Usually once a year we try to rent a new vehicle and take a trip to the US, albeit sometimes a short trip. We decided to go the 400 miles to Minneapolis (almost, about 20 miles shy of the Twin Cities actually) and do some shopping at a great factory outlet mall they have there. We do straight south 180 miles, then about 200 miles southeast. Normally we have rented in Winnipeg which is about an hour north of us if we drive to the rental offices there. This year we decided to rent in Winkler, a town of about 10,000 southwest of here about 40 miles. Big mistake!!!
We left early Friday morning and arrived in Winkler to pick up our rental at 8 AM. After getting the car we headed straight south to the border, crossing at a port of entry that is actually about 25 miles straight west of the port we normally use. We figured after we crossed we would head back east to the Interstate for the rest of our trip. By going to Winker, renting, then heading back to I29 we knocked off at least 1/2 hour of trip since we didn't have to go to Winnipeg first to get the rental.
Our officer, Grover, at the US Port of Entry had never heard of Morris and did not like our plan one bit........
Here is a family of four, dad in his 50's, mom in her 40's, two teenage kids in a rented car crossing in to the US that is not in a direct line with the the area they say they are going to spend the weekend. Pull us into the garage, look under the hood, look in the trunk and the same questions over and over again.
Why did you rent a car if you work at a dealership?
-Because they can't rent cars on a dealer plate. -Because I had a company car years ago but Revenue Canada saw to it that I won't have one of them ever again. -Because our newest vehicle is 1997 and we like to drive a new car once in a while.
Why are you crossing here?
-Because it's the most logical path back to the Interstate from where we rented the car.
Why didn't you rent in Winnipeg?
-Because Winnipeg is north of Morris and we are heading south. -Because it was a better deal in Winkler. -Because there is a lot less traffic if we drive to the rental office in Winkler.
We did the same questions over and over and over. Here is a family with a squeaky clean sheet on his computer and I think he was convinced we were up to no good. In the end, Grover finally relented and let us into his country were we proceded to blow our life savings over the next 4 days!!! (Well, not quite but it seemed like it!)
We spent the first two hours of our trip hashing it over and over. What did we do wrong that we will do different the next time?
Oh, did I mention when we came back tonight that we came through the border crossing directly south of Morris and then cut west the 25 miles to Winkler once we were in Canada???
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
You just never know. I just got back over the border about 4 hours ago and it probably was the quickest ever coming back into Canada. And going over into the States was just as smooth, had the right look for once I guess.
Coming home took all of about 45 seconds. I have to check what we are allowed to bring back because I thought we were way over but as soon as I said no alcohol/tobacco it seemed we were done.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
I learned a lesson about crossing the border a few years back. Only answer the questions asked ,short and exact answers, do not try and be chatty or explain yourself. They are real good at asking random questions that put you on the spot. Some sorta profiling???
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later...rog
AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
On a hockey road trip once we were crossing at the bridge at Ogdensburg-Prescott. Annie Oakley comes out and onto the Bus packing dual pistols on each hip. She check ed all 20 passports, opened every overhead and had a look in the luggage area too before we were allowed in.
I learned a lesson about crossing the border a few years back. Only answer the questions asked ,short and exact answers, do not try and be chatty or explain yourself. They are real good at asking random questions that put you on the spot. Some sorta profiling _____________________________________________________
Good advice. I tried to do that but he kept asking almost the same questions over an over. I tried to answer with some logic in the answer so he would understand we weren't up to anything but it just wasn't working.
It really surprised me that he worked at a port about an hour from here and had never heard of Morris before. He had no idea where Morris was until we told him.
-- Edited by Carl Stevenson on Monday 30th of August 2010 11:12:01 PM
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
I learned a lesson about crossing the border a few years back. Only answer the questions asked ,short and exact answers, do not try and be chatty or explain yourself. They are real good at asking random questions that put you on the spot. Some sorta profiling???
I've learned the same lesson. The second you tell them more than what was asked at the Canadian side, you will be searched. When you answer with more info than what was asked, it tells them that you had a story planned in your head prior to crossing the border. "Why would you have a story planned if you have nothing to hide?" is likely what they are thinking. Not sure if this is how they decide but it sure seems that way. Our chattiness cost us over 2hr delay coming home a few years ago.
My name on my passport isnt Tom T*******. at the border anymore , it gets changed to " Random Search" lol...now thats funny!
3 x I have been uber searched.... Once I get detained for 6 hours.when I was 17. Bone head I was with altered his drivers lic so he could get into bars. He never told me this. They told me that my car would be seized, strip searched and detained for upto 48 before they would lay charges. Told me I was responsible for all passengers in my car and his Phoepa was my fault as Iam responsible to make sure his documents are legal. My friend was strip searched I wasnt. My car was torn apart. held at border for 6 hours and refused entry. Told CDN customs on return what happend...The gir laughed and said your night was bad enough...just go home. and no record was left on me thank god..I checked.
another time when I was 18, went across in my 76 Trans Am. They ripped my car apart...as anyone knows the breather on the T/A is 3 peices and a pain.They pulled the seats, air cleaner and door panels, left it in a pile and and no explanation. I asked one guard he said they were looking for drugs...I asked in the air breather? wouldnt my carb suck it up? I had no tools, they wouldnt lend me tools. I drove home with seats wobbling, aircleaner in trunk...yada yada...I was pissed. I asked the person inside why my car was being torn....she said " Random Search"..I said come on...she said...well you are very young to have such a nice car....i said i been working full time plus school since I was 14. The car is mine bought and paid for...by me.
and last but hauntingly last....went across when I was with my 2 yr old son. had a note from his mom with signiture saying I could cross to go shopping with her permission. I had diapers, 2 bottles of milk and some food and $150. I was wearing an OPP shirt, was in Police College at the time...they searched my car. gave me the 3rd degree, called his mom 3x.. I asked what the problem was and they said child upduction. At that point I was pissed so I said their wasnt a hope in hell Id abduct him to this sh*thole state(no offence to my USA friends) and said I came here to buy him clothes F*ck it...send me home. I dont want to spend my money here. My son called me daddy and said they frieghten me...that second...they said your free to go shopping.
I realize they do their jobs. I respect the fact they check to prevent things from happening. I been held up on more numerous occassions with retarded questions since then...I am just used to it now. i have accepted the fact my name gets changed to " Random Search". LOL...whenever i plan on shopping i count on a 2 hour wait at the border now.
It's a real treat for me getting into the states ever since an ex-girlfriend thought it would be a good idea to have me arrested after I caught her with another man. She was scared of what I "MIGHT" do and after she left town the charges were dropped. What doesn't go away is the fact that I was arrested and finger printed. No criminal record ever but now I get treated like one! The finger print issue comes up every time I try to get into the states now and it's because I made the mistake of getting hooked up with a dishonest woman.
I've noticed crossing into the states has changed since the passport requirement. I get alot more questions now...so i think they have some new training and protocols in the past year.
I get alot more of why I travelled the middle east, what i did there, how I can afford it... what do i earn in my profession.... etc.etc. They also have a lot of questions when you come in with $10k cash!hahaha!
Not sure when you last crossed over with a rented car Carl, but they do seem to have changed their questions over the past year... and maybe you just look 'shady'!hahaha!
Every so many cars gets a specific routine including full hassle and it's not really anything personal or that they're having trouble w/ your story even if it seems that way..
Keep in mind too, at will and random they're listening to the conversation going on in the vehicle sitting at the line so may not even have anything to do w/ who they're giving the hassle to at the booth..
Personally we're lucky our border experiences are nothing like the 'probing style' many other countries offer and I'd rather be hassled like this also kept honest w/ purchases etc if this is what's necessary to keep us safe in today's world..
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I like real cars best...especially the REAL real ones! ----------------------------------------------------------------
After telling the U.S. customs guy that I was going down to Freeport, Maine to look at a car for sale, he kept hammering away at the same question ... "Is it a private seller or a dealership".
I made the mistake of saying "Well really it's neither, he's a guy who has a company or business selling collectible cars".
"Is it a private seller or a dealership".
This went on for 4 times.
I finally said "Okay, it's a dealership".
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
My elderly uncle was born in The Bronx, deported to Germany before WWII (because his parents were killed in a car crash and the state didn't take care of orphans) served in the Wermacht, was a prisoner of war in France, then immigrated to Canada and took out citizenship. Every time he's at the US border and they ask him where he was born and he replies with a thick German accent, he's a goner. Seems that 87 year olds are suspicious too.
What? Coffee, a book, craft supplies, water in bottles.
Did you buy any tobaco or alchol? No.
All the time looking them straight in the eye and waiting for the next question. Seems to work okay. We go across usually 2-3 times per week for one reason or another.
Sometimes it seems the US guys have some ex Marine that wants to prove how tough he is or some other bizarre reason. Then you just wait it out and use one word answers. Too much talking is always a problem. Sign of nervousness, I guess.
JetFan wrote:My elderly uncle was born in The Bronx, deported to Germany before WWII (because his parents were killed in a car crash and the state didn't take care of orphans) served in the Wermacht, was a prisoner of war in France, then immigrated to Canada and took out citizenship. Every time he's at the US border and they ask him where he was born and he replies with a thick German accent, he's a goner. Seems that 87 year olds are suspicious too.
Wow!. I'd sure like to hear some of the stories this fella could tell!.
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I like real cars best...especially the REAL real ones! ----------------------------------------------------------------
Every time I go down south my truck bed gets pounded more times than a call girl on a Friday night. I also found that a smaller border crossing will bring you in to pay on your US loot. While the busy one at Blaine will let you go thru with $150 and only being a 1/2 hour in the States
I used to work at Crown Assets in Mississauga. One of my jobs was to "disable" all the secret hidouts/pockets/compartments in cars/trucks that were seized for booze/drug/cigarette smuggling at the border, before they were put up for public auction. The easliest trick was to cut holes in the truck bed, weld in metal boxes/pockets, and throw a Duraliner on top. You'd be amazed at all the ways smugglers would carve up and modify their vehicles! I also found some "over-looked contraband" several times, even after Customs tore the vehicles apart.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
JetFan wrote:My elderly uncle was born in The Bronx, deported to Germany before WWII (because his parents were killed in a car crash and the state didn't take care of orphans) served in the Wermacht, was a prisoner of war in France, then immigrated to Canada and took out citizenship. Every time he's at the US border and they ask him where he was born and he replies with a thick German accent, he's a goner. Seems that 87 year olds are suspicious too.
Wow!. I'd sure like to hear some of the stories this fella could tell!.
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Yeah. He says that border guards are nice pretty much of the time. They are curious about how an American born canadian citizen wound up with a German accent.
Keep in mind too, at will and random they're listening to the conversation going on in the vehicle sitting at the line so may not even have anything to do w/ who they're giving the hassle to at the booth..
The interesting thing is, if they can indeed monitor in car conversations he would have heard nothing that would make him think contrary. Because we come through with our noses 100% clean, nothing we say could possibly make an officer suspicious.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
I should add, this guy did not have a bad attitude. He certainly never smiled though, that's for sure. He was starting to get a bit tense it seemed but I answered the questions over and over again, briefly, firmly, confidently and the story was always the same.
I have had guys with much worse attitudes, that is for sure.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
My experiences lately have been pretty good. I bought my Caprice wagon in Niagara falls a few years ago, and called my insurance company, told them what I bought, and where I was, put a paper tag on it in Ontario and them drove to the US border to go visit some friends in the US on the way home. The guy asked a few questions and waved me through. Last year, right after the passport restrictions came into effect, my daughter got married in Spokane, Wa. I had an expired passport, a BC drivers license, and the car was still registered and insured in Alberta, but I managed to be able to attend the wedding. I got a few extra questions at the border, but I was waved through. A few weeks ago I went to visit my daughter again and got a woman agent, and managed to laugh and joke with her as she asked me questions, and got through again with no problem. I even had all my work stuff in the van! But generally the best thing is to just give the info they ask for, and it should go fine.
For me to admit this in a public forum is perhaps questionable, but the statute of limitations has long since expired on this one.
Back in the late 1970s it was almost quaint crossing the border. After a night of drinking, a bunch of us got in the car a drove into western New York to spend the weekend in Ellicottville. When we crossed the border at Fort Erie the guard asked the driver; What city are you from? The driver replied, Cananada. He asked again, what city are you from? Cananada again the driver slurred. The guard was not getting anywhere, so he asked, what country are you from? Hamilton was the reply. After a few more takes we were actually let across.
Of course today anything like that, from getting behind the wheel in that condition, to attempting to cross the border under the influence, is completely unthinkable. Heck, I dont even drink anymore.
Did you know that within the last 2 years the laws have changed courtesy of The Department Of Homeland Security; that details of an American crossing into the U.S. are now retained for 10 years? That is nothing compared to a Canadian crossing into the U.S.; details on Canadians going into the U.S are now retained for 70 years! Seriously! Everything you say can and is recorded and can be crosschecked.
These are not vintage times.
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
The guard was not getting anywhere, so he asked, what country are you from? Hamilton was the reply. After a few more takes we were actually let across. 
Heck, I dont even drink anymore.