“When did you buy the air ticket, Miss Zhang?” The airport security staff asked while examining my passport.
“Last night.” I said sheepishly.
“Oh, why so last minute?” He looked up, and raised his left eye brow.
“I miss my boyfriend very much, and today is his birthday. I want to make it there for dinner with him…”
Tons of questions then followed. I was asked what I was doing in the UK, where I lived, whether I had any proof of address, when I would come back, and why I did not have any check-in luggage.
I showed my provisional driving license, and my college student card. The gentleman was still frowning. He excused himself and walked away with my documents to discuss with another security staff, who looked higher-ranked.
I had never experienced such intensive questioning. How could I make it clear that my visiting had no hidden agenda? I dug out my college letter of student status. Usually, this was only required upon entering the UK. Neversly, I handed over the letter when he came back.
“Ah, this was what I wanted!” Looking relieved, he walked away again with my letter.
I let out a silent sigh. Before long, he returned. “Is your boyfriend American?”
It suddenly struck me that many people went off to visit boyfriend/girlfriend and remained in the states illegally. I quickly explained that my boyfriend is a college student interning in America, and he would be back to the UK when school starts.
The gentleman’s eyes brightened up. While passing back my documents one by one. He explained that it was because I purchased my ticket on the previous day, and had no check-in luggage. WIth a big smile, he assured me that it won’t be a problem for me to enter the States, and wished me a nice flight and a good time in the States.
