Still, the attitudes of some people here boggle the mind. Do you presume that because our government puts such procedures in place that Americans agree with them? How dare the people who have the attitude that Americans are simply “getting what they deserve.” Also, bizarre is the woman who admits freely that she was spared embarrassment because she had diplomatic immunity. It’s easy to judge when you have not been through the degrading experience yourself.

I am sad to read that so many feel these procedures are “routine.” I fail to see how these procedures keeps the US or any country safe. Randomly searching innocent people and spending time harassing them while searching their property and their person is reprehensible. It is a sad statement on our society.

I think there are some odd inaccuracies in this story. For example, Regina mentions working three jobs to save for a holiday, and then talks about having “a” stressful job. As well, I think it’s odd that someone would “work three jobs” to “pay for a vacation” and then make the decision about the destination two days before departure, and then only stay for two days.

Per the patriot act, they are allowed, and we have no rights to lawyers etc, and can be held without charge or reason. The USA has been locking people up like fiends for no reason since 9/11, take some time and look into it. Literally thousands of people held for lengthy times with no charges.

The USA still holds people without charge, and feel free to research it, Bermuda does not. Gitmo anyone?

It was unfortunate what happened, but to expect a refund is totally offbase. Funny thing being, my island often does refund tourists – say if they get in a bas accident or something, the gov does just for goodwill, they are good like that.

Unfortuntely, the drug trade in my island comes through the airport – by foriegners mostly. You think you got singled out lol, try being local, they are very strict on us. We have a zero tolerance policy, guns are illegal etc.

Also, sorry, but you may also be suffering blowback from the “ugly American” vibes that happen here. It is not unheard of for American tourists to commit crimes, and expect to be let off as “they are Americans”, there have literally been cases where people think they are not subject to obeying the law as they are Americans? Maybe a few times a year this occurs here, sadly.

Also, as an FYI per your post, we are not that heavily dependent on vacation tourists btw, our main source of income is actually offshore banking and business, and we do very very well at it, normally ranking as the highest average incomes in the world, and of course we have no income tax.

I do apologize for it in any case, my island is to me my paradise. In many ways it is like stepping back in time, and like many places our crime is rising so my government is doing what they can do curb this, so we can remain our peaceful selves.

Unfortunetly people such as yourselves get caught in this crossfire.

With love from Bermuda.

Look at it from their perspective as well, you are a traveler subject to the laws of their country and they do not want drugs entering their country. Bermuda takes a very proactive approach to stop drugs from entering their borders. They have the right to scrutinize, search, detain and refuse entry to anyone they suspect of attempting to break their laws. It is always a guessing game when you travel outside the US. It seems that this point needs to be stressed with you, once outside the US you are not protected by US law/morals/ethics etc., the US embassies are not there to bail you out and you ARE subject to law of the country you visit.

I’m sorry your trip was ruined and I feel for you but they do not owe you an official apology or a refund. Just be gald it wasn’t the middle east or asia, you would still be in jail.

Up until this point, I haven’t seen her even acknowledge these people, other than to just say that every one of her critics just doesn’t get it. These people *do*. And they’re still telling her that she needs to stop feeling so victimized. She hasn’t acknowledged any points of view that the dogs were highly trained, that the detectors could have picked up trace elements, and that she redflagged on several behaviors. Regina, to me, this really seems as if you’re unwilling to listen to, or acknowledge, that your point of view might be wrong. I am truly sorry for your experience; it’s not one that any innocent person should have to endure. Still, as long as the guards were professional in how they treated you (you weren’t abused by these people, right? And your search was conducted professionally, by a woman? You just had to go through the searches?) I really think you are heavily overreacting, especially when you refuse to respond to anyone’s very valid, very proven points with anything other than “you don’t know what it’s like to be me!” Even when they do, you seem to not want to respond to them…

I’ve also been pulled over for random searches. My boyfriend is a photographer and he gets singled out -every time- in the lines because of his equipment, and it’s pretty intrusive (though not as intrusive as a cavity search, I’ll grant you!). It doesn’t stop me from traveling, and won’t, and shouldn’t stop anybody. It’s quite true that you can vote with your feet and not go somewhere after a bad experience, and that’s your right. And maybe it’s true that all customs agents everywhere should get a little sensitivity training… but seriously, this sort of stuff is everywhere and won’t end anytime soon. Innocent people get caught up in things they shouldn’t. It’s not right… but it happens.

If they were not so diligent and a terrorist smuggled plastic explosives through customs in a body cavity that was then subsequently used to blow up a hotel Regina was staying in, in juring her; I’m sure she would be the first to complain that the government, and the customs agents in particular, were negligent.

I don’t think she is owed an apology from anyone and she certainly shouldn’t expect a refund.

I think the point that is being missed by Ms. Hutchings is that there is no comparison between enforcement arms of a government and customer service at a hotel or restaurant. In either case it is your choice not to show repeat patronage to a country or a hotel/restaurant, but in the case of a hotel/restaurant their charged with providing you customer service and a pleasant experience and that is not the case for customs/border patrol. They are charged with defending their borders with their set of laws and restrictions.

I’m sorry that you had to go through this experience and I do hope that the one lesson you learn is that travel is filled with surprises and good planning can handle 90% of them and a good attitude can take care of the remaining 10%. Best wishes.

I’m not sure what Regina thinks she’s advocating / teaching everyone. It doesn’t sound like there’s anything wrong with Bermuda. She just had a rotten experience at the airport. Do you mean to tell me, Regina, that you’re going to make sure you tell everyone you know not to go to Bermuda because the customs agents do random drug checks? For me that’s not a good enough reason to avoid a destination.

I plan on going to Bermuda next year with my daughter, and can’t wait! My best friend was there not long ago and loved it, and I have a friend from college that lives there and he’s obviously a fan, lol.

Bottom line for me is, I’m very sorry you were the one singled out, but they did their jobs and I can find no fault in anything they did.

BTW, it would have been totally within the legal rights of Bermuda (or any other coutry) to bar Regina entry and send her on the next flight home. They still would have owed zero compensation.

As far as “education”, thanks to the person who mentioned the new Canadian restrictions. A total non-issue for me, but I keep abreast of travel info and hadn’t heard that before. Suggest this be spotlighted in Elliott.