I've had both extremes of the spectrum.
2007 I lived in Colombia for almost a year, teaching english. I was nearing the end of my time anyway, but had to cut it short by a few weeks to return home for a family matter. Well, got searched in BOG, bag and body pat down! Arrive Miami, a rather surly Immigration agent just pointed at me ..."a signal to go over there!" Huh? What? Where do I go? Confused a lot, not sure what was going on , it was then that 2 even more surly agents stood behind and led me to an interview room. The questions were basically..."what were you doing in Colombia?"... "why did you buy your ticket only 2 days ago?" ... "who paid for your ticket?" ...."what's the square root of 144?". Ok, last one wasn't there, but I was so confused and a lot stunned, they could have asked it.
Anyway, after about 45 minutes and another bag search. Plus a pat down and strip search. Thankfully no body cavity ! I was allowed on my way. On leaving the interview room, one of the agents said to me, "you're a solo male traveller. 30 to 40 (at the time) years of age, travelling from a high risk country on a ticket paid in cash bought only days before. You have ticked all the boxes" "and you were a smart cough with the immigration agent" Huh? I didn't even get to say a word to him? He just pointed, go over there! At which point the other agent said "sure, all you aussies are smart coughs!"

Ok, bit my tongue, just wanted to leave.
Outside, waiting to check in for flight to LAX, I was shaking! Got onto my LAX bound flight. Didn't sleep at all.
Made the QF flight to MEL, again didn't get any sleep. :shock: Arrive MEL and again was searched , but thankfully only a few questions this time. After about 35 hours, no sleep, I probably would have admitted to just about anything!
And the other end of the spectrum. Also in Miami, in 2012. Female TSA agent at security to go airside. Looks at my passport, which was then almost 8 or 9 years old, during which time I'd lost 20+ kilos and gone a lot grey...says to me, "Damn! you sure this you? Mr Clooney better watch out!" :shock: and went on to show her colleague the passport. They both looked me up and down, and she said "you can come back anytime" I do believe she flirted with me...lol. Must admit to smiling the whole way to JFK
