26. November 2008 by admin.

Today, the day before the US Thanksgiving is typically one of the busiest day’s of the year to cross the border to Windsor in the afternoon.  Not today!  There were very few backups to Windsor this afternoon.  The only added traffic to Detroit (which delayed the Tunnel Bus) was Detroit Red Wing and Montreal Canadien fans headed to the Joe for this evening’s hockey game. 

Well, I guess the Friday before Memorial Day and the fireworks night will remain the busiest evenings to cross the border to Windsor.

Happy Thanksgiving, Tunnel Bus passengers!  Mary, no need to worry, I’ll have plenty of food the next couple of days.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

21. November 2008 by admin.

Sorry gang for the hiatus in postings, I’ve just recently returned from a conference in Washington DC.  No, unfortunately, it wasn’t to interview for a position in the Obama Administration.

Today, I’m going to turn again to driving across the border since I’ve traveled between the two countries by car several times during the past week.

You would think that the time of day wouldn’t matter in crossing the border.  You would expect that you would be treated or asked the same questions by Customs Officials on either side of the border regardless of the time of day.  But that isn’t really the case.  From personal experience, it is much easier to cross the border during normal commuting hours around 8 am and 5 pm.  I wouldn’t say the policies are relaxed but generally speaking it is much easier (fewer questions) when you cross the border during the height of the rush hour traffic.  It must be in the morning that the officers are expecting you to stay, “going to work” and the in the evening “just coming from work.”  So much my little tip, if you want an easier time with Customs, go during rush hour but don’t expect to be any faster since there is a lot more traffic!

Posted in Time, Canadian Customs, US Customs | 1 Comment »

18. November 2008 by admin.

Sorry I haven’t posted anything in the past several days.  I’ve been travelling for work.  At the end of last week, I was in Traverse City and this week I’m in Washington, DC.  No not to measure for drapes at the White House or meet with Obama’s transition time, although that would be terrific, for a conference on training the trainers.

But yesterday’s crossing using my Nexus pass was interesting.  I’m in the car and reach the US Custom’s booth.  The officer asks me how often I cross the border.  I respond everyday.  He looks confused, “Really, he says?  Do you always drive this car?”  I responded with as few words as possible, “No.”  “OK, he says, have a good day.”  I really didn’t have the heart to tell him that my other car was the Tunnel Bus!  So what exactly do US Customs/Immigration/Border Patrol track when we cross the border?  Couldn’t he see that my passport gets swiped on daily basis?  It is the same computer system — Nexus and the passport scanning?  Right?  The US Government spent how much on all their new technologies and the officer couldn’t tell that I cross the border on a regular basis?  At this point, I just want to raise both hands and go “Arg!”

Maybe while I’m in Washington the next couple of days, I’ll go to the head office of Homeland Security and tell them about the border procedures in Detroit.  On second thought, maybe not!

Posted in Nexus, US Customs | 1 Comment »

12. November 2008 by admin.

Well, I wish I could have posted this yesterday but here goes!

Check out the high quality, secure services that protects the US border for arriving Tunnel Bus passengers.  I know I’ve spoken about this before, but below is the exact “ticket” that allows you to leave the US Immigration after you have been cleared by an officer.  Anyone else see any problems with this?  11 isn’t even stamped straight; the cut isn’t straight; and I was able to take two today.  

Yes, this is what I have to go through with all of my fellow passengers every day to get to work! 

Posted in US Customs | 1 Comment »

12. November 2008 by admin.

It’s nice to be back riding the bus today after yesterday’s holiday.  From what I understand, the Tunnel commute was uneventful and quick yesterday. 

Thank you veterans of both countries for protecting our freedoms that we all cherish.  For without you, our lives would be much different.  Thank you!

Posted in holiday | 1 Comment »

10. November 2008 by admin.

This morning is was once again reminded that some US Customs Officers like to know what you have for lunch.  Fortunately, my lunch passed the inspection or the officer wasn’t really that hungry for my lunch.

However, occasionally we see officers that like to enforce the no fruit rule.  First, if I choose to bring an orange with me to work, it’s for my personal consumption.  I do not plan on giving to anyone else.  Second, when was the last time you heard about anyone eating an orange grown in Canada?  I know where in the southern most part of the country but there are no orange trees here!  Third, I’ve seen Customs officers confiscate oranges that were clearly grown in the Florida because of the sticker on their skin. 

So next time you think about bring an orange to work across the border, make prepared to lose it to the bright yellow quarantined trash container!

Posted in Lunch, US Customs | 2 Comments »

7. November 2008 by admin.

We really are creatures of habit when it comes to our work schedules.  We catch the same bus, see the same driver, talk with the same passengers and more importantly sit in the same spot. 

This morning I was reminded of just this very fact.  Some asked if we heard about another passenger that unfortunately lost his job at GM due to the economic halt of the US economy.  He mentioned his name which of course no one knew.  He was asked to describe him and no one was able to picture who he was.  But when I asked which bus did he take and more importantly, where did he sit?  We all chuckled and usually when this happens, we figure out who it is.  However, that was not the case today.

Tunnel Bus passengers are not always known by their name, where the work or what they do for a living.  But I can say, we are all known by where we sit and on which bus. 

Sincerely,
8:20 am, “behind the driver”

Posted in Seating | 2 Comments »

6. November 2008 by admin.

Earlier this week I was reminded that everything entering the United States is subject to search by Custom’s officials.  Don’t get me wrong, I understand that in the best interests of the United States and its safety, it is important to have strict rules to abide by to protect the health and safety of its citizen.  But my lunch?

Almost everyday I bring a lunch across the border with me.  During the recent rise of the Canadian dollar to par and beyond, I have been doing all of my grocery shopping in Michigan.  Being paid in US dollars, it was simply cheaper to cross the border, pay the toll, drive the extra miles to grocery shop.  I estimate that I saved hundreds of dollars over the past year.  This means that the eco-friendly bag that transports my lunch contains foods grown, processed and manufactured in the US or at a minimum meeting all US Agricultural standards.

But on Tuesday morning, I was asked what was in my bag.  “Lunch,” I replied.  I generally try to answer all officers questions with one word answers whenever possible.  “Place it up here,” was the response.  I don’t know about you but I really don’t like anyone poking their fingers through my lunch.  Fortunately, for me the bananas were in clear sight and the contents of the bag were not spreadout over the table.  My lunch, for the most part, remained untouched.

This incident reminded me of previous encounters with the Lunch Police.  I’ll save those stories which I’ve entitled, “The Hat Man,” “Where’s the Beef,” “Tossed Salad,” and “Florida Oranges” for another days entry.

By the way, I’m not sure what happened at the border today.  There was no traffic or backup.  Very odd!

Thanks for stopping by — I hope that you’ll come back often!

Posted in Lunch, US Customs | 1 Comment »

5. November 2008 by admin.

One of the greatest problems of crossing the border is US Customs.  A very close second is having another bus, Greyhound Bus, parked at the border waiting for its passengers to clear customs.  Greyhound and charter buses often take significantly longer to clear Customs.  You can hear a collective moan when a bus is before the Tunnel Bus clearing Customs.  It is especially troubling on the Canadian side meaning dinner is going to be late.  But last night, there was a small miracle.  The Greyhound bus pulled to the side and waved the Tunnel Bus through.  For the passengers on the Tunnel Bus, thank you!  We were all glad to make it home on time!

Posted in Greyhound | 1 Comment »

4. November 2008 by admin.

Last night on the way home, there was an individual who wanted to bring is bicycle from Detroit to Windsor.  The Bus that I was riding in had a bus rack on the front of it.  I am glad that the Windsor and Detroit transit systems all have bus racks.  But Transit Windsor does not permit the bicycle racks to used on the Tunnel Bus.  Their policy as stated on their web site is:  “Due to licensing regulations bike racks cannot be deployed during tunnel bus services, including transportation to Comerica Park or Ford Field.  Persons may disassemble their bike and board the bus with it in a bike bag.  Note: If bus is full, bringing the bike bag on board is at the discretion of the driver.”

The cyclist seemed to be unaware of the policy and stood in front of the Bus for several minutes while he pleaded with the driver to allow the bike on the bus.  The driver very politely stated the company policy and asked him to stand clear of the bus.  Finally, the Bus as able to proceed to Windsor.  I figured that was the end of the story.

This morning I caught a later bus which was driven by the same driver I had the night before.  Since there were only a couple of us on the Bus, I joked with the driver that I was going to bring my bike to Detroit this morning.  The driver recalled a European cycling across North America wishing to cross the border.  His ingenuity to dismantle and box his cycle got him allowed him and his bike to cross the border.  As we reached the next stop, a passenger boarded and immediately told the driver that he did get his bicycle to Windsor.  The passenger was angry that the driver did not help him.  The driver stopped and turned her head and said the conversation was over.  The passenger was shocked and didn’t know what to say.  And the conversation was over.

Posted in bicycles | 1 Comment »