Hippy Profiling: How Governments and Airlines Profile Passengers
August 4, 2007
Ever heard of hippy profiling? Surprisingly many countries make legal stipulations to airlines regarding the profiling of their passengers. For example, the Costa Rican government dictates to the airline that they will refuse “hippies” entrance into the country. If the airlines allow someone onto their flight who is denied entrance into the country for being a “hippy”, the airline will be fined and charged for your return flight. This shifts the screening process to the clerk at the airline check-in counter.
While this is official policy, it must all be taken with a grain of salt because if you’ve ever been to Costa Rica you know that its full of “hippies” and I’ve never heard of anyone getting denied entrance for being a “hippy”.
Even still, it is disconcerting that official profiling exists in such an institutional manner. While everyone may have various opinions on the matter, I have always found that “cleaning myself up” to travel makes a noticeable difference at customs, especially at in the United States which is usually one of the most difficult customs in the world.
Do you feel while traveling you have ever been profiled according to your appearance? Does anyone else consciously “clean themselves up” before traveling internationally?
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I don’t clean myself up prior to taking an international flight but I do make sure I am wearing clothing that is not flammable and that I am covered as best as possible while still being comfortable. I am always surprised at how lightly people dress in an aircraft - while fires and accidents are rare I would hate to be trying to negotiate a wreck/fire in flip flops and a T-shirt. The recent accident in Indonesia was a case in point.http://pickledeel.blogspot.com/2007/03/friends-and-planes-do-not-mix.html
While I might not need to really “Clean Up” I do try to take extra care with my appearance. A travel agent once told me that if the airlines are bumping anyone up to first class that they would have to be appropriatly dressed. I have been bumped up and it was quite nice! Also I am sure at any customs you would be better to look like a welcome visitor and not someone that may look like they climbed out from some rock. So though I too am a backpack traveler I think just good sense tells me to look like I am a respectful human being even if it is not my usual clothing code.
While you’re getting cleaned up for your flight, you might also want to make yourself aware of which flights may be more dangerous than others to take; namely, hijackers love Turkey, but most turn out okay for the hostages, though not always.
For me the greatest concern is not the terrorists but the border officials!
Not sure what the meaning of the lasr comment by joybringer means about cleaning up and Turkey. I will have to look out for the Turkey flights I have to agree with Michael everytime I fly back into my own country I am more concerned with Customs and Immagration as they really like to play badasses. I always feel like a criminal the way they talk to you, it really doesn’t make me feel safer just more pissed that I am paying these guys salaries and medical benefits and all with my TAX $$$$. It is not illegal to travel guys!
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