Aruba airport security

[mseegs]

On a return flight from Aruba to New York this past September, something that seemed strange to me happened. Went through all of the security, passed through customes, and was on my way to the area where you wait for the plane. My husband was still behind me putting away our passport papers. As I proceeded to walk ahead of him, I was approached by a US Marshall, or security person, who walked up to me direcly and asked, "Is everyting O.K.?" I said yes, and then he asked if I was with anyone, and I pointed to my husband, who then walked over to us. He asked us where we had stayed during our visit to Aruba, and the conversation was pleasant enough, however, afterwards I wondered why I was approached, since we had already passed thru Customs. We have been visiting Aruba for many years, vacationing there twice per year, and thought this unusual. Does anyone agree?

[Andrea J.]

i agree that it seems unusual........but then post 9/11 nothing is quite as routine anymore.........so many complications.

when we arrived in aruba on 10/22, and passed thru aruba customs (the area right before one steps into the area where the little switzerland and phone rental kiosks located) , we were searched. we were asked what we had with us, where we were staying and then the gentleman went thru our stuff including opening each slot on a week long pill container where we keep vitamins, tylenol, motrin, zantac, in each individual compartment. it was a very thorough search of our belongings. he even unrolled all of the pairs of sox that we had. and we had to open our wallets and my change purse.

in 30 trips, that is the first time Aua customs has ever done anything more than saying hello.

it was odd.

maybe someone put a sign on me that said drug smuggler

i was not really annoyed. just in a rush as we were 30' from the parking lot.

i am interested in hearing other customs and immigration(US or AUA) stories.
andrea

Originally Posted by mseegs

On a return flight from Aruba to New York this past September, something that seemed strange to me happened. Went through all of the security, passed through customes, and was on my way to the area where you wait for the plane. My husband was still behind me putting away our passport papers. As I proceeded to walk ahead of him, I was approached by a US Marshall, or security person, who walked up to me direcly and asked, "Is everyting O.K.?" I said yes, and then he asked if I was with anyone, and I pointed to my husband, who then walked over to us. He asked us where we had stayed during our visit to Aruba, and the conversation was pleasant enough, however, afterwards I wondered why I was approached, since we had already passed thru Customs. We have been visiting Aruba for many years, vacationing there twice per year, and thought this unusual. Does anyone agree?

[Randi]

perhaps they were tipped off by a disgruntled BB member!!!

[Bill]

Originally Posted by mseegs

On a return flight from Aruba to New York this past September, something that seemed strange to me happened. Went through all of the security, passed through customes, and was on my way to the area where you wait for the plane. My husband was still behind me putting away our passport papers. As I proceeded to walk ahead of him, I was approached by a US Marshall, or security person, who walked up to me direcly and asked, "Is everyting O.K.?" I said yes, and then he asked if I was with anyone, and I pointed to my husband, who then walked over to us. He asked us where we had stayed during our visit to Aruba, and the conversation was pleasant enough, however, afterwards I wondered why I was approached, since we had already passed thru Customs. We have been visiting Aruba for many years, vacationing there twice per year, and thought this unusual. Does anyone agree?

They may have saw you go ahead of your Husband and that is a red flag for possible spouse problems. They would prefer not to have a fighting couple on the plane. How do I know this??? Saw it a couple years ago (no not us) Young couple having a bitch fest she left him at the both storming down the hall and the same thing happened. The security guards were very polite and professional. OH buy the way---- In the words of my wife "I am the nosiest person around" so I had to listen in. He was a real jerk but I was then told to move on.

As for you Andrea???? I Dunno. Did you have gang colors on

[Chadd]

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

i agree that it seems unusual........but then post 9/11 nothing is quite as routine anymore.........so many complications.

when we arrived in aruba on 10/22, and passed thru aruba customs (the area right before one steps into the area where the little switzerland and phone rental kiosks located) , we were searched. we were asked what we had with us, where we were staying and then the gentleman went thru our stuff including opening each slot on a week long pill container where we keep vitamins, tylenol, motrin, zantac, in each individual compartment. it was a very thorough search of our belongings. he even unrolled all of the pairs of sox that we had. and we had to open our wallets and my change purse.

in 30 trips, that is the first time Aua customs has ever done anything more than saying hello.

it was odd.

maybe someone put a sign on me that said drug smuggler

i was not really annoyed. just in a rush as we were 30' from the parking lot.

i am interested in hearing other customs and immigration(US or AUA) stories.
andrea

I think it was during out March trip last year when the customs staff had a one hour strike. Everyone had to put their bag through the x-ray on the way out of the baggage claim area and only one x-ray was open. The line snaked all the way around the perimeter of the room and took almost an hour for us to get to the x-ray. We were the last ones that had to put our bags through before they went back to their normal, "wave everyone through", procedure.

[danadog56]

Wow, that is weird...for you Andrea and you mseegs...
I will see what happens when we get there...BUT...NOBODY AND I MEAN NOBODY call down to Aruba and tell them I crashed a ATV this summer...I will be really mad if they make me turn around and go home...or worse, give me a pedal bike to ride !!! LOL .....

[cindyo]

Michele, we all arranged for you to have an ATV meet you at the airport for your usage. Just drive yourself to the DIvi and enjoy it for your vacation...LOL, you crack me up...no atv's for you girl !

[danadog56]

Originally Posted by cindyo

michele, we all arranged for you to have an atv meet you at the airport for your usage. Just drive yourself to the divi and enjoy it for your vacation...lol, you crack me up...no atv's for you girl !

ha ha very funny !!!!!

[Andrea J.]

sorry
now that i have downloaded skype.
i already made the calls for CHEAP money.
your tricycle will be waiting for you at baggage claim carousel 1.
there will be no atvs available for you or anyone that even knows you.

Originally Posted by danadog56

Wow, that is weird...for you Andrea and you mseegs...
I will see what happens when we get there...BUT...NOBODY AND I MEAN NOBODY call down to Aruba and tell them I crashed a ATV this summer...I will be really mad if they make me turn around and go home...or worse, give me a pedal bike to ride !!! LOL .....

[KATH2ME]

Now you all are scaring me, I guess better to be safe than sorry

Danadog, stay away from the martinis, although I have to say, if i see a ATV , I will think of you