Complaints about Customs
Apr 12, 2008 | 11:54 pm
#181
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 300
CBSA members have to wear the vests. They have a militant union that pushes for such things as well as an employer that pushes officer safety.
Zedhead, if you had ever spent an 8-12 hour shift wearing a vest, you would then know that no one actually likes wearing them. They are hot, heavy and cumbersome.
Zedhead, if you had ever spent an 8-12 hour shift wearing a vest, you would then know that no one actually likes wearing them. They are hot, heavy and cumbersome.
I've worked 8-12 hours shifts and more in all ramp conditions. I know hot and heavy. I also know bs.
Apr 13, 2008 | 12:43 am
#182
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Chilling with penguins
Posts: 13,050
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.
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.
Apr 13, 2008 | 12:46 am
#183
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Apr 13, 2008 | 12:47 am
#184
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Apr 13, 2008 | 12:51 am
#185
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Originally Posted by highflyer88
While not 100% true, out of all the customs/immigration agencies I've cleared, no one puts more emphasis on enforcing shopping goods, booze and smokes than the CBSA.
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.
Last edited by YOWkid; Apr 13, 2008 at 1:04 am
Apr 13, 2008 | 12:56 am
#186
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Originally Posted by The Winger
As I have said earlier, it's not very often I actually purchase things abroad but I find it easier to just lie and say I did so I show a value in the all important box that asks how much you have spent because they don't believe you when you say nothing.
Apr 13, 2008 | 1:03 am
#187
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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.
Apr 13, 2008 | 1:19 am
#188
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: cyyz
Programs: ac ELITE,aa,nwa, Priority Club
Posts: 375
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.
I didn't get a second look from those behind the desks and moved happily on my way.
Apr 13, 2008 | 2:08 am
#189
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
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.
Apr 13, 2008 | 2:11 am
#190
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
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.
Apr 13, 2008 | 2:14 am
#191
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
Would the officer be able to claim compensation (if injured due to an injury where wearing a vest would have prevented injury) should the individual not have a vest on when the job requirement demands it be so?
Whether Canadian ,American or whoever,the people asking questions are going to have good and bad days.I have experienced all of them,it is part of the travel experience and I try
to not take it peronally.
Whether Canadian ,American or whoever,the people asking questions are going to have good and bad days.I have experienced all of them,it is part of the travel experience and I try
to not take it peronally.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.
Apr 13, 2008 | 2:17 am
#192
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
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.
Apr 13, 2008 | 2:20 am
#193
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
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.
Apr 13, 2008 | 2:23 am
#194
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
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.
Apr 13, 2008 | 8:40 am
#195
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ/YOW
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Posts: 5,986
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.
Simon