Border Patrol Sun 22 Mar

[alect]

Not sure if anyone else caught this on TV last night. One of the "subjects" was a frenchman who had flown from CDG into MEL and his stay was only 16 hrs (he was flying back out that night). The Immig/Customs guys were very weery and wouldn't buy his story of just coming to shop. My first reaction (and surprisingly mrs alect's who has heard this from me) - MR???? He didn't mention anything of the sort.....but what are the chances he just didn't want to say that and was doing an MR?

 

[sr81]

If it is an MR then just say so. I know it is a bit of nerdy thing to admit but getting the full shakedown from the rozzers is not much fun.

I have done some very quick stops and had an interesting look from the border person at AKL one time but other than that no problems when running.

 

[Flashback]

He looked to be on a direct flight, so didn't really look like an MR.

What was of interest, is that the mentioned he did indeed fly back out 16 hours later .. but no mention of whether his luggage increased due to his 'shopping'

The cynic in me says it was something to do with illegal business of sorts (whether it be overstaying, drug trading, etc), and knowing that he was now being watched he more than likely backed out of what he was going to do; making sure he got back onto the plane...

 

[jaredr]

I was watching and thought exactly the same thing. Why not go France to US via AU

But my wife (who was paying more attention) said he was on a return ticket.

Still, reward/prize flight with not much time off? At the end they did say his TA bollocksed up and he was supposed to stay one night.

I found out that BS (and thats a perfectly good acronym) is produced by the same mob who do Today Tonight. So, that pretty much guarantees sensationalism, creative application of the truth, and outright false information.

Think about it this way, if they were critical of Customs/Quarantine (you never see Immigration) they probably wont be allowed to film.

 

[Alanslegal]

Think about it this way, if they were critical of Customs/Quarantine (you never see Immigration) they probably wont be allowed to film.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[markis10]

Think about it this way, if they were critical of Customs/Quarantine (you never see Immigration) they probably wont be allowed to film.

Most of the episodes have featured quite extensive camera footage for immigration, that is the interesting part, after all at the booths all they say is no problems or please wait here, pretty boring compared to what happens in the "interview" rooms!

Border Security is produced by someone that has done no work on TT, but a lot on similar shows for 7 and for 9 years before that with 9:

http://us.vdc.imdb.com/name/nm1888570/

He is head for factual programming, while TT falls under the NEws portfolio.

 

[Keith009]

If it's an MR, he probably thought that shopping sounded like a more credible reason, whilst also being technically true (if he's indeed going to do some shopping).

I was questioned extensively at AKL once for a <24 hours stay, but surprisingly - all was well when I mentioned MR.

 

[Hvr]

Have just watched this episode (joys of having a day off in lieu of a recent public holiday) and it was mentioned very briefly that his travel agent had made an error in the booking and there was supposed to be an overnight stay on the itinerary.

So it wasn't planned as short a trip as the huge fuss that was made over it only being 16 hours.

Also, he did leave as planned.

What was of interest was the wrestler who arrived on a tourist visa for work/entertainment purposes and being allowed to change it to the correct visa even though he admitted he had worked on two previous tourist visa in direct contravention of his conditions of admittance.

I reckon his cool and calm attitude allowed them some leeway and in this instance I reckon the television cameras may have helped him.

 

[opusman]

What was of interest was the wrestler who arrived on a tourist visa for work/entertainment purposes and being allowed to change it to the correct visa even though he admitted he had worked on two previous tourist visa in direct contravention of his conditions of admittance.

And what are the odds of such a happy ending had it been an Aussie wrestler trying to enter the US I wonder

 

[Leumas]

Re the French guy, if he first said he's here to shop, then said he's on a MR, it'll just create even more issues. Changing your story will just make you look like you've something to hide.

I found it odd though, if his TA made a mistake, I'd insist on the TA fixing it? Maybe the TA can't change to the dates he wanted or he can't get the leave whatever, but it just seemed odd.

Re the American guy, you have to wonder whether his casual chatting helped or whether the ladies liked his 'rugged' looks... After all, blokes get accused of treating good looking women better...

Also, like Jared said, it's not like you'll ever see a story that reflects badly on Immigration/Customs. Then again, only Asians seem to bring food into Australia...

 

[flyer4703]

Some travellers do have legitimate reasons for brief trips. I have travelled SYD- LHR and only spent one night in London before returning, so more time in the air than on the ground in London.
He may have been shopping, lots of shoppers in the fashion industry for example.

 

[Evan]

I have never been questions, even on some crazy one-way flights to pick up a segment of an xONEx. I have been expecting a question one day but none so far.
E

 

[jakeseven7]

i have been questioned in nz several times on 1-2 day trips to wellington... the kiwis love a good chat

 

[serfty]

i have been questioned in nz several times on 1-2 day trips to wellington... the kiwis love a good chat

Know your Rugby Union ...

Q. "Why are yiu here fir sech a shert tim?"

A. "Just a quick visit to see the [Hurricanes|Blues|Chiefs|Crusaders|Highlanders] play ..."*

* Will only work until May ...

 

[Flymethere]

I'm sure this is perfectly obvious...but what is an MR??

 

[Flashback]

I'm sure this is perfectly obvious...but what is an MR??

Mileage Run, where people will go and specifically take flights in order to meet the requirements to gain or renew status in their FF program.

 

[Flymethere]

Mileage Run, where people will go and specifically take flights in order to meet the requirements to gain or renew status in their FF program.

WOW....that's incredible that people do that. Particular FF status must really be worth it. Thanks for enlightening me!

 

[Alanslegal]

or to gain more FF points

I'll soon be visiting MNL for like 9hours purely to go to the Mall of Asia and wander the shops a little. I sure hope I don't get interogated / abused / tortured on why I'm visiting MNL

 

[serfty]

I'm sure this is perfectly obvious...but what is an MR??

Mileage Run, where people will go and specifically take flights in order to meet the requirements to gain or renew status in their FF program.

There is also the variety of an MR where a passenger is actually going somewhere and routes in a non direct fashion to gain more FF points/miles and SCs/TCs/EQPs/EQMs etc than they would have had they flown directly.

e.g. MEL-AKL may cost $219 in Discount WHY to earn 20 SC's and 1,643 base QFF points. By routing MEL-SYD-AKL the cost increases to $237 but one earns 2,341 base QFF points and 30 SC's for the additional $18.

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

I once got some heavy questioning at BKK when I was flying BKK-SYD via LAX on UA.

The security person wouldn't accept that I couldn't fly direct and that it was the routing imposed by a (free) award ticket, but after calling over the UA supervisor all was resolved.

And it wasn't MY choice of routing either!