Border crossing issues?

[gbaglo]

Nobody ever chose me of being tactful!

Or of re-reading a post before hitting submit. ;D
Have to ask, does one have to be tactful to use a tactical flashlight?

 

[escape artist]

Nobody ever chose me of being tactful!

Hi: Jim Bennett... Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never skirt you!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[Mike Lewis]

When driving through the border crossing do the US border guards ask, upon return to the US, if you have been to a farm?

We were asked that at the Vancouver airport on our flight back from Saskatoon. I answered in the affirmative as I had helped out a couple days at my BIL's hay farm. There was never any follow-up to my yes answer so I'm not sure what the purpose of the question was.

Ammonium nitrate, fertilizer, can also be used to make a bomb, e.g. the Oklahoma City bombing. Perhaps they detected the chemical on you.

 

[gbaglo]

Hi: Jim Bennett... Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never skirt you!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

So can tactical flashlights.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Or of re-reading a post before hitting submit. ;D

I don't like to repeat myself, especially to my phone.

I takes but a couple seconds to speak my post, and a couple minutes to edit if I choose.

 

[bonitaraders]

I was nervous after hearing stories of border patrol going through people's vehicles item by item so I rented a storage unit..

 

[Red Dog]

I was nervous after hearing stories of border patrol going through people's vehicles item by item so I rented a storage unit..

I feel your concern. We almost did the same thing , but it got complicated, so we trudged forward into Canada with all our possessions. It all worked out.

Fred M.

 

[Hilola]

Ammonium nitrate, fertilizer, can also be used to make a bomb, e.g. the Oklahoma City bombing. Perhaps they detected the chemical on you.

No, they ask everyone via an electronic kiosk.

 

[Jim Bennett]

I was nervous after hearing stories of border patrol going through people's vehicles item by item so I rented a storage unit..

This is rarely done and only if they have reason to suspect, or the very rare case of random search which you would be subject to regardless of what you were carrying. I would think having stuff for camping would not be suspicious in the least.

 

[escape artist]

This is rarely done and only if they have reason to suspect, or the very rare case of random search which you would be subject to regardless of what you were carrying. I would think having stuff for camping would not be suspicious in the least.

Hi: Jim Bennett... Guys without hair are suspicious at least!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[Jim Bennett]

Hi: Jim Bennett... Guys without hair are suspicious at least!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Not this one, Alf. I didn't do it.

 

[Chama]

Raise your arms, get up against the wall...

Well not exactly that bad, but... we crossed from Sumas to visit ETI in August to finalize our trailer order. I was expecting a cheery and simple exchange where they asked me where I was from and what was the purpose of my visit to Canada, etc. I told them I was from New Mexico and I was going to be in Canada for just a few hours to finalize my ETI trailer order in Chilliwack. The crabby border crossing woman want to know when I was last in Canada. I honestly did not recall but said it was some years ago. She want to know EXACTLY when that was. I said I still did not recall exactly but quite a few years ago. She asked the questions several more times in various forms. Then she moved on to guns....guns, guns, guns... did I have any with me, etc. No, I didn't. She was very interested in that subject and asked several times about that. Being from New Mexico, we are used to people who only seeing the Mexico part of the license plate so there were questions about drugs and if we had any. All in all, it was a more unpleasant experience that we were expecting and I am not looking forward to crossing again for orientation.

 

[NCBill-ESC]

This is one question you should expect:"When is the last time you were in Canada?" I believe their records are excellent. I forgot a trip to Nova Scotia one time, which made my recollection incorrect. I believe this resulted in a longer time at the border.

This time, I mentally reviewed recent trips, tried to recall the approximate time too.

Guns/guns/guns: there is an assumption everyone is packing multiple weapons and their job is to just find the weapons "you are hiding". I get the feeling that they find a lot of guns too.

All that being said, almost all of my crossings have been pleasant. Crossed several borders on our trip to AK this summer. All were easy, quick and no inspections.

 

[caddoster]

One time we were in Seattle for holidays and decided it's a good idea to get some good donuts... I think we got "the look" at the border when we were asked the purpose of the trip and how long.. on the way back got another odd look when we pointed at the box of donuts and a case of Coke for "things to declare"...

 

[Ron in BC]

This is one question you should expect:"When is the last time you were in Canada?" .

I hate that question. I cross about every 2-3 weeks. When I get that question I have to think carefully, is it 2 weeks or 3 etc. because I know they have the answer in front of them. It depends on the guard and they're the unpredictable part of the equation. Fortunately I have a Nexus card and my average time at the wicket is about 10 seconds. But you never know how it's going to go.

One time we were in Seattle for holidays and decided it's a good idea to get some good donuts... I

That's strange we do the reverse crossing to get to a Krispy Kreme.

Ron

 

[Blue goose fan]

We take delivery of our new 17B later this month. That means driving the SUV loaded with trailer stuff into Canada for orientation at Escape and then back into the US as we follow the new 17B into WA state. Has anyone had issues with a carload or truckload of stuff at the border crossing? We've heard of border agents going thru peoples' stuff and want to avoid that scenario. Thanks for any info.

We just crossed and had a truck load with all the camper supplies. We told the border agents on both sides why we crossed the border and had no problems!

 

[algonquin50]

I've crossed many, many times into Canada. My only advice is to have everything neatly stowed and your passports in hand to present. They know Escape and tell them you're gong there. Also, readily have answers to all questions alcohol, tobacco, purpose, how long will you be staying. I;ve never been pulled over. Be Polite.