Arrival at Spangdahlem

Author Message   Lyle D. Member Username: Yellowstone Post Number: 47 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 98.92.118.72 Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 10:50 pm:    We flew in and out of Spangdahlem in late 2009 and had to wait for about an hour upon arrival for the persons to check our passports. They were local Police or something like that and could not speak English. They took our passports away for about 30 minutes and returned. They stamped them and said Thanks and did not ask about anything else. When we came back to Spang to fly home to CHS the same procedure occured. We waited for them long time, etc. But we had loads of time on our hands anyway. We have made about 20 international space a flights and carry a bundle of meds for both of us and have never been asked about the meds nor had we even had to get them out. The meds are always in our carry on - and I guess they can see them in their x-ray machines I suppose, don't really know. The only snag we have ever had was at Travis AFB was our small, metel tent stakes were questioned and we were not allowed to have them in our posession in the terminal. We had to ask for them to be brought up from the back and placed in our checked luggage at the time of boarding. We had gone through 4 other military terminals before this encounter at Travis. Still we see this as no problem. Whatever they want we will go along with their request. We still got the tent stakes - that is all that mattered to me. Also had a problem with a fishing rod at Travis on another occasion for all of the same reasons. Thought everyone might find that interesting. But again, we took that rod right on board the C-17 and not a word was said. Just could not have it in the terminal. They held the rod until we boarded. Go figure. But the bottom line - went to Alaska, fished and had a swell time - and did not pay a dime for that flight. No complaints from us. And another thing about Spangdahlem - we really love that base. Not so busy as Ramstein. I would fly into Spang in a heartbeat. Love Spang. Judy M. wife of MSGT.   melissa strombelline Member Username: Mlissmelissa Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2010 Posted From: 80.148.25.170 Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 03:25 pm:    It should be fine as long as it has the label on it. As long as it isnt liquid it shouldnt be an issue of size....unless you are just trying to conserve space if you have an unusually large bottle. But with my sons liquid I went to the pharmacy and asked for a 3 oz bottle and they put a new perscription label on it and poured it in there for me. But yeah, with prescriptions, I agree, you should always leave them in the original container with label to avoid issues!   Phil Doubleman Senior Member Username: Phil Post Number: 1625 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.35.26.65 Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 01:55 pm:    John said that "Legally, prescription drugs are to be carried in their original containers," So true... but how is original container determined? I have received prescriptions in "zip-lock baggies" with the label (prescription) stuck to the outside of the baggie. If you are concerned about size of prescription containers, peel the label from the plastic container and place it on a baggie and put your pills in the baggie. It saves a lot of space. Customs folk have seen my pills in the baggies, have looked at the labels and said nothing.   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2724 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 01:39 am:    Mark: Legally, prescription drugs are to be carried in their original containers, especially across international borders...this is not unique to Spangdahlem. Happy Travels, John   Mark Arnold Member Username: Maxl Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2009 Posted From: 71.62.181.37 Posted on Thursday, June 10, 2010 - 01:27 am:    Heard rumor last year about some person hassling arrival pax at Spangdahlem over prescription meds and vitamins consolidated in small containers to conserve space. I'm asking whether anyone has information on this.   Roger Odiorne Advanced Member Username: Rlodiorne Post Number: 202 Registered: 04-2009 Posted From: 71.50.106.31 Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 10:56 am:    We didn't have a problem, last September, getting through. What caused a little problem was the German Customs/Immigrations guy did not arrive till about an hour after we arrived in the terminal.   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4634 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 03:40 am:    Haven't heard of any. Can you provide some specifics or more info on the problem?   Mark Arnold New member Username: Maxl Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2009 Posted From: 71.62.181.37 Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 03:36 am:    Has anyone experienced any problems processing through arrival at Spangdahlem???