In order to travel a Jamaican must overcome some arguably justifiable stereotypes. Firstly are you a freeloader who is going to disappear, work illegally, have children and not to appear until of course you are arrested.

If not, you are probably a drug dealer, which would explain your frequent flyer status and your nice shoes. To add to our woes, thanks to some members of our Caribbean community who came up with some hare-brained scheme to ignite the jet fuel arteries at JFK airport, we are now also terrorists.

I watched with horror on TV as some Federal Officer announced at a press conference that this latest threat was different in that it had links to the Caribbean, an area that they had been concerned about for a while, and one that they would have to take very seriously. Are we ever in the dog house now!

Jamaicans stand with trepidation in front of immigration officers. We have all heard the horror stories, heard about that 'room' they take you to if they develop a suspicion. Heard about how helpless you are if you get on the wrong side of them. "What country are you coming from?" He asks blankly, you hesitate. Clearly this is obvious from your ticket and the fact that the entire immigration hall has suddenly been overcome with Jamaican tones, yet the temptation to offer some sweet harmless white country as the answer to avoid intense scrutiny is great.

Customs line

The Customs line takes on a whole new meaning for Jamaicans. Dogs walk by and you worry that the smell of ganja is so pervasive in Jamaica it could have infiltrated your bag. Could the dog tell the difference between second hand smoke and the real deal? Drug dealers have been relentless with their innovations. At one time uptown-looking women were their preferred mules, dons are not above using children, and the only common thread is that they are only too often coming from Jamaica. We all are high-risk.

You wonder what this month's trend is. Images of 'the glove' cross your mind, and you quickly correct your face in the event that the look of horror might be misread as guilt. Why be nervous if you are not guilty? Quite simply, the combination of further time delays after a flight and the 'intrusive' process of proving your innocence if they develop a doubt, is punishment in itself.

It is not that you are not prepared. There was the visa process, and you were herded through metal barriers, waiting on plastic chairs for your number. You are a small product on a large production line, churning out more often than visas, rejections. The line for the interview is the most entertainment you'll get, overhearing stories of weddings, church projects, and dying relatives and then there is the reply that punctuates these pleas over and over, "I'm sorry but not at this time."

Yet this inconvenience is born out of a reality. We have a terrible immigration track record and we are formidable players in the world's drug trade. The United States and Britain fear the potential our countries have for terrorist cells. Our underground economy is so vibrant that it makes it nearly impossible to track certain activities. They do not understand how we operate, and therefore cannot learn our system, probably because we have no system.

We have a fertile ground for illicit activity and they know it. If we do not want travelling to be a complete nightmare, we must ensure that we control our country, and not allow a few to give us yet another bad name, God forbid, one we could ever deserve.