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[sydneyjohn57]

In June/July this year I took a trip to Penang in Malaysia to catch up with an old school buddy I hadn't seen for about 30 years. I went in a roundabout way, flying to Philippines for a week first, then Penang for 2 weeks followed by Phuket for a week and back home to Sydney.

On arrival in Sydney I went through Immigration, collected my luggage and headed out the Nothing to Declare aisle only to be pulled up by Border Patrol officer who looked at the Custom's declaration form and asked if I had completed it truthfully and was it my signature to which I replied Yes. I was advised that my luggage will be searched and was taken to one side. The officer asked on a number of occasions if I had anything in my possession that might cause them concern and my answer was always No.

I was asked to take everything out of my pockets, empty my backpack and open my suitcase,  give them all my electronic devices and also any SIM card or SD card. My mobile phone (with its Australian SIM and SD card inside), tablet and Sony action cam along with a Malaysian SIM were taken to be examined by their technical officers after getting the unlock PINs and in the meantime the officer went through all my belongings, opening every compartment in the backpack and unzipping lining in suitcase. All the while asking if I had anything they may find and querying my exact movements from day I left Sydney to return. Who I met, where I stayed, why have I traveled so often to SE Asia etc. Another line of questioning was whether I had been sending money overseas to anyone

It was becoming more apparent as time went by that I had been tagged as a pedo, kiddy fiddler etc.... single man in his 60's who travels to SE Asia once or twice a year for the last 10+ years. I explained that I do have a predilection for ladyboys, however, the latest trip was sightseeing and catch up with old school mate. Questions were asked where I would meet these ladyboys, how old were they, how did I know their ages etc etc. They wanted to know if old school mate was married, did he have kids? and by the way who is the young girl whose pictures you have in your wallet?

In my wallet I carry a number of photos of my niece. These are school photos that my sister gave me every year of my one and only niece and for whom I hold in trust money from my late mother's estate, so I had to explain all that to the officer without losing my temper as by now I am all over it after flight from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur, 3 hour wait then 8 hour flight to Sydney with no sleep and no coffee!!! I just kept repeating that I don't do anything illegal, keep my nose clean & avoid anything that may appear non kosher as I want to spend my retirement at my leisure not at the government's pleasure.

The officer by now has found nothing untoward in the luggage and the persistent questions start to dwindle into small talk whilst he was waiting for the technical people to finish with the mobile phone as the tablet and camera had already been returned with no questions asked, which I thought was a bit strange as the tablet's SD card did have some porn downloaded from the web on it, however, I had 'unmounted' the card from the device whilst in Malaysia in case of being searched there and I didn't want the movies showing up in the video app.

Finally after an hour and a bit the mobile phone comes back and I was on my way home with the officer's assurance that the search was a one off, their systems had appraised me of fitting profile of someone of interest and I shouldn't expect the same to happen in future.

Has anyone had a similar experience after returning to their home country?

[cobber32]

No I haven't - quite the reverse actually, as on my last trip home the visual scanner (is that what it's called?) in Melbourne didn't recognise me. An officer said something like "this does happen sometimes", checked my passport and ushered me through. End of story.

Your report is very interesting - must have been a rotten experience for you, and I'm glad you came through it ok. Thanks for posting, and it's certainly food for thought when travelling.

[ArchieBunker]

Years ago there was a stretch were I got stopped.  It must have been about 3,4 times in a row.  this was in New York in JFK.  I no longer fly through there.  anyway, I was at the front of the plane and got off first.  If it wasnt busy I would breeze through immigration, then high tail it to the exit.  I only had a carry on.  

the officers would question me but hardly like John got questioned.  Think they were looking for drugs and I think I only had my bag inspected once or twice-nothing to see here.  I have watched too many episodes of Locked Up Abroad!!!  LOL!!  Now, almost never.  

Sometimes they see all these stamps and ask how long I have been away.  Luckily, I am able to stay away for longer periods and I think that raises red flags.  They ask my occupation and when I tell the "Flight crew" they waive e through.  Having said that, I just read about two South African flight attendants that got caught with about 30 Kg of coke!!!  OUCH!!!!

[duke007]

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[Pdoggg]

For the past 10 years I've just been travelling within Southeast Asia and have only one major issue whichI attribute to my luggage literally falling apart and breaking open.  I used to use soft luggage and overpacking ripped it apart.  When I checked in to the airport they had to wrap it up a bit; it looked like a real mess and was actually partially open.

So when I went through customs in Samui they went through my stuff quizzing me on what stuff was such as aspirin, ibuprophen, antacids etc.   I don't think they really suspected me of anything but I guess they have to show they are doing their job.  My bad; now I use hard backed luggage and don't overpack.

Airport security seems lax in SE Asia. In the Philippines, I had water bottles in plain sight on the side of my backpack and was able to bring it on the plane. 

Good to hear they say it's a one off for you John.  I know of some North Americans that got checked every time when returning home but that was a awhile ago; maybe things are loosening up the further in the past 9/11 is.