- 8/16/2007 2:29:57 PMTrip to MilwaukeeWe traveled down to Milwaukee to have our biometrics taken today. Our appointment was for 10:00 AM and the drive is approximately 150 miles. We left home at 7:00 and headed south. I wasn't sure what to expect. All I knew was that I was not looking forward to the drive into the city, finding a parking spot and waiting.
The trip was uneventful and I think we hit Milwaukee around 9:20 - just after the morning rush hour. With Peggy's superior navigational skills, we easily found the Department of Homeland Security office. I only had to circle the block twice before I found a parking spot on the street.
It was a short walk to the building. The front door was guarded by an officer with a pistol. When we entered the building, we were greeted by another armed officer who was manning the metal detector. My wife and daughter passed through with out any issue. They were told to put their purses in the x-ray tray and hand over their photo id. No issues, no fuss.
When I stepped up I was told, "Sir, empty your pockets off all change, keys, wallet, your watch and if you are wearing a belt - remove it". In a nut shell, my experience was a little different. I did as I was told and held up my pants as I walked through the detector. "DING". Hmmm???? "Sir, would you please step off to the side", said the officer. "Hold out your hands like this... turn around...". Up and down he went with his little magic wand... nothing. It makes me wonder if this was because I am a man and it is normal procedure. I'm thinking it might be. You never see any photo's of female terrorists on TV.
I picked up my things and was escorted to another room where I was given a short questionnaire. It only asked for basic information. By the time I had my belt back on and the questions answered, I was called back into the fingerprint room to get in line behind my daughter. There were 2 women taking prints and one man. When one of the women became free, she did not take my prints but called for the other man instead. Perhaps it was nothing, but then again, perhaps it is a procedural thing to have a male take the prints when the customer is male.
Either way, I was called over to one of the computer stations where my prints were taken. Their fingerprint machine is pretty cool. They had me rub some very greasy lotion on my hands before they would let me touch the computer screen. Bodda boom - Bodda bing! Done. Our appointment was for 10:00 and I think we finished up around 9:55. You can't beat that. Aside from having to take my belt off, the people there were very friendly and extremely efficient. It's just too bad we had to go all the way to Milwaukee to do this. But that wasn't all that bad either.
Now, the next time I watch CSI I'll see if my prints come up...
