Posted by Dave Emond (152.163.205.67) on August 13, 2001 at 17:26:57:
In Reply to: the cheepest way to fly there is fly into Seattle and drive 2 hrs posted by Karla on August 13, 2001 at 13:09:22:
The first time I went up to the Vancouver area, I had a truck loaded to the max full of boxes to ship out to orphans affected by Hurricane Mitch, they let me pass over after a couple simple questions.
When trying to get back into the US however, was a whole other ordeal. They pick and choose people to pull over and check at random (or could be my criminal face). My truck was empty except for a couple suitcases, but they pulled me over. Dogs and mirrors and rumaging through my truck as they took me inside for questioning.
They accused me of having flown a private plane years earlier into Mexico with contraband! I told them I hadn't flown a plane since the rubberband broke on my stick plane as a kid, which they didn't see the amusement in and futhered my questioning. I have a hard time with unearned authority and tend to make matters worse with my comments :)
That's okay though, I enjoyed my Canada trip so much, I ended up stealing one of their citizens and marrying her and fought customs until now she is my wife. So, I guess the border crossing is worth it even if they think you're on a covert action. Funny thing is, I keep driving up there because I hate to fly, the border patrol surely had the wrong guy!
Good info though!
Dave :)