Treatment of passengers by customs.
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 76
Treatment of passengers by customs.
Hi again, the first time my wife came to visit me in the UK, at Manchester Airport she came out of customs crying. The so called official gave her a very hard time, reducing her to tears, she complied with everything, was polite but was treated badly. He may have had a bad day but he should have left it at home, i know customs have a hard job, but genuine people like her are given a hard time Why??. I looked round for a complaints office, there was none, what are her rights please, now she has been a few times to the UK, they ask " you come here often why*, i thought it was allowed for a wife to come visit her husband.................regards....Alan.
#2
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Some airports are worse than others and there's always those customs officials whose power goes to their heads.
I never had problems in the UK at airports, but those at ferry ports were a real pain often.
In the US and Canada airports, the big airports seem to have the worst customs people. The worst we've encountered is Montreal. I heard many new customs officers go there for their first post, so they're keener.
Make sure you put in a complaint to the proper authorities.
I never had problems in the UK at airports, but those at ferry ports were a real pain often.
In the US and Canada airports, the big airports seem to have the worst customs people. The worst we've encountered is Montreal. I heard many new customs officers go there for their first post, so they're keener.
Make sure you put in a complaint to the proper authorities.
#3
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Who knows why she was given a hard time. Maybe the official thought it was suspicious that a married couple did not live together; maybe her answers did not convince them she would leave the country. None of us were there so we can't know.
If she believes she has grounds for a complaint, she should complain.
If she believes she has grounds for a complaint, she should complain.
#4
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Hi again, the first time my wife came to visit me in the UK, at Manchester Airport she came out of customs crying. The so called official gave her a very hard time, reducing her to tears, she complied with everything, was polite but was treated badly. He may have had a bad day but he should have left it at home, i know customs have a hard job, but genuine people like her are given a hard time Why??. I looked round for a complaints office, there was none, what are her rights please, now she has been a few times to the UK, they ask " you come here often why*, i thought it was allowed for a wife to come visit her husband.................regards....Alan.
It is allowed for spouse to visit, which is why they let her in.
#5
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Joined: Oct 2010
Location: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Posts: 4,854
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Make it any better when you are on the receiving end.
Last edited by MillieF; Apr 29th 2012 at 7:55 pm. Reason: Odd lines that I can't fix!
#6
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Hi again, the first time my wife came to visit me in the UK, at Manchester Airport she came out of customs crying. The so called official gave her a very hard time, reducing her to tears, she complied with everything, was polite but was treated badly. He may have had a bad day but he should have left it at home, i know customs have a hard job, but genuine people like her are given a hard time Why??. I looked round for a complaints office, there was none, what are her rights please, now she has been a few times to the UK, they ask " you come here often why*, i thought it was allowed for a wife to come visit her husband.................regards....Alan.
#7
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Posts: 19,846
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Interesting article on UKBA here
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...passports.html
Funny how some think UK Customs is easier than Canada yet they have the same problems as us.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...passports.html
Funny how some think UK Customs is easier than Canada yet they have the same problems as us.
#8
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
To add my 2c worth...(or twopennorth)
It's an issue wherever you go. I cross the southern border of the USA on a fairly frequent basis. When I am in line, I hope (and sometimes pray) that I'll get an older, white, Euro-American male officer - they tend to be the most efficient, friendlier and more welcoming.
The last thing I want is a young, female, Hispanic officer - boy, you can see the chips on their shoulders a mile off. Doesn't matter what time of day it is (or time of month - ahem!), how polite and smiley and cooperative you are, they have issues and boy will they let you know it!
It's an issue wherever you go. I cross the southern border of the USA on a fairly frequent basis. When I am in line, I hope (and sometimes pray) that I'll get an older, white, Euro-American male officer - they tend to be the most efficient, friendlier and more welcoming.
The last thing I want is a young, female, Hispanic officer - boy, you can see the chips on their shoulders a mile off. Doesn't matter what time of day it is (or time of month - ahem!), how polite and smiley and cooperative you are, they have issues and boy will they let you know it!
#9
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 76
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Thanks guys, for your answers. I do realise what customs are for, and why they have to ask questions...
Customs are allowed to ask question, they likely won't remember her from her last visit, hence the question or maybe find out if she gave the same answer as last time. How do they know who is a 'genuine' person to one who is not. That is why they are there.
It is allowed for spouse to visit, which is why they let her in.
they soon know a genuine person, which she surely is, I also know my wife is allowed into the country, but in my first post it says the way she WAS TREATED. No one should be the very last one out of customs, crying, because the chap in my opinion was a bully and took his authority too far. She has come through London at times, no problem same at Manchester, but if she has this guy, look out. As far as complaints you have to complain via the airport website, i have told her any problems come out to me, and lets sort it out face to face, i would rather talk to someone tell them what i think of them, as i will not be intimidated by anyone......Alan.
Customs are allowed to ask question, they likely won't remember her from her last visit, hence the question or maybe find out if she gave the same answer as last time. How do they know who is a 'genuine' person to one who is not. That is why they are there.
It is allowed for spouse to visit, which is why they let her in.
they soon know a genuine person, which she surely is, I also know my wife is allowed into the country, but in my first post it says the way she WAS TREATED. No one should be the very last one out of customs, crying, because the chap in my opinion was a bully and took his authority too far. She has come through London at times, no problem same at Manchester, but if she has this guy, look out. As far as complaints you have to complain via the airport website, i have told her any problems come out to me, and lets sort it out face to face, i would rather talk to someone tell them what i think of them, as i will not be intimidated by anyone......Alan.
#10
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
As this doesn't seem to have anything to do with Canada I shall move it to the Moving Back to the UK forum, where hopefully the lovely people there will be able to give you some words of wisdom.
#11
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 76
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Hi and thank you kindly for all the replies, thanks to christmasoompa for moving the post here, sorry if i put it in the wrong place....Alan
#12
Back from India
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 793
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Hi again, the first time my wife came to visit me in the UK, at Manchester Airport she came out of customs crying. The so called official gave her a very hard time, reducing her to tears, she complied with everything, was polite but was treated badly. He may have had a bad day but he should have left it at home, i know customs have a hard job, but genuine people like her are given a hard time Why??. I looked round for a complaints office, there was none, what are her rights please, now she has been a few times to the UK, they ask " you come here often why*, i thought it was allowed for a wife to come visit her husband.................regards....Alan.
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
Are concerned about Customs or about Immigration officers?
#15
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Treatment of passengers by customs.
More specifically, the OP is referring to the Border Agency... customs has nothing to do with immigration matters, they are only concerned with what you may be bringing into the country.