Big Atta Boy to the Border Patrol and Customs lads

[USMA84DAB]

I have great news to share.

Have now been to the Customs office in KC twice now trying to get my paperwork in order prior to departure for overseas. Both times they were polite, helpful, competent. It has been like a reverse Twilight Zone episode where, instead of everything being wacko, everything is bizarrely the way it should be. Tough for me to explain how appreciative I am that these guys are doing their job and serving the citizens of the Constitutional Republic!

 

[Markopolo50]

Good to hear a good story with government employees!!

 

[Chukar]

Every interaction that I have had with CBP has been positive except one and it didn't involve me.

I've dealt with them for Global Entry and the 4457 stuff. Super easy, pretty friendly. I had/wanted to call the folks at PDX to let them know I was going to carry a firearm in and they were completely relaxed about it and even asked about where I was going hunting and what for.

When I came back from my Namibia trip my stupid jet-lagged butt went through the regular line.... I quickly found the Global Entry line and explained my mental midget status and the officer gave me the GE blessing quickly along with a reminder not to be dumb in the future...

The one bad experience (again, not mine), was a flight back from the Bahamas to a small executive airport in Florida via a charter flight. It was a small passenger load, I think it was a 208 with a passenger capacity of 12 or so. We offloaded and headed in to Customs, a group of sketchy fly fishing bums and a couple of older most likely snowbirds. One fellow apparently got too close to the exit door (for perspective, this entry point was about the size of a McNasties ordering area) and Mr. CBP who weighed about a buck 0 five began berating the fellow and talking about arresting him. It was completely surreal.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have had mostly positive with the guys. I will say Customs in Houston is nothing like Atalanta on reentry from South Africa. No lines. No machines. Walked up gave passport and Covid test. Asked where coming from. Told SA by way of Qatar. Asks if i had guns and that’s when we started talking hunting and he escorted me to another line and bypassed ever one else. No big deal to get bags and guns and I was out on way home. Same for small customs office I use for form 4457. All they guy wants to do is look at pics and talk guns and hunting.

Only negative has been Atlanta when rechecking guns. They wanted to dump my pelican case upside down and took all the foam out. Them tried jamming guns and foam back in. I about lost it!! Said let me do it and dam near got arrested for crossing the line. Told lady you damage and Somebody is paying for repairs.
Almost missed connecting flight. Because I got slightly detained for interference.
No more Atlanta for me!!!

 

[Doug3006]

I’ve had the same experience with the CPB officers in St. Louis. Getting my form 4457s has been easy. No issues at all. The officers were professional and friendly. Even interested in where I was going. Good guys and gals.

 

[BnC 04]

Nashville CBP officers have been great. Just updated my 4457 two days ago and sure have no complaints. Friendly and efficient every time ive been over to see them.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Twice did the 4457s at the CBP office. Polite, professional, and one instance slightly paranoid. Female agent had me unlock case and back by out of the office so she could check serial number.

The other time was a male agent and he just had me read off the numbers to him.

 

[sestoppelman]

Locally all been good with those guys. Had a couple minor run ins on return from overseas, mostly my fault but one guy got pretty huffy with me for not filling out an import form on the plane for my returning rifle.
I offered it should not be necessary since I own the rifle and am not importing it. Didnt matter, " just do it next time fella!"
Yeah OK whatever.

 

[WoodFire]

My one re-entry through DFW was better than the two I've done through Atlanta. DFW was faster and more professional.