Apparently packing light is suspicious to customs officers.
My flight on the way to Japan arrived about a half hour after the flight of most of the participants. So, in order not to miss the bus to the hotel, I knew I had to haul ass through customs and immigration. (They like to leave on time. I would have been left behind.) I decided that a good way to do this would be to pack only carry-on luggage that I could carry myself while rushing through endless airport hallways. Not having to wait for checked luggage would give me at least 20 minutes extra.
So I did. I have a maroon duffle bag that's been with me to three continents... It's about 3ft long and 1ft diameter - small - but it works well. I often carry it held in my arms, which looks funny but works quite well. Better than an always-falling-over wheelie bag. And my regular book bag: book bag size. This was quite impressive, I must say, since we had to pack business suits to meet the Japanese Health Minister.
I made it through Japanese immigration and customs fast, and I made it in time. Just barely. Panting and sweating... and there were Japanese TV cameras there filming us, but that's another story.
People became jealous of my small luggage load as they schlepped their huge wheelie things over curbs and up stairs. I laughed at them as I bounced along light as air.
So on the way back, I hadn't acquired much. I nevertheless decided to check the red bag because I wouldn't be in a hurry that time. Going through customs - in Chicago before a connecting flight - I got my bag, stuck it and the bookbag on one of those carts intended for luggage carting, and went to the customs line - form filled out and everything.
The guy stopped me. Is that all the luggage you have? he asked. Yes.
Didn't you check any bags?
I checked this red bag.
Where were you.
Japan
For how long
A week.
He glared at me
Why were you there?
school trip.
That apparently was good enough, and he let me go. But, really, if you have LESS luggage, wouldn't you have LESS space for contraband?
And on an entirely unrelated note - why were so many females so afraid to use the squat toilets? It really isn't that difficult.
My flight on the way to Japan arrived about a half hour after the flight of most of the participants. So, in order not to miss the bus to the hotel, I knew I had to haul ass through customs and immigration. (They like to leave on time. I would have been left behind.) I decided that a good way to do this would be to pack only carry-on luggage that I could carry myself while rushing through endless airport hallways. Not having to wait for checked luggage would give me at least 20 minutes extra.
So I did. I have a maroon duffle bag that's been with me to three continents... It's about 3ft long and 1ft diameter - small - but it works well. I often carry it held in my arms, which looks funny but works quite well. Better than an always-falling-over wheelie bag. And my regular book bag: book bag size. This was quite impressive, I must say, since we had to pack business suits to meet the Japanese Health Minister.
I made it through Japanese immigration and customs fast, and I made it in time. Just barely. Panting and sweating... and there were Japanese TV cameras there filming us, but that's another story.
People became jealous of my small luggage load as they schlepped their huge wheelie things over curbs and up stairs. I laughed at them as I bounced along light as air.
So on the way back, I hadn't acquired much. I nevertheless decided to check the red bag because I wouldn't be in a hurry that time. Going through customs - in Chicago before a connecting flight - I got my bag, stuck it and the bookbag on one of those carts intended for luggage carting, and went to the customs line - form filled out and everything.
The guy stopped me. Is that all the luggage you have? he asked. Yes.
Didn't you check any bags?
I checked this red bag.
Where were you.
Japan
For how long
A week.
He glared at me
Why were you there?
school trip.
That apparently was good enough, and he let me go. But, really, if you have LESS luggage, wouldn't you have LESS space for contraband?
And on an entirely unrelated note - why were so many females so afraid to use the squat toilets? It really isn't that difficult.
velocity:
Very true. I was having trouble finding the Consumer Reports "Gang" issue, though. Let's just hope I made the right choice. Or the right choice was made for me, more accurately.
7deuce:
yeah custom officials don't like me either. it might have someting to do with the fact that i'm big and suspicious looking 