Security Threat?

[Kootenanny]

I had a bit of a smile today.  Heading down over the border into the States, I rolled up to the customs window and shut off my bike.  Of course, the fan immediately began humming...the border guard immediately, and very suspiciously, asked "What's that noise?"  I dunno, maybe he thought I had some kinda bomb in there...

[Bueller]

You do

[Yankee Dog]

I suggest that you tell that to the guy next time.  I am sure he will think it is very funny. Please post back and tell us what a laugh you all had together.  

Yankee Dog

[Kootenanny]

Yankee, if I had said anything like that to the border guard, I doubt I'd be feeling like laughing about it now.  No, I was all straight-faced and serious, explained it was simply a fan...

Border security guards seldom have a sense of humour.  But sometimes...I did a ride in the States recently, and when I was crossing back into Canada, the youngish Canadian border guard came out of the building to interview me.  There was no-one else there, so we spent several minutes discussing my Buell--he knew what it was, but had only a few specifics.  I'm always happy to discuss bikes, especially mine, so...eventually another car pulled up behind me, and the guy just keeps on chatting.  Finally, he just sorta says, offhand, "Oh, you're cleared, have a good evening," as he walks back to the car.  There's another Canadian guard at a different crossing that I've had a few chats with--he's also interested in the Buell, but he's more interested in classic sportscars (he has an Alpha convertible himself), so whenever I cross in my Triumph Spitfire, we shoot the breeze for a while.

[st ryder]

...(US) Border security guards seldom have a sense of humour....

Huge difference between CDN and US border guards, "eh"? Those US dudes are way too serious most times; asking all kinds of questions, (what, are they trying to trip you up?) standing sqaure to you, side arm in plain view: give me a break.   There are some who do "relax" after a while, and I had a great experience crossing at the Waterton/Glacier National Park crossing a couple of weeks ago. Once the guard decided I wasn't a Jihadist, we started talking about bikes, and he had a SV650. He seemed like a nice guy, and I understand thay have a job to do, but back down a bit, scheez. HUGE difference coming back. Canadian guards are way more relaxed in comparrison, and once they realise you're a returning CDN, have a little chat with you, ie "How was your trip? "Where'd you go?' etc.   It always feels great approaching the CDN border after an extended ride in the US, as I know it won't be an "inquisition" and I'll be welcomed back home.  

[discochris]

A Canadian Border officer actually volunteered to be my ending witness on an IBA Border-2-Border ride.
He stamped my witness form with his passport stamp and could not have been nicer.  The US guys when I was crossing back in ten minutes later were total arseholes, and usually are.

[EricD10563]

It's all fun and games till the cavity search.

[atadaskew]

It's all fun and games till the cavity search.

Let's loop this into the chaps thread...
Isn't that when the fun begins?

Ow!  Thtop it!
 

[Rogue]

If the Jihadist killed over 2,000 Canadians by brining down a couple of major office buildings in downtown Toronto, I would think the Canadian border guards wouldn't be so friendly either.  So give us a break why don't you?  

I am sure those Jihadists who drove those planes into the WTC buildings didn't enter the US with a frown and a statement that goes something like, "I'll KILL YOU!".  They were friendly and polite.  So the US Border Guards are instructed not to trust anybody.

[miles]

If the Jihadist killed over 2,000 Canadians by brining down a couple of major office buildings in downtown Toronto using a fully loaded Buell with a tank full of fuel, I would think the Canadian border guards wouldn't be so friendly either.  So give us a break why don't you?  

Fixed that for you.

[st ryder]

If the Jihadist killed over 2,000 Canadians by brining down a couple of major office buildings in downtown Toronto, I would think the Canadian border guards wouldn't be so friendly either.  So give us a break why don't you?  

I am sure those Jihadists who drove those planes into the WTC buildings didn't enter the US with a frown and a statement that goes something like, "I'll KILL YOU!".  They were friendly and polite.  So the US Border Guards are instructed not to trust anybody.

The attitude I get from US border guards has been mostly the same for as long as I can remember, (long time), as I've lived in a border town all my life, and have crossed the border a thousand times The only thing the attacks on the twin towers did, is take it up a notch. It's a cultural difference with or without terrorism exacerbating it, and surely you are not that naive or illinformed to think Canada has no terrorist concerns, or history of terrorist acts on its citizens?  

[Brad1445]

After owning gaggle of bikes over the years including 5 Buells I can testify that their fan is the most un-natural sounding odd suspicious sound ever to come from a bike.  Most bikes have fans but Buell fans sound like they are home made so I can understand it raising eyebrows it does everywhere.

One thing for certain it does not sound like a part of a motorcycle.

[tigertim955]

I had to push a broken down BSA (   ) across the border in '06. My throttle cable had broke as I got on the Cat ferry from Yarmouth to Bar Harbor. The Homeland Security guys were serious but seemed understanding toward my problem and let me through with little hassle. ( they know a terrorist would have been better prepared than to cross on a old Brit twin )

As I was repairing the bike on the U.S. side the same officer finished his shift and came over to see if everything was OK .

Also had to push Her across the Canadian border into Quebec on that same trip. ( the only two problems encountered on the trip ) Canadian officials were cool too.

[Kootenanny]

If the Jihadist killed over 2,000 Canadians by brining down a couple of major office buildings in downtown Toronto, I would think the Canadian border guards wouldn't be so friendly either.  So give us a break why don't you?

Huh?  Contrary to popular mythology, none of the 9-11 terrorists entered the US via Canada.

When I was in Albuquerque last year, I read an article in the local paper about border security.  Since New Mexico is right on the Mexico border, I can understand this being of political interest there--however, the author was describing Canada as a nation full of terrorists just foaming at the mouth waiting to cross the border into the US and wreak havoc.  My brief encounter with American "journalism" left me with a better understanding of the cultural differences between Americans and Canadians.

[Rogue]

I didn't say Canada was full of foaming at the mouth terrorists.  

What I meant was for you Canadians to look at it from our point of view.  I don't want this to become political.  But America is still at War my friend!  Canada is not.  Is it possible for a terrorist to enter into the US via Canada?  Yes!  Then American Border guards need to be vigilant.  Americans expect nothing less.  Hence their behavior.  

In contrast to the Mexican border, we are even less friendly on that side!  We built a wall remember?  We like you guys so much there is no wall.  So please don't take this personal.  We like Canadians.  We don't like terrorists.

[CptBeaky]

I didn't say Canada was full of foaming at the mouth terrorists.  

What I meant was for you Canadians to look at it from our point of view.  I don't want this to become political.  But America is still at War my friend!  Canada is not.  Is it possible for a terrorist to enter into the US via Canada?  Yes!  Then American Border guards need to be vigilant.  Americans expect nothing less.  Hence their behavior.  

In contrast to the Mexican border, we are even less friendly on that side!  We built a wall remember?  We like you guys so much there is no wall.  So please don't take this personal.  We like Canadians.  We don't like terrorists.

Actually, we're at war right beside you in Afghanistan. And I've heard that Canadian border agents are dicks to citizens of the U.S.A., so I guess it goes both ways.

[Brad1445]

I am one American that apologizes to our northern friends for some of the rude acts we do.  I promise not all Americans are bad, are like the current "elected" leader a little touched in the head.

[st ryder]

I didn't say Canada was full of foaming at the mouth terrorists.  

What I meant was for you Canadians to look at it from our point of view.  I don't want this to become political.  But America is still at War my friend!  Canada is not.  Is it possible for a terrorist to enter into the US via Canada?  Yes!  Then American Border guards need to be vigilant.  Americans expect nothing less.  Hence their behavior.  

In contrast to the Mexican border, we are even less friendly on that side!  We built a wall remember?  We like you guys so much there is no wall.  So please don't take this personal.  We like Canadians.  We don't like terrorists.

The point is, one can be vigilant without acting like God. Two separate issues. I do appreciate that America is at war, but that doesn't excuse the heavy handed demeanour of some border security guards. Heavy handened border guards that treat freindly visitors who'll be dropping a lot of coin into their economy like terrorist suspects does not make your country any safer, and may give cause for even more global resentment against American attitudes/behaviours. My point is they can lighten up a bit. America is full of mostly friendly and fun loving folks, so why the posturing? "First impressions" matter.  I mostly really enjoy my time in the US, and it would ne nice to know I'm a welcomed, not resented, guest when I arrive is all I'm saying.

[st ryder]

Actually, we're at war right beside you in Afghanistan. And I've heard that Canadian border agents are dicks to citizens of the U.S.A., so I guess it goes both ways.

Are we at "war" in Afghanistan, or are we peace/security keeping NATO mission under UN approved conditions? Way too many dead Canadian soliders coming home either way.

No doubt, some CDN guards can act like pricks too.

[bomber]

Immigration personnel in the USA have most always been used as a deterant to increased tourism in our country --

In years of travelling from/to my home, I can only remember one interaction at a border crossing/airport that didn't make me grind my teeth at a fellow citizen -- at least, since most of these folks are packin heat, they seem better educated and more articulate -- thankfully, the dys of some mumble-mouth repeating the stock lines in one breathe (sorta kinda like kids repeating the Act of Contrition similarly) through a mouth full of chewing gum seem to be gone -- the bad attitude seems to remain, though

Crossing back into the USA into Detroit will have you wondering if Canada needs any more citizens PDQ.

Me, I'm tired of folks using 9/11 as an excuse for poor behavior/markting tacking crap/and generally acting like dicks. Fly into Ireland, Greece, Germany, all of whom of experiencced similar or greater levels of terrorism, and you can see that a professional attitude doesn't necessarily preclude a pleasant one