Delta Passenger Fined $500 for apple
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I was stopped by officer with sniffer dog a few weeks ago in Miami. Turns out one of the apples from the crew food tray had rolled from the tray on the jumpseat into my flight bag. I had no idea it was there. I apologised to the officer and he let me go on my merry way without a fine. I have a feeling the person in this story who got fined $500 was less than apologetic and made a fuss. But maybe not. The max fine is $5000 so it could have been worse...
I was recent witness to one of my crew being a bit offhand with a CBP guy and being sent to the back of the queue. On reaching the front again, he asked if she had any fruit, etc. and the answer was no. On checking her bag found several fruit-like items - as above $500 fine.
At that point I lost much of my sympathy. 10 years of going to the USA and you should know what they don’t like *and they gave you a chance*.
At that point I lost much of my sympathy. 10 years of going to the USA and you should know what they don’t like *and they gave you a chance*.
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Boy oh boy, we are a harsh bunch around here! "A rule is a rule". "She shoulda known". "Give 'em an inch and they'll take a pound".
What ever happened to common sense? It was a frickin apple for god's sake!
Here's an idea: Tell her she can't bring the apple in, take it away from her, then move on to more important issues of security and immigration & customs enforcement.
No, we don't need lawyers and lawsuits over this. Nor do we need flak-jacketed hardasses making a big deal out of an apple. We have lost all sense of proportion in our society.
What ever happened to common sense? It was a frickin apple for god's sake!
Here's an idea: Tell her she can't bring the apple in, take it away from her, then move on to more important issues of security and immigration & customs enforcement.
No, we don't need lawyers and lawsuits over this. Nor do we need flak-jacketed hardasses making a big deal out of an apple. We have lost all sense of proportion in our society.
A few years ago, while driving back from Las Vegas to LA, we came across what we initially thought were tollbooths at the Nevada/California border. I was trying to figure out why we had missed them going the other way four days earlier when the charming agent (just kidding) in the booth asked if we had any fruit or veg in the car. I said no and he waved us through.
As we pulled away my wife asked me what I had done with the oranges I had bought at the farmers market in Santa Monica before heading to Vegas earlier that week.
Gulp!
As we pulled away my wife asked me what I had done with the oranges I had bought at the farmers market in Santa Monica before heading to Vegas earlier that week.
Gulp!
I have a feeling the person in this story who got fined $500 was less than apologetic and made a fuss.
Years ago I worked with a fellow who married a British woman that he'd met on a trip to Rolls - and couldn't get her a visa to join him in the US. The guy was very abrasive and confrontational (very difficult to work with, I was actually afraid of him a few times) - given I was able to get my foreign born wife a visa in a few days, I'm sure he pissed off to the wrong person and they decided to make his life difficult. He did eventually get his wife a visa, but it took over a year...
Some decades ago, I had some BC peaches with me visiting Spokane. US Customs was fine as long as you had no cannabis
Returning to Canada with very few peaches, I was asked if I had any fruit, declared the remaining peaches which were prohibited entry even if from BC and directed to area with picnic tables to eat same and to use provided bins for the rest.
My current preoccupation crossing the border both ways is not forgetting to declare the bear spray. I was lectured not to have it in my hand, so best on the dash below the windshield.
Returning to Canada with very few peaches, I was asked if I had any fruit, declared the remaining peaches which were prohibited entry even if from BC and directed to area with picnic tables to eat same and to use provided bins for the rest.
My current preoccupation crossing the border both ways is not forgetting to declare the bear spray. I was lectured not to have it in my hand, so best on the dash below the windshield.
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Some relatives got caught out by INTERNAL controls in Oz. Having just arrived in the country, on the way from the airport to their holiday cottage they stopped off at a supermarket to buy some food - which was confiscated from them at a roadblock a few miles down the road.
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If people here can get all thin-lipped about a single apple (do any of you work for airport security, by any chance?) - I'm surprised you're not incandescent about the huge leaking bags of alien microbes that get let through customs by the million every day. They're called humans.
Do you know how much of YOU is actually not you at all, but bacteria, viruses, fungus and other alien lifeforms? (Answer: less than half.) You may put your apple virtuously in the cc's garbage bag, but as soon as you visit the airport toilet for a crap, you're releasing a bunch of stuff (including seeds - this is why tomato plants luxuriate around sewage outlets) into the local ecosystem that originated somewhere not local at all.
Ban people from travelling by air. Go on, you know you've always wanted to...
Do you know how much of YOU is actually not you at all, but bacteria, viruses, fungus and other alien lifeforms? (Answer: less than half.) You may put your apple virtuously in the cc's garbage bag, but as soon as you visit the airport toilet for a crap, you're releasing a bunch of stuff (including seeds - this is why tomato plants luxuriate around sewage outlets) into the local ecosystem that originated somewhere not local at all.
Ban people from travelling by air. Go on, you know you've always wanted to...
Unless information has recently changed, it specifically states foodstuffs so clothing would of course be exempt.
Hundreds of international flights and I admit that getting into the USA is the toughest I have experienced outside of Russia and Australia (I've never enjoyed being sprayed down with insecticide).
Hundreds of international flights and I admit that getting into the USA is the toughest I have experienced outside of Russia and Australia (I've never enjoyed being sprayed down with insecticide).
This was a link page one early post to a US customs card.
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/fi...termark%29.pdf
This the Australian card.
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Enter...ipc-sample.pdf
And the Canadian.
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicat.../e311-eng.html
But it seems in UK and Russia leather does not need to be declared.
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It cuts two ways ...
If you are rude or aggressive towards any Customs / Border Force when they ask you questions, or you are defensive about those questions then they are likely to throw the book at you. And rightly so.
By equal measure, if they give you 'a second chance' e.g. "please go and dispose of that fruit of yours on those picnic benches over there" then smile and say "thank you". Whether you eat all that fruit is up to you.
On the other hand, if they are just being a$$holes for the sake of it then there are things you can do .. like someone I knew who got pulled for accidentally having a very few ml too much perfume / after shave on him. And they really went to town on him ..
So he held up the offending item and asked if that was the problem .. "Yes, now pay up" was the uncompromising reply. Oops, he then 'accidentally'
dropped it. It did apparantly make customs smell much nicer for a while.
If you are rude or aggressive towards any Customs / Border Force when they ask you questions, or you are defensive about those questions then they are likely to throw the book at you. And rightly so.
By equal measure, if they give you 'a second chance' e.g. "please go and dispose of that fruit of yours on those picnic benches over there" then smile and say "thank you". Whether you eat all that fruit is up to you.
On the other hand, if they are just being a$$holes for the sake of it then there are things you can do .. like someone I knew who got pulled for accidentally having a very few ml too much perfume / after shave on him. And they really went to town on him ..
So he held up the offending item and asked if that was the problem .. "Yes, now pay up" was the uncompromising reply. Oops, he then 'accidentally'
dropped it. It did apparantly make customs smell much nicer for a while.
Not sure about U.S. or U.K. arrivals procedure, but in Oz, Canada, NZ the gentleman in the uniform does not just ask you if you have any fruit, he is standing with a signed declaration in his hand in which you said that you had no prohibited items in your luggage, including fruit.
He / she will then ask you whether you understood the form that you signed. Frequently he will have singled you out because you have been profiled; normally by a basset or lab.
And that was just after you had walked past the signs and well-marked disposal bins explaining that carriage of foodstuffs is prohibited.
So, when he pulls an apple from your bag (the "it's just an apple" apple) he will ask you once again whether you understand that carriage of fruit is prohibited.
Remember, he is now holding up at eye level, specifically for you to see, your signed declaration.
He may even explain to you the apple diseases found at your port of departure and not yet found in Oz, Canada, etc. and why carriage of fruit is a) prohibited and b) punishable by law.
At this point, he has decided in his own mind, that you are just plain stupid or being deliberately deceitful (similar to stupid).
Now is your chance to demonstrate that you are not being deceitful and thereby avoid monetary sanction. Just confirm his suspicions.
Admit to gross stupidity, it should be easy for you. Embellish with bizarre (non-threatening) behaviour or statements if you think it will help.
On those grounds, he may just issue you with a warning, written and recorded or just verbal (yes, it does happen).
He has now, already decided your fate. Everything that follows will only exacerbate your position.
You can stand your ground and argue, either politely or otherwise.
You WILL now be issued with an on-the-spot fine, payable immediately.
You can decline to pay the on-the-spot fine, in which case your case will be passed into the judicial system for decision by a judge. You will need a lawyer to have any chance of winning your case.
You could take it to the media which can headline it as "It was only an apple".
Prosecution still have your signed declaration and your apple, in a plastic bag.
Chances of success; not zero but pretty bloody close to it.
So now you have a much enhanced penalty to pay, plus lawyers fees and a criminal conviction (I think, not sure. The judge may strike down the record).
So tell me again, was standing on your dignity really worth it?
After all, "it was just an apple".
He / she will then ask you whether you understood the form that you signed. Frequently he will have singled you out because you have been profiled; normally by a basset or lab.
And that was just after you had walked past the signs and well-marked disposal bins explaining that carriage of foodstuffs is prohibited.
So, when he pulls an apple from your bag (the "it's just an apple" apple) he will ask you once again whether you understand that carriage of fruit is prohibited.
Remember, he is now holding up at eye level, specifically for you to see, your signed declaration.
He may even explain to you the apple diseases found at your port of departure and not yet found in Oz, Canada, etc. and why carriage of fruit is a) prohibited and b) punishable by law.
At this point, he has decided in his own mind, that you are just plain stupid or being deliberately deceitful (similar to stupid).
Now is your chance to demonstrate that you are not being deceitful and thereby avoid monetary sanction. Just confirm his suspicions.
Admit to gross stupidity, it should be easy for you. Embellish with bizarre (non-threatening) behaviour or statements if you think it will help.
On those grounds, he may just issue you with a warning, written and recorded or just verbal (yes, it does happen).
He has now, already decided your fate. Everything that follows will only exacerbate your position.
You can stand your ground and argue, either politely or otherwise.
You WILL now be issued with an on-the-spot fine, payable immediately.
You can decline to pay the on-the-spot fine, in which case your case will be passed into the judicial system for decision by a judge. You will need a lawyer to have any chance of winning your case.
You could take it to the media which can headline it as "It was only an apple".
Prosecution still have your signed declaration and your apple, in a plastic bag.
Chances of success; not zero but pretty bloody close to it.
So now you have a much enhanced penalty to pay, plus lawyers fees and a criminal conviction (I think, not sure. The judge may strike down the record).
So tell me again, was standing on your dignity really worth it?
After all, "it was just an apple".
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People who say "Just an apple" obviously have no connection with, or comprehension of, primary production.
NZ does not have fruitfly endemically. Every now and then, a few are found: they may have come in by an improperly treated commercial shipment, or it might have been someone who thought "It's just an apple." When these infestations are discovered, it is treated as an A-grade problem. In the 1980s, fruitfly were discovered in the (rich) eastern suburbs of Auckland. Somehow, it was decided that the cost effective way of dealing with this was aerial spraying by a converted DC 6. I have my doubts, but it was certainly a stirring sight to see something with round engines laying real chemtrails at low level. More recently, some flies were found near me. A zone was set up out of which no fruit or vegetable matter could be taken. It lasted months, though after a couple of weeks the big supermarkets were exempted. Doubtless a few cackheads ignored it, but mostly people accepted it as inconvenient but important. That's because even in NZ's biggest city, we know how important it is to keep out pests, plague, and parasites. As for the manners and practices of US border agencies, I've had mixed experiences--though often, they're very friendly. But biosecurity is not trivial, and one apple can make a difference--not to mention the problems of galloping sorites.
NZ does not have fruitfly endemically. Every now and then, a few are found: they may have come in by an improperly treated commercial shipment, or it might have been someone who thought "It's just an apple." When these infestations are discovered, it is treated as an A-grade problem. In the 1980s, fruitfly were discovered in the (rich) eastern suburbs of Auckland. Somehow, it was decided that the cost effective way of dealing with this was aerial spraying by a converted DC 6. I have my doubts, but it was certainly a stirring sight to see something with round engines laying real chemtrails at low level. More recently, some flies were found near me. A zone was set up out of which no fruit or vegetable matter could be taken. It lasted months, though after a couple of weeks the big supermarkets were exempted. Doubtless a few cackheads ignored it, but mostly people accepted it as inconvenient but important. That's because even in NZ's biggest city, we know how important it is to keep out pests, plague, and parasites. As for the manners and practices of US border agencies, I've had mixed experiences--though often, they're very friendly. But biosecurity is not trivial, and one apple can make a difference--not to mention the problems of galloping sorites.
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And yet there aren't any quarantine inspections on trains crossing the border into Victoria from either NSW or SA - never have been. Same goes for NSW to Qld. I'm not arguing against the need for bio security, just pointing out the inconsistency.
But biosecurity is not trivial, and one apple can make a difference
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People who say "Just an apple" obviously have no connection with, or comprehension of, primary production.
NZ does not have fruitfly endemically. Every now and then, a few are found: they may have come in by an improperly treated commercial shipment, or it might have been someone who thought "It's just an apple." When these infestations are discovered, it is treated as an A-grade problem. In the 1980s, fruitfly were discovered in the (rich) eastern suburbs of Auckland. Somehow, it was decided that the cost effective way of dealing with this was aerial spraying by a converted DC 6. I have my doubts, but it was certainly a stirring sight to see something with round engines laying real chemtrails at low level. More recently, some flies were found near me. A zone was set up out of which no fruit or vegetable matter could be taken. It lasted months, though after a couple of weeks the big supermarkets were exempted. Doubtless a few cackheads ignored it, but mostly people accepted it as inconvenient but important. That's because even in NZ's biggest city, we know how important it is to keep out pests, plague, and parasites. As for the manners and practices of US border agencies, I've had mixed experiences--though often, they're very friendly. But biosecurity is not trivial, and one apple can make a difference--not to mention the problems of galloping sorites.
NZ does not have fruitfly endemically. Every now and then, a few are found: they may have come in by an improperly treated commercial shipment, or it might have been someone who thought "It's just an apple." When these infestations are discovered, it is treated as an A-grade problem. In the 1980s, fruitfly were discovered in the (rich) eastern suburbs of Auckland. Somehow, it was decided that the cost effective way of dealing with this was aerial spraying by a converted DC 6. I have my doubts, but it was certainly a stirring sight to see something with round engines laying real chemtrails at low level. More recently, some flies were found near me. A zone was set up out of which no fruit or vegetable matter could be taken. It lasted months, though after a couple of weeks the big supermarkets were exempted. Doubtless a few cackheads ignored it, but mostly people accepted it as inconvenient but important. That's because even in NZ's biggest city, we know how important it is to keep out pests, plague, and parasites. As for the manners and practices of US border agencies, I've had mixed experiences--though often, they're very friendly. But biosecurity is not trivial, and one apple can make a difference--not to mention the problems of galloping sorites.
Couple points here; 1 - The fine is assessed after the fact. The form allows the person to admit to the administrative violation, and agree to pay the fine within a few weeks. Or - one can ask for an administrative hearing by not checking the 'agree to pay' box. There's no downside to not checking the 'agree to pay' because you can always later admit to the violation, pay the fine and be done with it. Or - one can go to the admin hearing, have your case heard, and ask that the fine be reduced, or eliminated by apologizing and grovelling, etc. Of course, the fine may be imposed or even increased.
2 - The US(and AU, and NZ, etc) are huge producers of ag commodities. The San Joaquin, Imperial, and central valleys of CA are the richest production per pound on the Earth. Even a small infestation of a foreign agent can cost billions. In the late 50s early 60s the entire world production of Bananas was imperiled by an infestation. It could happen again. As noted already, we are in a crisis with bees right now, and the news is not good for many plants which rely on pollination.
3 - I'm not a big fan of a lot of admin rules, but really, for all that is holy, just check the effing box, and be done with it. Anytime I go through customs, I read the form. I fill out the form. I check the form again, then I go through my stuff mentally and verify. If I make a mistake and it's found out later, I agree with the agent, apologize, let them know it was an oversight, and if they fine me anyway, I don't check the 'agree to pay fine' box. Consult an atty, go to the hearing, ask for forgiveness, and take my chances.
I don't have a lot of pity for either the woman, or for the CBP agent. The one good thing to come out of this is it will reinforce to some small segment of the travelling public that reads this to follow directions.
2 - The US(and AU, and NZ, etc) are huge producers of ag commodities. The San Joaquin, Imperial, and central valleys of CA are the richest production per pound on the Earth. Even a small infestation of a foreign agent can cost billions. In the late 50s early 60s the entire world production of Bananas was imperiled by an infestation. It could happen again. As noted already, we are in a crisis with bees right now, and the news is not good for many plants which rely on pollination.
3 - I'm not a big fan of a lot of admin rules, but really, for all that is holy, just check the effing box, and be done with it. Anytime I go through customs, I read the form. I fill out the form. I check the form again, then I go through my stuff mentally and verify. If I make a mistake and it's found out later, I agree with the agent, apologize, let them know it was an oversight, and if they fine me anyway, I don't check the 'agree to pay fine' box. Consult an atty, go to the hearing, ask for forgiveness, and take my chances.
I don't have a lot of pity for either the woman, or for the CBP agent. The one good thing to come out of this is it will reinforce to some small segment of the travelling public that reads this to follow directions.
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Or, let someone think that they can get away with bringing in restricted goods by not declaring it and they will surely try.
And then what, just let them off scot-free?
In Oz, if Customs think that you've made a genuine mistake then they may generously just issue a written and recorded warning, first time anyway.
Trouble is, more often than not, it is not a genuine mistake. It is an attempt to deceive. A fair portion of the goods sold in Asian (and other exotic) groceries has entered the country in suitcases.
So, sorry. No sympathy.
And then what, just let them off scot-free?
In Oz, if Customs think that you've made a genuine mistake then they may generously just issue a written and recorded warning, first time anyway.
Trouble is, more often than not, it is not a genuine mistake. It is an attempt to deceive. A fair portion of the goods sold in Asian (and other exotic) groceries has entered the country in suitcases.
So, sorry. No sympathy.
As UK Crew I often took Iceberg Lettuce home from the USA, ( don't ask, but the kids preferred them to the floppy leaf variety which was all we seemed to be able to buy in Darkest Dorset of that era ) then UK Customs announced that one needed some sort of agricultural certificate (name escapes me, Iso... something ) to import lettuce into the UK.
Walking back to the hotel in Seattle one morning, having completed the obligatory shopping commands at a Supermarket before returning to UK that night, I passed an office block entitled - USA Dept of Agriculture - so went inside and found a man in an office and asked if he could issue the necessary agricultural certificate to import lettuce to the UK ? He seemed to know what I was talking about, and agreed that he could, and proceeded to load a Remington typewriter with a sheaf of forms with interleaving carbon paper, then typed away for a bit, finally asking me my name, and then..... how many crates of lettuce will you be importing ? Just one, I replied. What ! he said, only one crate ? No, just one lettuce. After awhile he calmed down and asked WTF was I doing wasting his time ? Not my fault, I replied, the UK Customs demand a form for importing lettuce, and I'm taking one home for my kids tonight. Eventually he saw the funny side of it, and having taken so long, and more or less completed the form anyway, he rubber stamped and signed it and wished me the best of luck.
Arriving at Heathrow I declared Iceberg Lettuce on the crew Customs declaration, and an almost gleeful Customs Hofficer, foreseeing US Iceberg Lettuce available for his tea, promptly advised that I couldn't bring Iceberg Lettuce into the UK without the necessary agricultural certificate and he would have to confiscate it for destruction -at which I promptly gave him the cert. Collapse of stout party.
I never repeated the exercise, but sometimes it's fun to wind them up.
Walking back to the hotel in Seattle one morning, having completed the obligatory shopping commands at a Supermarket before returning to UK that night, I passed an office block entitled - USA Dept of Agriculture - so went inside and found a man in an office and asked if he could issue the necessary agricultural certificate to import lettuce to the UK ? He seemed to know what I was talking about, and agreed that he could, and proceeded to load a Remington typewriter with a sheaf of forms with interleaving carbon paper, then typed away for a bit, finally asking me my name, and then..... how many crates of lettuce will you be importing ? Just one, I replied. What ! he said, only one crate ? No, just one lettuce. After awhile he calmed down and asked WTF was I doing wasting his time ? Not my fault, I replied, the UK Customs demand a form for importing lettuce, and I'm taking one home for my kids tonight. Eventually he saw the funny side of it, and having taken so long, and more or less completed the form anyway, he rubber stamped and signed it and wished me the best of luck.
Arriving at Heathrow I declared Iceberg Lettuce on the crew Customs declaration, and an almost gleeful Customs Hofficer, foreseeing US Iceberg Lettuce available for his tea, promptly advised that I couldn't bring Iceberg Lettuce into the UK without the necessary agricultural certificate and he would have to confiscate it for destruction -at which I promptly gave him the cert. Collapse of stout party.
I never repeated the exercise, but sometimes it's fun to wind them up.