Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra SLT, CC Z-71, the pusher '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher - Our Current Location
Repeating my prior post again. A boarder agent in Canada or America is a bureaucratic employee of a government organization. He/she wants to get paid, get promoted, send his kids to college, retire and travel in a RV, etc. He/she does not ever get any bonus points for good customer service or points for using creative problem solving skills. They know that they will certainly be citied or written up for not slavishly following the rules. Being nice/reasonable will not help him/her at all – you might be the one problem that will surface two days later and then management will want to ask a lot of questions.
So now he/she is looking at a cryptic database screen that says something not ‘normal’ and the red flags get raised. You are stopped and then the ‘system process’ kicks in. Hours go by and probably you will not be allowed to pass.
If you want to get a criminal background check on yourself, the same check that is seen by the police or TSA folks it is not possible. All of us have read horror stories about some person who is in the system incorrectly. They even stopped Senator Kennedy a couple years ago. Ask the TSA if you have any problems and they will tell you that they cannot tell you because of national security concerns.
Canadian Customs will not ‘phone’ clear you. This would be a really stupid idea since the bad guys could keep trying a new name until it was OK and then make up some matching ID.
My advice is to go try and buy a handgun – they run a background check. If not flagged, then you are probably OK.
Quote: Repeating my prior post again. A boarder agent in Canada or America is a bureaucratic employee of a government organization. He/she wants to get paid, get promoted, send his kids to college, retire and travel in a RV, etc. He/she does not ever get any bonus points for good customer service or points for using creative problem solving skills. They know that they will certainly be citied or written up for not slavishly following the rules. Being nice/reasonable will not help him/her at all – you might be the one problem that will surface two days later and then management will want to ask a lot of questions.
You could very well be right, but many of these people are my friends and neighbors (one is chief of our volunteer fire department). All of the ones I've had experience with are human and the vast majority, very nice people and very helpful. I haven't (yet) encountered any of the "robotic" agents you describe.
Yes, they have rules to follow and, in my experience, all do follow the rules.
I am always polite and pleasant to them and they have ALWAYS been the same to me. My wife jokes that I'm asked more questions about my fifth wheel, my Honda generators and my Retrax tonneau cover than I am about official things.
Quote: Canadian Customs will not ‘phone’ clear you. This would be a really stupid idea since the bad guys could keep trying a new name until it was OK and then make up some matching ID.
You should tell that to the Canadian Customs agent that talked to my son in law who told him that he would not be allowed to enter Canada, but told him the procedure he had to go through to be allowed into Canada.
I agree that they will not "phone clear you", but they will tell you if there is something in your record that will automatically disqualify you from crossing.
I live less than 15 minute drive from either Ontario or Quebec (and have lived here all my life). One of my daughters, my son in law and two of my grandchildren live in Quebec (12 miles from us). I probably have as much experience crossing the Canadian border as someone that lives in Arkansas!
I stand by my original post. When you arrive at customs:
~shut the diesel engine off so they can hear you.
~be honest, polite and cheerful.
~remove your sunglasses.
~be clean cut.
~most of all, be cooperative.
If you have nothing to hide, you will have no problems.
05 Ford F-350 Lariat CC 4X4 PSD DRW Line X Retrax
02 Montana Big Sky 3295 RK (2) Honda EU2000is
When my grown kids were inspecting our new fifth wheel, one asked why we bought a trailer that sleeps 4. My reply was that we couldn't find one that sleeps 2!
You are correct, you probably have more experience at the Canadian border that I do. That said, my experience has been forged at literally dozens of countries over four continents.
Most border personnel are nice polite folks but they always slavishly follow the rules – it’s their job, retirement and pension on the line. Their latitude in decision making is very narrow and from their perspective there is no reason to get in trouble. The only exception is for borders where financial arrangements are common.
My opinion was for the folks in Texas, Arkansas, Nebraska and all the other spots that have to drive literally hundreds of miles to be stopped by a boarder person with no latitude. To my knowledge you cannot phone ahead to see if you are OK, you just have to present yourself and then rely on their clearance procedures and database information.
The US government just gave Canada all of the info for US citizens. I am sure it came with an understanding that it would be kept confidential since the TSA will not tell us what it knows about us, I am certain that the same holds true for the Canadian authorities.
If you have an actual Canadian number to call, help us all out and tell us what it is.
My son in law called Canadian Customs at our local border crossing.
A couple years ago (during the period when you couldn't bring beef into the US), we were going to the Michigan NASCAR race with the fifth wheel. The closest and quickest way is through Ontario and crossing back at Detroit. I called ahead to ask if I could bring a sealed package of locally made hot dogs into Canada and back into the US. I talked to an agent (who said I could as long as they were still sealed) and was kind enough to give me her name. When I got to customs, I declared the meat and told the agent about my conversation and the agents name. I was able to cross with no problem.
Went across on I-15 at Sweetgrass, MT last June with motorhome and toad. He took a look at our passports, asked us about cash, guns and destination. The gun questions were very specific. "Do you own", yes "Where are they", home "Why don't you have them with you" not hunting. All Texans aren't gunslingers. No chatter, just specific answers. We were on our way in less than two minutes.
There was a motorhome in the inspection area they were going through, all cargo bay doors up and a few items stacked up outside.
2000 Sea Breeze with 1998 CRV Toad in Dawson Creek - Start of Alaska Highway
Don't Forget - USS Liberty, June 08, 1967
Having crossed the border more times than I can count. Here is what I've always done:
Similar to most - I'm always positive, pleasant and offer no more info than asked for. My personal opinion is that US Border Guards have less humour or tolerance than Canadians, but then maybe that's because I'm always coming home coming back to Canada.
I would double check the rules for cats - vaccines etc. and be prepared for that. Last crossing the US Guard asked the usual question about meat and veggies and despite myself when asked I quipped the only veggies I had was Barley in my good Canadian Beer. Fortuneatly for me he had a sense of humour but that was a dumb move on my part.
I've been randomly searched before. They have the right to do this, so no point in fighting it. They've always been pleasant and when in the RV I spend more time talking about the coach and cool trips we've taken then about border rules etc. They are people too
All in all, I'd say read the rules, be prepared to show pet info, personal info (passport etc.) and be friendly and polite and come on up and enjoy.
2008 Itasca Sunova 35J Class A
1997 TJ Sahara, hard and soft tops and AC
Held together via Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and stopped by US Gear Unified Brake system.
When we crossed the border anywhere, we were always treated pleasantly and respectfully by both US and Canada customs personnel. We have been boarded once, but the agent (US) was very pleasant. She allowed us to feed our dog with the dog food before we had to dump it and allowed DH to eat the last orange we had. Saved us having to shop that evening.
I learned one thing. We had purchased moose nuggest (yes, the real thing - DH thought they were chocolate) and those were allowed to cross. The agent also mentioned that they had a scientist bring frozen bear scat across once. I think it depended on the animal, but I was surprised any of that kind of poop would be permitted when you cannot bring some food items.
Does anyone know why you can take Egg Beaters across but not eggs?
* This post was
edited 02/18/08 03:36am by fullmoonoversalem *
We plan to cross into Ontario from New York (to go to Ottawa). Does anyone have any suggestions as to which border crossing point might be most convenient?
Also, I wanted to ask forum members whether Canadian border officials stamp your passport upon entry into Canada. If not, can one ask them to do so?
We have never done this before, so would also appreciate it if you could let me know what the routine questions they tend to ask for entry into Canada. Thank you.
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