illegaL immagrants in western canada
Nov 30th 2011, 2:33 pm
#166
ModerĪ±tor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
Last edited by iaink; Nov 30th 2011 at 2:35 pm.
Nov 30th 2011, 2:47 pm
#167
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,849
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
Lucky Bugger lol.
You win some", you lose some.
As Newman would say "The mail never stops.
You win some", you lose some.
As Newman would say "The mail never stops.
Nov 30th 2011, 5:47 pm
#168
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
Good point at the end there - I travel a lot and have never had an issue with a border guard - I am friendly and co-operative from the outset and I have always been treated well in return. Interesting that the people who have such a negative attitude are the ones complaining how bad tempered and rude the guards are.
Even then though when it's something dead simple, I had CBSA get their dog out and search my car for nearly an hour once. All I'd done was go to the supermarket.
Also it depends on the frequency of how often you actually come into contact with them - living in Canada I find it happens more often because I go to the US frequently.
If you fly or drive around the EU they just don't really care if you are a citizen of an EU state, but I've had some run-ins with HMRC in the past.
I find there are a lot of jobsworth ex-military types working in customs and immigration as well. Helps to get a NEXUS card for sure.
Nov 30th 2011, 6:17 pm
#169
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,849
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
I find it depends on the situation. If you're just going for a short visit then it's not likely to be a problem, but if you show up with import permits or have something that is complex to deal with then it's a totally different situation. I have literally had screaming arguments with CBP, last time we were yelling sections of US code at each other because he didn't know what he was doing. I've filed so many complaints with DHS and CBP I've literally lost count.
Even then though when it's something dead simple, I had CBSA get their dog out and search my car for nearly an hour once. All I'd done was go to the supermarket.
Also it depends on the frequency of how often you actually come into contact with them - living in Canada I find it happens more often because I go to the US frequently.
If you fly or drive around the EU they just don't really care if you are a citizen of an EU state, but I've had some run-ins with HMRC in the past.
I find there are a lot of jobsworth ex-military types working in customs and immigration as well. Helps to get a NEXUS card for sure.
Even then though when it's something dead simple, I had CBSA get their dog out and search my car for nearly an hour once. All I'd done was go to the supermarket.
Also it depends on the frequency of how often you actually come into contact with them - living in Canada I find it happens more often because I go to the US frequently.
If you fly or drive around the EU they just don't really care if you are a citizen of an EU state, but I've had some run-ins with HMRC in the past.
I find there are a lot of jobsworth ex-military types working in customs and immigration as well. Helps to get a NEXUS card for sure.
Glad to see our US counterparts are as efficient as us.
Come on fess up where did you hide the sausages that you had just purchased from the supermarket.
As for the ex military type can you suggest another way to double dip i.e collect Army pension and work for another employer who will also give you a pension. Seems like good financial planning to me.
And from all accounts from various UK sources today with the strike who are working/on standby today at Heathrow???? The Royal Marines.
Nov 30th 2011, 6:49 pm
#170
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
Both orders were from same uk company_ said ladies dresses on front _ mine had a big white customs label 
aah well she can be dd for the night!n
As peeps have said u win some u loose (sp- tired!) Some. Much like border patrol- I am always my happy self but got pulled into immig office last time at yvr as pr card hadn't arrived. The first guard was v stroppy - I knew I didn't HAVE to have card and had found the relevant bits in the regs etc,, but the lady in the immig office looked at my stuff and said "oh you shouldn't be here_ off you go!"
aah well she can be dd for the night!n As peeps have said u win some u loose (sp- tired!) Some. Much like border patrol- I am always my happy self but got pulled into immig office last time at yvr as pr card hadn't arrived. The first guard was v stroppy - I knew I didn't HAVE to have card and had found the relevant bits in the regs etc,, but the lady in the immig office looked at my stuff and said "oh you shouldn't be here_ off you go!"
Nov 30th 2011, 7:04 pm
#171
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
What really irritates me is they start an argument with me and then about ten minutes in they actually bother to read through my entry record and realize I've complained about whatever it is before. What is the point in having a complaints procedure if they never bother to pay any attention to it?
From now on I'm simply writing to the port director.
And I have no idea why CBSA searched my car, I think the inspector was just new on the job and was overzealous, as they always are when they're new. They're told they're going to be stopping human smuggling and interdicting drugs or whatever and in reality Havre Sector has very little going on.
From now on I'm simply writing to the port director.
And I have no idea why CBSA searched my car, I think the inspector was just new on the job and was overzealous, as they always are when they're new. They're told they're going to be stopping human smuggling and interdicting drugs or whatever and in reality Havre Sector has very little going on.
Nov 30th 2011, 7:49 pm
#172
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: British Columbia/East Sussex
Posts: 153
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
Its the inconsistency in interpretation that frustrates so many people. Added to that, some officers are just plain stupid & don't know their own regs.
A couple of years back when travelling on an 'E-Ticket', the girl who requested to see my ticket at YVR, (for whatever reason?)couldn't accept the fact that an email printed onto a piece of A4 was actually my ticket!
At certain points of entry, maybe more so at land ones, CBSA seem more interested in grabbing a few cents in duty rather than preventing undesirables entering?
A couple of years back when entering BC from Idaho at a remote rural POE, I was driving a rental car with my partner & wasn't even asked for my passport or what nationality I was!! I could have been Bin Ladin in disguise for all he knew. However, the inspector did insist on checking our Costco & Wal-Mart receipts, examining them with great scrutiny before waving us on our way?!?!.
A couple of years back when travelling on an 'E-Ticket', the girl who requested to see my ticket at YVR, (for whatever reason?)couldn't accept the fact that an email printed onto a piece of A4 was actually my ticket!
At certain points of entry, maybe more so at land ones, CBSA seem more interested in grabbing a few cents in duty rather than preventing undesirables entering?
A couple of years back when entering BC from Idaho at a remote rural POE, I was driving a rental car with my partner & wasn't even asked for my passport or what nationality I was!! I could have been Bin Ladin in disguise for all he knew. However, the inspector did insist on checking our Costco & Wal-Mart receipts, examining them with great scrutiny before waving us on our way?!?!.
Dec 1st 2011, 1:23 am
#173
.........................
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
What is secondary? ....
As someone not very well travelled (in terms of variety), just Can, US, EU & Scand I have not really had any issues.
It is quite lighthearted comparable to other airports with the security on the way out of Manchester (must be the 'local' nature maybe, rather than international) but the best I have seen is summer holidays, international scout & guide camp season in europe - the airports are teaming with teenagers in uniform & as someone who has done a few of those, the entire workforce in the airports seem to treat us very well. And there would be a knife with most every kid going to camp.
I would say the US is the least friendly generally in my limited experience but even then I can sometimes get them chatting nicely. I tend to take the grumpies as a bit of a challenge.
Maybe they just want to get rid of the chatty people like me
The hardest time I have personally had was Finland, pre EU and I had a visa for a government sponsored work programme but they stilled grilled me in a little booth for a while.
Quite a surprise for a teen on only my third trip abroad in my life & travelling alone (the two trips prior being scout & guide camp season & a party like atmosphere).
As someone not very well travelled (in terms of variety), just Can, US, EU & Scand I have not really had any issues.
It is quite lighthearted comparable to other airports with the security on the way out of Manchester (must be the 'local' nature maybe, rather than international) but the best I have seen is summer holidays, international scout & guide camp season in europe - the airports are teaming with teenagers in uniform & as someone who has done a few of those, the entire workforce in the airports seem to treat us very well. And there would be a knife with most every kid going to camp.
I would say the US is the least friendly generally in my limited experience but even then I can sometimes get them chatting nicely. I tend to take the grumpies as a bit of a challenge.
Maybe they just want to get rid of the chatty people like me
The hardest time I have personally had was Finland, pre EU and I had a visa for a government sponsored work programme but they stilled grilled me in a little booth for a while.
Quite a surprise for a teen on only my third trip abroad in my life & travelling alone (the two trips prior being scout & guide camp season & a party like atmosphere).
Dec 1st 2011, 1:29 am
#174
.........................
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
A couple of years back when entering BC from Idaho at a remote rural POE, I was driving a rental car with my partner & wasn't even asked for my passport or what nationality I was!! I could have been Bin Ladin in disguise for all he knew. However, the inspector did insist on checking our Costco & Wal-Mart receipts, examining them with great scrutiny before waving us on our way?!?!.
I think it was Gatwick but if it was then it was post 9/11 (I recall the explosive sniffer tests being new in florida)
Dec 2nd 2011, 5:27 pm
#175
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
The office after primary inspection (the booth).
Dealing with CBP you have to know all their jargon.
For example the line before the booth they call: "pre-primary". Often they do inspections in that line, e.g. they might walk around and look under your car with a mirror. Also at the airport they might come along and make sure you're in the right line.
There was also a new one I heard recently called "tertiary" inspection, which basically means after you clear immigration they then check your car for bombs or whatever.
Dealing with CBP you have to know all their jargon.
For example the line before the booth they call: "pre-primary". Often they do inspections in that line, e.g. they might walk around and look under your car with a mirror. Also at the airport they might come along and make sure you're in the right line.
There was also a new one I heard recently called "tertiary" inspection, which basically means after you clear immigration they then check your car for bombs or whatever.
Dec 3rd 2011, 3:18 am
#176
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: illegaL immagrants in western canada
The office after primary inspection (the booth).
Dealing with CBP you have to know all their jargon.
For example the line before the booth they call: "pre-primary". Often they do inspections in that line, e.g. they might walk around and look under your car with a mirror. Also at the airport they might come along and make sure you're in the right line.
There was also a new one I heard recently called "tertiary" inspection, which basically means after you clear immigration they then check your car for bombs or whatever.
Dealing with CBP you have to know all their jargon.
For example the line before the booth they call: "pre-primary". Often they do inspections in that line, e.g. they might walk around and look under your car with a mirror. Also at the airport they might come along and make sure you're in the right line.
There was also a new one I heard recently called "tertiary" inspection, which basically means after you clear immigration they then check your car for bombs or whatever.
