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whiteboiI personally haven't had any bad experiences at the Alcan boarder crossing but my buddy has gone through a lot of shit with them in the past while mostly transporting horses across, but also just crossing the boarder in general. Most of them are assholes but play it cool and you should be fine.
mcnamarskiezalso what are your experiences with the Alcan Border Crossing
TSBThey will also ask you the names of every hotel you plan to stay at, so have that info ready
mcnamarskiezwell even just cruising through the border.... whats the interaction like? do they scan your passports usually or just ask you the usual questions then wave you on if you dont look threatening? unfortunately we wont be rolling through juneau i wish we could but it requires more borders to cross haha
MinggGoing into Canada is MUCH more mellow than coming back into the states.
Typical questions include what your citizenship status is(Canadian or US). Where you're going. Why you're going. How long you'll be there. Do you want to declare any items being brought in. Are you bringing in drugs alcohol cigs etc. Who's the owner of the vehicle. What's your license plate number. What's your state of residency and other misc questions. I'm sure they profile people. Though, they'll say it's "random." Just be respectful I guess. Don't look like you're bringing in 100 pounds of cocaine and you should be good!
I'm not familiar with where you're crossing but by me it takes between 2-5 minutes with the border agent.(but if there's traffic it could take longer) You give them your enhanced licenses, passports, pass cards etc. They take them and scan them for check in purposes. I don't believe they do any type of background checking. If you have a warrant that might pop up but your whole life's history isn't there I don't think lol.
GANDALFFrom my personal experience, i would have to disagree with your first statement. Living in WA state about 20 miles from the border, going into Canada is much more of a hassle than coming back. I have been searched and questioned numerous times going into Canada (I have a 100% clean record. Not even a speeding ticket.) They even searched my phone, and tried to trick me into telling them I have drugs.
I have never once been searched or questioned coming back into the states. I hand them my passport, they ask where I live, and they say, "Welcome back." Nothing more.
VinnieFI agree. Even as a Canadian I've typically had more negative experiences going back into Canada.
Also I don't think they're allowed to search your phone. I think someone is currently taking CBSA to court over a phone search. It was in the news recently. I think they have to follow the same laws as police when it comes to phones and laptops.
GANDALFFrom my personal experience, i would have to disagree with your first statement. Living in WA state about 20 miles from the border, going into Canada is much more of a hassle than coming back. I have been searched and questioned numerous times going into Canada (I have a 100% clean record. Not even a speeding ticket.) They even searched my phone, and tried to trick me into telling them I have drugs.
I have never once been searched or questioned coming back into the states. I hand them my passport, they ask where I live, and they say, "Welcome back." Nothing more.
MinggThat's it? Jesus. Going into Canada is so easy by me(Peace Bridge, Rainbow Bridge and also one near the thousand islands). Coming back into NY is a freakin nightmare. I've probably crossed close to 50 times and for the most part I see the opposite from you!
I have not once been asked more than 3-4 questions questions by the Canadian side. Hell, when the Canadians see buffalo on my license, they like the poke fun at the shit show that is buffalo sports. I've always had great experiences going into Canada. But the NY side I usually get stuck answering questions or having the border guys take a lap around my car and/or fully searching it. I guess it really depends where you cross if that's the case!
GANDALFWeird. Part of it too, is that marijuana is legal in WA/OR. They probably have a lot of people who think its a good idea to bring bud over the border (since you cant walk into a store and buy it in BC). Those people are dumb because everyone knows how easy it is to find bud in BC.
Also the Bills suck so i dont blame the border guards for poking fun at them.
GANDALFInteresting. I wasnt sure about the phone thing. That happened back in 2013. I wasnt going to argue with them at the time. I knew everything was clean, and I just wanted to get going so I could get to Revelstoke.
MinggGoing into Canada is MUCH more mellow than coming back into the states.
Typical questions include what your citizenship status is(Canadian or US). Where you're going. Why you're going. How long you'll be there. Do you want to declare any items being brought in. Are you bringing in drugs alcohol cigs etc. Who's the owner of the vehicle. What's your license plate number. What's your state of residency and other misc questions. I'm sure they profile people. Though, they'll say it's "random." Just be respectful I guess. Don't look like you're bringing in 100 pounds of cocaine and you should be good!
I'm not familiar with where you're crossing but by me it takes between 2-5 minutes with the border agent.(but if there's traffic it could take longer) You give them your enhanced licenses, passports, pass cards etc. They take them and scan them for check in purposes. I don't believe they do any type of background checking. If you have a warrant that might pop up but your whole life's history isn't there I don't think lol.
MinggGoing into Canada is MUCH more mellow than coming back into the states.
.
GANDALFFrom my personal experience, i would have to disagree with your first statement. Living in WA state about 20 miles from the border, going into Canada is much more of a hassle than coming back. I have been searched and questioned numerous times going into Canada (I have a 100% clean record. Not even a speeding ticket.) They even searched my phone, and tried to trick me into telling them I have drugs.
I have never once been searched or questioned coming back into the states. I hand them my passport, they ask where I live, and they say, "Welcome back." Nothing more.
CaseyWeird I've been searched a handful of times coming back into the states, had the border guards be complete assholes when someone lost their ID or didn't have the right answer or something, never had any hassle or as much as a second glance or anything getting into Canada. I have seen people get straight up denied because of prior DUIs though, that's a bummer.
mcnamarskiezright.... i have a strange feeling its gonna pop up if they do said scan on my credentials. oh well worth a shot regardless
mcnamarskiezright.... i have a strange feeling its gonna pop up if they do said scan on my credentials. oh well worth a shot regardless
HAMNATIONI drove to canada and back when I worked at denali princess. Had a duI and got there and back no problem with weed and 20 g's in cash just send it.
mcnamarskiezWell I'm in Canada as we speak haha. Got to the border and they asked our vehicle and the other vehicle my friends were in to pull over to the side until an agent spoke with us. They scanned our passports then after about 10 minutes the same border agent came out and handed us our passports and said we were good to go. haha needless to say, I thought I was fucked and was a little unnerved, however that was a huge relief. Travel plans worked out and its been one of the coolest road trips I've been on. Started in Denali, went up to the Arctic, down to the Kenai, Wrangell St. Elias, now back home to Montana. I don't know if that border guard just let us through at his own discretion or my DUI didn't come up. All I know is I'm here for the french fries and gravy, and I definitely made it. If your sketching about your DUI and crossing into Canada, fucking send it son..... you won't know unless you try. Thanks everyone for the advice and stories haha. WORD IS BOND! PEACE!
mcnamarskiezWell I'm in Canada as we speak haha. Got to the border and they asked our vehicle and the other vehicle my friends were in to pull over to the side until an agent spoke with us. They scanned our passports then after about 10 minutes the same border agent came out and handed us our passports and said we were good to go. haha needless to say, I thought I was fucked and was a little unnerved, however that was a huge relief. Travel plans worked out and its been one of the coolest road trips I've been on. Started in Denali, went up to the Arctic, down to the Kenai, Wrangell St. Elias, now back home to Montana. I don't know if that border guard just let us through at his own discretion or my DUI didn't come up. All I know is I'm here for the french fries and gravy, and I definitely made it. If your sketching about your DUI and crossing into Canada, fucking send it son..... you won't know unless you try. Thanks everyone for the advice and stories haha. WORD IS BOND! PEACE!
