[drpancake]

Well I'm glad this didn't happen to me. I travelled to the US in very similar circumstances a few weeks ago: European, carrying a guitar, visiting the South, previously stayed in the US on a J-1 intern visa. The only difference being that I had a one-way ticket.

I didn't even go through secondary at customs. No issues.

[unreal37]

The fact that it's arbitrary doesn't make it any better.

[drpancake]

Not defending these immigration officials by any means. It's just a timely and mildly interesting anecdote.

[colomon]

Did you tell them you would be playing shows?

[drpancake]

I wasn't playing shows, just road tripping.

[colomon]

I'm pretty sure that's the key difference in this case.