Border crossing WTF

[SFMIKE]

Reading this thread brings two things to mind. First, about 10 years ago, during the Transit strike, I had brought a bicycle in my car to use for getting around. Heading back to the USA, I got selected for "random search. Like the writer above, same thing happened. I was sent into the office, surrendered my keys but I was not able to see the search. I had nothing to hide. After about 10 minutes my keys were returned to me and I said to the guy, "pretty boring search" He just smiled, then told me he would accompany me back to my car. I had no idea what what was happening. When we got to my car, he said that he had the exact same car and wanted to know how I was able to fit a bike back there. Poor guy could not figure how to get the back seat to lay flat.

The other thing was the mention of the exchange rate. It is around .75 now, but about 13 years ago, for me exchanging USD to CDN, I was getting 1.62 per USD. For the sake of all of you, I hope it never gets back to that level.

 

[sybian]

My hat may be ten gallons,....And I have a flat toned stomach....But yah O.K....I do on occasion smell of horse manure.
But for the record, and to all the ladies here...I will always shower well before an appointment.
Also to all the guys here..........Do any of you have any idea how many of these lovley ladies are into horses?

 

[luvsdaty]

You just need to throw a bible in your luggage. Maybe put one of them Jesus fish on the back of your car?

 

[ddcanz]

Yeah, WA State should be happy Canadians are willing to come here .75 to the dollar and than we hit you with a 9.5 sales tax. I would stay the hell away myself from this shithole.

US Border guys can definitely be A-holes at times- way too fucking serious for sure. I've had more than my share of "grillings" by these guys- always best to just keep your mouth shut and let them do their bit. Even had a Canadian agent at Point Roberts count the loose cigs in an open deck and charge me pro-rated duty. I had to laugh at that one!
But calling WA state a "shithole" is way offside.
Beautiful place to visit- great people, tons to see and do, affordable-nay-CHEAP flights out of Bellingham to Cali etc., restaurant and bar service way better than Vancouver, businesses that cater to the customer, affordable and decent wines, passionate sports fans that really support their teams... the list goes on and on. Even with a .75 dollar there is great value- so many places offer Canadian at par.

 

[hornygandalf]

I thought they searched EVERY car going through the border. But, maybe this is because I'm neither a US nor Canadian citizen. So, I have to get out of the car and go through their immigration checkpoint. And they check it while I'm inside. Several times I've been travelling with my son (child) and when we got back to the car, fruit or similar snacks have disappeared (confiscated).

And yeah, some real arseholes working in Border Services, but one occasion you get one that is pleasant as well as being polite and it can make the experience so much less painful. The Canadian Border people, on the whole, are much more pleasant to deal with.

 

[Real Sonny Burnett]

Szabina would be accused of attempting to smuggle WMDs across the border.

 

[vancity_cowboy]

Do any of you have any idea how many of these lovley ladies are into horses?

 

[sybian]

I like your aproach to your theory....If we in fact ever ride together..we'll avoid crossing the border.
All strip searches should be kept on the Canadian side.

 

[EuroSZabina]

Or you could hang a CBSA uniform in your back window.

[URL="http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n743/a11.html"]Read story[/URL] : BORDER GUARD BUSTED
"A Canadian customs agent has landed in a Seattle jail, accused of trying to smuggle 90 kilograms of marijuana into the United States."

random stuff

I remember this episode border crossing. Sure he had a chip on his shoulder, he had such a bad attitude.

 

[deathreborn]

they seem to be a whole lot nicer when you have a nexus card. got mine back in september and it's been a breeze since. most times they just ask where i am going and if i have anything to declare. sometimes it's just one question and they let you go. haven't been searched yet. one guy was personable enough to use my first name, when asking his question. just be honest, detailed and there should be no problem. from my front doorstep and i am usually in the u.s. two minutes after leaving home. that's how close, convenient, and quick it is. even with the exchange rate, there are still bargains down there. for example i bought a 32mb microsd memory card down at the bellingham best buy. on sale for 22.99 USD. same card up here at cdn best buy was $75.00. always hit up the fred meyer every couple weeks for some groceries. once you get in, the service is head and shoulders above what you receive in the lower mainland. way friendlier and it's nice to be able to go into a subway or mcdonalds and not have to make a major effort to understand someones fractured english.

 

[PuntMeister]

Nice! Love Love Love Hanks Brew!

 

[Wannadance]

once you get in, the service is head and shoulders above what you receive in the lower mainland. way friendlier and it's nice to be able to go into a subway or mcdonalds and not have to make a major effort to understand someones fractured english.

There is nothing more pathetic than a racist who complains about fractured English but who can't even compose a proper sentence.

 

[LisbethNova]

Just a heads up to SPs going to the states.. a number of my friends have been banned from crossing the boarder for min 5 years to max 10 years. I would recommend not carrying much equipment with you and definitely dress down. Also, I would not recommend using GMAIL for work. Gmail actually is monitored, just like facebook and other social networking sites.

 

[westwoody]

Also they have a device which copies the contents of your phone/tablet/laptop for later examination. Many police departments also use these.
You may think they only had a quick look and let you go with no problem. Then next time you try to cross they give you a hard time because they found something they didn't like.
Don't take anything full of escorting information!

 

[SFMIKE]

they seem to be a whole lot nicer when you have a nexus card. got mine back in september and it's been a breeze since. most times they just ask where i am going and if i have anything to declare. sometimes it's just one question and they let you go. haven't been searched yet. one guy was personable enough to use my first name, when asking his question. just be honest, detailed and there should be no problem. from my front doorstep and i am usually in the u.s. two minutes after leaving home. that's how close, convenient, and quick it is. even with the exchange rate, there are still bargains down there. for example i bought a 32mb microsd memory card down at the bellingham best buy. on sale for 22.99 USD. same card up here at cdn best buy was $75.00. always hit up the fred meyer every couple weeks for some groceries. once you get in, the service is head and shoulders above what you receive in the lower mainland. way friendlier and it's nice to be able to go into a subway or mcdonalds and not have to make a major effort to understand someones fractured english.

Next time you are in Bellingham, skip Fred Meyer and go to Winco, if you want to pay much less on most things. I just looked it up and it is at 300 E Bellis Fair Pkwy. I have never been there, but I am very familiar with the savings at other Winco's

 

[sybian]

This thread was very helpful to motivate me too comb through my truck for "Iffy" items.
I suppose the border security would frown on the handful of 30-30 shells scattered under the seats.
They may have really not had a sense of homour about the 20 foot coil of copper tubing behind the back seat,....That sorta smells a wee bit like...Really strong rubbing alcohol, due to a half cup of very flamable clear residue that had condensed , and collected in the coil.
I had completely forgot my "Back up" condensing device was in there, for my apperatus to produce my medicinal ......ummmm....liquid.
I owe you guys a big Thank You for avoiding myself getting black listed, and having an unwanted cavity search.

 

[escapefromstress]

This thread was very helpful to motivate me too comb through my truck for "Iffy" items.
I suppose the border security would frown on the handful of 30-30 shells scattered under the seats.
They may have really not had a sense of homour about the 20 foot coil of copper tubing behind the back seat,....That sorta smells a wee bit like...Really strong rubbing alcohol, due to a half cup of very flamable clear residue that had condensed , and collected in the coil.
I had completely forgot my "Back up" condensing device was in there, for my apperatus to produce my medicinal ......ummmm....liquid.
I owe you guys a big Thank You for avoiding myself getting black listed, and having an unwanted cavity search.

Let us know if there's anything else we can help you with.

 

[sybian]

I'm not real smart , but I can lift heavy things......Don't worry Karl...I'm an aquired taste.

 

[sybian]

For a fellow who has just joined , you sure have a curious way of trolling around pointing out how everyone else has no intellect.......A gentleman would never drag a lady into this conversation.

 

[sybian]

Yeah I've a notion to drive 120 klms. to find the nearest water cooler, to have a fella teach me to spell the word "ton"....Or because we are in Canada,..is it "tonne"..?
I have a campfire to take a piss on.....