About That Aussie Chick In Bali

[Kerryd]

People being used as mules to do drug runs happens all the time, all over the world.

Back in '84, I was taking a trip to Amsterdam. I was told (by the hotel staff) to make sure I checked my bags before leaving the hotel, and to never let them out of my site during the trip. I was taking a train back to Germany.

They told me it was not uncommon for people to sneak drugs into ungaurded bags, let the unsuspecting tourist carry it across the border, and then steal the bags once they were safely across.

Fortunately I did as instructed. While on the train the German customs decided to search my stuff, very thouroughly. They were even seperating the cards and papers in my wallet (they almost freaked when they found a wrapped condom in my wallet. I was trying to explain what it was, and had to get very graphic about it before they understood).

After finding nothing at all, they then brought a drug dog in to go over everything. By the time they had finished, we were just pulling into the next station. There I am standing in the cabin in my underwear, with everything I own scattered around the place, as everybody walked by and had a peek.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

They didn't know what a condom was

[udon]

Old peg leg Heinz up in Isaan didn't

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Did he have a rubber on the peg leg to stop the clickin' ?

[TizMe]

Is that you, Tiz?

That's my passport photo. Didn't I tell you that I got an Aussie passport but I am originally from Jakarta?

[udon]

Is that you, Tiz?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's my passport photo. Didn't I tell you that I got an Aussie passport but I am originally from Jakarta?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bloody boat people.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Is that you, Tiz?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's my passport photo. Didn't I tell you that I got an Aussie passport but I am originally from Jakarta?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bloody boat people.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[TizMe]

Is that you, Tiz?

That's my passport photo. Didn't I tell you that I got an Aussie passport but I am originally from Jakarta?

Bloody boat people.

Mate, the years that I spent in the detention centre.

First day on the recreation yard, I was walking tough, and trying to not look scared. In the center of the yard, a very elderly prisoner was sitting up on a stool. The old man would say a number "one hundred thirty two!" and everyone would laugh. He would call out another number "Seventyone" and they would all snicker.

I turned to someone and asked what was happening.

The older inmate replied that they had all been in detention for so long that they had heard all the jokes. To save time they numbered the jokes, and knew them all by number.

I made my way over to the old inmate and tugged on his sleeve. To everyone's surprise the old man asked me what I wanted.

"May I tell a few jokes?". The old man looked thoughtful and slowly got off the stool.

So I got up. "Thirtysix!" I called in a high voice. And then I tried another number, and another.

Silence. Boredom. Flatline. No reaction. Finally I looked down to the old inmate and asked what was wrong.

"Some guys just can't tell a joke." he said.

Edited May 21, 2005 by TizMe

[DaveYo]

Hmmm, this is the point I have been saying all along concerning our own security being at stake especially our peace of mind.

Many of you don't really know what goes on behind the walls once your bag goes down the belt. Since I happen to work behind those walls with my AOA badge, I can see so much happening it makes even me think twice.

Yes, I come from Chicago and have been traveling almost my entire 52 years. I was fortunate to have parents who always traveled every year for vacation, so I got to see plenty.

I also know Chicago very well. Yes you can open your locks before security gets it, but please be nearby it and watch it till it gets into their hands. Once it passes by that machine you can request to relock up your bag, and it usually is done in front of the Security officer. Once that is done, then it goes down the belt till the next time you see it at your destination.

Now done in the tombs, anything can happen and anything is possible. There is so much going on in there, it is next to impossible to keep track of everything. The well known Drug Cartels or Smuggling cartels also know who is who in the tomb area. They do investigate you and search for a person who can meet their requirements. Once they find such, then they make an offer very hard to refuse.

That is why many of us get screened and checked before we are hired. Yet some do get by and life gets tough.

So that is why I made a comment before telling many of you to please be more alert and more in tuned with your possessions till you are cleared thru customs at your destination. I am trying to help you and yet not get you paranoid, yet to get you to somehow protect yourselves. It can happen to any one of us.

Also the comment of Customs breaking down our security and peace of mind (in the name of National security concerning the planes as they say), really does threatens us overall, since now they made a trade of some sort in a sense going for more security of the aircraft rather than the security of the people, and the value of our baggage alone is quite expensive and the damage they do to it does hold many valid points. Its gettin downright dangerous for many travelers today, and the awareness needs to be stressed to others and to have these issues really addressed and some solutions corrected.

Some of you have posted some very good suggestions here to follow and make your peace of mind a bit more safe. Using colored ties, and also making sure you get a tag showing the weight of your bags at check in, as some means of defense. Still it is not enough.

It only takes one illegal small act by some unknown person and such can RUIN YOU FOR LIFE. Cory is a prime example.

Daveyo

Edited May 21, 2005 by DaveYo