Canada Grrrrrrrrrr

DannyD · Mar 13, 2005

Heya folks..

I'm wondering if US Customs has "red flagged" my license plate or something. I almost ALWAYS have problems coming back into the States. When I go to Canada their Customs people are courteous, professional, & all in all helpful. Coming back to the US is a totally different story.

I'm open to maybe it being something on my end, even if I have no clue as to what it may be. Almost everytime I come back to the US, I get treated poorly at best. The ONLY exceptions to this rule are when I have freight that has online clearance. One agent even asked me directly "Do you often have problems coming into this country?"

That right there made me think I was "marked" somehow as a troublemaker or something. I've never done anything wrong to those people in terms of my attitude towards them. If I could ever come across a decent agent, I'd ask him directly. Every now & then, though rarely, ya do come across a decent one. btw/ this doesn't change whether I've got freight or am coming back empty.

Today the guy was pretty rude. I had nothing coming back, so just to be sure he wanted me to open my truck to take a look. Just as I stated, I had nothing in there. He wanted to know if I bought anything in Canada (I hadn't other than food) & I was suprised he didn't check all my belongings. I actually think he might have if two trucks didn't pull into my lane behind me.

Anyways, I'm basically tired of being nice to those people. I realize being rude back to em isn't going to help me any, & I'll give em all a chance to be decent before I say anything. I won't cuss at em or anything, rest easy there. But comments like "look guy, just cuz ya've had a rough day, please don't take it out on me" or things like that are coming.

Any suggestions on what to do here? Other than getting the US agents trained in Canada, I can't think of what can be done. This is getting really frustrating. Thanx in advance for any help.

Be well,
Danny

redytrk · Mar 13, 2005

US customs agents have allways been difficult compared to the Canadians.Since 9/11 they have been totally impossible.

I think they are now a part of Homeland Security. I guess the word must have came down from the top to treat every one as terriost.

highway star · Mar 15, 2005

I have yet to figure out how being rude and sarcastic to us will somehow help them with homeland security. But, even before 9/11 the U.S. side had a reputation for being more difficult. The best thing to do is just answer their questions with the briefest answer possible. If it's a simple yes or no, just that and nothing else. If they see you're letting them do their job and not getting rattled I think that helps. When you're all done and you pull out of the compound just leave it there. It's not worth having a bad day over.

MSinger · Mar 23, 2005

1997 Dodge Ram 3500 with 12' cube. Dock high with jackstands. 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel.

You aren't the guy with the personalized license plate "Osamas Chariot" that I've heard so much about are you????:7

truckerbuddy · Mar 25, 2005

IF EVERYONE STOPS TAKING LOADS INTO CANADA AND JUST TAKE A STAND THEY WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THINGS THERE. CANADA NEEDS OUR MONEY AND OUR LOADS IF THEY DONT GET THEM THEY WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY THE BORDER IS. I KNOW IT IS ON THE USA SIDEWHICH HAS THE PROBLEMS BUT IT WORKS BOTH WAYS

RobA · Mar 25, 2005

>IF EVERYONE STOPS TAKING LOADS INTO CANADA AND JUST TAKE A
>STAND THEY WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THINGS THERE. CANADA NEEDS
>OUR MONEY AND OUR LOADS IF THEY DONT GET THEM THEY WILL HAVE
>TO CHANGE THE WAY THE BORDER IS. I KNOW IT IS ON THE USA
>SIDEWHICH HAS THE PROBLEMS BUT IT WORKS BOTH WAYS

Hey Trucker-Buddy; I don't mean this as a personal insult or attack but you are full of sh*t!
Sorry, but constantly responding to statements like this that are solely based on ignorance is one reason why I resigned from being the official moderator of this forum.
We don't "need" your money. If you don't want to come to Canada that's your perogative. I'm sorry you feel that way. There are lots of Canadian drivers who would love to take what ever you don't want.
The loads will move regardless. The economy of North America is closely integrated, but each country has different things they want to enforce at the border crossing.
The US Customs inspectors have always ( and I've been in the business over 30 years) been a little more Hard Azzed about enforcing the rules.
There are constant negotiations between the two governments on ways to smooth the border processes.

I don't know what "Stand" you wish to take other than boycotting Canada. If your carrier allows that and you feel that strongly on the issue; OK go for it. We won't miss you.

bryan · Mar 28, 2005

Been there done that. Was inspected 10 times in 7 days . Paid $50.00
in back child support and they have not checked my truck since . Don't know if it had anything to do with it, but it did seem strange.

highway star · Mar 29, 2005

As Danny mentioned, having a FAST card helps in returning to the U.S. Also, the more you cross the better it gets. Along with being polite, brief, and business like with your responces. Virtually every run I have is cross border and I have had no problems with them for quite some time. Yesterday I crossed in Buffalo with a FAST load going to Lordstown. When I pulled up to the booth he was reading the screen. After about a half a minute he slide the window open and said "you're all set". That was my entire interaction with Customs. After 6 years of frequant crossing and absolutly no problems with me, I guess they have decided I'm harmless.