Hassled at the rainbow bridge by U.S. border guards. They are idiots.

[Wcross]

I took a side trip to Niagara Falls this fourth of July. When I went into Canada the border guards were polite, and just asked where I was going & if I had any booze, cigarettes, guns or knives on me. They all looked & acted professional.

Coming back in I was questioned by John Belushi's long lost twin. He seemed determined to ask at least twenty "inane" questions. I had a book on the dashboard, he asked me what it was about. He walked around the back of the truck & asked me if I had dogs. (Uh, yes, I guess the half chewed rawhide bone in the bed might have given me away along with the paw prints everywhere & fur on the seats) This idiot also yelled at some Canadians to "get back in the car" even though their son was throwing up & the mother had gone around to help him.

It is kind of embarrassing that these saps are "guarding the border". What the heck does it matter if I have dogs at home or not OR what I am reading?

[malta blue]

1. I hate coming back to the US through the Montreal

crossing.

The guards ARE idiots :banghead:

I was in line for 3 hours, and Little MB had to go to the bathroom - she was about 4 at the time. Obviously, nowhere for her to go, so I rigged up a contraption in the car, but I had to get out of the drivers seat and into the back to help her and I got yelled at too! :nuke:

On the other hand, how was your trip?

:hi:

[Wcross]

2. It was enjoyable.

I finally got XM radio & it made all the difference in the world!

[Xipe Totec]

11. The ones at the south border are way better

Not

Bunch of brown shirt wannabees

[bif]

3. I heard someone say, "So when did we declare war on Canada?"

Crossing back into Detroit from Windsor is a real pain in the ass. The moron we had asked all kinds of stupid questions. There were only three cars in front of us, yet it took us about 45 minutes to get through. How about "Citizens of what country? Where did you go in Canada? How long were you in Canada" Did you buy anything? Have a nice day!" That's about all they used to ask.

[pitohui]

4. just as bad at windsor

the canadian guys are a little grumpy but the usa guys wanted the entire story of my life

i've had a friend have his entire car broken down and searched piece by piece there (they didn't find anything)

[hedgehog]

5. We used to just hop across the border at Niagara Falls and Buffalo.

We always took visitors across to get a better view of the Falls and there were some nice restaurants there. A lot of people like the casinos and race track on the Canadian side, too. Now thanks to George, it sounds as if you'll need a passport to return!

[1gobluedem]

6. I had the opposite experience

On my way into Ontario, at the Bluewater Bridge between Port Huron, MI, and Sarnia, ON, the Canadian guard practically asked for our life story including wanting to know exactly where we planned to stay.

On the way back, the US guy was so mad at the other attendant for waving us into the monthly pass lane that he asked us nothing and barely even glanced at our documents!

[Zuiderelle]

7. We've had the opposite experience as well.

Going into Canada recently, we had to pull over and be searched thoroughly, because we were traveling with our six-year-old child. My partner is the natural mother, but since there was no father, they asked if we had a letter of permission from the father. All well and good I suppose, to prevent parents from abducting their own children from their spouses, but what about gay couples, or single parents, what a pain in the ass. And what would a letter do anyway? Would they call the person who notarized it?

And then when they did pull us over... they searched our car. No questions about anything, just searched the car. What were they looking for? A trunk full of our child's entire wardrobe as proof that we were leaving the USA for good?

Coming back into the US, it was basically "welcome home."

[Wcross]

8. I have been searched on the Canadian side before.

They asked if I owned any guns & I told them I did. (big mistake) I have a terrible time lying (I have NO poker face) so I admitted I owned a few guns at home. I then said they are all locked in my gun safe at home but they insisted on searching the truck. They did it the following three visits to Canada, I don't hold it against them. I should get better at lying.

[hedgehog]

9. NEVER lie to a Customs Agent! Believe me, they know when you're hiding something!

Lying insures you'll be searched, thoroughly!

[ThomCat]

10. I hate getting the asshole American border guards coming back

from Canada. x(

It seems to happen far too often to be one or two bad apples. I think our government looks for assholes to hire as border guards.