Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
Jun 1st 2009 | 12:58 pm
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,402
From: South of Calgary
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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
Jun 1st 2009 | 2:27 pm
#32
RETIRED Realtor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,087
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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
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
, 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.
Jun 1st 2009 | 2:53 pm
#33
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,124
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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.
, 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.
Jun 1st 2009 | 5:55 pm
#34
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 134
From: Kelowna
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.
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.
Jun 2nd 2009 | 12:29 pm
#35
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,001
From: MB rural.
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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"
with greyer hair than usual''
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"
with greyer hair than usual''
Jun 3rd 2009 | 6:35 pm
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,830
From: UK
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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.
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.
Jun 3rd 2009 | 6:41 pm
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,830
From: UK
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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?"...
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?"...
Jun 4th 2009 | 2:30 am
#38
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,630
From: Red Deer, Alberta
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
Crossing the US border is no different to going to France by rail/sea, I really don't understand all the griping
We took DD to Disneyland Paris for her 8th birthday (seemed like a good idea at the time
).
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
). 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 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.
We took DD to Disneyland Paris for her 8th birthday (seemed like a good idea at the time
).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
). 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 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.
Jun 4th 2009 | 2:36 am
#39
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,319
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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
Jun 4th 2009 | 3:14 am
#40
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,708
From: White Rock BC
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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
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
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.
Jun 4th 2009 | 3:31 am
#41
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,630
From: Red Deer, Alberta
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
That makes loads of sense to me. Not being criminally minded I would have never thought of that hidey space but there are plenty of people out there that would have done.
Jun 4th 2009 | 3:37 am
#42
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
It makes lots of sense and I can well believe it to be true. I went to a security trade show a few years back. It was the only time I'd ever been body-searched at a trade show before being allowed in. The stuff inside, much of it designed to find hidden things/people, was mind-boggling.
Jun 4th 2009 | 4:18 am
#43
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,102
From: One foot in Calgary, one in London
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
I crossed at Roosville on the 93 between BC and Lake Koocanusa. To my surprise, they didn't care about our PR cards and we were treated totally different from the Canadian passport holders in our midst.
As British citizens we were required to pull over and park and exit the car into a visa office. We were not treated with courtesy or politeness (first time this happened to me in more than 20 years of visiting the USA). All this to put in a visa-waiver application and pay a $4 entry fee apiece. The waiver then lasted for 3 months and we were told we had to return it before expiry OR ELSE. Not a pleasant experience at all though perhaps it had something to do with the fact that my children are browner than I am?
As British citizens we were required to pull over and park and exit the car into a visa office. We were not treated with courtesy or politeness (first time this happened to me in more than 20 years of visiting the USA). All this to put in a visa-waiver application and pay a $4 entry fee apiece. The waiver then lasted for 3 months and we were told we had to return it before expiry OR ELSE. Not a pleasant experience at all though perhaps it had something to do with the fact that my children are browner than I am?
Jun 4th 2009 | 4:59 am
#44
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 423
From: In the Alberta mountains!
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
I crossed at Roosville on the 93 between BC and Lake Koocanusa. To my surprise, they didn't care about our PR cards and we were treated totally different from the Canadian passport holders in our midst.
As British citizens we were required to pull over and park and exit the car into a visa office. We were not treated with courtesy or politeness (first time this happened to me in more than 20 years of visiting the USA). All this to put in a visa-waiver application and pay a $4 entry fee apiece. The waiver then lasted for 3 months and we were told we had to return it before expiry OR ELSE. Not a pleasant experience at all though perhaps it had something to do with the fact that my children are browner than I am?
As British citizens we were required to pull over and park and exit the car into a visa office. We were not treated with courtesy or politeness (first time this happened to me in more than 20 years of visiting the USA). All this to put in a visa-waiver application and pay a $4 entry fee apiece. The waiver then lasted for 3 months and we were told we had to return it before expiry OR ELSE. Not a pleasant experience at all though perhaps it had something to do with the fact that my children are browner than I am?
As for the rudeness, sounds no different to the "service" I have received at LAX or JFK.... If you've managed 20yrs without this experience then you have been lucky.
As for the i94 form.... hand it in on your return so the US have a record of your departure.... It becomes a massive pain in the arse trying to re-enter if they think you haven't left!!.... Even if he was rude, at least they told you!!
Jun 4th 2009 | 5:11 am
#45
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,630
From: Red Deer, Alberta
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
I crossed at Roosville on the 93 between BC and Lake Koocanusa. To my surprise, they didn't care about our PR cards and we were treated totally different from the Canadian passport holders in our midst.
As British citizens we were required to pull over and park and exit the car into a visa office. We were not treated with courtesy or politeness (first time this happened to me in more than 20 years of visiting the USA). All this to put in a visa-waiver application and pay a $4 entry fee apiece. The waiver then lasted for 3 months and we were told we had to return it before expiry OR ELSE. Not a pleasant experience at all though perhaps it had something to do with the fact that my children are browner than I am?
As British citizens we were required to pull over and park and exit the car into a visa office. We were not treated with courtesy or politeness (first time this happened to me in more than 20 years of visiting the USA). All this to put in a visa-waiver application and pay a $4 entry fee apiece. The waiver then lasted for 3 months and we were told we had to return it before expiry OR ELSE. Not a pleasant experience at all though perhaps it had something to do with the fact that my children are browner than I am?
