The horror of border control
 

So, this week my family came to visit and we were all set to pick them up in Buffalo driving across the border from Fort Erie. I expected to have some trouble cross to the states as they tend to be over zealous though a 2 and a half hour wait seemed excessive even then but then, coming back today after dropping them off to go home, already sad that they were leaving I had to deal with the most horrid border patrol officer I think I have ever met.
First she questioned my BUNAC visa being authentic, then she demanded to know why we applied for our spousal visa outland via london when inland is so much faster (what?! I don't know where she gets her information from!). When she asked me where I got my information from and I told her from the CIC website she rolled her eyes and said, 'uh no, it's faster inland.' I'm not sure what business that was of hers anyway to be honest, if I wanted to send the ruddy applications to the moon what difference would it make? We were then sent to go and see immigration canada and the girl there was lovely and sent us on our way without problem. She seemed a little confused why we were there at all!
Ok, so in conclusion, after 4 terrible experiences out of 5 crossing the border in the last 2 years I've decided not to do it again. Too stressful because you can't lost your temper with them but you have to take their terrible attitudes and it's such a waste of time all round.
I've finished ranting now, anyone else had similar experiences?

Re: The horror of border control
 

Nope, but commiserations anyway.

The US officers were more of a problem than the canadian ones back when I was on a temp permit, but you just bend over, take whats coming, then count to ten and get on with life again. They have a job to do weeding out the ne'er-do-wells I guess. I wouldnt want to be them (other than for the benefits and job security:) )

Re: The horror of border control
 

Crossed the border at least 30 times in the last 18 months - occasionally you'll get someone who wants to be pedantic, but 9 times out of 10 if you're polite, smile and nod in agreement with whatever nonsense they feel like spouting or just say "oh, I didn't realise that", then it works out fine.

The minute you get aggressive or argumentative with them is when you've just signed yourself up for a potential rubber gloving...

This applies to both the US and the Canadian side!

Re: The horror of border control
 

Well duh!

Re: The horror of border control
 

I've crossed the border as a vistor, on Bunac, as a PR and various stages inbetween. I realise it is all a bit inconvenient and lengthy, but I wouldn't go as far as "horrific".

Try landing on a working holiday visa from Australia, to come and live with a guy you met on the internet and have never seen in person. To be grilled on all of that and then flagged as being a potential human trafficking risk. That is something to worry about.

Re: The horror of border control
 

You mean Abu Graib rules apply.

Re: The horror of border control
 

I have crossed the US border approximately 410 times in each direction, by wheeled vehicle, commercial flight, private plane, boat and on foot. Once I had an unconcealed but forgotten banana, that time went badly. Once I was unable to convince the border agent that "Jim" as shown on one document is another form of "James" as shown on another document, that led to secondary inspection and much bleating from the uniformed.

Otherwise it's been unremarkable, sometimes my passport goes unopened, but then I try to say nuffink and, if required to answer a question, to do so succintly and truthfully.

Re: The horror of border control
 

Firstly a simple answer to all IO's questions about applying outland is the right of appeal which cannot be taken away, however the statement about inland apps is absolute BS, AIP alone takes 6 months.

My experiences have been somewhat mixed, Ive had the most miserable git in the world who kind of reminded me of hitler, power mad and no idea what the hell he was doing. Had a snotty cow who sent me to the most adorable CIC officer in the world, who after confiscating my 6 stake and kidney pies (declared them) told me every option I had to be with my fiance, had a lovely French Canadian at the BC border by car who said it had been a long day, was pouring with rain and just wanted to go home.

As for the US, same again, some polite, some just downright arrogant yanks. But all in all I think its like any customer service, you get the ones who want to help, and the ones who want to control. Still I would'nt let it stop me crossing the border no matter how much hasstle, we are constantly told 'those with nothing to hide blah blah blah', so why let some muppet in a suit, who 'thinks' they know what they are talking about, take away your freedom?

Re: The horror of border control
 

You poor thing. He sounds like a right creep. I hope they arrested him and he got locked up for long time. The internet can be a dangerous place. I saw a programme on NBC about internet predators, its scary stuff.

Re: The horror of border control
 

Er, I should clarify. I am neither Australian, nor the person who hauled themselves to Canada to meet the Internet Canadian. That was a friend of mine. Incidentally, he did turn out to be a masssive creep, but not in the people trafficking sense.

Re: The horror of border control
 

Apologies, but it can happen to anyone these days.

Re: The horror of border control
 

My theory is that the more unimportant, boring, small and irrelevant a border post is, the more crap you get. I've had the most trouble with US border guards at Point Roberts (pimple on the arse of Canada) and Skagway, Alaska. New York? Couldn't have cared less. Through in minutes.

Never had any trouble with Canadian border officers.

Re: The horror of border control
 

True words. What with all the trafficking, drugs and violence it's a wonder we all make it through the day. Thank goodness the border control people do such a fine, upstanding job.

Re: The horror of border control
 

A wise clarification as for a moment I thought you were talking about an august and venerated poster on this fair board.;)

Re: The horror of border control
 

Ah. 2 plus 2 = "BE forum revealed as hotbed for sordid internet trafficking activity".

I now have to wonder if I have ever come across as even vaguely Australian. I would rather know, so I could work on overcoming it.