31. December 2008 by admin.

In today’s Windsor Star, there is a very interesting opinion titled, “The Border: Rekindling the Spirit of Norad.”  I find it very appropriate to close out the year 2008.  It’s time to look forward — with the financial collapse earlier in the year and auto sector melt-down, and of course the ever worsening border problems, it’s time to find a viable solution.  (http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/border/1129685/story.html)

The time has come for Prime Minister Harper and President-Elect Obama to sit down and resolve the border issues.  Since 9-11 the US Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Immigration have not been able to solve the border issues.  In fact, it is estimated that $9.3 billion a year is lost by US and Canadian trucking industries.  $9.3 BILLION! 

Former Canadian ambassador to the US Michael Kergin and the Canadian International Counsel (CIC) are urging our leaders to re-invent what President Franklin Roosevelt and PM William Lyon Mackenzie King did some 60 years ago with Norad.  The time is right to develop a Permanent Joint Border Commission that would be the equivalent of Norad.  Perhaps in these difficult economic times on both sides of the border, a border solution is blooming.  Kergin’s report can be found at: http://www.igloo.org/canadianinternational/download/research/workinggro/borderissu/cicborders

This morning as I was listening to NPR and hearing about how blogs might be the next generation of grassroots campaigning for social change, I thought how important this particular issue is not only to me since I cross the border daily but for the folks of Windsor and Essex County and the Detroit Metropolitan area.  This border is problematic for both sides.  In fact, it extends well beyond Ontario and Michigan and other states and provinces on the border.  It effects everyone in both Canada and the US by disrupting trade and commerce.  In a major global economic slow down, we need to look at ways of improving and streamlining our process.  Having a “Norad” approach, a joint border commission would be an excellent start. 

So maybe 2009, we’ll see this blog develop into a grassroots organization of promoting border issues and more important solutions!

I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year!  I look forward to the challenges of the New Year! 

Posted in Border Solution | 1 Comment »

17. December 2008 by admin.

Let’s face it, there are just times when you want to have your own space and not really engage in conversation on the Bus.  Everyone has days like that or there is just someone that you don’t want to talk with.  It’s ok, don’t worry about it. 

 Here’s a little secret that’s proven to work on the Bus.  If someone sits next to you and you really would prefer them to go elsewhere, a simple cough and conversation with them about how awful you feel goes a long way.  If they are not sick, they will quickly get up and find another seat.  It’s got a proven track record. 

Posted in characteristics | 1 Comment »

16. December 2008 by admin.

I’m not sure how I really feel about this.  One morning last week while I was commuting to work, I disembarked the Tunnel Bus and entered the US Immigration Office.  I was one of the first persons off the Bus and noticed the Immigration Officer was working on his computer.  This particular computer monitor was stationed so that incoming passengers could see the screen.  Most of the time, the computer screen has a screen on top of it so that no one other than the operator immediately in front of the screen can read it.  However, this day, the screen was off.  As I approached the officer, I could see he was busy surfing Google.  I’m really not sure what he was looking up, nor do I really care.  But I am concerned that US Customs and Immigration Officers have time to Google while working.  There have been plenty of times when I have waited long periods of time to cross the border and now I have to wonder, were the officers on Google and therefore delaying my entry?  If that’s not enough, without the protective screen, personal information about the person being screened is displayed on screen for all remaining passengers to see. 

 I’ll end to day the way I started, I’m sure how I feel about Customs and Immigration Officers have time to Google during the morning rush hour?  If you’ve had to wait to cross the border into Detroit, would you expect the delay to be an officer Googling?  I certainly wouldn’t think that but now I might!

Posted in US Customs | 1 Comment »

15. December 2008 by admin.

Please write to President Bush today!!!  Tell him that the auto companies need his help now.  If not, we will all face an uncertain future.  Send comments to:  comments@whitehouse.gov

Posted in Automobiles | No Comments »

15. December 2008 by admin.

Today’s Detroit News ran an article on millionaire Matty Moroun the owner of the Ambassador Bridge.  He is not well liked in Windsor for purchasing up West-end homes by the bridge and other waterfront property along the Detroit River to protect his cash-cow, The Ambassador Bridge.

Upon learning about one of America’s richest, President George W. Bush (the one that almost got head in the head with a shoe) responded, “Why don’t I know this guy?  If I did, I probably would have carried Michigan.”  I don’t think so!!

Read about how this one man can control the commerce of two nations.   The article can be found at the following address:  http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081215/BIZ/812150328.

Posted in Ambassador Bridge | 3 Comments »

12. December 2008 by admin.

Today, I took the Crosstown #2 bus to downtown Windsor.  I noticed that many of the passengers were texting.  So I started to figure that my ride on the Crosstown was 3 to 4 times longer in distance than my Tunnel Bus ride but the time spent on the Tunnel Bus might be 3 to 4 times longer.  Wouldn’t it make sense to have WiFi on the Bus so that commuters could get caught up on e-mail and web browsing?  I would certainly appreciate it.  Might help make the time go by faster or not have to enter the political debates which sometimes take place on the morning ride.

Just a thought.  Wi-Fi on the Tunnel Bus!

Posted in Wi-Fi, technology | 1 Comment »

11. December 2008 by admin.

Move over Cops, in January, 2009 ABC will be airing a 13-part “cops-like” show, “Homeland Security USA.”  Featuring none other than Homeland Security personnel, US Customs, Immigration, Border Patrol and airport screeners.  I really hope they show up at the Tunnel one morning to film.  Let’s get the television crew to film just how rude and arrogant some of the officers are.  Maybe they look through someone’s lunch and find an orange or roast beef sandwich.  I just wonder if they’ll have to take a number to leave?

Check out ABC’s web site at: http://abc.go.com/primetime/homelandsecurity/index?pn=index

Posted in Television, US Customs | 1 Comment »

10. December 2008 by admin.

Every once in awhile, I mean about every 3 or 4 years, US Custom’s agents board the Tunnel Bus before the bus enters the Tunnel.  Well, last night was our lucky night!  One officer by the front door, another by the back and one checking the passengers.  The intimidation factor is great. 

Let’s think about this one.  It’s 5:10 pm, rush-hour.  Outside there’s a cold north wind blowing and temperatures in the upper 20’s.  It’s two weeks before Christmas.  You’re in the shadow of the failing auto giant GM’s world headquarters.  Jobs are tough!  Do we really need to be hassled and harassed by Custom’s officers again on our way out of the country?

The line of questioning is very direct and over heard by the entire bus.  There are people of many different backgrounds and nationalities.  Even though we may not know every’s name, we each consider them “family” — the Tunnel Bus family.  We don’t like to see others treated abruptly or rudely.  It’s really not necessary.

So yes, they ask the same standard question, what’s your citizenship?  Followed by what were you doing here and where are you going?  Those of us with dual citizenship status have to quickly find the “correct” documents to present to the US officials otherwise we risk additional lines of questioning.

Last night brought back memories of a couple of years ago while I was waiting for the Tunnel Bus on the toll plaza behind Mariner’s Church and wondering at the GM towers.  Two US Customs officers approached me.  Ask for ID, where I was going and how often I cross the border.  Ok, no problem, here’s my US passport and I’m heading home.  I told them I had been crossing the border on a daily basis for 9 years.  The one officer said in a very derogatory voice, “I’ve never seen you before!”  I just shrugged my shoulders and ask, “OK.”  No sense getting all worked up, that’s what they really want you to do — like you have something to hide.  I was reminded this past fall that Customs officer’s job *require* them to remember people and faces.  On a flight segment from Salt Lake City to Detroit a few months back, I bumped into a Detroit-based US Customs officer.  At first I said to myself, I know her but from where?  As soon as I pulled out my passport to board the plane, it all came back to me.

Bottom line here, when crossing the border into the US or out of the US, be prepared for anything.  An exit inspection is never very pleasant and you really have no one to complain to since you’re leaving the country.

Posted in US Customs | 1 Comment »

9. December 2008 by admin.

Here it is, as you would expect!

Posted in US Customs | No Comments »

8. December 2008 by admin.

Last Friday, I wanted to get to work early in the morning.  I just missed the 6:10 am Tunnel Bus because I wanted to stop at one of Windsor’s Tim Hortons for tea and a bagel.  So, I decided to drive and run some errands after work.  One would think that crossing the border just after 6 am would be easy.  Well, think again!

Upon entering the Tunnel, I realized it was backed up about 3/4ths of the way.  It was going to be a long commute.  But I had my tea and thought I would arrive at work by 6:30.  That would be sufficient to get the work done that I need to do.  After 20 minutes, I reached the Custom plaza on the US side. 

About 4 1/2 years ago, I completed the Nexus applicaiton, paid the $50 and had fingerprints taken.  All for a faster entry into either the US or Canada as a low risk traveler.  For the most part, it is generally much quicker to enter the US with Nexus rather than the general lanes.

Last Friday was terrible and I hope that the Department of Homeland Security takes note of the problems.  After my 20 minutes in the Tunnel, there were 4 cars in front of me waiting to clear customs.  I figured it would be a matter of minutes.  Boy, was I wrong and really wrong!  It took about 5 minutes for the first two cars.  After which the officer dropped the gate and it was time for a shift change.  Generally, that is a minute or so delay.  Unfortunately for me, the two officers decided to have a 10 minute conversation.  Really, it’s the morning rush hour and we’re in the Nexus lane — a 10 minute conversation?  Come on.

But wait, there’s more.  The final car in front of me goes to the booth.  5 minutes with the officer and then the gate comes down again!  It was after 5 minutes that I shut the car off.  It didn’t matter that it was in the low 20’s outside, I was very hot.  If I didn’t have work that needed to be completed right when I arrived, I would have called US Customs.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Nexus program is for: “These cross-border trusted travel programs facilitate land border crossing of prescreened low-risk travelers and commercial truck drivers through exclusive dedicated lanes. Members in these voluntary programs must meet certain eligibility requirements and pay a 5-year membership fee.”

Let’s look at a few important key words: trusted, facilitate, prescreened and dedicated lanes.  Why is it that the general lanes were proceeding at a speed of 4 cars cleared to 1 Nexus car?

I think I’ll call Nexus, Next-to-last to cross!

Posted in Nexus, US Customs | 1 Comment »