22. January 2009 by admin.

It’s time for the US Customs/Immigration/Homeland Security folks at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to get with the rest of the United States of America.  2 days ago, the world watch as our new President was inaugurated.  A welcome relief for all of humankind.  Thank goodness!  I have nothing but high praise to say about our new President.  I am looking forward to the change of direction that the US is about to embark on.

However, there is one problem — pictures of the former President “W” were suppose to be removed and “discarded with respect” by yesterday.  As of this morning, the Detroit - Windsor Tunnel is business as usual with the old regime still pictorially displayed on the wall. 

Please change the pictures!  It’s disrespectful.  And oh yea, lighten up in the morning — we’re workers living in Windsor working in Detroit.  Most of us have been crossing the border for years.  We are not criminals and don’t treat us like one.  I’m allowed to carry paper work, lunch and my laptop across the border.  Don’t make a federal issue out of it every time we cross.

Posted in US Customs | 1 Comment »

5. January 2009 by admin.

Happy New Year, gang!  We’re off to a great start for the year.  Today was the first day back after the holidays for most of us and we were greeted to a big ‘ol back up at the border this morning.  For some of our riders, the fun began before the bus ride itself.  With a new month, it’s time for a new bus pass.  Such a simple procedure to purchase a pass but it often takes so long with Transit Windsor.  Often times in the morning, there is only one person selling passes.   Since the month began with a holiday and it’s time for students to renew their semester passes, you get a big line up.  Fortunately, I thought about my new pass last week so that I could avoid that problem.  It’s not something that I always do, but I have been caught in big September line up!  So I guess I learned my lesson!

However, upon reaching US Customs this morning, after clearing we were all handed a “Number 1″ card.  It made me feel so great, that I told the officer receiving the card that I felt like a number 1 today.  What a great way to start off the year!  He looked at me like I was some kind of idiot — which I did to make the whole procedure look stupid.  Boy, I can’t wait for the new Homeland Security USA television show to begin tomorrow night!  Maybe we’ll see some of the ridiculous things that average citizens have to go through on a daily basis.  Well, thinking about it, maybe not!  More to come on Homeland Security USA tomorrow.

Happy New Year everyone!

Posted in Transit Windsor, US Customs | 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 »

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!

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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 »

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 | No Comments »

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 | No Comments »

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! 

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