In the months after 911 I entered the US with an American passport.
My company provided me with tickets home on my days off. Economy class. Before 911 we always wore our uniforms on these tickets such as Delta, USAIR, this was done because if a seat was available in business class or first class we would be recongnised as cockpit crew and would be upgraded as a professional courtesy.
After going through Imagration in JFK, Atlanta to include Charlotte many times I was always pulled aside and questioned because I had KSA Visas,Algerian Visas and other middle eastern countries in my passport, plus wearing a uniform. I am just a southern boy from South Carolina and only possesed these visas due to my job requirements to enter these countries.
In no way do I look middle eastern what so ever.
Tonight entering my compound in KSA my vehicle was searched, me and my family had to produce our residence ID cards.
They are checking everone, everywhere.
Beard or no Beard.
With the situation as it is and based on past events, they cannot be too careful.
Dont take it personal.
You should be grateful that they are taking this security issue seriously.