[Art]

Hopefully your going to wait till the fire is out, That’s where the air is not good at this time

[dan]

Good point, it is a mess right now, hopefully by the end of the month, the smoke will clear out.

[Chuck & Katrina]

Can’t help but figured I’d share a story. Only time I crossed into CA was when I was 18… back around 2003 before you needed a passport. Went up by Buffalo with my sister to pickup a huge welder I wanted. Borrowed her BFs little 2wd Tacoma truck in the middle of the winter. We pickup the welder no problem then see all these restaurants across the lake so decided to just trip it over to Canada and get Planet Hollywood. Cross the pond and wave back at the mounties as we don’t even have to stop at the border. Grab some yummy food and head back to US. Whole different story. Stop at the window and forgot I didn’t have a license just an ID (busted too many speeding tickets), my sister doesn’t even have her purse so nothing with an ID… and we’re driving someone else’s truck with a huge expensive welder in the back. Luckily they just take our pictures, search the truck and let us go on our merry way.

Ever since I’ve been too afraid to cross into CA.

---

2000 Featherlite H3-45

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Leesburg, FL

[Archived]

We’ve crossed into Canada many times over 20 years with no problem. Allow lots of time crossing both borders. Port Huron is easier and not nearly as busy as Detroit/Windsor.

You’ll need a passport and the usual vehicle ID stuff. They will ask where you are going, for how long and maybe other questions. They may search your bus and toad. Weapons are not allowed into Canada and if they find any you will have a huge, no-mercy problem.

We have been searched much more often returning to the US. There is a list of fruits and vegetables (likely available on-line now) which you cannot bring into the US. They will be confiscated if you are searched.

There is nothing to be concerned about as long as you are forthcoming and honest. Have a great trip.

[Dave]

Be sure you have no disallowed weapons on board. Since we have TX tags and everyone knows that everyone in TX owns a gun the guards were quite suspicious when we headed into Canada. He came inside and gave short speech about what would happen if they found a weapon, he gave us one final warning but I guess he was looking for our reaction. Since we really had no weapon we really had nothing to fear. He let us go without further delay. The folks as we returned to the US were much more rude but did a quick search of our full loaded work van and sent us on our way. Now we also have our “Real ID’s” and valid passports so I can’t imagine a crossing being an issue.

[Dave]

Thank you all for the feedback, we will take Port Huron/Sarnia entry into Canada!

[Doreen]

Crossed many times south of Thunder Bay from Minnesota and at International Falls in the “old days”. All without incident.

Since 9/11 though I have some stories to share:

First … friends had a 48 foot Ocean Alexander yacht they berth in Wisconsin and spend the summers on. He was going to clear customs from Lake Huron at a port of entry he’d gone through many times and where the Canadian customs agent knew him by name. This time it was his turn for a full search of the boat. After a few minutes the agent pops up with an undeclared pistol in his hand asking “what’s this!” and why it wasn’t declared. He was allowed to secure the boat under the watchful eyes of an additional customs agent and some provincial police officers. Then the cuffs went on and off to jail he went. (Mind you this would be like putting me or Colt or most of the rest of us in jail!) It was Friday night, his wife was flying in on Sunday, and on Monday he had his court appearance. He was released on substantial bail, the boat was held by Canadian customs, and a court date set. He called me asking if I knew of an immigration attorney in Canada. Of course I do, doesn’t everyone? I was working in Manhattan at the time and one of our corporate attorneys fixed me up with a good Canadian attorney who got the boat released, the charges pled down in a low offense, and a modest fine; but not the handgun. Subsequently they have upgraded to a very nice 60 foot Ocean Alexander. Best part of the story is that my friend shared a cell for the weekend with a Canadian citizen arrested on a drug offense. They still exchange Christmas cards.

Second … we crewed for friends running the Trans-Am series a number of years ago (pre-coach). We crossed into Canada at Niagara Falls without delay and went to Mosport for the race. Upon our return we crossed back to the US at Sarnia. We pulled up to the gate and the border agent asked lots of questions which we answered. About the time I expected to be sent on our way a young soldier looking guy in full battle fatigues, brandishing a large automatic weapon, lots of pouches on his clothing and belt probably holding large magazines of ammo and grenades, with a very angry expression on his face. Quickly I noticed four more similarly dressed military types surrounding the car. He asked Cathie directly why she lied about not having a nuclear medical procedure. He asked Cathie to get out of the car, I was directed to park the car and wait in a room in the building. Cathie was taken to “a room”. I was told she was being interviewed by senior border control agents, but not told about what or why. I noticed what looked like a more senior agent go to the room. Shortly after that she came out and the agents told us we were free to go. She told me that she’d forgotten to tell the agents that she’d had a procedure on her thyroid (about five or six months before) which apparently used some kind of nuclear stuff that was still in her body and was picked up by detectors we never saw. She said eventually the agents told her what their detector “found”, she remembered the procedure and told her what happened. The senior agent and another one who I never saw said something like “Oh you had the ‘this in that procedure’ that uses a nuclear component that lingers in your body. If you fly in the next few months or cross a border you need to tell TSA or border patrol you had it. Sorry to inconvenience you.”

Read all the border crossing rules thoroughly. Disclose all firearms when crossing into Canada. Remember any medial procedures you’ve had in the last year.

[Jon]

Being a boat captain for hire I travel in and out of the USA numerous times to various country’s. I have never had issues entering other country’s including Canada but I am almost aways detained and harassed when reentering the USA.

I am a US born and raised American citizen.Never been arrested, not even a speeding ticket, but almost always a issue with the US customs/boarder patrol. They surrounded our motor home and detained us for over 3 hours when we came back to the US in Washington state from our Alaska trip. They claim they only randomly search and it was my turn this time, seems to always be my turn when entering the USA.

In all fairness, my airplane tickets to or from a boat delivery are always oneway, purchased the last minute and on the boat owners credit card and not mine. They say I am not red flagged, but some how I don’t agree with that.

Just for the fun of it, I had arrived at the airport quite early one time and went right to the special search line at TSA. They told me they don’t search anyone until the person is instructed to come to that line. I thank them and said I would see them soon. I got the typical no sir you probably will not, we only randomly search. Only took 10 minutes and I was back at the special search line.

It’s gotten to be a joke over the years

Chuck

[Joe]

You may want to get a TSA Redress Number. I fly commercial quite a bit and usually with firearms. Several years ago I seemed to be getting the 3rd degree on every flight. I filled a written complaint with TSA and they recommended getting a Redress Number. I did, and the problems slowed and stopped.

[Bill]

Entered Canada thru Windsor – one hour wait time – barely fit thru the Canadian Customs entry lane – officer was polite – scope of visit/who/where – any food / vegetables to declare – any weapons with us(of course not) – coach license plate nr, answered accordingly…we were waived in / wished a pleasant trip, it took all about 3-4 min.

Returned thru Sarnia – 1/2 hour wait time – similar questions in addition were asked to present the registrations for both vehicles, we were waived in / welcome home in about 5 min.

[Jerry]

Did you use arrivecan?

[Mike, 92 Country Coach]

Not aware of the arrivecan being avail for land travel…since we are not crossing the border that often did not look into it.

Just normal border process…