What tha' he....

[trufin]

Yes, let's shut the borders, recoup, and take this country back!
I AM MAD EDDIE, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!

I was on Christmas vacation on Gran Canaria Island, Spain. When I attempted to return to the United States of America - I ran into trouble with the immigration!

It was the Spaniards at Madrid International Airport, who manhandled my Passport trying to scan it so badly, that the page with the picture, name and who you are, almost fell off. The scanning device ripped the page half off, it hung on by a thread! A great conversation took place amongst the Airport Officials. It was decided that my Passport was invalid, and I would not be permitted to enter my flight! WHAT!??

We 'conversed' back and forward for 20 minutes - logic did not apply here: just because it was their machine, and their airport worker that damaged my Passport did not matter, my papers were not in order! (Sounded very Marxist)

I was to leave the line, go obtain a valid Passport from the US Embassy and re-book my flight! (It was Saturday)

They refused to call the Embassy, because it was Saturday. "Please return with valid papers".

I stepped aside, Googled the US Embassy Spain on my SmartPhone, called the Emergency number, got a LIVE AMERICAN on the line.

I explained what happened, by this time my voice was shaky and I was about to cry.
The Embassy Officer named Tara, said to me: " Don't worry. I will help you. You are in American hands now. I will send an Officer there to help you right now. Don't worry, we will take care of this".

20 minutes later: US Embassy Officer and a Uniformed US MARINE Guard came up to me, calmed me down, and walked me to the front of the line. A very short conversation took place; most of the talking was done by the US Officer. The Spaniards listened. Heads low.

My Passport was re-scanned by a small handheld scanner, that the US Officer produced from his briefcase. That was it. I was escorted to the plane by the US MARINE Guard!!!
WOW! Imagine the looks I got!!!

I was escorted to first class by the Head Stewart of my flight. I had been booked on the regular shitty-seats in the back.

WOW AGAIN! IT'S GREAT TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!! Let's keep it that way!

 

[Tom Clancy]

Wait.. wha?

I'm a Spaniard, Obviously the people working at the Airport didn't take care of your Passport.. Sorry to hear.. Happens everywhere.. (Talking about Mistakes and Accidents)

Because Franky, that hasn't happened to me.. And I've been at Barajas (Madrid Intl Airport) many, many times.

But what does that have to do with Closing the boarders? huh?

And I'm pretty the same US Marine who escorted you was the same I know personally from being at the US Embassy in Madrid.. Pretty cool..

 

[Thinman]

Great story. What's up with those Spaniards?

I tried to cross into Mexico at Nogalas, AZ. and they said I couldn't go into Mexico because my passport said I was already in Mexico. I ask to see his supervisor and he said, "Go on in." He was looking for a bribe.

 

[trufin]

Thanks for the post. It had nothing to do with Spaniards in general, like any other large airport; the staff are like drones..... I LOVE SPAIN everywhere else except at airports. (They also killed my brand new pink suitcase). The Marine Escort was CPL. A CANTU.
Know him?
And as far as the borders, close them from the marauding illegals and particularly US-Mexico border between Del Rio and McAllen - it leaks man!
Hey, where can I get some Alioli Sauce in the US?

 

[Tom Clancy]

Thanks for the post. It had nothing to do with Spaniards in general, like any other large airport; the staff are like drones..... I LOVE SPAIN everywhere else except at airports. (They also killed my brand new pink suitcase). The Marine Escort was CPL. A CANTU.
Know him?
And as far as the borders, close them from the marauding illegals and particularly US-Mexico border between Del Rio and McAllen - it leaks man!
Hey, where can I get some Alioli Sauce in the US?

Ok just making sure.

Glad you love Spain! I was born and Raised there for about 13 years, then moved to the States.

Not sure.. All I remember he was probably half Asian.

--

I Agree, Illegal Immigration is a big Problem.. Trust me, we have the same Problem in Spain.. We have tons of Illegal Immigrants crossing over from Africa in very unstable Boats.. And it's pretty sad that with those little boats a lot of them don't even make it across, they just flat out drown.

But the only thing that I want to see changed is:

- Make it more Humane.. I think we should keep them in a place where they are allowed to at least call their Relatives etc etc, before they are Deported.. I've heard that the place they keep them before they get Deported is pretty crazy..

--

haha, your making me wanna order some Ali-Oli.. Sometimes I feel like starting a Spanish Food Store..

One of the biggest reasons I miss Spain, is the Food.

And I miss it already even though i was there last summer for 6 months.

 

[trufin]

By the way, THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY!
Are you active now?

 

[Thinman]

Never heard of it. You might try 'Whole Foods', they seem to have a large variety of sauses.

 

[uscitizen]

When I attempted to return to the United States of America - I ran into trouble with the immigration!
//

Well Homeland security is supposed to keep us safe.
Perhaps they did fail this time though...

 

[Tom Clancy]

By the way, THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY!
Are you active now?

I'm guessing your talking about me? lol..

And no not yet, I'm going into ROTC next year, gonna prepare myself to become an Officer in the US Army.. Still deciding what MOS I should choose.. My two options are: Infantry & Aviation.

 

[trufin]

Yeah man, I was talking about you! And it still stands: THANK YOU FOR YOUR (Future) SERVICE! It takes special kevlar balls to wanna join thesedays. ROTC Rocks! Wanna some unwanted advice from a US NAVY Vet?

Don't pick infantry. You sound damned smart, pick a speciality that truly moves you up and challenges you. Infantry regiments are too large and compartmentalized for good advancement in the ranks.

Just a note... there are reasons why I KNOW this shit....

PS.. Whole Foods have never heard of ALIOLI !!! Who are these people?

 

[Tom Clancy]

Yeah man, I was talking about you! And it still stands: THANK YOU FOR YOUR (Future) SERVICE! It takes special kevlar balls to wanna join thesedays. ROTC Rocks! Wanna some unwanted advice from a US NAVY Vet?

Don't pick infantry. You sound damned smart, pick a speciality that truly moves you up and challenges you. Infantry regiments are too large and compartmentalized for good advancement in the ranks.

Just a note... there are reasons why I KNOW this shit....

PS.. Whole Foods have never heard of ALIOLI !!! Who are these people?

No Problem, Can't wait to Serve.. I have quite a few friends in there right now. One came back from Iraq not too long ago and one who just joined.

Sure man, any Advice is great.

While that may be true, I think being an Infantry Officer is quite different situation.. And I would be part of the big operations in Afghan.

 

[trufin]

Well, you need to be where you WANT to be. You need to feel passionate about your field. Infantry Officer..... well, OK... I'm biased. Sorry.

My boyfriend Robert is in Iraq, second time. Infantry. Has had f...ed up promotion issues, unit issues, blah, blah, it actually took a local Congresman to straighten the shit out. Took two years off his promotion time in the ranks. So sorry.

He's a 33+ year veteran of Harris County Sheriff's Office, Senior Instructor, Shift Supervisor for the County Jail, Master Marksman,
ERT (Emergency Response Team) Team Leader and the Army is not even using his training and background, he's building retaining walls in the Green Zone....

Thanks for letting me vent.

HEY, weren't we talking about immigration?

 

[Angelhair]

Really now - can all the problems AMERICANS get at the airports in foreign countries have anything to do with being AMERICAN??? Geez, what a concept.