CBSA members are controlled by militant union?

I've worked 8-12 hours shifts and more in all ramp conditions. I know hot and heavy. I also know bs.

Actually, taupo isn't BSing on this one.

Also, the union representing FBs is relatively militant -- not as militant as the ones that represent Correctional Service officers and the like, but not as nice as the ones that represent some of the other occupational groups in the federal government.

Yes, but not everyone knows the difference and may misuse the terms.

Actually, it's a different form. A more colourful one if I remember correctly.

There is nothing wrong with asking you what you are importing. Why? Because too many people lie. I've heard stories of passengers coming in from certain countries saying they have nothing on them -- both to the primary AND secondary officers. And then when the secondary officer opens the bag, the whole bag is full of cigarettes -- way beyond the limit.

I agree with you that it's stupid to have to do that. But I think from CBSA's experience, many who have claimed $0 are up to something suspicious.

Maybe the agents were bored. :D

I just returned from NZ the other day and thought I was guaranteed to pay duty on the goods I imported since I was over (and I declared) and I was going through a certain station. In the end, I was just waived on when the officer saw what the duty to be paid would be.

Maybe it's luck of the draw (probably), but at least from my experience over the last six years since I started international travel, I have not had any problems with paying duty. Knock on wood.

Of course, I have other issues with CBSA, but I'll keep those to myself.

I almost always claim more than I've purchased to be on the safe, what with me not being able to figure out an accurate exchange rate on the 2 or more countries(and currency's) I've been to on various trips. However on my last trip (MEX) claimed $0, brought nothing back, the only things I purchased where consumed in country (beer & way too much good food).
I didn't get a second look from those behind the desks and moved happily on my way.

Thank you. This happens every single day of the year. So many people lie to me every day, but I learned very quickly to remember they are not lying to me; they are lying to the government. Therefore, I don't take it personally. I just do my job, whether than involves a seizure, etc.

Indeed! Switchblades, firearms, throwing stars, etc. are all found in baggage all the time.

I should also add that whether I am wearing a vest, looking "intimidating", or not does not have any influence of how I do my job.

I'm sure an officer not wearing a vest, contrary to policy, would have some bearing on potential liability in case of injury.

Everyone has their good days and their bad. On my bad days, you may not get a hearty smile, but you'll still get a respectful interaction.

This may be true, but it is not our primary motivator. Those who think we should be putting less emphasis on alcohol/tobacco, please let your MP know. I enforce the laws as they are passed by Parliament and interpreted by the judiciary.

We have no authority whatsoever to conduct such a search. An officer who has reasonable grounds to suspect someone is smuggling drugs under their clothes or within their bodies may conduct an examination pursuant to Section 98 of the Customs Act as interpreted the by Supreme Court. This may involve a personal (strip) search and/or "loo" search.

Lots of people, especially business people, travel without purchasing anything. We do understand this. Purchasing nothing on a trip abroad does not mean an automatic trip to Secondary.

Many FTers will remember the anecdote posted of a fellow member who returned from the US, and had a bottle of water. He declared nothing, the agent questioned him about the water, sent him to secondary, and they charged him 38 cents or some such.

If that's not vindictive nonsense, I don't know what is.

Oh, but maybe there were "weapons" or "drugs" in the water that needed seizing. :rolleyes:

Simon