U.S. Warns on Security of Venezuelan Airports After Inspections Are Blocked

[NickD 202]

Read this on a sign at our nearest international airport. Is it safe to travel to Venezuela?

We fly mostly by American Airlines, was under the impression they were doing their own inspections. In my last visit found a Technics SL-D33 in my wife's apartment, a classic turntable I had to have, took it all apart so it would not get damaged and had a lot of explaining to do exactly what it is in Venezuela.

If this isn't enough, when we landed in the US, we had to haul our luggage three blocks to be inspected again. Really questioned this, your airline already inspected our luggage and approved it, why can't this be forwarded to our connecting flight, this took another three hours of waiting in long lines only to be inspected again! Then you already inspected all of the passengers luggage and returning this luggage to all the passengers giving them the opportunity to modify it, this doesn't make any sense!

It already was approved for your plane! Only response I received, its their policy. So who exactly are making these luggage inspections, and why twice? Not only long lines in Venezuela, but again, long lines after we got back in the USA! When we entered the Venezuelan airport, first was the POE, main interest of them was we paid their stiff airport tax. I don't have any problems with a born in the USA passport. Wife has to show her Venezuelan ID and passport, and also her US passport. Namely because her Venezuelan passport does not have a US visa in it and she won't be allowed to leave without it. They never looked at our luggage!

But this occurred when we entered the international zone. That is when our luggage was very carefully inspected, but then again after we reached the US with more super long lines. Doesn't help me at all being ex-military with plenty of security experience, feel like I am dealing with idiots.

Here is the article, http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB122090583275011499, could have taken a photo of the sign on at our local international airport, but didn't. The people really suffering are the good people of Venezuela. Its the leadership that are a bunch of idiots, and feel the same about our own state department. Why can't they get along?

[NickD 202]

With the recent murder of Monica Spear in Venezuela, plus the super inflated airline rates, wife is even more hesitant to visit there. What she has in common, also has an older Toyota Corolla to drive down there and also has to travel outside of Caracas.

From reports, murdering two people and shooting a kid in the leg just to get a cheap camera?

From other reports, equally hesitant on going down there myself, will more than likely be detained as an American spy. Chavez is a prince of a guy compared to this Maduro.