Free Delta snack costs flyer USD500 customs fine
A free snack from Delta Air Lines has turned into the forbidden fruit for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and is going to cost a passenger a hefty fee.
Delta passenger Crystal Tadlock decided to keep hold of an apple given by cabin crew and eat it later but a customs officer decided to slap Tadlock with a fine of $500.
She is now warning other flyers not to accept fruit if on an inbound flight into the US or at least eat it before touching down.
The apple in question was handed to Tadlock aboard a flight from France.
"I wasn’t hungry at the time so I jammed it in my carry-on," Tadlock said.
At the Customs entry point she was pulled over for a random check.
Referring to the CBP officer, Tadlock said: "He had asked me if my trip to France was expensive. And I said yeah, I didn’t really get why he was asking that question. And then he said it’s about to get a lot more expensive after I charge you $500."
Tadlock is annoyed that the airline didn’t warn passengers not to take them off the plane.
The apple was still in its plastic pouch clearly showing it was from Delta Air Lines.
"I understand the laws and the department of agriculture doesn’t want certain insects in the US but once again, the apple is from Delta and I think that’s the most important part of this story."
"We encourage our customers to follow US Customs and Border Protection protocols," a Delta statement said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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