olyclimber Posted October 27, 2003 Posted October 27, 2003 minx said: my point was that they don't ever seem to touch a computer the whole 10 sec they look at my ID Â Well, they don't rip your car apart and search it everytime either. But I have seen them doing that to people and have known it to happen to people...and in those cases they found nothing and let the people go on their way. They spot check, and if they sense anything funny they'll dig deeper. It wouldn't surprise me also if they just pick every 10th car to examine more closely or run checks on people's IDs. Bad luck to be one of those people, but if they checked everyone thoroughly it would take a whole day or more just to cross the border. You've just been lucky like me so far if they haven't run a computer check on you and detained you longer than ten seconds. Quote
Recycled Posted October 27, 2003 Posted October 27, 2003 Word to the wise: get a passport and keep it with you - not in the car at trailheads. Canada is NOT the U.S. I'm in BC 30-40 times a year and all my post-9/11 hassles went away when I got a passport. Went up through Sumas yesterday - two or three questions from the Canadian border guard and I'm on my way. Just got back from Slesse an hour ago and had to provide the US guard a description of exactly how to get to the trailhead and the condition of the trail. I guess they are paying more attention to people who go from the US up to the border peaks area, perhaps due to a perception that it would be easy to sling a bag of BC bud from Rexford over to the US side  BTW - the flood damage from last week on the Nesakwatch road has now been repaired as of yesterday. Quote
Off_White Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Gary, was the border guy a short bald guy with a waxed dome? We had a run-in at the same crossing years ago, issue was a 20 year old misdemeanor marijuana possession event in Edmonton. I never have made it to Skaha.... Quote
lummox Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Off_White said: 20 year old misdemeanor marijuana sounds bout as stoney as smoking banana peels. Quote
Off_White Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 lummox said: Off_White said: 20 year old misdemeanor marijuana sounds bout as stoney as smoking banana peels. Â snorting nutmeg worked better. Quote
Fairweather Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Just remember, there are states here in the USA that issue driver's licenses to illegal aliens. Posession of a valid drivers license is not proof of American citizenship. This might be why there is a crackdown up north. Â For the record; all of my encounters with Canadian border guards have been good. They did question my kids once, but kept them in my sight and were outgoing and cordial. Â I got a speeding ticket in 1992 while driving 90mph in Yukon Terrirory. It was over $300 Canadian. Upon my return home, I decided to ignore the fine. All was well... Â Almost 5 years later, I received a letter from the RCMP offering me a one time opportunity to "pay up", no interest, late fees, or additional penalties! The letter stated that I would be denied future access to Canada if I failed to do so. So I paid up. Â I thought it was cool that they sent me such a cordial letter and weren't total pricks. Better treatment than I would have received from most US local police depts. It was about $200+ USD. Quote
scott_harpell Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 MounTAIN_Woman said: An official birth certificate is an original, with a raised seal, issued by the county of your birth. I was able to find out how to get a copy for myself over the internet at the county's website. You'll have to go to them and ask for one. I think it will cost you a couple bucks, but that plus driver's license equals the right form of ID. You will also need that official birth certificate if you apply for a passport, which I also highly recommend. It's the best form of ID out there - I've made many border crossings with no hassles, and also if you ever fly, even on a domestic flight, it makes it easier at check-in time. Nobody ever questions the validity of the US Passport. Â not true. i bought booze yesterday and bitch said i needed a second form of I.D. i told her to fuck herself with the vodka bottle and tell her boss why they were out the $$$. cunt. Quote
scott_harpell Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 So true. This is why the Canadians have better social services than the US. Â are you serious? i you wanna wait for 6-18 months to get 'free' surgery be my guest. i'd rather pay the $$$ and get good service before i die or my arm falls off thanks. Quote
Dru Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 hey - i get a kick out of Canada too! thanks for sharing your support! Quote
chelle Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 scott_harpell said: MounTAIN_Woman said: An official birth certificate is an original, with a raised seal, issued by the county of your birth. I was able to find out how to get a copy for myself over the internet at the county's website. You'll have to go to them and ask for one. I think it will cost you a couple bucks, but that plus driver's license equals the right form of ID. You will also need that official birth certificate if you apply for a passport, which I also highly recommend. It's the best form of ID out there - I've made many border crossings with no hassles, and also if you ever fly, even on a domestic flight, it makes it easier at check-in time. Nobody ever questions the validity of the US Passport. Â not true. i bought booze yesterday and bitch said i needed a second form of I.D. i told her to fuck herself with the vodka bottle and tell her boss why they were out the $$$. cunt. Â And I am sure they are way bummed that they lost YOU as a customer. BTW, that last word is so offensive I am suprised she didn't break the bottle over your head then shove it up your Quote
scott_harpell Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 well i am a fansastic customer. they are losing out on a lot of money. as for the word. frankly ma'dear, i just dont give a damn. Quote
chelle Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 maybe you should check out this site ... Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Golden rules to crossing north from USA for me- Â Have 2 - 3 ids. Whether they be work, but including a DL or state ID and then something else perhaps. Â Always bring a passport if you have one (this works better than almost anything). If not bring an official birth certificate and then be mellow. Â I dont have the passport or 3rd ID but I use a birth certificate (official one with original markings\stamps and signatures) every time and carry my DL\ID and my work ID. Â The only times I have been asked for a 3rd ID was crossing back into the US (twice) and once going to Canada on foot (cant blame them). Â If you give the border patrol a hard time they will eject you like shit coming out of a cows ass as everyone knows. Â If you prepare yourself and are still an ass they can still do the same. Â Those items said- if you are trying to go to CA then shut up and be nice or be prepared for rejection and the shutdown of your drive, however long it may have been. Â There is very little science to it. Quote
scott_harpell Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 ehmmic said: maybe you should check out this site ... Â i dont have a drinking problem unless "i dont have a drink in my hand" Quote
AlpineK Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 here's my take  Prepare the basics before you go. They want passports nowadays so get one.  Always look the border gaurd in the eye and be conversational; listen to what they ask. When ask a question elaborate a little but not too much. Usually when they start to fuck with you they will ask the same question over and over; when you notice this give them a slightly sarcastic answer so they know you're on to them.  Having a nicely cleaned vehicle, a haircut, and a shave are highly recomended! Quote
Beck Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 my take on boarder crossings- wear a funny hat, act the part of the disarming, goofy American if there are guards with guns around- particularily if you don't share a common language try to make the boarder patrol laugh if they've got you in the box and are interrogating you try not to get shot! Â and for the Canooks, wear a touque, tell them you're "headed to the palestra, eh?" and start humming "Oh, Canada", this will usually get you in Quote
carolyn Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 scrambler said: Did anyone in your group have an arrest record? Some types of offenses are considered differently than here in the States. For example, if someone had a DWI or DUI that occurred within the last 10 years, then that person will have to pay a fee of about $150 and obtain a document for access into Canada. If the offense is more than 10 years old, then you're considered rehabilitated. And, don't lie to the border guards, they have ways of knowing. Â Weird law. Check the embassy site for more details considering certain legal hassles. Â I dont know what type of record my climbing partner has, but last year he was denied access to canada FOREVER because of something he did over 13yrs ago. They didnt consider him rehabilitated. Quote
Thinker Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 AlpineK said: here's my take  Prepare the basics before you go. They want passports nowadays so get one.  Always look the border gaurd in the eye and be conversational; listen to what they ask. When ask a question elaborate a little but not too much. Usually when they start to fuck with you they will ask the same question over and over; when you notice this give them a slightly sarcastic answer so they know you're on to them.  Having a nicely cleaned vehicle, a haircut, and a shave are highly recomended!  and don't forget to polish your shoes, update your will, and chant between answering their questions.  but seriously, I take off my hat and my sunglasses when waiting in line to cross any border. Quote
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