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 | 1 Comment »

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 »

8. December 2008 by admin.

Greetings, Gang!

Sorry for the hiatus in postings.  I’ve been out of the office quite a bit over the past few weeks with traveling to northern Michigan, Washington DC, the Thanksgiving holiday and working at home.  I hope to be back on the “blog” now.  There are so many stories to tell.

Thanks for the patience . . .  here come the stories!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

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 »