Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

We had a our first trip over the border today into the USA. My! What an experience that was :ohmy:

We pulled up at the border patrol, got asked questions about who we were, our jobs, where we lived, how long we'd been in Canada, where we were going and why. Did we have food, fruits, etc in the car (we packed a picnic). We then got asked to pull over and go into the border patrol office to get our visas to enter the USA. Same questions all over again, plus fingerprints. We had to leave our car and keys with another border patrol guy whilst we went in and did this. Because we had fruit in the car (I'd packed a home prepared fruit salad, not knowing that some of the stuff wasn't meant to be taken into the USA), our car was searched whilst we were obtaining our visas and I was given a leaflet on foods allowed into the USA. Nothing was confiscated. We paid our $6 each for visas, then we were on our way. We felt like criminals :( Sort of put a dampener on our day out.

Is this the usual experience for USA border crossings? Puts me off going again.

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Whilst on holiday last year, we went over to US via Abbortsford as well. Same story as yours really without the fruit and car searching though.

He asked where we were staying (Chilliwack) Where we were from (UK) Where we were going (Sledging on MT Baker) How long for (about 4 hours) Oh he said..Long way to go from the UK to go sledging, Are you sure???? Hmmmmmmm Yes, We`ve not come from the UK to go sledging, we`ve come from Chilliwack! At first i thought "cocky get" but then he seemed alright, When i told my uncle he knew straight away which gaurd it was so he must have a reputation lol.

I was dreading coming back but it was really straightforward apart from id bought a box of smirmoff ice things in US and completely forgot to tell them on the way back in, He opened the doors, looked through the car etc but didnt say anything about the box of booze on the floor tho. I still didnt realise till we were halfway back to Chiliwack. I did declare the butter we had bought at the shop 5 mins b4 though!!

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I slowed the Mustang at the border post, the top was down and so the officer could see the cooler and the child of whom I did not have custody, "where you headed?" "Vegas". "Got any fruit?" "Nope" "Have a nice day". As happens maybe one time in four he didn't even ask to see identification. I think it's important not to look like the kind of person who would be travelling with an undeclared banana.

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ahahahahah:rofl::rofl:

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I once had an apple confiscated at O'Hare. It was rather traumatic and to this day I cannot travel internationally while accompanied by fruit.

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Though it's OK if you have a gun !

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That was a good border crossing.

A bad one is when they get out the rubber gloves, and you have to assume the position or positions depending on their mood. :eek:

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I'm speechless

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

At last.

<Notes date and time>

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

It happens. Not every time, of course, but often enough to stop you getting complacent. Even though I have had a Nexus card since they first came out I still get an occasional grilling and visit to the office/car searched. Don't take it personally, the level of security and who they pick on is intended to be random so the bad guys can't plan.

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What's a Nexus card please?

The only time we have been to the US from Canada was when we landed. The US people were helpful,friendly, efficient. The Canadians were not.

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Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

As it's Canadian there's no reason why the USA should take any notice of it.

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I'm a Brit/USC and we get the same every time we cross into Canada from the US. Where are you going? What is the purpose of your visit? How long are you staying in Canada? Are you bringing any goods/gifts/food/alcohol with you? A couple of weeks ago we were asked if we were taking more that $1K into Canada.

A few years ago Canadian immigration would just wave you through if you had a UK or US PP. Many times they didn't even look at the PP...how things have changed.

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Haven't crossed over by car since 1990 and it was a lot of questions even then. The guards obviously did not attend charm school. From what you write you didn't do too badly.

For instance you didn't have your tyres removed and inspected.

Plus you avoided the rubber gloves cavity search, where you assume an intimate position, as has been pointed out above.

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Once again I am speechless. :p

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There is an agreement between the US and Canada...it is recognised by both countries. NEXUS card has been approved as an alternative to the passport for air, land, and sea travel into the United States for US and Canadian citizens.


http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/tr...prog/nexus.xml

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Nexus card .. perhaps not a good idea


http://www.idforum.ischool.utoronto.ca/node/82

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

We've crossed several times, always, where you going, how long for, when we were in the RV it was also have you any citrus fruit/beef. The inside for the visa/fingerprint stuff and then on our way - never ever made to feel like a criminal, these people are just doing their jobs.

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It is a joint program between Canada and the US. Mine was issued by the US CBP. It is issued to people who are a low security risk. If you apply, both Canada and US authorities do a background check on you and you will be refused if you have any criminal convictions or immigration violations.

Despite that, it is worth it if you cross the border frequently. You do occasionally get checked, but most of the time you are just waived through, or asked a few cursory questions. When the border is busy it can be a two or three hour wait for most travelers, but rarely more than 5 minutes for a Nexus card holder. You also get the added bonus of driving down the dedicated Nexus lane passed all the people inching forward, bumper to bumper, in the regular lines.

I try my best not to wave smugly at them. I don't always succeed.

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The tyre removal trick, that and the rubber gloves are reserved for people who really piss them off.

They can remove your wheels and take off your tires, inspect them, and then just leave you to it, to either put it back together yourself, or call out a service truck at your expense. They are under no obligation to put it back together for you. If they wanted to they could completely dismantle your vehicle.

Do not piss off customs people. They have more power over you than any other branch of government.

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You are absolutely correct. I know of someone it happened to in the mid-sixties. I am sure most guards, like cops, are fine but a few can really get nasty.

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Nexus card For Teh Win. A bit of a hassle to get it, but it's great to have. They've barely asked me anything when traveling in either direction.

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No, worse is when you get grilled and yelled at for 5 minutes, then surrounded by burly, sweating, hoarse-voiced guards, guns drawn, who 'escort you from United States sovereign territory' (to use their quaint phrasing) - as happened to me last year at the Mexico/Texas border.

In my experience, the worst ones are the ones who think they have something to prove by throwing their weight around, but lack the intelligence to deal with the consequences.

On another occasion at the Texas border, I roll to a stop, bid the guard good morning and handed him my passport, he ignored it and asked me, "Where have you come from?".
"Mexico", I respond - pretty obvious answer.
"NO!", booms the guard, "Where have YOU come from?"
"Tampico, Tamaulipas", I reply, realizing he wants to know my nationality, not my place of origin.
"YOU HAVE AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM!", bellows the guard, causing two of his colleagues to begin walking toward us, "I DEMAND to know WHERE YOU have COME FROM!"
His colleague, who looks to be a superior officer, says quietly to the guard, "John, where's his passport from?"...

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

har, adrian.

I hate going into the US by land for this reason. Airports aren't so bad - flew into JFK a few weeks ago and the border guard barely paid attention to me.

Last time I was going to a pimple off Canada that is part of the US called Point Roberts. The place is tiny. It's not even connected to the US by land, but is surrounded by sea. maybe they're afraid I'll swim over to Seattle?

Pulled out of car, asked how I knew OH and Oh's friends...what was the purpose of my visit to said pimple (stay in friend's holiday home), fingerprint, forms, pay $6, then they were questioned separately as to how they knew me.

So sick of it as it happens every. single. time. I go across the border. I can kind of get it going to Seattle, but to Point frigging Roberts? With one gas station and a few stores? gimme a break.

newsflash, I don't want to live in the US. I just want to come and spend some money in your country and have a good time with my friends then go home:rolleyes:

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When I'm in Arizona I go back and forth into Mexico maybe once a week or so. The border at Los Algodonis is only 15 minutes from my house. I have never had a bad experience in seven years. I park on the US side and walk over the border and back. I have on occasion had to wait in a line up at US Customs & Immigration for up to 2.5 hours which isn't much fun but the guards have always been OK. A couple of weeks ago I crossed at the Ambassador Bridge to Detroit and the guard took my car keys and wanted to look in the trunk. He didn't look in our luggage so I couldn't see the point. It made him feel good maybe. He didn't even look in the cooler which was in the back seat and clearly visible. Who knows !

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I crossed at Cornwall to Massena about 10 days ago and they asked me if I had over $10 K in currency (the guy felt pretty sheepish about that question) and would I mind pulling over and popping the trunk/boot. I did that (there was nothing in it), I don't think he even felt around to see if anything was hidden, I told him I was in transit to SW quebec and I was on my way.

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The first time I crossed the US border was also the first time I drove long distance in North America. I was 22, and driving from college in Ontario to see my friend who lived just outside of Detroit, crossed at Sarnia.

When the border guard asked me where I was going, I said it was to visit my mate. Had I met him before? He's a she, and no, this was the first time. Where did we meet? On the internet! Did I have anything to declare? Only this bottle of gin, officer! And that was when they searched my car...

Besides which, there were no other problems and they let me go on my merry way. Just over the border in Michigan must be a prison, because there are signs everywhere saying not to pick up hitchhikers as they could be escaped convicts. I got lost going through Detroit, took a misturning and ended up on 8 Mile Road at night, which was...fun. It was an eventful trip.

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I went across just last Saturday, the customs lady asked all the usual questions, Where are you going?, What are you doing?, When was the last time you were here I was open and honest of course never tried to joke with her just let her ask me what was needed she then pointed me to the building where i needed to get the visa and pay my $6 as well as taking my fingerprints.

All uneventful stuff! The way I look at it is imagine trying to be a customs official where virtually everyone you see that day tries to joke around with you must really annoy you after a while. All they are there for is to process you and make sure that you are not a threat they're not there for a laugh.

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Neither is the checkout girl at my local supermarket, but she doesn't try to bite my head off when I "joke" with her.

A simple question and answer is all that is required. The ego maniac attitude is what gets me. It's not my fault they failed high school:rofl:

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Oh really? How many customs officers have commuted death sentences then? How many of them have ordered rendition? How many of them have declared war on other countries?

Really the worst they could do is arrange for a doctor to stick a finger up your bum - unpleasant, but hardly life threatening. Most 40+ men have experienced it.

Me thinks you suggestion was a tad dramatic:)

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I should not have said "any" but "most", Your going to extremes now :) , what I was pointing out is that they have more power than many people realize, most people tend to relate their powers to the the Police. But their powers of entry, search and confiscation go way beyond powers standard law enforcement officers have, without the additional intervention of the Courts.

A police officer can not search your vehicle or body without due cause, not so customs. Customs do not need search warrants.

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Perhaps your original post was indeed a tad dramatic but sometimes that is necessary to make a point. I think it is called 'poetic license' which, in this case, was well justified.

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

we crossed at osoyoos the other week
where you going , dont know said we
how long for . depends how nice it is said we

well out came the maps and all the guards and they then told us some lovely places to visit.
So thats where we went .. A very very nice bunch we thought and saw some lovely places.

On the return the US side did a quick search of the car but that was it ..No problems anywhere
also we filled up the car on the US side with an English Credit card 11 pounds for a full tank. :thumbsup:

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from personal experience DO NOT let your i194 visa run out (have it taken out of your passport at usa border)before it runs out.otherwise when you attempt to go back over into states all hell breaks loose.
i tryed to explain i had an accident and was unable to make it to border before it ran out but hell i was public enemy no1 ,was lucky not to be arrested and deported to uk.
ive since learned this has happened to a fellow trucker ,deported back to uk ,wife in canada.
james":frown: with greyer hair than usual''

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OMG! Didn't know they could do that:eek:

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That guy sounds like a complete ahole!!!! What a retard!! I bet you wanted to smack him:sneaky:

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Crossing the US border is no different to going to France by rail/sea, I really don't understand all the griping:rofl:

We took DD to Disneyland Paris for her 8th birthday (seemed like a good idea at the time:unsure:).

On the way back we were asked to pull into one of the covered areas (it was of course raining and cold on a bleak day in January). We were asked to get out of the car. Then we were asked the nature of our trip, then we were asked again, then we were asked about duty free of which we had none, then we were asked again, then we were asked if we had any exotic animals, then we were seperated and asked everything again.

Eventually we were asked to pop the trunk - which we did, they removed everthing and searched the cases (remember we had an 8 year old with us:rolleyes:). Then we were asked to put the soft top down - as soon as we started to do this we realised what they wanted to check for - the soft top went into a compartment - you lifted a lid, the roof went into it, you closed the lid. Great hidey space for illeagal stuff - BUT they know about it:rofl: WHY did they not just ask us in the first place to put the roof down???? We were there for about an hour being questioned - never had anything remotely like that going across the US border.

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I'm told Customs 'borrow' a version of almost every new car model released in the UK and take them apart to find where hiding places could be. This information is allegedly then shared with every other Customs agency in the EU, and they share theirs with the UK.

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The first time I went to Point Roberts I pulled up to the booth and went thought the usual, "what is the purpose of your visit?" type questions. Just as I thought we were going to get into an extended interview he said, "Is this your first visit to Point Roberts?" "Yes," I replied. "Would you like a free map?" he offered.

I am told that years ago this border crossing was very different. When you arrived at the booth you would rarely see a customs officer. All there was to see was a pair of boots resting on the counter. It the boots made a motion back towards Canada you had to go through customs. Much more often the boots would point towards the US and you just drove on.