleasure? Last time when I said "pleasure", the guy looked at me with a barely perceptible twinkle in his eye as he motioned me on my way. They know what us single guys are doing but, as said, nothing they can do about it.

[Member #4698]

I would tell her the truth. That you go there to have sex with younger women.

That's crazy! You are just asking for trouble. The correct attitude (pose) upon landing in the USA is the closest one to how you feel ie I am dog tired from this long flight, I am glad it is over, and it's good to be home. The correct response to the question "what were you doing over there" is I was scuba diving and beachcombing or something similar. Just act the part of the jet weary tourist, play it straight, and you will not have any problems.

[Syzygies]

I would tell her the truth. That you go there to have sex with younger women. As far as I know it is not illegal in America, like Australia, to partake in extra marital sex. I have never been asked such questions on re-entry to Australia and no one has shown interest in my phone. Maybe avoid the female officers, who obviously are the reasons we go overseas for sex, and go thru a male manned terminal.

Not wise to use the term "younger".

Many countries make it illegal to fuck hookers, and under the age and other men of course. So a guy can be suspected of a lot more than just getting a fuck. Can be searched for under the age porn images etc. USA and Australia are not very alike in levels of puritanical stuff and bible bashing. Some USA guys call home the "Sex prison" or something like that. One cannot easily go get a nice hooker for fuck (or so we are led to believe). Risks are involved. Doing hookers in Australia is quite legal I believe. Just that good ones are probably nearly all Asian. Not legal in Sweden. Can one get a fuck from the Thai girls in Sweden? Perhaps, but be very careful. Most of the Thai girls are working as waitresses, or Hotel room cleaners, or Nail clinic staff, etc. (at least the ones I met there).

[GDreams]

No, no, no, definitely do NOT do this under any circumstances.

All our data in the cloud is analyzed by the companies offering those services, and potentially various governments (the companies get no benefit for refusing gov't requests). Those companies might be discreet with what the do with the results, but they certainly look at and analyze the data. Even if nothing happens today, analysis algorithms and government surveillance programs are always improving and expanding, so they'll be able to extract more useful data on you later.

Cloud data is only private when it comes to other users accessing it (most of the time, barring security breaches). To make things worse, there are multiple levels of backup, and once you put anything in the cloud, you can never truly delete it.

If you need to protect something, encrypt it locally (then you may upload it to the cloud, if you must, though it doesn't improve security). There are various ways and procedures for doing this, all with different pros/cons.

If you encrypt the device they will just become doubly suspicious and hold the device until you open the files for them. You can always put the photos on a Micro SD which would be quite easy to hide. The point of this is avoiding a hassle. Unless there is something illegal being done I see no point in not using the more convenient storage offered by the cloud. Just delete all stored access from the device.

[Rob Jones]

I have nothing to fear but eff me. Any time I end up in front of a female immigration officer in US, I am grilled heavily as to why I travel without my wife to Thailand. God damn it. I can't even live for a week in a year! To add insult to injury, often the electronic devices are scrutinized minutely for whatever the eff these rascals have on their head. I have had to answer, couple of times, as to why I have nude pics of some ladies in my phone.

What do you guys do to keep private information private? How do you ensure that these good for nothings don't get a peek in your private life?

I really need some help here. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I would tell her the truth. That you go there to have sex with younger women. As far as I know it is not illegal in America, like Australia, to partake in extra marital sex. I have never been asked such questions on re-entry to Australia and no one has shown interest in my phone. Maybe avoid the female officers, who obviously are the reasons we go overseas for sex, and go thru a male manned terminal.