Originally Posted by coopns
Been crossing the Calais / St Stephen (US/Canada) border two times a year for more then 30 years. Sometimes by myself or with wife and four children.
Funny how the agents attitude changes depending on each situation.
One time wife forgot all passports. Canadian side tried to guilt us in to can't cross and 5 mins later after some discussion we were on our way.
Most recently was by myself crossing in to US. I am just your avg Joe at 48 (I think??...white 48 year old male, bald, not dressed up,) and was driving the wife's Infiniti. He asked the basic questions...where you
from, how long (4 days) then he asked me "is that your car?". Never got that before because was always in the minivan. Then asked me to open the back trunk gate which
I had nothing but clothes and chips.
On the way in to Canada she was busting me about to you have proof that you were born in NY...Proof? My Visa says that. (I did say I was going to visit family in NS which I was
). It was late but she asked I think if I had dirt/mud.
I usually just tell the kids to pretend to be sleeping and no problems.
Any insights or stories? Just chattin' here...Not mad.
It's interesting to hear border crossing stories from someone in the States. All those questions you were asked when crossing into Canada, I was on the receiving end when crossing into the States. I've learned not to take it personal, I understand if anything goes wrong and if it can be traced back to border security it will be their job on the line.
But I do notice a difference in treatment after I've got my Nexus. But then I also try to be as compliant as possible to streamline the process, roll down all the windows and open the sliding door if I'm in a minivan, prepare all the documents, and etc. They usually ask where do I live, how long do I plan to stay in the States for, what do I do for work, and yes, whose vehicle that I'm driving.
There is one time I crossed into the State at a land crossing with a friend and she forgot to bring her passport and I thought we would get turned away and I was prepared for it. The officer at the booth asked us to pull over and directed us to the office. When we were summoned the officer at the counter verify her driver's license and asked when was her last in the States and then let us go without issue. We told him we will only be in the States for a few hours (shopping + dinner). It was the Canadian side that gave us problem because she didn't have her passport on her.