Harrassed by the Border Patrol today.

[wa8yxm]

If you have say 37 dollars in your pocket.. odds approach 100% that a dog will hit on drug odor on at least one of the bills.

I kid you not.

Now a trained dog handler (And I know quite a few of them) with a properly trained dog will be able to tell you said bill has been exposed to drugs but he will also tell you it "Was a while ago" and that YOU are not suspect.

Like I said, I know a few dog handlers, Have petted a few professional noses (Drug, Bomb and Body sniffing dogs). Nice puppies they were too (At least for me).

[steelheadbluesman]

Another true story: We were crossing into Vancouver Island by ferry. After offloading the MH at Sydney, the agents flagged us over for questions, mostly about handguns. They asked us to move the rig to an inspection point, then asked us to wait outside while two latex-gloved agents went through everything inside -- all cabinets, drawers, under bed, food, everything. We had to remain outside in the rain and stay in front of the windshield where we were 'observable' while this search was conducted. After thirty minutes (yep, 30) they let me put stuff back and said we were free to go. Here's the weird part -- Nobody opened a single outside compartment or even asked what might be in them! And nobody opened a single door of my towed SUV that was full of camp and fishing gear! Didn't even look through the windows.... We could have had cubic yards of contraband hidden in the storage compartments or the toad, and it would not have been found... They were too intent on looking through the silverware and T-shirts, I guess. AND, unlike 99% of BC residents, they were actually rude. BUT, I accepted that they were just doing their job as part of border security, although not doing it very well, IMHO. Apparently, a necessary evil these days.

But I must agree with a previous poster, that while I don't mind being checked at a border crossing for all the usual reasons (guns, drugs, illegals) -- I most certainly resent being stopped without probable cause on US soil. It is unconstitutional. My opinion.

[Francesca]

The Border patrol has to ask EVERYONE about citizenship so as to avoid being accused of "racial profiling".

And FYI, the first time I was asked the same question was 25 years ago when crossing the U.S.-Canadian border. It's nothing new.

[BFlinn181]

"Harrassed by the Border Patrol today." Not sure it was harassment, but it is annoying to our American sense of 'freedom.' Ben Franklin said best,"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Until we all point out that we see through the 'theatre' of TSA, Border Patrol secondary check points, etc, we are doomed to endure these delays.

While airports are choke points, there is no similar security at train or bus stations. Tankers full of hazardous cargo, Ports with uninspected containers, risks are everywhere, luckily our enemies seem incapable of seeing beyond airplanes. I fly to Australia a few times a year, once in country, there are few restrictions to flying around that country and I don't feel any less safe. TSA and Border Patrol is theatre at best, not real security. While a road at the border might be covered, there are hundreds of miles of unguarded border.

It's theatre. I'd suggest sitting back and enjoying the show, then vote for the people that think like you and try for real change.

[Dunner]

When I come home from the dunes west of Yuma, I have to go through a check point. They either wave me through or just ask nationality and if anyone is with me. It's usually a slow roll without stopping. Well, this one time, it was stop and go with up to a minute between starts. When I finally got to the check point, I could see why. The agent that waves people through was lolly gagging and laughing it up with a female agent and not even paying attention to the vehicles until he was good and ready. I had to bite my tongue.

[steelheadbluesman]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

"Harrassed by the Border Patrol today." Not sure it was harassment, but it is annoying to our American sense of 'freedom.' Ben Franklin said best,"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Until we all point out that we see through the 'theatre' of TSA, Border Patrol secondary check points, etc, we are doomed to endure these delays.

While airports are choke points, there is no similar security at train or bus stations. Tankers full of hazardous cargo, Ports with uninspected containers, risks are everywhere, luckily our enemies seem incapable of seeing beyond airplanes. I fly to Australia a few times a year, once in country, there are few restrictions to flying around that country and I don't feel any less safe. TSA and Border Patrol is theatre at best, not real security. While a road at the border might be covered, there are hundreds of miles of unguarded border.

It's theatre. I'd suggest sitting back and enjoying the show, then vote for the people that think like you and try for real change.

Agreed!

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by whem2fish

I got hassled but it was my hat as it it the jet engine in their helicopters then it was fun we both laughed

Im sorry...

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by RovinOn

Welcome to the United Socialist States of America,,,, Folks we get what we ask for! Protection from the Government, so they can trample over your rights as American Citizens.
Because of these Maroons at the Border and the Airports, I'll probably never leave this country again....
Just wait til they start pulling this crap traveling between states!

What's a "Maroons"?

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

"Harrassed by the Border Patrol today." Not sure it was harassment, but it is annoying to our American sense of 'freedom.' Ben Franklin said best,"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Until we all point out that we see through the 'theatre' of TSA, Border Patrol secondary check points, etc, we are doomed to endure these delays.

While airports are choke points, there is no similar security at train or bus stations. Tankers full of hazardous cargo, Ports with uninspected containers, risks are everywhere, luckily our enemies seem incapable of seeing beyond airplanes. I fly to Australia a few times a year, once in country, there are few restrictions to flying around that country and I don't feel any less safe. TSA and Border Patrol is theatre at best, not real security. While a road at the border might be covered, there are hundreds of miles of unguarded border.

It's theatre. I'd suggest sitting back and enjoying the show, then vote for the people that think like you and try for real change.

Agree... Was practically raised in Germany... Anyone wanna know what it was like just getting to West Berlin? How about going through Checkpoint Charlie? Seems an awful lot like the same...

[jimmyjnr]

We are immigrants from the uk and have been stopped at the same check point .
The officers were professional and courteous , having lived through the IRA bombing of shopping malls in the 70s and more recent bombs planted on buses and trains , I am shocked and saddened that anybody would complain about giving up 45 min to keep this country safe . Shame on you

[Sequim Guy]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

What's a "Maroons"?

It's what Bugs Bunny called Elmer Fudd and other idiots.....morons.
As in, "What a maroon.".......

.

[steelheadbluesman]

Originally Posted by jimmyjnr

We are immigrants from the uk and have been stopped at the same check point .
The officers were professional and courteous , having lived through the IRA bombing of shopping malls in the 70s and more recent bombs planted on buses and trains , I am shocked and saddened that anybody would complain about giving up 45 min to keep this country safe . Shame on you

Excuse me? Shame on who? Europeans, IMHO, gave up their rights long ago.
This is America. And many Americans don't like being detained and searched without cause.... I hate to be so hard on you.... but I fought with the US Army to protect those rights. Any questions?

[Eddie Foy]

LEOs can never search your vehicle without probable cause. Unfortunately, all they have to say is "The dog alerted." Who is to say he didn't?

[paz]

Originally Posted by powerboatr

you do know that after they ask if your a citizen and you answer
you are not required to give your itinerary.

but
you get lots more sugar with flies than with vinegar

If you refuse to answer, it definitely raises suspicions. Stumbling over your answer can also raise suspicions.