Any Canucks having issues at the border and/or Airports?

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If you have to leave your phone on the dash and it is not locked by a password.... they went through it.

I never suggested they didn't . Neither did I stand at the window watching their every move. I had nothing to hide, so as I mentioned above......I wasn't worried either way.

 

[pigletto]

I think it's wise to be aware of current policy and proceed with whatever makes one comfortable. Due to the nature of our family business and the middle eastern countries one immediate family travels to for business, my family has always been subject to extra screening. Sometimes that's just extra questioning, sometimes it's the second room (both at the Peace Bridge and YYZ), sometimes it's a really cranky guard making you uncomfortable and worried. It does concern me that I'm not allowed my cell phone or a camera in those secondary screening rooms. For me it's not a matter of having something to hide, it's a matter of wondering why I can't have anything that could demonstrate proof of mistreatment on my person.

If I and my family have always been subject to extra screening due to the travel of a family member to certain countries, than what are Canadians who are visibly from those countries feeling these days? I can only imagine there is greater uncertainty and anxiety for them.

I agree with Gina completely that we can't let media sensationalize events to the point that we lose sight of what's really occurring. However, I do feel that current policy is concerning enough that everyone should be keeping an eye on events. For example we have an early morning flight from Buffalo coming up, and there is no way I am attempting to cross that morning. We had considered just heading out from home in the wee hours, but if we get delayed at customs, which has often been the case, we'll miss our flight. I don't know if it's worse now or not because I've not tried to cross since January, but I'm not willing to wait and find out if it means missing my flight.

In relation to this conversation, the Toronto school board has just announced they have suspended all trips to the U.S. due to the new policies at the border. They are finishing out the ones already paid for and then discontinuing U.S. travel. That's the biggest school board in Canada and they and Girl Guides Canada have to decided to suspend all trips to the U.S. until ALL of their students are allowed to enter with equity and inclusion.

 

[kittyab]

I think it's wise to be aware of current policy and proceed with whatever makes one comfortable. Due to the nature of our family business and the middle eastern countries one immediate family travels to for business, my family has always been subject to extra screening. Sometimes that's just extra questioning, sometimes it's the second room (both at the Peace Bridge and YYZ), sometimes it's a really cranky guard making you uncomfortable and worried. It does concern me that I'm not allowed my cell phone or a camera in those secondary screening rooms. For me it's not a matter of having something to hide, it's a matter of wondering why I can't have anything that could demonstrate proof of mistreatment on my person.

If I and my family have always been subject to extra screening due to the travel of a family member to certain countries, than what are Canadians who are visibly from those countries feeling these days? I can only imagine there is greater uncertainty and anxiety for them.

I agree with Gina completely that we can't let media sensationalize events to the point that we lose sight of what's really occurring. However, I do feel that current policy is concerning enough that everyone should be keeping an eye on events. For example we have an early morning flight from Buffalo coming up, and there is no way I am attempting to cross that morning. We had considered just heading out from home in the wee hours, but if we get delayed at customs, which has often been the case, we'll miss our flight. I don't know if it's worse now or not because I've not tried to cross since January, but I'm not willing to wait and find out if it means missing my flight.

In relation to this conversation, the Toronto school board has just announced they have suspended all trips to the U.S. due to the new policies at the border. They are finishing out the ones already paid for and then discontinuing U.S. travel. That's the biggest school board in Canada and they and Girl Guides Canada have to decided to suspend all trips to the U.S. until ALL of their students are allowed to enter with equity and inclusion.

I think there are some real issues or you wouldn't have the school board and Girl Guides cancel trips.

I totally agree with you on the cell phone & camera. I feel like they have something to hide if they are saying no cameras. No cell phone means for me, you can call for help (i.e. lawyer)

 

[kittyab]

I never suggested they didn't . Neither did I stand at the window watching their every move. I had nothing to hide, so as I mentioned above......I wasn't worried either way.

I dont have anything to hide, but I do feel like it is a violation of privacy. I think they are really go over board in the name of security.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Posted earlier today in the Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...urned-away-at-us-land-border/article34429111/

 

[kittyab]

Posted earlier today in the Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...urned-away-at-us-land-border/article34429111/

Thanks I do hope there will fewer stories of people being turned away / harassed at the border.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I think there are some real issues or you wouldn't have the school board and Girl Guides cancel trips.

I totally agree with you on the cell phone & camera. I feel like they have something to hide if they are saying no cameras. No cell phone means for me, you can call for help (i.e. lawyer)

Every customs station in the US, for as long as I can remember, say "No cell phones or cameras." This applies to everyone, including US citizens, not just Canadians.

If only we could harness the paranoia...

MG

 

[pigletto]

Every customs station in the US, for as long as I can remember, say "No cell phones or cameras." This applies to everyone, including US citizens, not just Canadians.

If only we could harness the paranoia...

MG

And it's always bothered me. It's not paranoia , its my opinion,so you can skip the condescension .

 

[wilkeliza]

And it's always bothered me. It's not paranoia , its my opinion,so you can skip the condescension .

I agree with you. What are they so worried about that i'm not allowed to photo or record?

We did just find out TSA has to let you have a 2nd person of your chosing present for secondary screening. We will be using that if it happens again.

 

[xlxo]

fyi.... The fine is USD$2500 per egg....
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/c...ering-kinder-surprise-eggs-are-illegal-in-u-s

 

[Maistre Gracey]

And it's always bothered me. It's not paranoia , its my opinion,so you can skip the condescension .You know, I've seen many similar posts with eye rolling and "Don't buy into the paranoia" about people being concerned about flying and their safety from terrorism too. Always made me feel stupid to express a concern. Yet as I laid on my children's bodies in the Fort Lauderdale airport while people screamed and ran in terror all around us and literally wondered if we were going to die, I don't give recall giving a rats behind what a few people on a message board thought.
What's the purpose here? To make people feel stupid for being concerned? Because frankly, from where I sit it's the SMART choice to question current policy. The SMART choice to discuss and wonder and toss around thoughts and concerns. Why is there always some that make it their personal mission to make others feel like they're stupid for doing so? How does that further a respectful conversation?

I don't really follow you here. You went off on a tangent presumably about the FLL shooting.

I'm guessing you think I made you feel stupid?? No. I don't believe you are stupid. Just a bit over the top paranoid. Nobody is out to get Canadians. Now, if Canada lets everyone and their brother into your country, perhaps a little extra screening may be required for entrants from Canada... but that doesn't mean *Canadians* have anything to worry about.

Does that make sense?

MG

 

[SpaceMonkey35]

I just drove from Montreal to Plattsburgh to do some quick shopping for the day and I didn't have any problems. Could of been my short trip/distance

 

[cjbcam]

We just crossed this weekend. It was literally the easiest crossing we've ever had. I got asked 3 questions 1. How many people are in the car? 2. Do you have any fruit? 3. Do you have any alcohol? That's it.
I have crossed hundreds of times. I've been ripped apart, every single thing taken apart and looked through. I've also been taken inside had to remove shoes roll up pants etc. It's random, people have always been searched and people have been turned away. You just hear about it more now.

 

[kittyab]

We have had mixed on many of our trips. Dh always gets set aside for secondary screening. (TSA) We had some TSA agents that were great and some who were a bit over the top. It depends on their mood.

It depends on the airport you go through too.

BTW we have Nexus passes and we are still seeing some things. I told DH imagine if we didn't have them.

 

[lorenni]

I dont have anything to hide, but I do feel like it is a violation of privacy. I think they are really go over board in the name of security.

100% agree. I don't have anything to hide either, but if customs decides to access and copy my smartphone I've lost DAYS of my vacation because instead of riding space mountain I'll be at my firms Orlando office while IT figures out what was accessed and I call my clients one by one to let them know the US government now has their confidential tax related correspondence.

Addressing other comments here, Eventually they have to let me in because I am a US citizen (living legally in Canada). But it is important for me (us) to acknowledge that my experience at the border is likely to be very different because I am a Caucasian person with a US place of birth. It's wrong and it's disheartening. But the fact that I probably won't have an issue doesn't mean someone else who is a temporary US resident, a visible minority, has a name that sounds middle eastern, etc. won't be singled out and hassled. As has been noted already, customs and border patrol have been given expanded authority, and seem to have completely disregarded the fact that the Muslim ban was struck down (twice). They are absolutely profiling travelers from Canada and elsewhere and this has been recognized and documented sufficiently to influence groups such as TDSB to change travel policies in response. I don't blame anyone who "fits" that profile for being cautious or concerned. And I think it's short sighted and reeks of privilege for others to discount that based on personal experience if you do not fit that profile.

 

[kittyab]

We just crossed this weekend. It was literally the easiest crossing we've ever had. I got asked 3 questions 1. How many people are in the car? 2. Do you have any fruit? 3. Do you have any alcohol? That's it.
I have crossed hundreds of times. I've been ripped apart, every single thing taken apart and looked through. I've also been taken inside had to remove shoes roll up pants etc. It's random, people have always been searched and people have been turned away. You just hear about it more now.

I think some of the bad press they are getting is having someone tell them at the border to knock it out. That is all it takes for a few bad stories to get out then a reminder is sent out etc etc.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks I do hope there will fewer stories of people being turned away / harassed at the border.

Despite the statistical evidence to the contrary, I suspect there will be more stories, not less. Reports that stir the emotions of the masses sell newspapers and advertising space.

I think some of the bad press they are getting is having someone tell them at the border to knock it out. That is all it takes for a few bad stories to get out then a reminder is sent out etc etc.

Maybe I'm wrong, but somehow I doubt that Homeland Security cares about 'bad press'.

 

[kittyab]

Maybe I'm wrong, but somehow I doubt that Homeland Security cares about 'bad press'.

They do care about lawsuits. If their staff is not following correct procedures, they will deal with it. I think the one story of a Canadian told she needed a visa to enter was a issue of a poorly trained border agent.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We crossed at the ambassador bridge yesterday with zero issues or delays. Standard questions and nothing different.

 

[HeatherLassell]

fyi.... The fine is USD$2500 per egg....
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/c...ering-kinder-surprise-eggs-are-illegal-in-u-s

I wasn't thinking and I went to North Dakota for Garth Brooks over mothers day. I grabbed some kinder eggs and threw them in my suite case for my friends daughter! Wouldn't you know it I GOT SENT OVER (driving) TO THE INSPECTION GARAGE! First thing I said to my friends "OMG I have kinder eggs in my bag!" I got lucky and they didn't search my suite case but I'd never make that mistake again. It isn't worth the fine for sure! *not going to talk about how friggen dumb it is that Americans can have crazy amounts of weapons...but not toys inside a chocolate egg ...a law is a law*