CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

This isn't you is it ??? :eek:


http://www.cbc.ca/thisisthat/blog/20...bc-radio-host/

om reading further - - its a skit . . .

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Oh Im sure there is someone in Ottawa working on this and proposing that we attend team building seminars like Walmart employees do.
I can imagine a group of us standing in a circle having to perform the CBSA chant

Who are we CBSA
What do we do Protect the border
Wooooooah go CBSA

I just hope the Poms Poms they give us match the colour of our uniform.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

I saw the show for the first time last week and was frankly appalled at the attitude CBSA displays. I have watched the Australian, UK and Kiwi versions of the show extensively and found the border agents in those shows firm but fair. The Canadian agents seemed to be on a massive power trip. Examples:

- a young man returning from Japan who received heavy handed service to the point where he lashed out and got briefly arrested. The agents insisted on having his password to check his computer, despite there being no paticular reason to do do.

- a diminutive American woman who admitted to carrying some personal cannabis (as a licenced user) was HANDCUFFED and taken to a holding cell, before being refused entry. Shameful.

- an Iranian woman coming back from Iran with an undeclared $10,000, which is then confiscated by the pea-brain agent who assumes the paltry sum is some kind of organised crime money.

All the agents in this episode (Vancouver) were low on judgement high on power. FL please inform your colleagues tone down their ego, they are representing Canada, not the Gestapo.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

So it's a real border guard?

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

What do you expect? They probably don't have a high school diploma between them.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

I tend to think it was a skit as opposed to an actual interview with a CBSA official.

I have never denied we have some individuals who display a somewhat over zealous/intimidating disposition but programmes such as Border Security only show a snippet of what actually happened. Putting on handcuffs makes the show more interesting and the breaks make for a type of reality TV show leaving you wondering what will happen next :lol:

Its not all bollocks but spare me the drama. We have a job to do and yes some of the legislation is somewhat mindless but we don't make those laws. In fact if you look at a lot of the stoopid rules in place they fall under another Government Agencies legislation and mandate but they want us to enforce these rules.

The following subjects are not CBSA's rules but others

$20 limit on importation of dairy products
Firearms importations
RIV and vehicle import procedures
Importation of animals
Importation of fireworks
Amount of booze that can be imported into certain provinces
Provincial taxes to be collected
etc etc etc etc you now get my drift.

Yes we represent Canada but we are not WalMart greeters either. When was the last time you started work at 4am and had to clear a flight of 200 returning Canadians returning from Cancun who some are slightly the worse for wear on booze or pissed that they have to be at work in 3 hours and think that its highly amusing to be attempting to be ordering 2 beers from you.
Believe me that gets old after half a dozen times. You want to speak Spanish to me then fine go wait in secondary till we get an interpreter for you which might take a couple of hours;)
I treat people the way I expect to be treated but if they display that attitude of disdain to me then I have no qualms in telling that person to STFU and sit down where its warranted.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

I can probably find several of our officers who hold higher educational qualifications including several degrees than you do but education doesnt always make the person smarter;)

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Well thats debatable. ;) But organizations like this and others like parking enforcement most often recruit psychologically damaged people at the low level end because they're more willing to do the nasty work.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Slightly off topic, more a curiosity

For the CBSA officers that work the US/Canada border booths, immigration, passport control at airports, what goes on in their heads when they don the uniform, do they take on a Dirty Harry (Hilda) persona believing they are enforcers & have so much power that no one can challenge the power they have?

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Our powers are often challenged by individuals. The easiest way to deal with them is by knowing the legislation and if necessary showing them the jurisprudence usually a Supreme Court of Canada ruling and warning them of their failure to comply with a legal request and the consequences of failing to do so.
So when we don our uniform do you think we are out to give persons a hard time because we can or looking for those individuals who are willing to break the law and I don't mean the extra carton of smokes or bottle of booze individuals.
Yes some do it because they can but the vast majority of us don't.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

I'm sure the counter staff at McDonald's interact with as many members of the public during a working day as border guards do, yet they always seem to be able to raise a smile and a "Hello, how can I help you?"

When you're in the queue at immigration you have to be vigilant for the next border guard who raises his eyebrow a quarter of an inch and waggles his fingertips at you. Arrogant sods.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

But Im not trying to up sell you into super sizing your fries or buying an apple pie am I :lol:

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

The This is That sketch is satire. It can be a very funny show.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

In jest, there is truth.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Civility and politeness costs nothing.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

similar to any law enforcement/police officer I suppose. Its the Dirty Harry (Hilda) image.

When a CBSA official comes through any world airport including the US & Canada clearance (passport control) do you/they let the folks know that you are a former or off duty CBSA official?

I would imagine off duty law enforcement officers do this

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Absolutely there is an element of truth.
Be sort of like me saying the following about certain occupations

All Lawyers are bottom feeding leeches
All Teachers are overpaid and have far too much time off
All Professors are highly educated but lack common sense
All Nurses think they are more important than they actually are
All Accountants have no sense of humour
All Car Salesmen rip you off and are just above a Lawyer

If I have forgotten to insult your profession I apologize :lol:

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

We get those who love to flash their badges at us. I elect not to carry mine when I travel and only reveal my job if asked. Lets say Ive had some interesting experiences when crossing the border between the US and Canada and not all of them positive and Yes Ive been searched or pulled over into secondary for examination. They are doing their job so I let them get on with it knowing they won't find anything.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Boo hoo, you have to start work at 4 am. Walmart greeters wouldn't complain about that. I don't think you have the right to tell any person to STFU, you are not acting in a personal capacity, you are representing the country. When you see police on the streets of Manchester or Newcastle dealing with complete pond life, they almost always do do with the utmost restraint, politeness and professionalism. CBSA seem ready to take offence at the slightest remark and treat citizens as if they are all potential criminals.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Did you hear about the extrovert accountant? He looks at your shoes when he is talking to you.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

If I was a CBSA officer, I can guarantee I would be the biggest **** of them all. I'd love it.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

With that attitude, you're hired !!

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

You could really naff people up. "May I ask, why does it say on your medication, 'Keep away from children?"

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

and I'll gather as a CBSA official you've had them from all walks of life crossing your enforcer booth - you missed a few in that list

You answered this when I posed the question on another thread about the number of ugly faces a CBSA officer has to look at day in, day out... thousands up thousands of them & their belongings - question, examine, search & re-search for approx 200 working days/yr . I imagined it was similar to working a repetitious job along the lines of McDonalds, a Bank or some CSR job ... next in line step forward.

It would not be a job that would interest me even if the money was good or variety of work was all about enforcing & protecting Canada's borders. I imagine it takes a special sort of person to do that work?

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Really you think the UK police forces ALWAYS maintain politeness, restraint and professionalism:ohmy:
So tell me in your opinion how many times have YOU crossed the border and been dealt with by CBSA in a less than courteous manner NOT by what you have seen on some TV show or heard second hand from others.
We process over 90 million travellers a year yet the last complaint figures show that the number of complaints are minuscule.
From a recent article
A report by the agency on the revamped complaints system obtained under freedom of information legislation says .0025 per cent of all travellers complain about the service from its employees, adding "this rate will be used in future media calls as it puts the Canada Border Services Agency in a positive light."
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09...n_1851403.html

BTW most WalMarts are not open at 4am :lol:

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

I have learned from experience that I have to be on my best behaviour when entering Canada or I will get heavy handed schtik and intimidation from border security. That's the reason your stats are good, nobody wants to risk getting messed around. It shouldn't be that way. Coming back into Britain, you generally feel like you are talking to another reasonable person, someone who has not prejudged you.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

The older ones seem to be pleasant enough. Its the younger ones who seem to have something to prove, often at your expense.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Are you black?

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Nail on the head thank you for that.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

I laughed! C

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

A career awaits you in accounting. ;)

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

you was never like that when you were starting out at CBSA?

Is it advisable to always go to a senior looking passport agent, because I try as best I can at any airport to head for the younger mean faced females which have always been so nice too me - the ones at the UK & the US included in that

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Before I started this job I had my life experiences as a Military Policeman and a normal copper with the Lancashire Constabulary. You learn very quickly that even though you have stripes on or a uniform you never ever overstep your boundaries with a group of pissed up Paratroopers or members of any Scottish, Irish or Welsh regiment or go wading into a group of pissed up Millwall, Man Utd or Liverpool supporters;)

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Are personal experiences to do with what country one is entering from or particular airports?

Prior to my permanent arrival I came through Montreal 6 times and didn't experience anything untoward, nor witness anything.

I was aware of a few Canadians muttering at having to queue up with everyone. That didn't seem unreasonable having passed through immigration quickly at EU airports on an EU passport while seeing delays at non EU desks.

I can imagine it would be irritating having many people making such comments one after the other. Just like a deli counter or other service calling numbers and every now and then someone shouts "Bingo" thinking they are being funny and original. :frown:

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

:(

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

I tend to think most travellers like yourself rarely have any negative dealings with CBSA on re-entering the country.
The EU is completely different to clearing Customs here. Most just wave their passports and thats it :lol:
Have you read any of the stories involving the UKBA lately. Strange how the comments from residents of the UK are critical of the open border policy when any member of the EU can just decide **** it Ive had enough of Spain Im moving to the UK as they have a better benefit system. The UK are shitting themselves come 1 January 2014 when the Romanians and Bulgarians can move to the UK with estimates ranging that 350,000 will make the move.
UK residents are complaining that there are too many taking advantage of the system and want out of the EU.
So yes unless you have a Canadian passport or a valid PR card then expect to be examined more intently as we don't have an open border policy like the EU.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

And for those who continue to complain about having to fill out that silly declaration card when you fly back to Canada you will be pleased to know that we are not the only country that does this

From the UKBA website
Forms (landing cards)
You will have to complete a landing card, unless:
you hold a passport issued in the EU or EEA; or
your final destination is not the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland (known as the common travel area) and you do not need to go through immigration controls to continue your journey.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/cu...noteeaorswiss/

How about Australia
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/passengerCards.asp

How about the USA
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...ation_form.xml

Anybody else care to mention if they have filled out such forms and which countries required them?

Cuba and Mexico require you to fill out a tourist entry card.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Interesting story ...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/niels-...b_4098130.html

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

The "open border" as you term it is for countries within the EU. Visitors from outside the EU are subject to strict border control.

Re: CBSA - Former Lancastrian
 

Once you have a Schengen visa, issued by any of the Schengen countries, and have entered the Schengen area, you have free movement within the area. For instance, a Bangladeshi entering the Schengen area at Paris would then be able to travel to other Schengen areas without having to contact the immigration authorities of those States.