Interogation at Auckland Airport

[ruffrider747]

I would be interested to know if other crew have recently been the target of random interogatoions at Auckland Airport asking them personal questions about their "party habit' drug policy. interested to know your experiences especially from younger girls apparantly pilots also targeted?

[zk-]

I have been searched a couple of times. The first time I had to wait in a queue, the second time I was taken straight away. Delayed about 40 or so minutes. The Officers were friendly. No drugs = No problems

[koru_kid]

I copped it recently. Relatively painless, although I did find some questions about the party scene in LA etc rather bizarre, but I guess they're trained in their job, and I'm not so I won't judge them. Was treated politely and with respect.

A memo out to us laid out the facts, and here's some snippets:

NZ Customs outlined their belief that it was necessary to profile aircrew after receiving information relating to the carriage of narcotics, and the importation of duty free items in excess of the allowable limits by crew (all airlines). It was stated that aircrew had not been targeted in such a way for at least ten years and it was believed that a degree of non-compliance had set in.

NZ Customs acknowledge that there should have been early liaison with Group Security to resolve likely operational and unnecessary personal impact on staff, albeit on the day the operation commenced.
It was inappropriate for MAF officers to direct aircrew to a Customs manned post for closer examination, and that procedure has since been changed.

Group Security expressed its disapproval of female staff members being spoken to in a room by one Customs Officer. Although they admit that such an approach is undesirable, said that there is often insufficient staff available to allow the attendance of a second Officer. They had no immediate solution to this issue.

[sebby]

I have been searched twice now, by the same person. I was honest and let go relatively easily. I can understand some of the questions but with some Crew being caught with 10 boxes of smokes in their luggage and others from a certain budget airline smuggling certain drugs from the Islands I can understand their intentions. I only hope it doesnt happen too often, especially late in the evening when it has been a long day.

[Baade152]

I flew with a FA who passed through AKL the week prior - she was detained for 1 1/2 hours and only released when the security supervisor was approached by our airlines DAPM. She was asked had she done drugs, was told everyone has tried drugs so why don't you just confess, does she like to party, does she bring stuff in for other people, has she tried cocaine - and the questioning went on. A very young blonde FA - and her friend - of similar appearance was also questioned. Waiting for a response from the airine and the Union on this one.

[ruffrider747]

Have heard many similar stories especially one particular shift questioning crew members being detained for over an hour . Has this been dealt with is there a protocal now which is in place so that crew can be treated with some dignity and at least have a senior member with them and perhaps a female officer present when questioning female crew

[RevMan2]

Don't think they're targeting crew, but rather specific demographics

As in the case of Damian Christie, a TV journalist

I had meant to write about the joys of the Auckland Airport Strip Search. But it seems so long ago now and I've told so many people over so many beers that I've exhausted any raconteurial juice the tale might once have had. But to summarise:

1. If Customs ask you if you've ever smoked pot or what-have-you, just lie. Being helpful will only cost you hours of unnecessary delay.

2. Just because you can buy something over-the-counter-to-help-you-sleep-through-your-food-poisoning-on-the-plane in Pakistan, doesn't mean you should bring it back to New Zealand. You could find yourself charged with importing a Class C substance.

3. After 40 hours in airports and on planes, handing someone your socks and underwear is pleasant for neither party.

4. The person waiting for you at the arrival gate may not be that understanding when you are three hours late, and you will not be able to call them while you are being detained. Unless you pretend you are calling your lawyer (which works!)

5. Being strip-searched is not funny, but my meeting with the police once Customs had finished with me was:

Friendly Samoan Policeman: Okay, right, so you've been pretty upfront about why you've got these sleeping pills, so I'm going to…

[Phone rings]

Friendly Samoan Policeman: …Oh sorry, hang on a sec… Hello?.... Aw, hey Aunty…. Yeah, Aunty, I can't really talk right now….

… Yeah, lunch on Sunday sounds good…

… Nah, yeah, I like corned beef….

… Okay Aunty, that sounds good… Aunty… Aunty… I gotta go… Okay, bye Aunty.

And with a big smile, he told me he was going to let me off with a warning. And a little note on my record in case I'm tempted to import pharmaceuticals again in the future.

Rest of the story over here (http://www.publicaddress.net/default,4745.sm#post4745)

[ruffrider747]

thanks for the above story from the journalist. What is it about NZ small dick syndrome? I've never experienced anyhting quite like NZ interogation. Can someone shed some light on the mentality behind these people??? I certainly would not visit this country for my own pleasure after enduring their over the top antics at customs. I respect any country for protecting its shores from drug importation and quarantine but the gestappo style tactics has left me cold. Cheers Bro !!!

[RevMan2]

The world's full of these people - small-minded Jobsworths with an overbearing officiousness - and it unfortunately appears to be an Anglo-Saxon trait.

On the other hand, if profiling helps keep narcotics/foodstuff/whatever from crossing the border, then that's the way to go.

It's just the human interface that needs tweaking...