Harsh welcome at Detroit border

[unclefrank]

The only thing that matches the bullshit of "Homeland Security" is the "War on drugs." Governments love for us to give up our freedoms for the security they promise to provide.

[detroitdoc]

It's all a false sense of security. Any one of us could cross from the US to Canada or vice-versa at any one of the THOUSANDS of miles of unprotected border. Up North there are some subdivisions where your neighbor lives in the other country. When you back out of your driveway, you back into the other country. Not to mention all the unprotected Great Lakes. In the prairies, in some places crossing the border is done using the honesty method- you're supposed to stop in at the unmanned booth to check in. If you don't nobody is the wiser. So all this 'security' at the Windsor Detroit tunnel is to justify the zillions of dollars being spent on unmanned aircraft over Lake St. Clair. It's all BS. All of it.

In my opinion...they're closing schools left and right. There are people starving in the streets. The roads are a mess. Sell the unmanned aircraft to some third world country and use the much needed money here to help fix our real problems. Kids can't read. There's no music or art in school. Most high school grads can't find the US on a map. Spend the money where it will do some good.

My two cents.

[shovelhead]

Try riding a motorcycle. Even before 9/11 it was bad.

[MikeM]

I have never had a difficult time with US immigration or customs folks while coming into the US through Detroit, Port Huron, Buffalo, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.

Same here. Must suck to get picked on.

[EastsideAl]

How ironic, while Europe is dismantling it's borders, America is putting up hers.

That's part of what's so idiotic about all this. Given our common history, interests, and degree of modernity, ee should have a customs union with Canada, like countries all over Europe have. If Germany and France, who were at all out war with each other twice within the last century, can do it, why can't we with a country we've been at peace with for nearly 200 years?

they're closing schools left and right. There are people starving in the streets. The roads are a mess. Sell the unmanned aircraft to some third world country and use the much needed money here to help fix our real problems. Kids can't read. There's no music or art in school. Most high school grads can't find the US on a map. Spend the money where it will do some good.

Indeed, it's a giant waste of resources that could be used much better and more helpfully elsewhere. But it stands as yet another example of our xenophobia and our screwed-up priorities in this country.

[The Dude]

These accounts are so different from what betterhalf and I encounter at the border! Sure, we've run into security members who were a bit lacking in personality, but never have we experienced a problem. Perhaps it's an age thing--we're not spring chickens. I'm not sure what is happening to everyone else.

I've weighed in on this subject before, I believe the border security to be a vital part of our nation's security.

Security is one thing. But if anyone believes that it is fine and dandy to trade in a little liberty to gain a little security deserves neither and should give up being a citizen of the United States of America. Wouldn't you agree?

[Lowell]

Let's break it down simply.

1-Their job is not to provide security; it is to provide the illusion of security.

Otherwise they would be protecting your crossing of the bridge and tunnel. They are not. Thousands of vehicle drive directly into and onto those crossings without even a yawn by "security". Should a disaster happen on it they will run around wringing their hands saying, "How come we didn't think of that?", just like they did after 9/11. They are on the wrong side of the road. At least airport security has figured that out.

Thinking they could stop any serious terrorists, heck even any teenagers, who really wanted to cross that Swiss cheese of a border is fantasy.

2-Their job is not to protect us; it is to protect their jobs. The longer they hold us hold up the more of them they have to hire. Border "Security" is killing our local tourism economy on both sides.

Want economic stimulus? Get rid of them, like they did in Europe between nations that slaughtered millions of each other citizens in the last century. Hundreds of millions of lost dollars will be saved and even more in free commerce and tourism will be created.

For those who have not been harassed, I will repeat what the others said above, just wait your turn in the barrel is coming.

[eno]

Returning by bridge from Toronto with a friend Sunday at 9 p.m., I was quizzed in depth by the uniformed guy in the booth, then told it was my "lucky day" -- I had been randomly selected for a secondary inspection.
I don't resent being pulled over. That happens, even if you are a law-abiding citizen in your late 50s with no criminal record, no terrorist leanings and no contraband of any sort. We even declared the chocolate Easter bunnies we had bought on W. Queen Street.
What was bothersome was the Third-World paramilitary vibe: The guns. The barked orders. The funky office. The overweight guy behind the counter telling you which way to look while you stood there, awaiting processing.
I've crossed the borders dozens of times over the decades, and lived in Canada. This was a jarring encounter that really brought home how arriving in Detroit in the post 9/11 era can be a highly unpleasant experience. I politely asked one of the guards who searched my car why I was randonly selected. "When you cross the international border you got to expect these things," he said. He wasn't smiling.
At least no one asked for bribes.

What? No cavity search!! Stop your whining!!

[Patrick]

I can give them shit right back since we both work for Uncle Sam. The one ~~~~~~ didn't like it when I told him my security clearance was probably higher than his but he couldn't do shit once I showed my ID....he wanted to see my work ID badge as well so I showed it and he quickly shut his mouth and his demeanor went from dickhead to cool in 3 seconds.

[gnome]

Lowell, you do know that Canada's immigration policies are - and have been - much less strict than those in the US. We live in a Republic, our elected representatives, have expressed our collective will on immigration. If you don't agree with those laws, you should launch a campaign to run for Congress.

I'd move to Farmington just to vote for you.

Or maybe Canada could get with the program and tighten their borders a tad. Just like the European Union has done.

[detroitjim]

More effing crying. The security personnel don't know you.
They ask you those questions to catch you in a lie. So deal with it by telling the truth.
Up front you know they'll be acting like a#*holes. Decide that they are not going to rattle you, and after a few minutes you'll be on your way. If they apprehend just one smuggler,illegal,or terrorist from entering the US by asking some bullsheite questions ,that is good for the rest of us.

[lalynch]

I have not been to Canada since they made the passport a requirement. My passport expired a long time ago. I lived outside of Buffalo, NY as a kid, for four years, and my family would go to Toronto all the time for the day. It was the late 1960's. After moving to the Detroit area in 1971, we made several trips back to Buffalo via Canada with much ease too. Traveling to Canada was easy.

I chuckle when I think of one visit to Windsor with high school friends. We had three cars of us, all high school friends from Farmington High School, probably the summer we graduated, 1978.
One of the guys cars had one of those flip card signs that was big back then. Well, we were all in line on the Bridge. One of the guys held it out the car window, up high, with the HONK IF YOUR HORNY one on it. All the cars on the bridge were beeping their horns. They sure wanted to know what we had in this car when it was our turn.

[1KielsonDrive]

Returning by bridge from Toronto with a friend Sunday at 9 p.m., I was quizzed in depth by the uniformed guy in the booth, then told it was my "lucky day" -- I had been randomly selected for a secondary inspection.
I don't resent being pulled over. That happens, even if you are a law-abiding citizen in your late 50s with no criminal record, no terrorist leanings and no contraband of any sort. We even declared the chocolate Easter bunnies we had bought on W. Queen Street.
What was bothersome was the Third-World paramilitary vibe: The guns. The barked orders. The funky office. The overweight guy behind the counter telling you which way to look while you stood there, awaiting processing.
I've crossed the borders dozens of times over the decades, and lived in Canada. This was a jarring encounter that really brought home how arriving in Detroit in the post 9/11 era can be a highly unpleasant experience. I politely asked one of the guards who searched my car why I was randonly selected. "When you cross the international border you got to expect these things," he said. He wasn't smiling.
At least no one asked for bribes.

Security, awareness, inspections and all the stuff that goes along with our post 9/11 world should not be exclusive of friendly, engaging, helpful, etc. I barely go to Canada anymore and I used to go sometimes 3 or 4 times per week, even multiple times per day. Not worth the ugliness, bad attitudes, pointed guns, peeing your pants, hostility, etc.

[canuck]

Her's something about crossing the border in my neck of the woods, at Stanstead Qc/ derby Line Vermont. They are essentially th esame town divided in two. They share the same fire dept and library etc... I worked on a movie there in 2006 [[Taking Lives). Stanstead Qc passing itself for small town Pennsylvania. Longtime residents of that town are related to one another in both US and Canada. Nowadays though you cant cross the street into the other country like they used to not too long ago. There is a lot of fuss over there about that right as we speak...

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/87490/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1516454/

[txlady]

Hee, hee, trying going across with your 10 year older hippy brother--I thought they were going to take his car apart and hand it back to him in a very small cardboard box. Didn't help that he worked for Ann Arbor Biological supply at the time, and we'd picked up a road-kill owl and threw it in the trunk on the way to the bridge. He still has the skeleton.

Last year, I was visiting my dad, borrowed his car, and crossed over to Windsor just to take a few pics of the skyline. *That* gaurd had no sense of humor. I foolishly told the truth; I was visiting for 40 mins to snap a few pics, the car wasn't mine, I couldn't remember my dad's exact address [[they keep changing the zip and I never lived in that house). That was another time I really thought I wasn't going to leave with the car. He couldn't wrap his mind around the idea that the skyline is better from the other side of the river.

[Meddle]

and a US customs guy in the Bahamas. The Bahamas one really got me. I had helped a friend deliver a yacht to Grand Bahama and we were flying back to Fort Lauderdale from the island.

< snipped >

but really cracked down on my yacht captain friend and I because we were traveling on one-way tickets.

That one I can understand since it's pretty much the way drug cartels move money and product.

TSA is one of the biggest reasons I don't travel very far any more. If I go, I drive, but I'm too far from any border to drive across these days. No passport here either.

[CLAUDE G]

Yea, I went to Windsor Saturday to visit the Casino and it was no issue with Canadian customs, but I tell ya I always pick the wrong lane coming back on the American Side!

It was about 9pm and I got some young girl that must have just graduated from border guard school, because she was stopping each car for a good 5 minutes. I was going to try to change lanes, but it looks bad if you back up, so I decided to stay in my lane. When it was my turn, I must have asked me 1001 questions and took forever, and then this stupid girl decides that they are going to call me in for one of their random inspections and makes the smart ass comment "Its been a while since we seen you"

So anyways, I park my car and let them have a look and of course they don't find anything because I know better to take everthing out of my car before going over there. Not for anything, its pretty obvious they are looking for illegal drugs.

I was going to smuggle drugs accross the border, US customs would be the last place I would try doing it. I would have far better chances in a boat accross lake St. Clair!

Its a bunch of crap that we have to go through all of this when crossing the border in the name of homeland security, and they wonder why the economy in Windsor is so bad

[Gistok]

Thanks for those links to the troubles between Vermont and Quebec... they might as well erect another Berlin Wall.... as one of the Canadians said "I'm starting to detest going to America"!

I'm sure a similar situation is brewing in Blaine Washington, the Pacific coast town where you cross into Canada where the "Peace Arch" is located.... that arch has now become a joke...

[softailrider]

Try riding a motorcycle. Even before 9/11 it was bad.

That's very true. Back around 1995, I was riding through the tunnel and on the Windsor side when one of the border people made an issue of a quick release strap I had on my helmet. I thought they were going to turn me around and not let me cross. Or impound my bike or something. Other folks riding in had similar problems, even a Detroit motorcycle cop I knew.

[DetroitDad]

Last week I found out that secretary of state were closing several offices, making my wait over an hour,instead of the usual five or ten minutes.

At a time when more people are going to SoS to get enhanced license or passport, they have reduced and consolidated offices. Like the above poster said, I really think it's economic, and a way for the government to bring in more money during a depression, as well as charging those who wish to invest/spend outside the USA.

[Hermod]

That one I can understand since it's pretty much the way drug cartels move money and product.

TSA is one of the biggest reasons I don't travel very far any more. If I go, I drive, but I'm too far from any border to drive across these days. No passport here either.

Uhh, the yacht was going to the Bahamas. We were returning with small handbags. If we had come back with the yacht, we would have gone to our own dock in the US, gotten our car, drove down to customs by Port Everglades, and presented our passports to the immigration guy, and told him we had been in the Bahamas. He would stamp our passports. We would clear customs over the internet.

If you take your own boat to the Bahamas, the only thing they care about at the Bahamas end is collecting your "cruising fee" and the only thing they care about at the US end is that you "check in".

Same thing with the cruise ships in Fort Lauderdale. Immigration just flash your passport. Customs is usually "nothing to declare" and hand over your card.

[DetroitDad]

Meanwhile...

Another day, another Philadelphia International TSA agent throwing around his authority for cheap laughs. Last time it was the budding comedian who pranked a college student by planting fake drugs in her luggage, reducing her to tears. This time it's a local sports fan who thinks that pulling aside mothers for wearing Cowboys jerseys is a charming local idiosyncrasy. Now there are two sides to every story and you have to judge individual accusations based on whether they ring true. This kind of rings true:

A Dallas Cowboys fan believes it was her jersey, not security, that led TSA screeners to pull her out of line for additional searches at Philadelphia International Airport... Galen, a mother of three, was on her way to Florida with her husband following the death of a family member. However, she found herself being patted in a plexiglass area in full view of other passengers. The biggest shock for Galen, who never asked TSA officials why she was being singled out, came when a screener walked up to her as she was putting her shoes back on to resume her trip. 'He walked up to me and said "how's it feel to be a Cowboys fan in Philadelphia?" I did tell him "wow,"' Galen said.

It almost sounds like TSA workers decided to get a few chuckles by waylaying a Cowboys fan, just like they decided last month to plant drugs on that college student. Charming. Of course our random screening procedures are designed to give checkpoint agents wide discretion, which for some reason we thought would decrease the risk of arbitrary harassment. Apparently not when that harassment is supposed to be funny.

As always we want to be very precise about this: TSA doesn't have a hiring problem, they have a firing problem. There are plenty of good people in the agency. But just as with every other organization, a few bad apples inevitably slip through. For some reason, though, TSA seems to have issues with shedding their problem workers. And that's particularly problematic because TSA agents wield enormous legal power over citizens who, because they're trying to catch a flight, don't have time to stand up to overbearing bureaucrats. So when TSA says, as they did after this incident, that concerned travelers should ask for a supervisor at the checkpoint—it's difficult to take them seriously.

Link; http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/2/...9;s+Airport%3F

[DetroitDad]

Oh, and while we're on the subject, the claims that those new body scanners they are all using only take "ghostly" pictures are not true, our media and government is showing only inverted/edited pictures. The actual machines take a nearly perfect high definition picture, in living color.

Source: http://newscastdaily.com/technology/...rity-body-scan

[LodgeDodger]

I can give them shit right back since we both work for Uncle Sam. The one ~~~~~~ didn't like it when I told him my security clearance was probably higher than his but he couldn't do shit once I showed my ID....he wanted to see my work ID badge as well so I showed it and he quickly shut his mouth and his demeanor went from dickhead to cool in 3 seconds.

You sure showed him, didn't you! Instead of praising the guy [[since you work for the same boss) you gave him shit about doing his job.

I'll sleep much better at night knowing guys like you are keeping me safe!

[Sstashmoo]

Quote: "You sure showed him, didn't you! Instead of praising the guy"

For what, abusing his authority? I wouldn't be endorsing this sort of behaviour from Government employees. Someone who knows the law needs to take these folks to terms. I gotta ask, where is the ACLU on this one? The rest of the world is removing it's walls, we and Israel continue building them.