Date:         Wed, 15 May 2002 00:04:35 -0400
Reply-To:     Greg <kessler@OHIO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg <kessler@OHIO.EDU>
Subject:      Driving In Canada
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I have to chime in on this thread.

I was traveling last Summer across the US and planned on returning to ohio through canada after a visit to Glacier National Park.  Upon entering Canada between the US and Canadian portions of the park, we were stopped, held for almost two hours, taken inside and questioned and our van was searched thoroughly while one of the "officers" (after not finding anything in a lengthy search) asked me "when did you last
smoke pot?"

I couldn't help but laugh as these two twenty something "experts" continued to sift through all of our stuff certain they were on to something.

I was also pissed as could be since:

1) I had all the documents in order (including total documentation to bring our dog into the country)

2) I wasn't transporting any drugs and had no sign of any drugs in my vehicle

3) I have travelled through Canda many times in the past (in other vehicles) and had no problems.

4) I had just returned from trips to Egypt, Germany and Japan and had been treated with the utmost of respect at all of those customs points...and this was Canada?!?

5) We had traveled all across the US for two weeks witout being stopped once and the second we hit the Canadian line this is how we were treated.

Once we cleared customs ( and my wife finally calmed down) we turned around and headed back home through the US. I didn't want to spend the rest of my trip being hassled by simple-minded authorities who think they can identify a threat simply based on the type of vehicle they drive. There is plenty to see here in the US without having to be treated this way!

I can only assume from my experience and the others on this list that the Canadian Government is targeting VW vans.

Greg
86 Westy
73 Thing
99 Subaru Forester