Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 21:16     Subject: Re:Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
It happens sometimes. I got a good grilling from the desk agent in Manchester flying back to the US last year.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 15:57     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
I've gotten these questions from ticketing agents when checking in for flights to the US from European/other locations for decades. The first time I remember was in the early 1990s in Amsterdam asking about my previous Middle Eastern travel. When I copped an attitude the agent told me it was required by the US for flights into the US.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 15:52     Subject: Re:Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
I am always asked these questions at heathrow. For at least 10 years. Not as common in other countries.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 15:40     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
Yes! Just happened to us and also to my parents (traveling separately). At check-in, as well as at customs, the agents asked us and each of our young kids what they saw on the trip, what their favorite thing was, all in a casual but serious kind of way. It happened before every flight.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 14:19     Subject: Re:Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
I'm consistently asked these questions at ticketing in Europe, starting long before this year.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 14:13     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
Not often, but it's happened enough (by ticket agents and by immigration officers) that I try to make sure to always have a business card with me, even on personal travel.


Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 13:51     Subject: Re:Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
Just came back from France with DH and toddler. We were asked a LOT of probing questions by an officer while waiting in line to check in at CDG, very few upon return (global entry). Customs officer asked if we were traveling for work or vacation and whether we had bought anything. That was it.

Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 13:01     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So I ticketing agent in Europe asked you about your visit? And your work? Person is curious? It is called making conversation? Determining if you've been on a farm as US customs asked, so hence this is pre screening. Also, it is a common policy to have different lines for EU passport holders and non EU passport holders, I've never seen a line for US citizens. I recommend you stay home from now on.


A bit harsh, innit? OP was just asking if this is something new.


My harshness is because of fear mongering that OP's title indicates.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 12:48     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
In may 2016 returning from London, DH and I were asked similar questions at the ticketing/check in desk. Dh had been to London just a month earlier for a business trip and the agent asked when he had last been in London and commented that she thought she had interviewed him then as well, because the answers were familiar. So, yes, I think this is a "thing"
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 12:10     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
El al has been doing this for years.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 12:09     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
They don't actually care about your answer. They are like looking for body language that indicates deception. Shifty eyes etc
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 11:16     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
I got these questions flying domestically. Perhaps it was my name.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 11:00     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
Anonymous wrote:At customs? Very routine and normal. They always do this. Heck, my travel isn't remotely interesting and I have occasionally gotten more intrusive questioning with followups. And TSA and foreign security people can do this too, although it is not necessarily routine. If it was actually the ticket agent, that's a bit weird and maybe they were just being friendly?


Being friendly? No, ticketing agents abroad are trained to ask these questions. It is routine now.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 10:57     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
Anonymous wrote:So I ticketing agent in Europe asked you about your visit? And your work? Person is curious? It is called making conversation? Determining if you've been on a farm as US customs asked, so hence this is pre screening. Also, it is a common policy to have different lines for EU passport holders and non EU passport holders, I've never seen a line for US citizens. I recommend you stay home from now on.


A bit harsh, innit? OP was just asking if this is something new.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2017 10:55     Subject: Is this new? US citizens asked about their trip and work when returning home.
At customs? Very routine and normal. They always do this. Heck, my travel isn't remotely interesting and I have occasionally gotten more intrusive questioning with followups. And TSA and foreign security people can do this too, although it is not necessarily routine. If it was actually the ticket agent, that's a bit weird and maybe they were just being friendly?