Confused reactions from customs/immigration

[ozliz]

So I just got to the USA a few days ago and this is neither the first time I have cleared customs/immigration in Dallas nor the first time I have done this solo. Both the immigration and the customs staff gave me very strange reactions when I said I was travelling alone as a tourist. While I expect that they are wary of travellers who are solo for both immigration and smuggling purposes, neither seemed suspicious and both just seemed to think I was odd.

While I am past the backpacking age I have travelled solo plenty of times and also have plenty of friends who do too. I felt like telling the second man (who seemed almost concerned for my safety) that it is hard to find friends who you get on with well enough to travel with and want to go to the same places and have a schedule to travel at the same time and have the money to do it as well. Even if I was in a relationship it would not guarantee this (and I did have a boyfriend once that used to travel without me sometimes and so I learnt to do a bit of this too).

Anyway rant over. Last time I travelled solo was in Canada where plenty of women my mothers age thought it was a bit different but said it seemed to be common among young Australians so maybe it is not just a generational thing (much easier to be independent in the modern world) but also a cultural thing.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I have travelled solo many many times to USA from Europe. Each time I have had various responses. I have noticed though that in the last few years the reactions are getting more strange. Last year for example when I said I was travelling alone but meeting friends from other countries ( I am from Ireland and my friends I was meeting are from UK) he thought it was odd we would not travel together. I had to explain that it was cheaper for us to travel from our home countries and meet up in LA!!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

If you flew into DFW, nothing more needs to be said. That airport is beyond ridiculous when it comes to security. The TSA employees act as if they work for the CIA and they treat passengers horribly for the most part. If you fly to and from DAL, it is a totally different experience. Almost hard to believe they work for the same company.

 

[sky13]

Travelled solo to the US (from the UK) last year, year before and in 2012 (once for holiday, once for work, and once for holiday/work). Haven't had any odd reactions from immigration - I'm really not sure why they would think it strange to travel alone as a tourist!

 

[ludari]

We all know things are different in the world and being a young solo traveler might cause customs/immigrations to look more carefully at you but I wouldn't take it personal. Being a fellow solo person that travels abroad each year for month long multi-country land/sea vacations I welcome the strange reactions (although I never noticed any) from customs/immigrations.

 

[Zimbing]

I've never had any bother with US customs until the last time I flew into Orlando International Airport and after finding out my profession was a geologist, I got "interrogated" about climate change by the customs officer. After about 14 hours travelling and waiting over an hour in the customs line, I was a bit

 

[Disney_Alli]

I was returning home from a solo birthday trip to DL a couple of years ago when I got sent for secondary screening. The female Canadian Customs Agent was absolutely astonished that I'd been gone a week and I'd only been to Disneyland and I'd only shopped at Disneyland (and bought a ball cap in the airport on the way home) the funny part was a guy I worked with was the secondary screener on the other table - too bad I didn't get to his line!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I've never had any bother with US customs until the last time I flew into Orlando International Airport and after finding out my profession was a geologist, I got "interrogated" about climate change by the customs officer. After about 14 hours travelling and waiting over an hour in the customs line, I was a bit

What in the world does that have to do with anything? That should have nothing whatsoever to do with your travel. These TSA agents are so ridiculous. They truly act like they are a part of secret service or something of the sort.

 

[BadPinkTink]

@Maleficent Dragon you would be surprised at the random conversations I've had with Homelands Security over the years. I have tattoos on my arms and I have been asked about them

 

[godders]

When I arrived for my trip in September the woman at customs just kept saying "so no one wanted to come with you on this trip?" And asking if I was meeting anyone. I was like "my friends would whine too much about the heat and I'm coming here to get away from my family for 10 days...."

Definitely felt judged at that moment!! But hey, I'd prefer they be thorough and careful than not care at all!

 

[SaraJR]

i think american customs is just generally scary lol but people are weird about my partner and i going to disney without kids so i can only imagine how shocked they are for adult and solo, makes for a funny story though

 

[sky13]

So went through US immigration at Newark solo earlier this month - no odd reactions at all. Not sure if the officer knew where I was heading to (although I had updated my ESTA to say that I was staying at "Disney's Pop Century"...).