Crossing Canadian border

[DocHeb]

If you're coming from Toledo, I would take I-75 north of Toledo (it's recently repaved and the effective speed limit of 95 mph /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif will let you make good time). Take I-275 north to I-696 East. This will keep you out of Detroit.

 

[ronjhall]

OK. I can make that.
I will post it in Meetings & Get-Togethers to if see anyone else would like to meet.

 

[GoodGuy]

Speaking from a Cdn perspective, I would recommend that if you are taking any valuables across, you should declare them at the US side before you cross (cameras,computers,etc). We do that here on the Cdn side (racing in the US) so that when we get the 3rd degree coming back across, the hassle is minimized. I wish I could say that one side is better than the other but we've had issues with both, I guess it depends on the moon. Hope this helps.

 

[EddieWalker]

Since your not taking the Canadian route anymore, this wont matter to you, but just some general knowledge for anybody else thinking of crossing the boarder.

A buddy and me hit the border in Montana to do some hunting there. Guns were not an issue, but my DUI in 1991 was. Turns out that any conviction OR charge at ANYTIME will show up on there records. Once that happens, you must see one of there special boarder people who will question you on what happened. They also want to see proof that you served your time or that it was dismissed. There are only a few places to do this and the closest one for me was in North Dakota.

After getting their lecture and BS, I was allowed to pay a $200 rehabilitation fee in order to enter the coutry.

My partner didn't get off so lucky. Two years before this, he cought some tresspassers on his land and told them to leave. They smarted off and asked what he'd do if they didn't leave. He said he'd shoot them. They went to the police and turned him in for threatening to shoot them. This was in California. The police arrested my buddy, kept him in jail the weekend and when he went in front of the judge Monday morning, the judge dismissed it.

The Canadians saw the arrest, but he had to prove that is was dismissed by getting copies of the court records faxed to the Canadian border people. After they were convince it had been dismissed, they said that he had to wait another three more years to apply for rehabilitation.

There is a five year wait before they will allow you to pay the $200 and enter the country after any arrest. Since it was throughn out, they suggested he hire an attorny and file an apeal.

While there, we met a guy who stole a Christmas tree in the early 70's and two other guys who had DUI's in the 80's. None of them could prove their cases had been closed and that they had fullfilled their punishment.

I have no idea how long they kept them there or the outcome. I did get a lecture about drinking and driving and what they think should happen to me, even thought it was eleven years earlier.

Good luck and be sure of your record when trying to enter that country.

Eddie

 

[slowzuki]

Wow Eddie, I didn't know they were getting that tight!

 

[PBinWA]

I remember when the US Border guys used to be the "nice" guys to deal with. These days coming into the US is more hassle than going to Canada (at least for me). Of course, I'm a Canadian Citizen with a US Green Card.

The prior conviction thing applies to both sides of the border. Canadians with criminal charges have the same hassles trying to get into the US.

I really just avoid the border crossing stuff as much as possible. My dad always wants me to buy duty free booze and bring it up to him. I usually just buy it when I get to Canada. I prefer to just not have to declare anything. Neither side's Border people are the most efficient or considerate group of people.

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( $2.50 at Buffalo (Peace Bridge)?!?!??! I remember 35 cents.
)</font>
I did not think you were THAT old Brian /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I did not think you were THAT old Brian /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Me neither... Another age thing got me yesterday. My daughter packed her lunch for the first time in ages yesterday but asked for milk money. I threw a buck in her lunch box. I got 60 cents back. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I asked how many cartons of milk she bought and she replied one... I remember 4 cents for white, 6 cents for chocolate. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[boustany]

My understanding is that a US border offical can not only turn you back, but slap a 2 year (not sure on the period) ban on somebody even trying to re-enter the US.

The decision is entirely subjective, they don't have to justify it, and the ban is not subject to appeal.

So, if your job depends on occasional US travel (as mine does), your career can be ruined by a surly border guard.

Soon we'll be finger printed, and photographed too.

One more reason we now vacation in Europe ... its just not worth the agravation any more. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Neither side's Border people are the most efficient or considerate group of people. )</font>

Wow, I know things have changed, but it sounds like things have changed a lot! We drove to Alaska and back in 1972, 1990, and 1991, and I flew up there with my brother in a little Cessna 152 in 1984, and all the border people on both sides were just as nice as could be.