Your customs experiences re-entering the US from Canada?

down home wrote:
Early 2000s with our Fifth wheel, asked by CPB agent for our License plate number.
Didn't know it and jumped out to read it. Impossible to get too.
She knew our address and names, from her comments specifically referencing the town where we live. Came back through at Buffalo an asked bout fruits etc but no check.
2005, I think,went to Canada with our duallie with hitch still in bed. Asked where we were going and for how long.
Way back our Border Patrol the guy was an ah. He was rude and cruel to my wife who was driving and me. Consequencies be hanged. My wife was ready to cry. I started to open the door and my wife grabbed me so hard it hurt my wrist.
What he did was abuse. If it had been my Daughter it would have been child abuse.
For several years wife would not go back to Canada. We started to once, and near Detroit she started to cry and break down over thee thought of going though that again.
Entering through Alberta from the Indian Nation, in our 2000 Dodge p/u. CBP pulled everything out our our suitcases and bags, looking for guns. Disabled Military plate and NRA Sticker. It took us near an hour to put things back together and twice we were told to hurry up and leave.
All the crossings or the few we made the Canadians were very very friendly.
Coming back has been the problem. I think one time they took some apples whcih was no biggie.
We made several friends, in Ontario, one reason being, we felt welcomed into the Country and at ease.
We hven't been back in our Motorhome because at the Bridge from Michigan. we are concerned about clearances and getting into the tight lane. Plus while waiting to enter in our toads we noticed every Mh was opened up and lengthy inspection.
So last times we parked in Port Huron KOA and crossed.
We definatly weant to go back to a central location where we can shop for antiques and do a lot of fishing and sight seeing. But she is reluctant.
Wife is still scarred from the incident with our BP.
A

Sorry you had to experience this rudeness. There is a sign beside the booth that you enter at. It states that you will be treated with respect and dignity. If at any time you feel you have been abused, wait until the Officer has released you, then ask where you can park to go inside to speak with a Supervisor.

You don't even need to know the Officer's name that was rude to you. The inspection is recorded and the Supervisor can review it to see how you were treated.

You NEVER need to fear crossing the border. 99% of the CPB Officers are courteous and professional. I can say that every Officer has a 'bad' day now and then or might have had a dangerous or a stressful encounter just prior to your arrival, but that is NEVER an excuse to treat you the way you were treated.

If I was there and saw a fellow Officer treating a traveler like you said you were treated, I would intervene, pull the Officer to a private spot and counsel that Officer.

I apologize for ALL the good Officers, to you, for you having to go through that experience.

Lakeside