uh huh

As I stated early on in this thread, I'm not a big fan of some of the things I've had to go through with CATSA (e.g., the standard "feel up" and undoing of my belt because the overly-sensitive metal detector went off after sensing my belt buckle or the whole 100 mL bottles in a 1 L zip-top resealable bag nonsense). But the fact is the CATSA people are doing their jobs for a paltry amount of money. I am always pleasant and accommodating when asked to unhook my belt and stand with my arms spread while the fellow pats me down like a common criminal in public view. It's just part of travelling. It's just part of his job.

If I wanted to complain about CATSA, I would do so to my MP or to the Minister of Transport. I would not be rude, condescending, and aggressive with the CATSA officers and call that engaging in "civil disobedience".

Some people are the authors of their own misfortune.

Not that you would worry, but I actually agree with much of what you have said on this subject !

That's the whole point .

They are asking for things they don't need in order to establish your identity as a Canadian citizen or to search your goods.

That's like saying: the police in my neighbourhood kick dogs. Thus, dogs are not immune to kicking. It must be ok.

But many of your colleagues are "rude, condescending, and aggressive" with the travelling public, who from the contents of this thread, do not sound "welcomed home."

What would you call that?

WOW after reading this i guess i have been very lucky........ Other than the land crossing 10 years ago i have never been hassled......^

As a Canadian citizen and resident, what clarification is required. I am entering my own country declaring or not, the goods I have or have not brought with me, what other information is required and why?

If I refuse to tell you anymore, besides being sent to secondary what can you do?

If answering further questions for clarification I state that I was tending my opium field in a country that allows such things, or I was shagging the prime minister's wife in another, does it affect the duty I pay (I didn't bring the opium into Canada), does it stop you from allowing me to enter my own country?

I would also love to know the answer CBSAguy, otherwise it appears like the customs guys are just being nosy. Is the obligation of a Canadian citizen really just to show you the goods and we can safely ignore all of your other questions? If so I'll do this the next time I get to a CBSA officer, just because I hate the intrusion of my rights. If, for all of my years of travelling, the CBSA person has been asking inconsequential questions that they really have no right to ask, I'll be pretty angry. I don't like people on power trips, and it seems like the CBSA has been getting away with a lot because of the fear of the ordinary traveller about getting delayed because they didn't say the right thing.

If everyone didn't play into their game, there would be a lot of secondaries one day, which would lead to BS rethinking how their officers should refer. Stand up for your rights, even for the delay.

For the most part, compared to some of the other unpleasant interrogations I've had exiting or entering other countries, Canada customs doesn't seem so bad. The only time I can actually say that I was insulted by a Canada customs agent was because he called me old and insulted my work. I had just stepped off the plane, wanted to just go back home and he started to drill me. What was the purpose of my visit, who was I visiting, what did I see, did I enjoy myself, how much money I had in my wallet, where I lived, what was my profession in Canada, what discipline I was studying (I'm a student). He then looked at me with skepticism and said, "you're a little old to be a student". I responded that I was a graduate student and asked him if he had just called me old". He said, "well yes, you are old". He then requested that I summarise my research for him. I looked at him in disbelief thinking he was just trying to be amusing. He reiterated his request and I attempted to spew out a succinct but understandable version of my research, none too successfully. I was tired, I was irritated and I certainly didn't appreciate some Customs Agent giving me a hard time because he felt that my work didn't "sound too interesting".

Before I crossed to the other side, I told him that if he ever gets a girlfriend or lover, he should never ever call her or him old because he'll get dumped.

What bothers me is being called old and that in his attempt to prove that I was indeed a student, insulted the very basis of my research. More importantly what disturbed me is that at no time during that questioning did he even ask about the nature of the goods I brought back. The questions he posed didn't even seem relevant to assessing whether I should be given a secondary or whether I had duties or taxes to pay. It seems as he was on a fishing expedition to make me feel purposely lousy about myself and my profession.

Well done customs guy (with the brown hair), your idiocy is truly appreciated. I'm sure you're giving yourself pats on the back for a job well done.

I think the best way to avoid the interrogations at Primary is to get a NEXUS or CANPASS Air Card. Since I've had mine I no longer worry about getting asked questions that frustrate me. Now if AC could just get my bags out quicker then the whole system would work like clockwork!

Seems to be a prime example of a power trip. CBSAguy care to comment? Oops. I forgot - he or she won't do that because he wasn't there... Convenient way to avoid explaining this atrocious behaviour...

I would have filed a complaint, but then again, they get you when you're tired and not at your best, and they know it. Who wants to file a complaint after a 12 hour flight?

Just like I said a few posts back, as soon as these people leave their position of power, they are nobodies, just like you and me. Except we don't need the urge to make others feel bad about themselves..

I will comment. This comment relates to this and some previous posts. I agree that some officers may power trip. I agree that some officers have a bad day and may take it out on the travelling public. I agree that this is unacceptable. I realize I started this thread and I have heard the complaints as I was looking to hear. And some of you do make very good points. I can only be responsible for my own actions, however. Respect is a two-way street and it should start with the person in uniform acting professionally and respectfully.

Having said that, I have found from experience that those who have a real hate on for CBSA are primarily those who have had some enforcement action taken against them. I suppose it should come as no surprise that someone who has had a seizure (commodities, drugs, etc.) against them and who now takes a trip into Secondary on each trip into Canada would be bitter.

i guess so

Vista, dude. But otherwise right on. And there have been times I was wearing the conference speaker shirt (non subtle - name of conference, year, word SPEAKER) and carrying the conference bag, and literally the people ahead of me were carrying the same damn bag, and I got asked to justify the business aspect of my trip.

CBSAGuy, I was really asking, not snarking. I like to look for the positive in my life. If I can react when asked "Why would that be a business trip?" to think "they are just flagging my no-purchases" I will be happier than if I think "they don't believe I belong at a tech conference, how dare they ask me to prove my technical competence while lined up at the airport, and besides, it DOESN'T EVEN MATTER if it was business or vacation anyway, grrrr grrrr grrr...". So if you can clarify for me why an agent might sometimes drill in a little in response to the "why were you there?" question, I would appreciate it.