Passport Woes
You know, I had a similar experience, but on the UK side of the Pond. It was 1998 so the security at airports was still a bit weak. I had left one job to start a new firm and decided I needed to 'clear my baffles' before setting back to work.(does that have a different meaning to ya'll? Over here it means to relax and recover) I figured a trip to Ole Blighty was a perfect idea.

Until I admitted on my Customs form that 1) I was a stockbroker/investment banker and 2) I was presently not 'really' employed.

Apparently, those two are akin to "I hate England, allah Ackbah" being tatooed on your forehead when you walk through Customs.

The not so nice gentleman that greeted me looked over my card and re-asked me the questions on the card: I said "Stockbroker/Investment banker" and "No, not "Technically" employed" when he got to those two inquiries.

It took me two hours (and change) to get out of there. The irony was: my PRIMARY reason for the trip was to secure some prints of a Victorian artist known as "Lady Butler". Her most famous work is "Scotland Forever" and various scenes from the Battle of Waterloo and the Crimean War. Brilliant painter.

So, when I tell the guy this, he says "Never 'eard of 'er" and thats that. He walks out of the room.

Great: now he thinks I am some kind of art theif.

As it turns out, at that time, American Stockbrokers were coming over to the UK and scattering into the country side, illegally selling stocks to unwitting UK OAP's AND (now this is uncomfirmed) doing strange things with sheep.

When I WAS finally released I was told "If you change your 'otel, give us a ring. 'Ere's the number."

I spent the remainder of the vacation wearing a fedora and trench coat, and doing switchbacks on the buses and trains in an attempt to lose whoever was assigned to tailing me! What fun!

PS (I got the prints too!)
( Citadel Because the world needs less morons, Tue 3 Jun 2008, 19:11, 6 replies)

But did you do strange things with the sheep?



or are you one of those goat people?
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Tue 3 Jun 2008, 19:33, closed)

Well...
Again, I say that was all "UNCONFIRMED" and I will also draw your attention to the fact that I was constantly pulling switchbacks on trains and buses in order to gain some 'Me' time. :)

I shall not however illucidate on my personal choice in the eternal "Sheep vs. Goat" thing. I dont think it is appropriate as there ARE some minors on this board.
( Citadel Because the world needs less morons, Tue 3 Jun 2008, 19:37, closed)

So the sheep were following you then?
What with all that hiding and doing switchbacks......
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Tue 3 Jun 2008, 19:39, closed)

I said:
'switchbacks' not 'reach-arounds'
( Citadel Because the world needs less morons, Tue 3 Jun 2008, 19:42, closed)

Ok
you earned a big click!
*chortles and chokes*
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Tue 3 Jun 2008, 19:53, closed)

Thanks!
Ay thangyu!
( Citadel Because the world needs less morons, Tue 3 Jun 2008, 20:14, closed)