They aren't airport personnel. They are immigration officers.
What I read in the last thread about an incident like this was that they are less interested in the actual answer and more in how you respond. I guess mannerisms can give away things.
I know the last time I was pulled aside in US customs and had them go through all my stuff at one point I said, "Sorry, I'm just a little out of it." And one of the agents immediately said, "Why?" I said, "Because I've been traveling for over 24 hours now." Apparently that was good enough but I think they are trying to look for things in people's behavior that may be off.
And it's not like this is just a US thing. My last visit to the UK I was asked quite a few questions about why I was there, where I would be, what I'd do, etc. I've got a Hungarian residence permit and if I'm entering Schengen in Hungary they never ask me anything but if I come in through different place - Schipol most often, it's not unusual for them to ask me stuff about myself, what I do, etc.
My last visit to Ukraine a few weeks ago, when I check into my hotel they made a copy of my passport information page and then had me find the stamp I'd gotten at the airport and they copied that. I know that's not the government guys but that was a new one for me. I'm used to giving passport info. for checking into a hotel but I've never seen them do that. Each place is different and to me it's all just a matter of degrees.
Interesting to hear about this :-) I haven't been travelling that much — good to know what might happen, else I might have gotten quite nervous. + Thanks for the "immigration officers" clarification.
What I read in the last thread about an incident like this was that they are less interested in the actual answer and more in how you respond. I guess mannerisms can give away things.
I know the last time I was pulled aside in US customs and had them go through all my stuff at one point I said, "Sorry, I'm just a little out of it." And one of the agents immediately said, "Why?" I said, "Because I've been traveling for over 24 hours now." Apparently that was good enough but I think they are trying to look for things in people's behavior that may be off.
And it's not like this is just a US thing. My last visit to the UK I was asked quite a few questions about why I was there, where I would be, what I'd do, etc. I've got a Hungarian residence permit and if I'm entering Schengen in Hungary they never ask me anything but if I come in through different place - Schipol most often, it's not unusual for them to ask me stuff about myself, what I do, etc.
My last visit to Ukraine a few weeks ago, when I check into my hotel they made a copy of my passport information page and then had me find the stamp I'd gotten at the airport and they copied that. I know that's not the government guys but that was a new one for me. I'm used to giving passport info. for checking into a hotel but I've never seen them do that. Each place is different and to me it's all just a matter of degrees.