fezzer

Just back from a trip to Muscat (the long way) and at the Mezyad UAE border post on the outskirts of Al Ain we had to drive through a vehicle scanner between the half dozen immigration points. Never seen one of these before, and i don't think it's on the other border posts. Any idea what they're trying to find with the contraption?

PS No photo as i'd probably have started a little incident.

shiva

there has been one at the hatta border for a while as well. along with a not so random random check point just past madam on the same road.
my understanding is that amongst other reasons they are looking for people smuggling and since its US pressure thats tightening the border controls its probably due to the nut jobs in yemen

Roadking

...looking for people smuggling wot...?

fezzer

People smuggling makes sense. Was a little put off by the sign stating that the machine was perfectly safe - but stopping mid way would be a crazy thing to do.....

shiva

the smuggling of people not wot but who, ie dodgy nut jobs who'd rather nobody knew which country they are in, oh and illegal labourers

CeeBee

I recently went up to hatta and had to stop at 3 or 4 check points. One had a gun turret which looked pretty severe. Most pickups and trucks on the way back towards Dubai were pulled over and searched.

I'd also say that they've imposed this because of increasing threats from Yemen. It could go off there big time.

redheart

yeah went through it on saturday night. my maid that was strapped under the car complained that the light woke her up, it also deleted the pictures on my digital camera, formated my mac and now l think l'm sterile

outonparole

Did you stay in the car during the scan?

CeeBee

Wow, you were generally having a bad day all round. If you go through it backwards you should find your problems reversed.

fezzer

Yup! Had to drive through at 5kph. The instructions said this was perfectly safe...... But don't stop during the scan.... Hmmm Didn't fill me with confidence.