Why is YVR immigration such jerks?
Jan 5, 2016, 5:16 am
#91
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: York, UK
Programs: KLM Gold Elite (You can guess how long ago I lost this status!), LH Senator
Posts: 247
Really positive experience at YVR on 22/12/15. (Two of us together, Same sex partners.)
No queue, straight up to desk. Asked how we knew each other. Officer misheard and though I said 'we are brothers' I had in fact said 'We are partners.' As a result he questioned why we had separate surnames if we were brothers. I quickly corrected the situation and he didn't bat an eyelid, and we were through in less than 60 seconds.
Also have to put in a word for USA which I have found to be be fine every time. As a UK based ESTA user the introduction of the automated passport kiosk is brilliant. On the above trip I connected through Seattle and was through immigration using the APK in less than 4 minutes.
No queue, straight up to desk. Asked how we knew each other. Officer misheard and though I said 'we are brothers' I had in fact said 'We are partners.' As a result he questioned why we had separate surnames if we were brothers. I quickly corrected the situation and he didn't bat an eyelid, and we were through in less than 60 seconds.
Also have to put in a word for USA which I have found to be be fine every time. As a UK based ESTA user the introduction of the automated passport kiosk is brilliant. On the above trip I connected through Seattle and was through immigration using the APK in less than 4 minutes.
Jan 5, 2016, 11:39 am
#92
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ABZ/NCL
Posts: 2,943
Really positive experience at YVR on 22/12/15. (Two of us together, Same sex partners.)
No queue, straight up to desk. Asked how we knew each other. Officer misheard and though I said 'we are brothers' I had in fact said 'We are partners.' As a result he questioned why we had separate surnames if we were brothers. I quickly corrected the situation and he didn't bat an eyelid, and we were through in less than 60 seconds.
Also have to put in a word for USA which I have found to be be fine every time. As a UK based ESTA user the introduction of the automated passport kiosk is brilliant. On the above trip I connected through Seattle and was through immigration using the APK in less than 4 minutes.
No queue, straight up to desk. Asked how we knew each other. Officer misheard and though I said 'we are brothers' I had in fact said 'We are partners.' As a result he questioned why we had separate surnames if we were brothers. I quickly corrected the situation and he didn't bat an eyelid, and we were through in less than 60 seconds.
Also have to put in a word for USA which I have found to be be fine every time. As a UK based ESTA user the introduction of the automated passport kiosk is brilliant. On the above trip I connected through Seattle and was through immigration using the APK in less than 4 minutes.
Jan 28, 2016, 5:39 pm
#93
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: KWI
Programs: I travel for fun these days.
Posts: 383
another good experiencin mid-Dec
Not sure about all the whinging here in this thread... I found my recent entrance through YVR one of the most pleasant home-comings in quite some time. Thank you to the CBSA agents for your politeness and professionalism.
Aug 30, 2016, 2:22 pm
#94
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 42
Aug 31, 2016, 11:22 am
#95
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
I used to go through YVR annually and the immigration there interrogated me the most and I've gone through immigration in a few countries in Europe and Asia. They are just doing their job so I just smile and answer their questions since I'm not doing anything illegal. I can imagine it being a frustrating job especially when communication becomes an issue.
Sep 7, 2016, 10:37 pm
#96
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YUL
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 446
Sep 26, 2022, 12:22 am
#97
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
So, another trip to the worst immigration in the world (not sure why posters felt posting "positive" experiences makes it "better"?)
So while we got needlessly sent to secondary I got to observe how the uniformed officers of Canada treat others, and wow, it makes TSA look actually good. One man is being helped with an interpreter (Spanish), and another lady gets called up. Her case is relatively simple, she just cannot bring meat. However, the officer doesn't speak any Spanish. So they "borrow" the other interpreter for a few sentences (as in have the interpreter translate a few phrases from 10 feet away). Then he goes about chatting to another agent who is going to replace him about how the lady is upset she cannot bring the meat in, and making fun of her for that (I presume she cannot understand English, so actually doesn't understand they are making fun of her). That's just rude and unprofessional, and I cannot imagine any way that would be justified.
(of course, with the caveat I've not had issues with US immigration, being a citizen, so don't know how they treat non-citizens)
So while we got needlessly sent to secondary I got to observe how the uniformed officers of Canada treat others, and wow, it makes TSA look actually good. One man is being helped with an interpreter (Spanish), and another lady gets called up. Her case is relatively simple, she just cannot bring meat. However, the officer doesn't speak any Spanish. So they "borrow" the other interpreter for a few sentences (as in have the interpreter translate a few phrases from 10 feet away). Then he goes about chatting to another agent who is going to replace him about how the lady is upset she cannot bring the meat in, and making fun of her for that (I presume she cannot understand English, so actually doesn't understand they are making fun of her). That's just rude and unprofessional, and I cannot imagine any way that would be justified.
(of course, with the caveat I've not had issues with US immigration, being a citizen, so don't know how they treat non-citizens)
Oct 30, 2022, 9:16 am
#98
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
Oct 30, 2022, 10:39 pm
#99
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Oct 31, 2022, 4:27 am
#100
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
Have you ever been to the Emerson-Pembina crossing? Or the Blue Water crossing in Sarnia?
I mean what does it matter? I have crossed the border hundreds of times at multiple crossings. Generally speaking the border agents act like border agents and I find no difference at YVR.
Could you have had a bad experience in YVR? Without a doubt. Does that support your premise that YVR immigration are jerks. No.
I mean what does it matter? I have crossed the border hundreds of times at multiple crossings. Generally speaking the border agents act like border agents and I find no difference at YVR.
Could you have had a bad experience in YVR? Without a doubt. Does that support your premise that YVR immigration are jerks. No.
Oct 31, 2022, 5:27 am
#101
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
So, another trip to the worst immigration in the world (not sure why posters felt posting "positive" experiences makes it "better"?)
So while we got needlessly sent to secondary I got to observe how the uniformed officers of Canada treat others, and wow, it makes TSA look actually good. One man is being helped with an interpreter (Spanish), and another lady gets called up. Her case is relatively simple, she just cannot bring meat. However, the officer doesn't speak any Spanish. So they "borrow" the other interpreter for a few sentences (as in have the interpreter translate a few phrases from 10 feet away). Then he goes about chatting to another agent who is going to replace him about how the lady is upset she cannot bring the meat in, and making fun of her for that (I presume she cannot understand English, so actually doesn't understand they are making fun of her). That's just rude and unprofessional, and I cannot imagine any way that would be justified.
(of course, with the caveat I've not had issues with US immigration, being a citizen, so don't know how they treat non-citizens)
So while we got needlessly sent to secondary I got to observe how the uniformed officers of Canada treat others, and wow, it makes TSA look actually good. One man is being helped with an interpreter (Spanish), and another lady gets called up. Her case is relatively simple, she just cannot bring meat. However, the officer doesn't speak any Spanish. So they "borrow" the other interpreter for a few sentences (as in have the interpreter translate a few phrases from 10 feet away). Then he goes about chatting to another agent who is going to replace him about how the lady is upset she cannot bring the meat in, and making fun of her for that (I presume she cannot understand English, so actually doesn't understand they are making fun of her). That's just rude and unprofessional, and I cannot imagine any way that would be justified.
(of course, with the caveat I've not had issues with US immigration, being a citizen, so don't know how they treat non-citizens)
Perhaps instead of whining about the CBSA here you might file a complaint with them. Please follow the link below.
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/com-eng.html
Oct 31, 2022, 5:40 pm
#102
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SFO
Programs: UA
Posts: 200
I hold Canadian passport but reside in US. Whenever I cross the border into Canada, I got grilled with great questions such as "Why are you coming into Canada?".
In contrast, when entering US, I've only ever been asked standard questions such as "how long were you away", "where did you go" and "anything to declare".
Oct 31, 2022, 5:43 pm
#103
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,187
I just say I miss my Harvey’s and Tim Hortons. Ask a stupid question. Get a stupid answer.
Oct 31, 2022, 8:57 pm
#104
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Have you ever been to the Emerson-Pembina crossing? Or the Blue Water crossing in Sarnia?
I mean what does it matter? I have crossed the border hundreds of times at multiple crossings. Generally speaking the border agents act like border agents and I find no difference at YVR.
Could you have had a bad experience in YVR? Without a doubt. Does that support your premise that YVR immigration are jerks. No.
I mean what does it matter? I have crossed the border hundreds of times at multiple crossings. Generally speaking the border agents act like border agents and I find no difference at YVR.
Could you have had a bad experience in YVR? Without a doubt. Does that support your premise that YVR immigration are jerks. No.
Your logic is funny. So if I've had a bad experience it doesn't support the premise the YVR immigration are jerks. Even if I've had a hundred bad experiences. But because you've "crossed the border hundreds of times" your experience can counter the experience? I would think you either believe one person's experience doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of theme, meaning your experience is just as invalid as mine, or is it you believe your experience trumps anybody else's?
Nov 3, 2022, 3:04 pm
#105
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