Originally Posted by
sadhakim
Welcome CBSAguy hopefully the complaints wont be too much to take
I'll try and keep this short...
a few questions.
1) Why does CBSA feel the need to check passports when disembarking a plane rather than at the customs and immigration point?
I really really find this highly annoying and am about to complain to my MP about this behaviour. You just come off a long haul flight, are tired, restless and probably want to stretch your legs a bit and you have to wait in a long lineup for two customs officials to do a "pre" clearance scan? Whats the point?
2) When I exit the baggage claim area with my bag once I was talking on my cell phone to someone outside and the guy got pissed. Is there a rule not to use your cell phone at that point? I cant see what the problem was because when you hand him the customs form he'll only pull you aside if their is a problem, so why cant you talk on your phone?
Answer 1: I'll quote a publically-accessible CIC manual -
The purpose of screening disembarking passengers is to identify and segregate persons not in possession of passports or travel documents from the normal flow of passengers. In addition, inadmissible travellers who may pose a risk or who are otherwise inadmissible can be identified through intelligence-based indicators such as identified trends, lookouts and Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) information received from Passenger Analysis Units (PAU).
Disembarkation screening also enables an officer to identify which airline has carried an improperly documented passenger to Canada and ensures that the CBSA can levy administration fees and removal costs against a liable transporter. When two international flights arrive within a brief period of time, for example, passengers from each flight may intermingle at the Primary Inspection Line (PIL). This can make it difficult to determine which carrier brought an improperly documented passenger to Canada and to properly
assess liability.
On-board inspections, disembarkation screening, pre-PIL roving and post-PIL activities are part of the examination continuum. At these preliminary checks, the DART officer does not do a full examination and does not make a decision to authorize or deny entry. Instead, the officer verifies that a passenger has the necessary documentation and refers undocumented and suspected inadmissible persons to Immigration Secondary for an indepth examination. This does not usurp the authority of PIL as DART referrals do not bypass PIL.
Answer 2: Please don't chit-chat on your cell phone at the exit from the baggage hall. In Terminal 1, at least, there is a "no cell phone" decal on the pillar right between the two officers. Quite honestly, it's just plain rude and very often holds up the queue. I never talk on my cell phone when I'm paying for my slice of pizza at Pizza Pizza. Most people extend the same courtesy.
Also, keep in mind that the officers at the exit make the final decision whether to refer a traveller in for a secondary examination or whether to release him. A person may be coded in by the primary officer, but if everything seems to jive at the exit, that same person may be released. This often involves a couple of supplementary questions by the officer at the exit and it's tough to have a conversation with someone when you're on the phone with someone else.