Tom
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2005
- Posts
- 51,857
We've been boarded by a couple of CBP officers when we pulled into the 'Customs dock' in San Diego, after a boat trip south of the border. They made no attempt to search the boat, and were very respectful of us and our guests.
This was prior to the recent rule requiring a passport, and they accepted drivers licenses from all our guest passengers. Chris was seasick and laying on the bed in the forward stateroom; They didn't bother her.
One of the agents looked at me and said "I need either a passport or a U.S. birth certificate" (my Welsh accent gave me away). I'd put our passports in a 'safe place' when we left home 3 months earlier, and couldn't remember where I'd put them ??? The agent then asked for my drivers license, made a call to his office, and said "You're in our computer, and you're good to go; Have a nice day". Having spent a career traveling internationally, I was in their computer countless times.
The agent didn't need to make that phone call, and could have "refused entry". He probably noticed panic setting in and sweat pouring out.
This was prior to the recent rule requiring a passport, and they accepted drivers licenses from all our guest passengers. Chris was seasick and laying on the bed in the forward stateroom; They didn't bother her.
One of the agents looked at me and said "I need either a passport or a U.S. birth certificate" (my Welsh accent gave me away). I'd put our passports in a 'safe place' when we left home 3 months earlier, and couldn't remember where I'd put them ??? The agent then asked for my drivers license, made a call to his office, and said "You're in our computer, and you're good to go; Have a nice day". Having spent a career traveling internationally, I was in their computer countless times.
The agent didn't need to make that phone call, and could have "refused entry". He probably noticed panic setting in and sweat pouring out.