Custom Officers: National Gatekeepers

One of the highest-grossing movies of 2006 is “Snakes on a Plane.” This thriller tells the story of an FBI agent who boards a plane full of poisonous snakes. These deadly creatures are deliberately released to kill a witness on board who will testify against a mob boss. You don't have to worry about flying though, because this incident is very unlikely to happen in real life, thanks to customs officers.

For most people, customs officers are the most annoying persons in the airport. They might be the nosiest people you will ever meet in your entire life. They are also very fastidious, taking a good look at the slightest details in your luggage. However, they do not deserve this bad reputation. After all, they are just doing their job and without them you might just find yourself dealing with snakes during your flight.

Also known as board protection officers, customs officers work in seaports, airports and freight terminals. Their primary job is to enforce the law on every person or thing that enters or leaves the country. They concentrate on customs duty and also prevent illegal trade and smuggling. To be able to do this, they perform a number of important tasks. They search vehicles, luggage and travelers and look for banned items. They also check your documents to make sure that you are allowed to leave or enter the country. If they find excess goods or illegal items, they will interrogate you. They also have the power to charge or arrest people. They also prepare witness statements and other reports that can be used in court.

In the United States alone, customs officers arrest 135 suspects of various crimes and one suspected terrorist each day. They also seize more than 2,300 pounds of narcotics and confiscate more than 190 firearms. Every day, they intercept over 200 fraudulent documents and stop more than 50 criminal aliens trying to enter the country.

They may be very annoying sometimes but the truth is, without them, a safe, comfortable flight may not be possible. The next time you see a customs officer, smile and let them know that their job is appreciated.