Worst US/Canadian border crossing

rhagfo wrote:

2chiefsRus wrote:
The puzzling part was they never once opened the outside storage bays......

You likely won the random deep search lottery, the outside storage bays were likely never used as a hiding space for drugs.

X2, they have a method to their madness and experience tells them where to look/not look.

Just crossed into Canada last week at Niagara Falls. Handed the agent our passports and he asked where we were from and where we were headed and why across Canada. Told the agent it was a shorter trip from Niagara Falls to Chicago if we went across and through Michigan. We were waved through and on our way. Years ago I used to fly into Canada for work and the customs agents in the airport were much worse. I sat there once for three hours while they did something in the office. Never figured out why I was held for that time but they eventually let me into Canada.

2chiefsRus wrote:
Can't really call it the worst but it was puzzling. It was crossing at Sarnia from the US crossing to Canada. We were asked to pull to the side and they searched everywhere inside the coach and the toad. They even opened all the zippers on our golf bags in the trunk of our car. All the cabinets in the motorhome, under the cushions, literally everywhere they could think of. The puzzling part was they never once opened the outside storage bays......

You likely won the random deep search lottery, the outside storage bays were likely never used as a hiding space for drugs.

p220sigman wrote:
In my experience, simply answer the questions asked as directly, respectfully, and succinctly as possible. Don't offer any commentary or smart comments and you will be fine. We cautioned our kids to not utter a word unless asked a direct question by the border agent (they tend to offer up little "nuggets of wisdom" sometimes).

Exactly. Also roll down the windows before stopping at the gate, ensure the radio is off, sunglasses off, even hats off, and simply pay attention to what is being asked. Be prepared to hand over your passports / ID, even vehicle / trailer registration if asked, along with any receipts for items that may have been purchased, or to unlock the trailer for a quick inspection or to pull over for secondary if instructed to do so. In most cases you'll be on your way shortly, if not don't make the mistake of taking it personally ... it's not, at most the constantly changing questions are to put you off guard, just as has been illustrated by the comments in this thread. Keep in mind these border agents are only doing their job, one that's hardly the most glamorous, sometimes arriving at work after having a fight that morning with their spouse. Assuming you really do have nothing to hide crossing the US / Canadian border is a non-issue. For anyone for whom this is still a stressful experience apply for a NEXUS pass which will allow you to pass through without delay.

Our "worst" crossing out of over a hundred was a 20 minute delay for a secondary inspection going into Canada via the Lewiston-Queenston bridge. The officers were very polite while checking our coach, and even directed my wife to a spot where she could walk our dog. As said, they never looked in the storage bins, and even though they asked me to unlock it, never looked in the toad. When the officer was done inspecting inside the coach, I asked him why we were selected for the secondary, and he said it was just a routine random selection. He told me if any adverse information had popped up on the computer, it would have been a much more thorough process. We've had longer delays in traffic waiting to cross than the inspection took.

If it is bright sunny day and you are wearing sunglasses, take them off before you see the official. They stare into your eyes to look for signs of deception. You might see what google has to say About deceptive eye movements.

Why people continue to make mountains out of molehills I will never understand. Border crossings are easy-answer the questions truthfully, don't act nervous and don't try to get contraband across the border. It's truly a no-brainer. Yes, you may get the agent who is in a foul mood or the one trying to prove himself but there's nothing you can do to prepare for that. Just relax and keep in mind they have a job to do.

Can't really call it the worst but it was puzzling. It was crossing at Sarnia from the US crossing to Canada. We were asked to pull to the side and they searched everywhere inside the coach and the toad. They even opened all the zippers on our golf bags in the trunk of our car. All the cabinets in the motorhome, under the cushions, literally everywhere they could think of. The puzzling part was they never once opened the outside storage bays......

I've been through a few times. Worst was coming back home to the States.

Said I had vegetables. These were from my mother's garden in the USA, came to Canada, didn't get eaten while in Canada, so they were coming back with me.

Full agricultural inspection and had my contraband tomatoes confiscated. Ha ha ha

Personally I've never had a problem. Was ask to pull around to the inspection lot once time (Car) took about 1 mintue to release me.

I read of a woman who crossed from CA to USA. she was speaking spanish to her friend.. (She is a US citizen born and raised in the USA) that did not go well.