Crossing the Border

EA - You have to have a passport or an enhanced license. Originally Posted by Tiger

What Tiger said!
Well worth getting!.....

Me, my ex and her cousin drove to see Niagara Falls on the Canadian side in December 2003. We had no issue going into Canada but coming back into the US we were pulled out and told to go inside. They were so nervous. The main was being a dick and asking some very personal questions. I started giving him some of the longest answers to his questions. All the other customs agents were having to cover there mouths to keep from laughing. When he finally turned around and saw a crowd of agents they all busted out laughing. He got so pissed that he slammed their passports down on the table and told use to leave.
Mission accomplished.

Yuck it up, but the border crossing is a big deal now. If you say "business" you may get asked for proof, which according to NAFTA includes a written letter from the Canadian company you are allegedly there to see. Google it. Get caught in THAT lie and you'll be on "the list" and get the secondary treatment every time thereafter.

Stick to something simple like the casino, or meeting friends who are driving down from Toronto to meet for dinner (have the name of a restaurant handy... the Keg in St Catherines for example).

For the return, keep a receipt so that your story for "what was your reason for going to Canada" is backed up with proof. As long as you say something believable and have some way of validating it if asked, you'll be fine.

Wondering if I have hotel reservation printed out for two nights and just going for rr

Nope, only went once in my life, in 2006. Landed in Quebec. At customs they asked and I said "business trip", I think were the exact words. He mentioned something about trying to find time to enjoy myself and I said thanks. That was it. Originally Posted by Wakeup

Before I even finished reading this thread, I figured you flew in. And "deep" into Canada we find out.

Totally different situation. For those of us living close to the border where we can just hop across for a few hours, it's a different story, especially since that area has casinos, strip clubs, and let's face it, they know, providers.

And if you're the only guy in the car, they will be asking a lot of questions. All while waiting for information to return after scanning your passport. If you are seeing a friend, they will ask you how you know them and for how long. Sometimes, they want names and addresses.

Lately, they've been making you shut off your car, give them your keys, and then pop the trunk for them to inspect, all while you stay in the car.

Yuck it up, but the border crossing is a big deal now. If you say "business" you may get asked for proof, which according to NAFTA includes a written letter from the Canadian company you are allegedly there to see. Google it. Get caught in THAT lie and you'll be on "the list" and get the secondary treatment every time thereafter. Originally Posted by MuffinMuncher

If you are attending a convention or conference, there is usually not a problem. But if you are actually working in Canada ... yeah, I'm surprised Wakeup didn't have any further questioning.

I crossed to go see Frankie Fine and damned did I get the third degree. I used the going to go meet a friend line and sounded extremely sketchy. My advise would be to say your going to a strip club, Canada is known for having really good ones and the money you're spending and amount of time all make sense. They also tend not to ask very many more questions after that.

Have found saying the casino or Downer are the best reasons for crossing the usually work best. It also depends on what Customs agent you run into. Last time retuning got a young 007 type who gave me the 3rd degree after saying the casino. He wanted to know, which one, how I did, what I played, how long there, how often I cross and if I went anywhere else....while checking his booth PC monitor to see if my story jived with what I told Canada Customs a just few hours earlier. This usually doesn't happen but did this time....ijs

I say I am going to the Sundowner, then I actually make a stop there because, a) they are trained to spot lying, b) they all know what the Sundowner is and saying that is more specific and believable than "the strip clubs") and c) if they ask any questions (on the return trip) about my experience at the strip club I can answer honestly and factually and don't have to make shit up on the fly.

Celso I've had the same thing happen one of the last times I crossed wanted to know what I played what table stakes. Wasn't expecting it but luckily I was quick with the answers.

http://terb.ca/vbulletin/showthread....ing-the-border!!!

Thought passing along this thread would be very informative....
Shows what some in the hobby have experienced so far when, crossing the border....

I need to update my passport

yes I do

Enhanced DL for me. But maybe a passport too, very little use for it though. But the passport card maybe cheaper.

http://terb.ca/vbulletin/showthread....ing-the-border!!!

Thought passing along this thread would be very informative....
Shows what some in the hobby have experienced so far when, crossing the border.... Originally Posted by Celso

I already handle everything well the way people recommend in that thread. My only question is what to do with the contact list on my phone? What if they ask about "Jessica" or "Veronica" and their Canadian phone numbers and how I know them? I can't memorize all these numbers. I could write them down, but then they could find the paper. I