Border crossings US / Canada

[Rattletrap2]

Okay,

Just got in from another ordeal at the longest undefended border!

 

First let me state, that ever since I was a kid, I have been in awe of the US of A and fascinated by this country! Over my career, I have absolutely seen more of the United States than I have of Canada. That's just the way it is. My occupation required me to partake in technical training that was almost always somewhere in the US. I was fortunate enough to come here a lot.

 

Back at the end of March, I was given 2 days notice that I would be spending 10 weeks in Cleveland, Ohio. Now this ain't Palm Beach or anything, just another industrial city where a major manufacturer is located and has their training school.

 

I love my job and am thankful to have the opportunity to be here and learn something new that will make me more valuable at home. The part I wasn't thrilled about, was that I didn't have time to get my home in order for me to be away this long. I already feel like a dolt for not being home when there is so much work to be done around the house this time of year. Fortunately, I have a very supportive and understanding Wife that has always supported me when I had to travel over the last 31 years. She never complains, but I sure don't like leaving her with all the work.

 

The fun started on March 27th. Everyone says "just tell em' you are visiting friends". I say, no way! I am going there for legitimate reasons, I have nothing to hide, and I don't have so much as an outstanding parking ticket against me! Everything went relatively smoothly the first Sunday I crossed. I have a Passport like they want, and I had a letter to the company that I was going to. They let me through with only a few stupid questions! Don't get me wrong here, I am polite as can be and answer everything they ask. They didn't ask for any documentation or anything. I decided that I would make the 6 hour trip home every second week-end and even told the guard this.

 

A few weeks later, I am heading back on a Sunday evening and the Guard says" No! I don't think you have any right to be coming down here for training. Why don't you get this at home? I explain that although the company has offices in Canada, that the training is only offered here. Well he does not like this and says I need a Visa to come down here. I said that i understood that I could not work in the US and that I was being paid by my employer at home. He tells me to hand him my keys and goes off to talk with someone else at another booth. He comes back and says again that I have no right to be doing what I'm doing and that I need to pull into the compound and go inside to speak with Immigration officers. They herd me like cattle into the building and interrogated me for 45 minutes to 1 hour! I again answered the same questions over and over, and listened to what they had to say. In the end, they said I needed to have a letter from my employer and the company that is offering the training. He tells me what the letter has to contain and sends me on my way. I then get yelled at by a female officer for not walking on the correct hatch marks back to my vehicle. No problem, just glad to be on my way!

Oh, when they asked for any documentation, I told them I had it the first week, but did not have it with me. He says that every time i come here, I am knocking on the door and asking for permission to enter, and need to have it. I said okay and said I understood and would comply asap.

 

I went home for Mothers Day last week and when i get back to the border Sunday night. I run into one of the guards that i had previously dealt with, but he had eventually let me go. He is all set to start into me about going in to speak with Immigration again, when i said that I was in there already and that a specific Immigration officer (I remembered his name) had told me to get these two letters and that was all I needed. He backs down and says Okay, go on through.

 

Tonight, ( I had to go back home again this week for a graduation function) the guard says he couldn't read my plate and asks me if I know the numbers. No problem Sir, and I tell him. The camera flashed on my front plate like always. There is nothing obstructing either of my plates. He asks me if I come to the States a lot, and of course i explain everything again, and tell him that in 3 weeks iI will be finished and that I will go home once more on Memorial Day week-end.(I get to miss our Victoria Day long week-end!)

He again asks me what my citizenship is? I thought perhaps that my Canadian passport and Ontario tags were a dead giveaway, but answer politely.

 

I had already offered him my Passport and the two letters. He says great,, and takes them from me! He then tells me to put the vehicle in park, shut the engine off, step out of the vehicle and hand him the keys. The engine was already off, but I comply. A second guard escorts me inside after telling me to empty my pockets on the front seat. I asked for my wallet and he says you are not going anywhere near the vehicle again and to walk this way. He says the computer randomly selected me for a vehicle search. i am asked to sit in a room out of sight and they drove my car into a garage and searched it for about a 1/2 hour! He comes back inside and says that he saw my new PAL certificate in my wallet and is there any weapons in the car? I don't even own one yet! I politely tell him this and he gives me back my stuff and send me on my way!

 

Sorry for the long winded rant, but I am thoroughly PO'd about this and the lustre is really starting to wear off this fine country that I admired so much!!

 

I guess I was so naive that I thought they would be thankful I was coming down here to spend tens of thousands of dollars! After all this is done, I will have to come back to the US in August for two more weeks. I can hardly wait! I think I will just park my car, bend over and place my elbows on the hood, and let them all have a turn with me!

 

I can't imagine trying to bring a boat load of fishing gear across the border! Do our guards treat all of our Southern friends this way when you come up here in June? Is this normal procedure? It is a sad state of affairs if this is what things are coming to with our closest allies and neighbours.

 

I'm hoping someone on here has some inside knowledge of these matters and can shed some light for me! I'm an honest guy who plays by and follows the rules. What the heck do they do with criminals?

 

Thanks (Maybe when the 3 gallons of coffee I drank to get me here wears off,I can get to sleep!) LOL

[Gerry]

Get yourself a NEXUS card and your problems will be over.

[singingdog]

Sounds to me like border guards doing their job .

[spincast]

A Nexus card can make crossing easier for visits - but they may still ask why you are coming to the USA and if they do, going to school is something that (in some ciircumstances) requires Visas for foriegn students (Canada has this requirement too from some countries I believe). You may want to consider crossing at a different Port (but be aware Lewiston and Fort Erie are the same Port from a management perspective). Your info (name, plate # etc) is now likely registered in the computer at the current Port. You can speak to the Port director and try to get this reversed, but it can be a lengthy exercise, and depending on how busy they are you may have some difficulties. If your employer is a large US firm however, they will have some pull through their association, and can probably help in this matter. You can drop me a PM if you want, I do have some contacts at various US Ports and have had dealings with many of the Ports through my work. If you pursue the Nexus option they will also ask why you need a card / reasons for your visits. Not sure how things would pan out if you told them schooling - you may want to enquire in that before you fork out all the money for background checks and time for interviews.

[Billy Bob]

Sorry about the boarder interrogations you have had to tolerate recently.

 

I believe that boarder security has been stepped up because of the Bin Dead character we finally killed in Pakistan...

 

You probably fit a profile that they are concerned with and that's just the way it's going to be for a while....Please don't blame us but rather the wacko's that are trying to destroy our country and yours because of how good we have it and how bad they have it.

 

Hopefully someday our boarders will revert back to the old days of just saying I'm Canadian or American and get that friendly smile with OK go ahead...but I don't think that's going to happen in our life time.

 

Bob

[OhioFisherman]

Dang Brian, doesn`t sound like much fun! The beard has a middle eastern look to it? It`s hard to tell what them people are thinking.

[bubbles]

1 - I think they were doing their Job, the more you cross on a regular basis the more likely you are to be chosen for the random search, and the more suspisious you look.

2 - Do you think the guy running drugs across tells them so, nope, he is going for training too.

3 - there are ways to make things easier, Nexus, letters from employers etc.. and all this knowledge comes with experience, which you now have.

4 - This year will be out 11th crossing with a loaded boat,(knock on wood), a five minute chat about fishing and we are on our way.

 

I'm sure it's not what you wanted to hear but it's just my 2 1/2 cents.

 

OH and I almost forgot, did you try fishing the Detroit river since you were down this way?

Edited May 16, 2011 by Bubbles

[blaque]

the lustre is really starting to wear off this fine country that I admired so much!!

 

Dont let a few employees at the entrance ruin your opinion of a country. Continue to mold your opinion based on your experiences once you get in

[SlowPoke]

Look into a "DHS-TRIP" Dept of Homeland Security - Travelers Redress Inquiry Program

http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1169676919316.shtm

[aplumma]

I am floored by this. I am sorry that that happened to not only you personally but anyone that wants to come to the USA. I understand the first time request for the papers but after that it would seem you are in the computer notes. I can only think that you may have tripped one of the profiles in our heightened state of security we are in. We have had troubles with people flying into a bordering country and crossing by land because our airport security is now really amped up and has a lot more resources to catch terrorists. It is a shame that they do not know you personally I am sure if they did they would pass you thru like you should be treated.

 

The answer to your question as far as how I am treated as I cross over into your country very well a few questions and a have a nice trip. It is in fact harder for me to get back into the USA than it is to leave it.....

 

So accept my apology with my explanation Brian.

 

 

 

Art

[Hud]

as a person from the states living here, I feel your pain. This happens to me about 30-40% of the time I come back into Canada. I'm sure there is some "randomness" to it all but it doesn't feel like it. Where did you cross?

[Harrison]

It's the beard.

[Mike01]

I have traveled to the States on a regular basis for 15 years, mostly air travel though. I often find that boarder guards are rude, plain and simple. I know they are doing their job and I fully support that but they should at least require some person interaction skills.

[Canadave]

From my experience, the secret to entering the U.S. without any hassle is to drive an old beige Buick LeSabre. Have you ever noticed that only old harmless looking dudes drive a beige LeSabre. Also when you talk to the guy at the booth always wear glasses and look over the top of them so you look even older. Be sure to wear a dorky looking hat and a plaid shirt buttoned up at the top. This way you look old, dorky and stupid and therefore non-threatening. I think border guards are trained to understand that no self-respecting Taliban terrorist would ever drive an old beige LeSabre and dress like a dork. They always smell bad and look and act really really stupid but they never look over their glasses mainly because they can't afford glasses at least not until the Canadian government sends them huge cheques on a regular basis which takes at least two days from when they enter Canada claiming refugee status.

[Roy]

HAHAHAHAHA Welcome back you ol' dork! Have you traded in the LeSabre yet?

[craigdritchie]

I travel to the States frequently on business, mostly by air, but also by car, and have never had an issue.

 

Only thing I can suggest is that either your name or your vehicle match to another person or vehicle that the US Customs guys have on a watch list. It's the only way to explain it.

 

One of my new co-workers had an issue at the Toronto airport last year when he arrived to travel on business and found himself on the no-fly list! It turns out some other guy with the same name, same age and same ethnic background is on Homeland Security's no-fly list, so my colleague had to spend two hours answering questions in a little room before they concluded he wasn't the dude they were looking for. Of course he missed his flight, which was a major pain, and he went through the exact same ordeal on the return trip. He has since got a NEXUS card and had no further problems.

Edited May 16, 2011 by Craig_Ritchie

[Rich Clemens]

The answer to your question as far as how I am treated as I cross over into your country very well a few questions and a have a nice trip. It is in fact harder for me to get back into the USA than it is to leave it.....

 

So accept my apology with my explanation Brian.

 

Art

 

 

Yeah. You'd think they would have all this info in the system so as to not put your through all of this ... time after time. I cross the border several times a year. I have the same experience as Art shared, it takes longer for me to get back into the states than it does for me coming into Canada.

 

I only ever had one problem and that was getting turned around for having a bag of potates in the truck - for which I was specifically asked about. I had to turn around, go back to customs in the states, turn over the potatoes, give a form signed, and come back through. Thank goodness, this was after midnight, so there was not much of a line. Funny ... I used to take a sack of potatoes all the time and my Dad had just gone through the same border crossing not 24 hours before me ... and they never asked him about his potatoes. Overall, I've never had any problems crossing the border ... must be our dogs they like.

[splashhopper]

By any chance, did "Aacchhhhhhmad the terrorist" pop his head out of your luggage at the border ?

[Canadave]

Hi Roy ... Actually I traded in the old 98 LeSabre in Florida a few years ago for a 2005 Buick Century with only 4,800 miles on it. Turns out it was owned by the Canadian TV sports announcer Don Chevrier who now lives on the brown side of the grass. Now whenever I go to the U.S. I get a cavity search by some ape named Igor.

[pikehunter]

The paranoia continues. Just think of all the cross border shoppers who endure this just for the privilege of spending their pretty colourful canadian cash over there.

 

Sorry to say but the Yanks have created a border nightmare. All because a couple of idiotic politicians and if I'm correct a particular CNN commentator were shooting their mouths off.

 

Hope your next trip to my Grandfather's native soil doesn't result in your detainment over this sort of stupidity.

[Joey]

Jeez Brian, that's not a fun way to spend your time. I had an experience with the border once similar to yours. It was not fun and wasted a whole bunch of everybody's time. That was many, many years ago so had nothing to do with today's amped up security. Sometimes the officer just wants to be a jerk (they can be one on both sides so no offence to our beautiful neighbours).

[DRIFTER_016]

Maybe Canadave has a point.

What's your license plate #.

If it's one of these it could be the reason.

 

Infidel

Jihad

Taliban

Kaboom

Allah

Revenge

[bubbles]

Another pad lock is on it's way.

[blaque]

Living on the US side......Ive never had a problem going into canada or coming back into the states.

 

Whether its with a fully packed vehicle and boat for a week long trek into quebec, or if its just going up to crystal beach for the day, or even back in the day going to toronto to hit the clubs for the night. GOing to the casino, even going up for work and bringing materials for store installations. Its been nothing more than a "citizenship?, where ya headed? How long ya stayin? and go on through". On the way back its a "citizenship?, where ya been? bringin anything back? and go on through?"

 

Only time i had questions beyond that posed to me was when i was taking my niece and nephews from differnet parents up to a family gathering at crystal beach. I agreed to pick them up and take them with notes from each parent for the border patrol basicaly giving permission for me to take them across. I expected this might get hairy but it wasnt much more than a review of the written letters and asking each child what their relationship was with me and that they were in the vehicle voluntarily and on our way we went.

 

Ive been crossing the border at either the peace bridge, or rainbow bridge, also lewiston .....for many many years, ....and havent had an inkling of an issue.

 

Just my experience.

[Billy Bob]

Sorry to say but the Yanks have created a border nightmare. All because a couple of idiotic politicians and if I'm correct a particular CNN commentator were shooting their mouths off.

 

Hope your next trip to my Grandfather's native soil doesn't result in your detainment over this sort of stupidity.

 

Sorry but I really think your WAY off base here....our country was attacked by foreigners on 9/11/01 with THOUSANDS of innocent people killed by terrorist and it's now our duty to protect our country and it's citizens to the fullest extent. So, it takes a bit longer to get in or out of the USA, but at least you or a love one is not blow up.

 

I can't make this any simpler to understand, even though it makes traveling over the bridges just a bit inconvenient for all of us going in both directions. I have had hold ups on the Canadian side as well as the American side of customs and know it's better to wait a few more minutes then have a re-acurrance of 9/11..

 

PLEASE remember we did not ask for this, but we will NEVER forget it.