Border Crossing Special Watch

Our son is a scientist who needs to visit the US about once a year, usually with colleagues. Every time he gets to the border, he and his fellow travellers are handcuffed to cell bars with agents aiming guns at him. After an hour or two, an agent asks if he is black. He says no, and is then allowed to enter the USA.

He has a common first and last name and it seems there is a bad guy with a similar name. Luckily, the bad guy is of a different race. Apparently it is impossible to get his name off whatever list he is on or have an appropriate note on his passport or the border security database.

Security stupidity is everywhere. In order to get police clearance to volunteer at the local hospital, I had to be fingerprinted because I have the same birthdate as a bad guy. It seems that police do not have access to name change records so I could be the bad guy.

As a US citizen, I have the right to rant, rave, cuss, petition my representatives, go to court and run for office if I am not happy, WITH US laws and law officers.

In another country I am a guest, and you do not tell your host how to run her house. Go along to get along, when in Rome, do as the Romans.

Any time our rig or vehicle has been checked by either side, we weren't allowed near it until they were finished.

Same here. The way I look at it the border agents are doing the job they are paid to do. I follow the rules because (1) I have nothing to hide and (2) they are the rules. I am not special, I should not be allowed an exemption from said rules-no one should. If you don't like said rules then don't cross the border. If you try to violate said rules be prepared to accept the consequences.

In no way shape or form will you be allow in the coach while being inspected,think about it the officer has his/her head in a compartment or fridge with you between them and the door!

Not gonna happen.

Every time we get inspected its
-sir are those the keys?
- may I have them?
- please stand over there (about 3 meters away)
after they are done I ask "don't lock it up" I want to double check everything is secured .
them -
no problem sir have a nice day

refusing to cooperate should of got you sent back "with no 10 minute discussion"
bet you earned yourself a little note on every agents computer screen going forward.

wilber1 wrote:
Any time our rig or vehicle has been checked by either side, we weren't allowed near it until they were finished.

Same here.

Any time our rig or vehicle has been checked by either side, we weren't allowed near it until they were finished.

Being from British Columbia, we have a small tourist industry based on hunting our big game, many come for this from Europe. They come with some amazing rifles, of course this is all legal. When we go south there is usually an interesting tale to relate about the last crossing, around the campfire.

Traveling to Mexico for several years we never had to leave our motor home for their checks that sometimes took place; this is different nowadays, both at Canadian, and the US sides of borders. If you are sent to "agricultural" or other line ups, you will give up your keys and wait after a few questions, then that person will tell you to take a seat and will check out your vehicle(s). They will leave it unlocked more than likely and you will need to check over your towed vehicle, making sure that gears are still set right, and you're on your way, maybe giving up your rice kept in another small container other than the original where it's origin could have been determined.

An exception was one stop when we were driving out of Mexico, entering Texas. It was our first time in Texas, and the officer checked the coach with my wife present, and the dog sniffed both there, the outside bays, and the car. They were very pleasant and gave us many tips even about where to find the best shopping, only taking a small container of yesterday's cooked pork. We are not full-time RV'ers, do not carry firearms, have never smoked marijauna. On that last question, answering in the affirmative will immediately yield a lifetime ban from entering USA.

Unlike most I have taken firearms into Canada on 2 different occasions. I had the forms filled out ahead of time. Not that big of a deal. Both times were easy and quick. The second time we spent more time talking about the poultry products in the coach than anything else. Both times they checked the numbers to see if they matched the paperwork. That was it. A few years ago we were crossing(No firearms at all) and the woman was quite rude and wanted to search my coach without me being in there. I said no way. After a 10 minute discussion her boss came out and told me to take the coach and go. She had me park where I was blocking lanes.(40 ft coach and toad) Hopefully that was a 1 shot deal. We haven't been back since. It really upset my wife.

Thanks for that interesting perspective thomas201 , real experience not dreams and opinions.

By the way, for US Citizens, make sure your paperwork is done to get your guns back into the good old USA. You need the 4457.

Since I hunt, and therefore travel with firearms both inside and outside of North America, I have found that my own country is the biggest PITA for getting back home. Just do the paper work right for Canada. For your first trip, stay just south of the border. Then when business is slack at the crossing drive up and check with the US if your paperwork is right. Cross the border, check with Canada. Make your crossing later with the guns. This is bad advice for New York, since you only have the right of transit for your firearms.

Tips work well in Africa, I wouldn't try it in Canada. Do not fly out of Newark with guns. I hear JFK is just as bad. Many say the US is the most difficult country to enter if you are not a citizen and carrying firearms.