Canada border crossing

[Tig]

Here you go Tdog. This is the Canada Border Services Agency visitors information page. That should answer any questions you have. You can even find border wait times on that site.
For what it is worth I cross without a passport because it's not required to enter the US. I carry photo ID and birth certificate. My children all have passports to facilitate things.

 

[weldingisfun]

Here is your ticket in. Show no ID, speak only Spanish and ask for government assistance. They will let you in without question. Oh yeah, do the same thing coming back to the US and you'll get a government check to help pay for your gas.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Its a shame, to my mind, that the border crossing with canada is getting harder, not easier.

Seems to me that if you can sail across from France to Germany with no paperwork, despite the umpteen wars they've fought, it should be easier to cross between two peaceful neighbors.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

TDog-- I've taken school trips with 8th graders to Montreal & Quebec many times over the past 18 years, most recently in June of 2007. On that trip, for the first time, border officials wanted to see nothing but passports. Guess Canada's really a foreign country after all....

Perhaps a visit to this site might be more useful than reading potentially inaccurate information.

Safety and Security - Admissibility

To quote in part "
When you enter Canada, a CBSA officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if one is necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification. If you are a permanent resident of the U.S, you should bring your Permanent Resident Card (i.e., green card) with you. "

With only minimal research it will be plainly evident it is the US / Homeland Security that is at the forefront of the push for passports - especially, at this time, for air travellers.

 

[PBinWA]

Typically, these days it is easier to go in to Canada than to get back in to the US.

It's the US Border patrol that are searching laptops and checking for passports. Canadian Border patrol will mostly be looking for guns/weapons.

 

[Scooby074]

It's the US Border patrol that are searching laptops and checking for passports. Canadian Border patrol will mostly be looking for guns/weapons.

That's been my experience as well. The push for passports came from the US,although last time I entered they didn't ask for one. Canada was opposed to the requirement.

 

[Tdog]

Thanks all - - yup, we have our passports in tow. It is definitely re-entering the US that concerns me. Like I said, if my profile sets off alarms that require a thorough laptop inspection, Homeland Security is in serious trouble.

I'll have my laptop [at least for the 1st part of my trip!] so I can check in on TBN whenever I find a network.

So we're off to Richardson, Tx tomorrow where the temp has been topping out in the 104 range. Sure looking forward to the mountains.

Jack

 

[Luremaker]

I've been to Canada twice a week for about 4 years, then 9/11 changed everything, Just this week in the news, it was reported that now you can have your laptop confiscated without explaination and kept for a "reasonable" amout of time, not specified how long is reasonable. Files can be copied and don't have to tell you how many or what files were copied. I would not take a laptop to Canada either after hearin this..

Most of my buddies that travel frequently have two hard drives for their laptops. One drive is their everyday drive and the second hard drive has only the OS and minimal other stuff installed. If customs runs a check on their laptop it is quickly cleared through. Never leave confidential data on a laptop when passing through customs.

 

[Tdog]

Just an update - - piece of cake for us entering & leaving Canada. Our re-entry into the US today using Hwy 6 from British Columbia to Hwy 31 in Washington, above Metaline Falls. They asked the usual questions about alcohol, tobacco & firearms, but did not inquire about a laptop. They wanted to know if we were bringing back items bought in Canada in excess of $1600 - - nope, thank goodness.

I hope to be back home in about 5 days. I've put over 4k on the car so far.

Jack