I'm a frequent border crosser, if not weekly then at least bi-weekly. I've been vetted ever which way possible and have Nexus, Trusted Traveler, Global Entry, Sentri, and TSA pre-check as well as having been vetted by Homeland Security for ATF and FAA permits and licenses. To say that I'm a known entity is probably an understatement. My usual time at the Nexus booth is about 5 seconds.
Yesterday was unfortunately different. I'm commenting about it so that anyone heading for the border while this current government employee situation exists will have a heads up that things may be different. I hope that no one turns it into a political discussion.
I was told to go to secondary inspection. Towing a trailer you normally drive through that area because you can't navigate a trailer past all the concrete barricades that a car can slowly weave through. Normally the parking area for secondary inspections is almost empty. Yesterday it looked like a shopping mall parking lot.
Inside there were a lot of folks. Lucky me saw that they had a provision for a Nexus line without anyone in it. Great I thought, at least it'll be fairly quick to be on my way.
Well, there was at least two dozen uniformed folks and they all studiously avoided eye contact with anyone. I stood there for 20 minutes before the non-Nexus person called me over. Made me fill out a customs declaration. OK, I know that's an opportunity to shoot yourself in the foot. "food", yes; "meat", yes because I had a tuna fish lunch sandwich with me. Fortunately they said that was OK. Made me put down an address where I was staying even though I was going to be back home for supper.
Then they searched my truck. Tried to explain about lifting the box cover before closing the tailgate. He snapped at me that they do that sort of thing all the time.
They came back and wanted to know why I'd removed one of the two rear jump seats! I mean, really, does that relate to National Security? Told him that I tow a trailer and that it was 50 lbs. of never used dead weight and it also gave us a convenient secure spot to carry our folding bikes. I was then released.
Out to the truck, tailgate hanging open. Don't know if they tried shutting it without lifting the box cover or not. Inside they'd ripped out Gertie's dog blanket and foam from her center console berth and ripped off a rear wall panel that I'd just put on to protect the now exposed amplifier.
So, all in all, it was a long nasty experience. Hopefully things will get back to normal soon. So anyone heading for the border while the current situation exists should be aware that the crossing may be different than previous crossings. Also, have a specific address ready in response to the question "where are you going". Simply answering something like "Arizona" will likely only lead to further questions.
Well, a nasty start to the day. But the rest of the day well really well, nice weather window opened up, great flying and the stop at the Canadian Nexus on the way home was about 5 seconds.
Ron
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