International border crxings & passports

2 thoughts which often I do think of if I've made a recent international border crossing (which we did when going to Seattle):

1.How different the experience might be depending on the immigration/customs authorities personnel, geographic location of border crossing and ID checking.

2. And how glad I am to have my Canadian passport as my primary photo ID --both for ease of security clearance and also, I suppose with a tinge of patriotic pride, I do like flashing my Canadian passport.

It is a country passport that is highly coveted among thieves internationally. And in a way, I know how much effort, how many years it takes for some people (ie. my relatives from Communist China) from other countries try to immigrate to Canada by undergoing the normal process. I do not take my citizenship for granted. Otherwise my life would be have been VERY different if I was ie. born and raised in China. I am genuinely glad to be Canadian and ..to show it, to claim it when asked/challenged. And I have been challenged when overseas in Europe.

Even before the Canadian requirements for Canadians came into effect for passports, I always registered, renewed and used my passport for past few decades. I never felt comfortable carrying my Canadian birth certificate (flimsy, but valuable piece of ID). I don't have a driver's license. What would visually separate me from any visitor from Asia?

Have done enough travel outside of Canada that it does warrant the cost of renewing my passport every few years over time.

You are absolutely right! My ex-sister in law is Philipino (sp?) and was trying to bring her aunt who was a Dr in Dubai to the U.S. The last I heard was they were able to get her to Canada, but not the U.S. yet... This was about 2 years ago, so that may have changed, but I hear you!

mmm yeah. My most excruciating experience so far is getting into Russia. Sheehsh.

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Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

mmm yeah. My most excruciating experience so far is getting into Russia. Sheehsh.

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Where did you go in Russia? And for how long? What did you think of what you saw?

Yea, ASammy, I got the impression the U.S. authorities are more strict than Canada on Filipino nationals. I have never worked the Canadian federal depts. of immigration nor for foreign affairs, but last year I spoke with a number of Filipino employees who were working on our construction project here in Canada. They had work visas to work in Canada. I understand, depending on the circumstances of the Filipino visitor, and which year, a Filipino national who merely wanted to visit the U.S. for a few days from Canada, had to get a travel visa issued by the U.S. authorities first. It appears that U.S. has different visa/visitor requirements for non-Canadian foreigners per country. It is the same for Canada.

That travel visa, of course is not required for anyone with Canadian citizenship AND the required Canadian passport, visiting the U.S. for a few weeks/months.

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

Where did you go in Russia? And for how long? What did you think of what you saw?

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Moscow, Sheremetjevo Airport, in about 2000. 4 or 5 days.

I loved Moscow (we had awesome weather). The history, the architecture - the turrets on the churches, the museums, the subway stations are a true experience!!
We stayed with some people, and they showed us around and told us where else to go.
I rode a rickety roller coaster in Gorki park and had Georgian Shashlik after. The reason we went was for a wedding with the banquet in a baroque hall. It was awesome. Everyone was so cordial. Back then we were already appalled at the old grandmothers who were reduced to begging while the newly rich were on the ascent, it can only have gotten worse.

A wonderful way to see Moscow, especially with a personal connection. Moscow would be cool to visit. I also enjoy seeing the historic architecture, art museums, etc.

My dearie is not as interested as I, but it would be pleasant for us to bike down to Point Roberts, that interesting blob that belongs to the U.S. while the rest of mainland is Canada. Should be less than 45 kms. south from our place.

One of these wierd places which residents have to go through the international border multiple times to do certain daily external things.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ng...re7/index.html

I spoke with another employee last year who lived in Point Roberts and commuted daily to our worksite ..probably about 15 kms. north of his home. He concurred sometimes it was a hassle ..for him to even buy his bedding flowers and plants from the local store in Canada, he had to go through the whole checking process with custome/dept. of agriculture on the U.S. side.

Even so, because it's hemmed in by the U.S.-Canadian border, the place is peaceful and not a whole lot of car traffic. At least that's what I heard. And I had no idea it was a good orca whale watching area.

I visited Amsterdam about 17 years ago. The guy at immigration just waved me through without even making me stop and open my passport.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

I visited Amsterdam about 17 years ago. The guy at immigration just waved me through without even making me stop and open my passport.

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Doesn't happen that often these days, post 9/11.

But it does happen more often to white people.

I was so mad one day, entering Switzerland by train. The border guards waved everyone through, couldn't care less. Then this black guy came about. He was pulled away to an interrogation room. Who knows why, but it was pretty striking.

My worst customs experience was in Cincinati, because I foolishly admitted to an apple (purchased in Munich, travelled via London).

I had roommate from Malaysia who had 6 lbs. of fresh cherries confiscated at the airport when she went to home Malaysia.

I then realized at that time, cherries....are exotic in other parts of the world. Same with apples. Very expensive in the Philippines.

But back to border crossing checks.
a) When we took the Amtrak train to Seattle this past weekend, the U.S. authorities brought on their search police drugs on board to sniff out the whole 2 passenger cars with all passengers on board. All of us were asked to put all our luggage on the floor from overhead bins.

b) At another time, we were waiting at the border check station at one of the U.S. checkpoints about 2 yrs. ago ...I'm trying to remember if it was Port Townsend..it was town along the Washington coast where it was a ferry crossing point also between Canada and U.S. Anyway, I aimed my camera merely to the road/seaside, but one of the employees told me to put my camera away. No photos. I was not aiming camera at building.

c) when I mean challenged on my Canadian citizenship in Europe..that really means people yelling at us in a way, "Hello, you from Philippines?" Or "Are you from Japan?" It actually happened several different times in several countries on 1 European trip about 18 yrs. ago. To a point it got irritating.

Of course we yelled back: "We're from Canada." It wasn't a new experience to us. That experience has been here also in Canada in the past.

I don't remember real noticeable difficulties for checking us when taking train by ourselves through several different European countries. But our passports were looked at.

d) I believe my siblings each have their passports...for several decades. And they unlike me, also have driver's license with photo ID. But best to have the passport for the strongest proof of ID internationally.

e) I lost my wallet with my birth certificate, charge card on a local ferry to Nantucket Island. I did have my passport but with the loss of the birth certificate, I truly panicked. I felt very stripped and vulnerable...to prove where I was born. So the bike ride on Nantucket Island for me was overshadowed with this loss.

As soon as I returned to Canada, I reapplied for my birth certificate.
My wallet was returned by mail by the ferry company about 2 months later.
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As for the physical border between Canada and the U.S., I was a little surprised when I was with a good friend near Sarnia, Ontario. It was strange to see a river trickled down to nearly a stream, and just nearly a hop across was the U.S. There was no visible fence. Probably cameras and whatever other technology around.

I hate border personnel. They think they hold some godly power over you. My mother and I recently went to Las Vegas, and the American immigration loser grilled my mother (she holds an Austrian passport).

What I found insulting was, here he was, an American of Asian descent, and he basically made fun of my mother's English (she's Japanese). I wanted to call him an *******, but obviously that would've gotten me into a heap of trouble so I didn't, but I'm still bitter about that experience.

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

My dearie is not as interested as I, but it would be pleasant for us to bike down to Point Roberts, that interesting blob that belongs to the U.S. while the rest of mainland is Canada. Should be less than 45 kms. south from our place.

Even so, because it's hemmed in by the U.S.-Canadian border, the place is peaceful and not a whole lot of car traffic. At least that's what I heard. And I had no idea it was a good orca whale watching area.

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Back in 1977 I lived in Tsawassen for almost a year. Friends used to come see us on a Sunday and we'd all go down to one of the bars/clubs in Point Roberts for some drinking and dancing - bars were not open on Sunday in Canada. That was my only experience being in the US until I met my now DH, who is American. I moved here to Portland to get married in Nov of 1978. We used to go back to Alberta or BC to visit my relatives or our friends once or twice a year, and the changes in the border crossing experiences over the past 30 years has been amazing.

It's been 2 years since I've been in Canada. Next week will be my first crossing using my new passport - we'll see how it goes - I'm guessing going up should be easy, we'll see what happens when I come back to the US.

Edna

Just a few observations that I can think of from my meanders...

1-I thought i'd always be treated like crap when i venture through US customs.

In 97 when i took the train from Montreal to NYC, the US border gaurds were evil dictators & treated everyone like a criminal :mad:.

Last year, when we drove from Calgary to Seattle, we had to stop at the Montana border crossing & I was really upset about being fingerprinted/photographed. UGH. Well, oddly enough, that never happened! I had my NZ passport but birthplace noted as Canada & was told I didn't have to go through all that crap! Ian did :p

Never confuse a US border guard. They couldn't understand why a Canadian was travelling on a NZ passport but lived in Australia :rolleyes: nor a NZ citizen living in Australia.

2-Always always always!!! note an item on your customs card when entering a country even if you're not sure! Never think the cool MAF dogs at the NZ airport will miss something.

I had a banana on the plane on my way back from (?) to Auckland but the dog still picked it up a day later..

A well vacuum packed & stickered pacakge of Bison Jerky will not make it through NZ customs :( *sniff* My uncle had some packed up properly for me when i visited Canada a few years ago & thought it would be ok.. nope.. *sniff* I wanna some biiiison jeerrrrky...:( *sniff*

3-Seoul, Narita & KL aiports don't have as well armed soldiers as they do in Changi.

When you purchase toast at one particular vendor at Changi Airport..it comes in squares :cool:

5-In Manila, all the money changing vendors in the city have heaviliy armed guards :eek: That was an interesting introduction to the Philippines :o

Also in Manila, entering a mall, I didn't expect the guards!!!!:eek:

Kids who grow up on Mt Pinatubo will always zoom past & make it look so easy you when you're walking at a snails pace.

That's all i can think of...

My most memorable border crossing was into Canada outside Detroit, both ways, in 1993. I was, oh about 7 months pregnant, and huge. Had the whole family in the car. The inane questions the border guards asked were unbelievable. Do you have any guns? What state are you from? Um, I just gave you my ID? I can't remember all the questions now, but it was clear we were no threat to anyone and the questions were pointless (except maybe to catch us in a lie or something). The worst part was waiting in the line of cars for 45 minutes both ways, when I was pregnant and had to PEE!

Karen

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Originally Posted by crazycanuck

Last year, when we drove from Calgary to Seattle, we had to stop at the Montana border crossing & I was really upset about being fingerprinted/photographed. UGH. Well, oddly enough, that never happened! I had my NZ passport but birthplace noted as Canada & was told I didn't have to go through all that crap! Ian did :p

Never confuse a US border guard. They couldn't understand why a Canadian was travelling on a NZ passport but lived in Australia :rolleyes: nor a NZ citizen living in Australia.

2-Always always always!!! note an item on your customs card when entering a country even if you're not sure! Never think the cool MAF dogs at the NZ airport will miss something.

I had a banana on the plane on my way back from (?) to Auckland but the dog still picked it up a day later..

A well vacuum packed & stickered pacakge of Bison Jerky will not make it through NZ customs :( *sniff* My uncle had some packed up properly for me when i visited Canada a few years ago & thought it would be ok.. nope.. *sniff* I wanna some biiiison jeerrrrky...:( *sniff*

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You know Canuck, my brain is trying to remember accurately. The first time I went to Hawaii was 2 years after 9/11, I believe we were all fingerprinted there on the U.S. side. Everyone in line, also had their luggage opened and searched.


It amuses me (in a dark, ironic way) how blithe some Canadians were about just using their driver's license to get across the Canada-U.S. border. My partner has always had a Canadian passport after he finished university..when he could afford it...which means since the early 1970's. He has a German first name, which he uses on his legal documents, signing of anything.. He just got tired of being delayed and overquestioned by the authorities when using driver's license ID at that time. Besides, he did alot of business travel in the U.S.

You sound like a real Alberta....bison jerky is good stuff by the way. :) Bison meat is lean meat.

Yea, Tuckerville when I take the bus between Vancouver and Seattle, I make sure I've gone to the washroom before we get to the border. When one takes the bus, all the passengers must unload their own baggage and have it x-rayed inside customs. Then bus comes round later after everyone on bus is cleared, then each passenger loads their baggage onto bus. It's a real long process that can be almost an hr. long. I'm not sure what it was like before 9/11 at the Peace Arch crossing for buses (White-Rock, B.C. & Blaine, WA border crossing). There is concern with the 2010 Winter Olympics that the Peace Arch crossing will be incredibly congested and time-consuming. It already is busy.

Guess everyone else in forum had pretty sedate border crossings? Thought we had a group of folks who did sufficient international travel.