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

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

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.

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.

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

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

With that attitude, you're hired !!

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

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?

Really you think the UK police forces ALWAYS maintain politeness, restraint and professionalism
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

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.

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

Are you black?

Nail on the head thank you for that.

I laughed! C