Going through Airport Security

[vh_bu98]

I was going through Vancouver International Airport's security heading back to Dallas and I was randomly selected for a thorough inspection. This is the second time that this has ever happen to me. Of course I wonder how random could it really be?

The odd thing was the first time I got one of these inspections (same airport), they took me to a room off to the side. This time, I was standing at the end of the conveyor belt as he patted me down. It sure took a long time and it was odd as he went through my hair and checked the bottom of my shoes in front of everyone. Only the fact that I was trying to get a better look at the guy's black dial SS Daytona that made the situation less annoying. I was going to ask him about the SS Daytona, but it probably wasn't a good idea especially when another security personal was watching. I just thought it was cool that someone in airport security was wearing a Rolex.

[AIKO]

The watch was probably 70% of his annual salary (if it was real).

[SLS]

Originally Posted by AIKO

The watch was probably 70% of his annual salary (if it was real).

That comment was in poor tatse IMHO and until recently, Daytonas were relatively cheap when purchased from an AD.
~Scott

[AIKO]

Originally Posted by SLS

That comment was in poor tatse IMHO and until recently, Daytonas were relatively cheap when purchased from an AD.
~Scott

In your opinion. I get really annoyed by airport security types (typically at the big airports). Similar to the mall rent-a-cops. I now it is a job but I have been on the receiving end of airport security flak. That was the inspiration of my comment.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by AIKO

In your opinion. I get really annoyed by airport security types (typically at the big airports). Similar to the mall rent-a-cops. I now it is a job but I have been on the receiving end of airport security flak. That was the inspiration of my comment.

The TSA pays anywhere from $16,000 - $150,000

[SLS]

Originally Posted by AIKO

In your opinion. I get really annoyed by airport security types (typically at the big airports). Similar to the mall rent-a-cops. I now it is a job but I have been on the receiving end of airport security flak. That was the inspiration of my comment.

Not an opinion, just plain simple courtesy, that's the sad thing about Rolex...anyone can buy the watch, but sadly you can't buy class.
~Scott

[bodybump]

Originally Posted by SLS

Not an opinion, just plain simple courtesy, that's the sad thing about Rolex...anyone can buy the watch, but sadly you can't buy class.
~Scott

I agree with scott.... i work in a food industry and there are a lot of people wearing Rolex in our restaurant and im telling you they call their waiters by a flick of a finger...

[AIKO]

Originally Posted by SLS

Not an opinion, just plain simple courtesy, that's the sad thing about Rolex...anyone can buy the watch, but sadly you can't buy class.
~Scott

You may want to remove the stick from your backside and relax a little.

[KJacques]

Originally Posted by AIKO

In your opinion. I get really annoyed by airport security types (typically at the big airports). Similar to the mall rent-a-cops. I now it is a job but I have been on the receiving end of airport security flak. That was the inspiration of my comment.

For anyone with such a demeaning attitude, I think it is poetic justice that you find yourself on the receiving end of flak. Funny how that often works. It is no wonder you have inspiration behind your comments!

[kokovovoru]

Originally Posted by SLS

That comment was in poor tatse IMHO and until recently, Daytonas were relatively cheap when purchased from an AD.
~Scott

Agreed, completely uncalled for. I think Datonas, even today, is realtively cheap and reasonbly priced compared to brands like AP, PP, etc. Just because you wear a rolex doesn't mean you are a Warren Buffett.

[bodybump]

Originally Posted by kokovovoru

Agreed, completely uncalled for. I think Datonas, even today, is realtively cheap and reasonbly priced compared to brands like AP, PP, etc. Just because you wear a rolex doesn't mean you are a Warren Buffett.

Hahahahah i have a server that owns a ss daytona...he had save it for a year..but his job as a server keeps him not to wear it...who would leave a big tip to a server that owns a ss daytona...

[Klokke]

Originally Posted by SLS

That comment was in poor tatse IMHO and until recently, Daytonas were relatively cheap when purchased from an AD.
~Scott

AD prices have been going up, not down. ADs are not discounting Daytonas.

[SLS]

Originally Posted by Klokke

AD prices have been going up, not down. ADs are not discounting Daytonas.

True, but 3 years ago a Daytona could be purchased from an AD in the mid 6K range. Now, they can be had from a GMD for less than MSRP.
~Scott

[tommypit]

Originally Posted by AIKO

The watch was probably 70% of his annual salary (if it was real).

might have been retired from another job or made more $ from a previous one

[MrCowboy99]

Originally Posted by tommypit

might have been retired from another job or made more $ from a previous one

Sure it was real?

[Gentleman8]

Originally Posted by MrCowboy99

Sure it was real?

If it was not a real Rolex that guy could be in trouble (and should be). Among other things it is actually their job to check for counterfeit goods entering the country.

I have made over a hundred international trips in the past 20+ years. Only once was I stopped for a detailed inspection and it was.. yes, at Vancouver Airport!

I was standing next to the conveyor belt waiting for my suitcases. This customs agent walked to a Chinese gentleman next to me who was also waiting for his luggage. She started asking the guy questions but all he replied was that he didn't speak English. She became quite irritated and gave up on him and turned towards me and said "You're coming with me after you've retrieved your luggage". She was more than rude, she was downright nasty. And unprofessional as well: she had asked the other guy about where he came from, what he bought, etc. But when it was my turn, she asked me nothing. The only reason she picked me was that I happened to be the closest to the other guy.

To make a long story short: I misssed my connection to Montreal and had to stay overnight and pay a rebooking fee, at my expense of course. And the customs agent actually sliced off the bottom of my carry on bag!

No more Vancouver Airport for me.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Gentleman8

If it was not a real Rolex that guy could be in trouble (and should be). Among other things it is actually their job to check for counterfeit goods entering the country.

I have made over a hundred international trips in the past 20+ years. Only once was I stopped for a detailed inspection and it was.. yes, at Vancouver Airport!

I was standing next to the conveyor belt waiting for my suitcases. This customs agent walked to a Chinese gentleman next to me who was also waiting for his luggage. She started asking the guy questions but all he replied was that he didn't speak English. She became quite irritated and gave up on him and turned towards me and said "You're coming with me after you've retrieved your luggage". She was more than rude, she was downright nasty. And unprofessional as well: she had asked the other guy about where he came from, what he bought, etc. But when it was my turn, she asked me nothing. The only reason she picked me was that I happened to be the closest to the other guy.

To make a long story short: I misssed my connection to Montreal and had to stay overnight and pay a rebooking fee, at my expense of course. And the customs agent actually sliced off the bottom of my carry on bag!

No more Vancouver Airport for me.

Some of them are rather... crusty.

Was she blond by any chance? I've had my experiences in Vancouver, too. The worst is when you get stopped when a flight from China comes in, which in Vancouver happens several times a day. They seem to stop every single Chinese person that steps off the plane and the lineups to be "screened" are atrociously long.

[1220m]

Originally Posted by tommypit

might have been retired from another job or made more $ from a previous one

One can only imagine the sob story he has to tell.

Not unlike Ph.D's from elsewhere driving cabs, if on a long journey you are so inclinded to chat to them. And I mean really chat to them.

[RsqVet]

Aiko---

Don't like airport security... then don't fly.... and if you want to take out your frustrations about the need for security on someone go join up; otherwise give it a rest. Mall security and TSA are apples and oranges, both in training, and in mission... no one has ever hijacked a mall to kill several thousand people.

If you get flak from security consider that it might be that you are getting what you put out returned to you. I travel a ton and offten with odd stuff.. sometimes on 1 day notice... never a problem and if they want to look I usually strike up a conversation with them and get through what is just another process in their day. Yet all too often the line is held up by someone who wants to argue some point or cop some attitude... frankly just watching these interactions makes me want to adjust some attitudes, I don't know how the TSA guys do it.... daily.... So like I said... just get over it...

[miked10270]

Originally Posted by RsqVet

If you get flak from security consider that it might be that you are getting what you put out returned to you. I travel a ton and offten with odd stuff.. sometimes on 1 day notice... never a problem...

x2.

Airport security, Customs & Immigration DO watch for body language and attitude, particularly at the start of the interaction. If you act pissed or snotty, then they have a phenomenal capacity to be pissed and snotty right back at ya!

Pleasant, polite, co-operative and empathetic is the way to get your parachute rig passed as carry-on baggage.

Mike.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by AIKO

The watch was probably 70% of his annual salary (if it was real).

I'm always amazed at comments like this.
I don't know you. You might be wealthy. Just remember that most working folk that can't afford a Rolex work just as hard as you do, they just earn less. That's why they don't have the opportunity to have multiple Rolex's, High end imported cars and snobby attitudes. Maybe if the workers were paid a decent wage they would be less frustrated and therefore happier at their jobs making the whole experience a bit less difficult for all involved.
If the guy makes a poor wage then your attitude isn't helping.

[kokovovoru]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I'm always amazed at comments like this.
I don't know you. You might be wealthy. Just remember that most working folk that can't afford a Rolex work just as hard as you do, they just earn less. That's why they don't have the opportunity to have multiple Rolex's, High end imported cars and snobby attitudes. Maybe if the workers were paid a decent wage they would be less frustrated and therefore happier at their jobs making the whole experience a bit less difficult for all involved.
If the guy makes a poor wage then your attitude isn't helping.

Exactly!!!!! People who work hard derserve a Rolex or whatever one desires if one's priority allows.

[Andad]

Hey Vu,

Post us a pix (with mask, hat and raincoat) and we will evaluate the randomness.

[Yume-sama]

You'd be surprised who has what, especially in Vancouver

Everybody here spends their money primarily on material things. That's why everybody drives a Porsche or BMW.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

You'd be surprised who has what, especially in Vancouver

Everybody here spends their money primarily on material things. That's why everybody drives a Porsche or BMW.

...........and why the US economy is in the state it's in.

[m332is]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

...........and why the US economy is in the state it's in.

Thanks Whiskey, but you guys own Vancouver, not us.

Vince

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

...........and why the US economy is in the state it's in.

Don't know if Vancouver has much to do with that.

For the most part people in Canada don't go in to huge amounts of debt for things, because you always had to actually qualify to get a loan, which is why we have no foreclosures to speak of

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

You'd be surprised who has what, especially in Vancouver

Everybody here spends their money primarily on material things. That's why everybody drives a Porsche or BMW.

That sounds like Dallas...actually Dallas is probably worse.

I do love Vancouver...this last trip just wasn't as fun due to all of the snow.

[bodybump]

i have a question though...i mean i know you can wear your Rolex where ever you want..but there places or certain jobs that you cannot just flaunt that you have an expensive watch...like if this TSA is wearing a SS daytona Black dial..then what will the people thinks of him?? i know some people owns and have saved or probably inherited an expensive watch but if you work as a middle class job you just cant...especially now a days...what would your boss thinks of you?

[GrandDaddy]

Originally Posted by bodybump

i have a question though...i mean i know you can wear your Rolex where ever you want..but there places or certain jobs that you cannot just flaunt that you have an expensive watch...like if this TSA is wearing a SS daytona Black dial..then what will the people thinks of him?? i know some people owns and have saved or probably inherited an expensive watch but if you work as a middle class job you just cant...especially now a days...what would your boss thinks of you?

Nowhere in the OP's post indicated that the TSA person was "flaunting his watch". Can you qualify/elaborate on your statement about the middle class job. I am curious because I have a "middle class job" and I own a few Rolex watches. I must be doing something wrong or you were thinking about some other country where only the very rich can afford Rolex watches. Or do you just look down on people with middle class jobs? Better yet, what is your definition of a middle class job?