It was about 9.30am and most people had boarded the plane before midnight, so we were a reasonably rugged-looking crew. And being a Royal Brunei flight, it wasn’t the alcohol which made us look a little rusty.
But weary frowns quickly turned to smirks when the customs official at the front of the transit lounge blurted to all: “Anybody looking for transit? Sydney 10km that way.”
He continued: “Everybody got two legs? We’ve got a spare crutch in the back if you don’t.”
Customs officials might be mistaken for a scary lot. After all, I’ve seen the television show where they confiscate half-opened tins of food and slice open people’s shoes.
But next came the guy who gives you a stamp permitting entry to the country. He yawned.
“Didn’t think you saw that,” he said. “You might be tired, but at least you’re coming back from a holiday.”
And finally the one who sifts through your smelly undies in search of illegal produce. I’m sure I’d seen this guy on television. I showed him my sealed food and he wished my family a happy day.
What a terrific experience for people entering our fantastic city.
Have you had an encounter with a customs official – good or bad? Let us know with a brief comment below.
Lisa, on February 18th, 2008 at 5:36 am Said: Edit Comment
I arrived back home in Sydney and yawned while I was waiting to see the customs official. He caught me yawning and yelled “Am I taking too long for you?” stood up, and pretended to close his booth. After 30hours of flying I was shocked but then relieved when he winked and revealed he was joking with a big belly laugh.
“Welcome home love” , he said “good joke that isn’t it?” he winked again, “My other favourite is to see the tourists faces when they hand over their passport and I say “Welcome to Melbourne!”.