Canada Canada, here I come

LDB · Mar 19, 2005

Well, when I got home I found a brown envelope with CANADA on the back flap and in it my form saying they've abandoned all sense and regulations and therefore I'm approved to go to Canada. I have one year to get to an approved border crossing and be photographed and whatever else they do to finalize it.

Can anyone tell me about how much longer that initial crossing takes? I want to be sure there is enough extra time factored into whatever load I'm taking to allow for getting processed. I'd hate to get dinged on an on-time just because I didn't know how much longer to tell the dispatcher to give me.

Is there anything else I should know about that first crossing other than have my birth certificate and cdl handy? Thanks.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

RobA · Mar 19, 2005

I have one year to get to an approved border
>crossing and be photographed and whatever else they do to
>finalize it.
>
>Can anyone tell me about how much longer that initial
>crossing takes? I want to be sure there is enough extra time
>factored into whatever load I'm taking to allow for getting
>processed. I'd hate to get dinged on an on-time just because
>I didn't know how much longer to tell the dispatcher to give
>me.

Hey Leo: Are you refering to the time that it will take for the photo?
Why don't you get it done the next time you are in Buffalo?
Book some time off and run over to the Falls ( I think that's where the FAST stuff is done). You never know how long sh*t takes when a govenment person is involved but if you are under load ....that's when it'll be slow.
Anything else.....100 Speed Limit on the QEW or 401 is KILOMETERS PER HOUR = abt 62 MPH.
WEAR YOUR SEATBELT
The most important

TIM HORTONS

DannyD · Mar 20, 2005

>Can anyone tell me about how much longer that initial
>crossing takes? I want to be sure there is enough extra time
>factored into whatever load I'm taking to allow for getting
>processed.

Hi Leo,

I just did the same thing, albeit I crossed in Sarnia rather than Fort Erie. For me a half hour covered it. That was actually more than enough time except I talked to the lady some. If you just have to go in for your card & don't have to clear any freight, it's not that long of a process. To be safe ya may wanna give yourself an hour though.

Good luck,
Danny

highway star · Mar 21, 2005

He mentions having 1 year to do what he needs to do, which is not the case with a FAST card. If he's talking about a pardon or waiver it may take him more time.

LDB · Mar 22, 2005

No pardon, nothing ever in my past for that. This is the letter to get my FAST card. It said I have one year to get into the office to get the card and it expires in something like 4 or 5 years. I don't remember how long and don't have it here right now to look at. I was hoping I could do it on the way in so I don't have to deadhead who knows how far at double outrageous fuel prices to do it.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

RobA · Mar 23, 2005

>No pardon, nothing ever in my past for that. This is the
>letter to get my FAST card. It said I have one year to get
>into the office to get the card and it expires in something
>like 4 or 5 years. I don't remember how long and don't have
>it here right now to look at. I was hoping I could do it on
>the way in so I don't have to deadhead who knows how far at
>double outrageous fuel prices to do it.
>
>Leo
>truck 4958
>
>Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you
>like.

Leo, you can likely do it on your way in; or your way out for that matter. I just suggest that if you are under load and in a hurry then it will take a long time.
Ain't that called "Murphy's Law"?
}>

LDB · Mar 26, 2005

Turns out I have a delivery in Ferndale Monday morning so I'll be maybe 5 miles from the bridge. After I deliver I'll go across the bridge and take care of things. Then I'll be "official".

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

DannyD · Mar 28, 2005

oops,

If you're going to get your FAST card, then that will take a bit longer. I thought ya meant your CDRP card. I got that before I got my FAST card. That took only a few minutes. The FAST card took a couple of hours.

Btw/ since getting my FAST card, I seem to be getting treated a "little" better by the US side. I guess they realize I'm simply trying to do a good job & not coming back into the US to set a village on fire. So in addition to helping ya clear loads, ya get a bit less hassle coming in. I don't know how they treat ya coming into this country, but that FAST card is a neat thing to have to help ya in that aspect too.

LDB · Mar 29, 2005

Canada, there I came

Well, turns out the letter I had was for the CDRP and not for the FAST. Then it turns out that Monday after spending $9.75 in bridge tolls I find out the FAST office is open and ready to help me if I only had the right stuff and the CDRP office I need is closed for a Canadian holiday. Oh well, I'll go for the CDRP card sometime if/when I'm dispatched through to Canada or after I get the FAST stuff back.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

DannyD · Mar 30, 2005

RE: Canada, there I came

If you get your FAST card, there's no need for the CDRP card. The CDRP card is basically "half" what the FAST card is. Ie, ya can go into Canada w/ it. I'm guessing most people get their CDRP card first, because when I got my FAST card they told us we could throw away our CDRP card.

So if you have what you need to get your FAST card, get that. The CDRP card is good to have until you get the FAST if ya don't have everything lined up for the FAST card.

Good luck to ya,
Danny

Broompilot · Apr 3, 2005

RE: Canada, there I came

Amazing Fast Frdc Parrs Pass Is there anything else they can possibly think of to screw us out of $ and I am serious. Why when I cross back into Detroit (my birth place) am I charged $5.00 when I crossed over in Washinton State from BC no such fee?

Is my home state screwing us? Would not surprise me with that wonderufll Govenor or is it above her and into the Feds. But why Detroit $5.00 and not further West?? Please if you know the answer post if you think you know than don't.

This fee is due after you pay the bridge toll in Detroit.

And also one more comment. Why do the Feds at both crossings put the responsiblity on the driver? Should you not be able to hand them a BOL and then put the responsiblity on the reciever. What ever happened to actually looking at the freight and not the driver. Why am I a criminal for trying and I mean actually mean trying to make an honest living. If I never ever ever never ever deliver another load into that foreign country as beautiful as it is it will be to soon (sorry Grandma). I hate dealing with the border you are a criminal until proven innocent.. Just ask your broker. Its all BS and we as drivers are responsible for a dispatchers screw ups, shippers screw ups, customers problems with paper work screw ups you will sit unpaid until all is OK and until than you better have food on board cause I aint talking about 10 or 15 minutes I am talking from expierence many hours if not a day or two or longer....
Dont believe me I have the proof on my logs to prove it. And an empty fridge......

LDB · Apr 25, 2005

I called an 800 number to check on my FAST file number. They told me I have no app on file. I found out from the company the app I filled out in orientation on 1/31 is being sent in this week. I guess it's hurry up and wait time.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

iheartfaye · May 26, 2005

Hey Leo,

What did they tell you that you needed to have your FAST Interview? I never got a letter because like you the company (Dave F.) sent it in. I got a message over the QC that I could call to schedule my interview?

Brian
#2635

LDB · May 26, 2005

So far I'm getting messages over the QC asking if I've got it yet but that's all. I just got home for graduation and there's no letter from Canada. I'm going to call the 800 number and inquire again since it's been about 4 weeks since they were supposed to have sent it in. I'm in no real hurry to go to Canada so it isn't keeping me awake at night not having it. Supposedly all I have to do is call the 800 number and get the file number and then I can go in with birth certificate, CDL, and who knows what else and get it set up. They just better give me a list when I call.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.