Is This Random?

Is this a random inspection?”—if CBP officers earned a dollar every time they heard that question, their TSP Fund will quickly reach the Million dollar mark! It’s one of the most common questions travelers ask when they’re selected for inspection. But here’s the truth: agreeing and saying “Yes, it’s random” might make things easier in the moment, but it quietly chips away at your professionalism—and the public’s respect for your role. In this blog, we’ll discuss why officers should avoid that answer and how skilled officers can explain their process with confidence and legal backing.

Lazy and Incorrect Way

Let’s be honest—most travelers know that inspections aren’t truly random. Whether it’s from personal experience, conversations with others, or scenes from every airport movie ever made, people understand that officers use behavioral cues, routing, and other indicators to make selections. So when an officer says, “It’s random,” it doesn’t just sound unconvincing—it feels like an insult to the traveler’s intelligence. That can quickly erode trust, spark resentment, and make the entire inspection more tense and less cooperative. A vague answer might avoid a short-term explanation, but it often creates long-term resistance.

Competent and Correct Method

So, how should we handle the question? Do the opposite of what feels easy —tell them: “NO! Its not random.” Then explain that calling it random implies there’s no system or control in place —in other words, that CBP officers don’t know what we’re doing. Instead, make it clear that you’re trained, experienced, and qualified to make informed decisions. Therefore, you base your selections on behavior, routing, and intelligence—not chance.

The effect?

First, the traveler will be surprised by your honesty (again, they already know it’s not random). And second, they’ll respect you more. Why? Because confidence and professionalism earn respect—and skilled officers project both. All together it will sound like this:

“No, it’s not random. ‘Random’ implies there’s no system or control, and that’s not how we operate. I’m trained and skilled in my duties, and my selections are based on experience, training, and intelligence.”

So next time someone asks, “Is this random?” don’t sell yourself short—own the skill it takes to do your CBP job right. Honesty paired with confidence earns more respect than any vague excuse ever will. And while you’re here, check out the rest of our interview blog—because sharp officers deserve sharper interview techniques. Speaking of sharp, don’t miss our lineup of CBP-tested tactical gear designed to help you perform at your highest level.