Border Guard Needs Attitude Adjustment
Posted on 14 May 2009 by admin
Editor:
At the end of a recent visit to relatives in the U.S., we returned to Canada at the Osoyoos crossing.
The demeanor of the guard was brusque, to say the least.
He barked out commands like a boot camp drill sergeant.
Now, we all understand the obligation of the officers to make a proper inspection.
My complaint isn’t with the job, it’s about attitude.
Can someone teach the Canadian Border guards some manners?
Bob Calhoun,
Summerland
I recently crossed the border from canada into the united states. I was going to buffalo with a friend to look at a school. They questioned us because there was a guy who had a restraining order against a girl with the same first and last name as my friend. They than searched our car, and said we were free to go.
i told my friend if anything happened to that guy while we were in Buffalo she was going to jail lol.
I than went with my friend to Michigan to watch the circus. I dont think the person at the border really believed us so these are some of the questions we got lol.
1. tell me again where are you going?
2. why would they have a circus at 10am? beats me! probably becasue there are people like me willing to go lol.
3. why did you leave your house at 5am? so we could make it to the circus on time, why else would someone leave at that time.
4. Why do you have makeup with you? I mean if I was not a girl I would understand that question. Come on now, who wants to put on makeup at 5am, I am putting it on when i get there.
5. where do you work?
6. Where are you not at work today? mmmm people do get days off!
I am not complaining by any means, He questioned us, serached our car and than when we came back into canada we got questioned and searched again. I actually find it amusing, so I plan on going to the states more, with stupid reasons Like I am going to watch a movie, or what ever else I can come up with. I like to hear the funny questions they ask me, and as much as I would love to give them funny answers I dont want to end up in jail lol.
I do agree that they are doing their job and I would want to make sure they were asking questions and keeping criminals out of countries. I would not be able to do their jobs I would probably be letting anyoen through because I wouldnt want to sound like an ass by asking such ridiculous questions.
So i applaude them for what they do and keeping us safe. However I will be back crossing the boarder next time I need a good laugh:)
Well it’s been 2 years since my wife’s last trip to the states through the Osoyoos crossing. The last time she went is kind of a funny story…now.
We had just moved to Osoyoos from Northern BC and after unloading the moving truck I suggested that my wife take our overtired and cranky 2 year old for a drive. I suggested to drive over the border and get gas (as we were paying $1.44/lt at the time. So off she went for the 5 min. trek across the border. The US customs officer asked her the purpose and she said to get gas. He kind of smiled looked at our 2 year old(now fast asleep in his carseat) and let her pass.
Now here is the funny part. After getting gas she realized that the line to get back to Canada was long. Real long. She waited 2 hours to get back. Moving, we hadn’t realized that maybe Sunday afternoon was NOT the best time to go across. When she gets to the window the officer asked for id. Passpports were not mandatory yet but proper id was required. Well she presented him with her id but had no id for our toddler. After much yelling and screaming AT her and many tears FROM her she was required to pull over and go inside. More yelling and a phone call to me telling me to bring some id for our child. Looking at the mountain of boxes and not knowing where to start I was also notified his BC CareCard would not work(of course it wouldnt…I had that in my wallet readily available) and that we would need his birth certificate to claim him. Now, a birth certificate has no more information on it than a Carecard. Neither have pictures to verify it’s the right kid.
Long story ending quick…she was issued a warning and released 2 hours later..with child
What I don’t understand is how the US officer smiled and let the child across yet it was complete opposite coming back. If this child was abducted and being brought into the US noone would’ve known or cared but if an American child was being smuggled into Canada all alarms were raised.
I was upset at the time but I completely understand why it had to be done.
Sometimes getting cheap gas just isn’t worth it.
When crossing to the US at Osoyoos crossing recently I was pulled aside because of a radioactive alert from my vehicle. We quickly realized it was from a small compass in the glove box with glow-in-the-dark numbers. I had to go inside for questioning by the Homeland Security idiots. After nearly an hour I was allowed to leave but not before the guy barked at me “why am carrying a compass”?
They are so afraid down there.
Dirty border guards are policy in Canada. Don’t expect a change anytime soon because it’s clear the people in power are in on the take as well..
Well, whatever you do, don’t try to switch lanes once you’re at the border crossing at the Osoyoos entry. According to a certain border guard, that can cause chaos. So if you’re in the long line-up and the other line is going faster, tough luck! If you switch lanes, you’re going to cause chaos! That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.