Get ready USA
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18612)
Jamaica
January 20, 2009 1:00pm CST
as this lady is making a short visit on February 26 to March 2nd. I am so excited as my second son and my daughter took advantage of a cheap half price fare and bought it for me as a Christmas present. My daughter called me today and said that I had to use it before the end of February and so we fixed the dates immediately. This was a fantastic surprise and I am so happy as I have not seen my second son for a year.
The only real problem (apart from lack of cold weather clothing) is that no matter what country I am in, I fit every profile that they have for a terrorist. It doesn't matter what country, I am always drawn out of the line and searched and my luggage is searched too. So questions: Yep - two of them
1. Do you set off alarm bells with security personnel when you travel?
2. Has nyone given you a plane ticket unexpectedly so that you could see them?
3 people like this
9 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Jan 09
What part of the US are you visiting?
I've never travelled by plane before. I've taken a train home from Canada once after driving up with a friend's family, and I've driven (or riden while someone else drove) to many places. I've also taken a few ferries and little motor boats to particular places, but never a plane.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I've never been to North Carolina, I hear it's beautiful in the summer. I hope you have fun.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
20 Jan 09
Mnay thanks - it is beautiful in the summer - but my wonderful children did not buy me a ticket to go in the summer. Lol It was on special for less then US$300 so I must go in the cold but that doesn't matter at all. Blessings
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Jan 09
Hi Cynthiann, LOL. I am that sort of person too although they do allow me to work which is top security. Whenever I travel by plane I get stopped both ways for some reason. When I flew over to Spain to see my mum I got bodysearched and on the way back in Spain I was escorted by two armed security guys and my bag was searched before I got on the plane although there was nothing in it. Even when I got back to England the train service was disrupted as my strap broke on my case and my sons backpack feel beneath the train so that was held up whilst they retrieved it. If it can happen it will happen LOL. Huggles. Ellie :D
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Jan 09
aah yeah but a true friend is someone that doesn't bail you out it is someone that is in the cell with you saying it will all be okay. I think we would have great fun travelling together LOL. Note to self, persuade Cythiann to travel with you and have some fun getting caught being innocent LOL. Huggles. Ellie :D
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
20 Jan 09
ah, a lady with my karma. You know what it is like too! many thanks for responding.
Note to self: do not travel with ellie!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (120738)
• United States
20 Jan 09
A terrorist, you? Boy would they be barking up the wrong tree. I have not known flown since 9/11, so back then they weren't as suspicious. So I never attracted any attention. I've never had a plane tickets suddenly given to me, but my parents have done that. Each Christmas they decide instead of getting each other something, they are going to get a plane ticket for one of the college kids in our church that can't afford to go home for Christmas. Our church has quite a few college kids, and I know of five in the last couple years that have not been able to go home for the holidays. So for the last six years they surprise one of the kids with a plane ticket home.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
20 Jan 09
Yes, they always search and I travelled with broken ribs once and had to tell them to pat me down gently! Another time they took away my neck brace after I had had whiplash in a car accident. If I ma leaving this Island I am searched. When I reach my destinatyion I am searched. I kid you not.
I went to the Dominican Republic for a church event with a friend and gently forewarned her. She thought that I was exaggerating but when we returned she told everyone how I was always pulled out of lines and searched.
I think that youur parents are wonderful human beings that know the true meaning of Christian love. How proud you musdt be of them. Thanks for responding. Blessings
2 people like this
@cryw0lf (1302)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 09
Its generally your belt that will set the alarm off haha, i remember (it only happened once..) but my mother was searched because her belt set the machine off...
And if you 'fit the profile' that just sucks.
As for being given a plane ticket... no. I havent. Which sucks too haha ;)
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
20 Jan 09
Hi crywOLF, thanks for responding. No, I don't wear belts. I don't know what it is but alarm bells go off in the heads of security and I am searched!
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
21 Jan 09
i hope u have a big ol' time. that's really nice of your children to do that. let them search & do whatever it takes & just have a good time.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
21 Jan 09
Thanks antiquelady, it will be good to be together. Many thanks for responding. Blessings
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I've only flown a half dozen times and really had no problems but, of course that was all before 9-11 and things are a lot different now with security. No, I've never received a plane ticket from anyone. But if anyone is interested in a-givin', I'll be happy to be a-takin'!
Now, what is this I hear? You are coming to America?!! Looks like you are leaving to go back home on my birthday too! Take it easy on us while you're here, my friend! No international cow incidents, OK?
Now, what is this I hear? You are coming to America?!! Looks like you are leaving to go back home on my birthday too! Take it easy on us while you're here, my friend! No international cow incidents, OK?1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
20 Jan 09
You're not going to belkieve this but every time I've responded the light on the thingy goes off and my response is gigone for ever. Am sending this quickly and will then respond to you.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
20 Jan 09
Well, the spelling was crazy buty it did go through. I sent a response four times!!And they all went to computer heaven or some such place.
O.k. I've forgotten what I said before but this is just to assure you that I solemly swear to abide by all rules and regulations regarding cows in your beautiful country.
I will not even look at a cow by choice but if I am forced to see Daisy or Buttercup, then rest assured that I will just swish my tail and amble along pretending not to know them.
So you can let the USA know that cows are safe - even though I am coming on February 26th. I will not make a cow joke and promise to behave myself. Note to self: Try not to embarrass son and daughter.1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Jan 09
I don't travel because I do not have the money and nobody I know would ever give me money for a trip, but my son fits the description of a terrorist, he looks arab though he is not and he is a young man 32 years old, he would be stopped and searched for sure.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
20 Jan 09
I hope that you will get to travel one day winterose. They may well stop you son. It is very embarrassing when it happens. Thanks for responding dear friend
1 person likes this
@nixxi76 (3191)
• Canada
21 Jan 09
I am indeed one of those kinds of people who will try to cross the border from Canada to the U.S.A and get my whole vehicle searched. I haven't recently tried to get by the border as it's harder to now without a passport. I still haven't tried to get one either so it doesn't look like I'll be traveling anywhere soon.
I've never gotten plane tickets to go see someone unexpectedly either.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
21 Jan 09
I am glad that I am not the only one this happens to! You really need that passport as things have toghtened up so much. It used to be fun to travel but not anymore. At least I have a straight flight and only carry on luggage this time. I hope tha tyou will get a olane ticket some time. Thanks for responding.
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
22 Jan 09
Hey there cynthiann
Wow lucky you. I wished some one would give me a surprise ticket to the US. I have an aunt who lives in Yonkers and I haven't seen her in about 9 years now. My mum is going over to see her this year because it is my mum's 60th birthday this year. I don't think my mum has seen her sister in over 10 years or so. I think I was living in America when my mum saw her last and that was well over 10 years ago now. My mum is the eldest in their family and my aunty the youngest, it is going to be a lovely reunion and I wished I could be there for sure!! Where abouts in the US are you going? I hope you have a great time - don't forget to send me a postcard!! LOL
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
24 Jan 09
Sounds like you are gonna have a great time. Make sure you remind us here on mylot because you will be way too busy to play in here whilst you're away and I don't want to have start a discussion asking if anyone has seen you!! I think that sometimes you get friends on myLot that can relate to almost everything you say and the discussions started so like us we are able to respond to nearly all of each others discussions which is great!
Take it easy my friend
I think that sometimes you get friends on myLot that can relate to almost everything you say and the discussions started so like us we are able to respond to nearly all of each others discussions which is great!
Take it easy my friend @cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
22 Jan 09
Hi Humbug,
I am going to North Carolina. It will still be cold but I will see my sdaughter and son. I see my faughter frequently as her fiancee's sister works at a travel agency and can sometimes obtain free tickets. when that happens she is here in a flash! Even for a weekend to see her beloved and me. I haven't seen my son Stefan in over a year. He and his wife and child live with Rachel and they will be back next year. Stefan's wife was on a three year teaching contract which expires next year. I'm looking forward to spending a couple of days with him and will be there for my grandson's fourth birthday so that makes it extra special.
I hope that your mother has a wonderful reunion. Family is everything. YOu seem to respond to everything I post so thank you very much.
1 person likes this
