Funny I happened upon this thread tonight.
I just got back (3 hours give or take) from a brief Montana/North Dakota trip.
Was only in the United States for about 10 hours.
Having crossed the border a fair number of times before in the last 3 or 4 years, I knew what to expect.
As such, I packed the bare minimum, cleaned the car out, and only brought what I NEEDED for the trip. Easier on me and the DHS workers, as I have been busted down everytime I was a guest of the US I expect to be told to pull off to the side.
This time it was a little different though.
I, myself, and the two passengers i was with were told to come inside while our ID was checked.
I was then asked to approach the counter and remove my jacket..which was searched..then empty my pant pockets..lift up my pant legs, my wallet was thouroughly searched, as was my hat, and yes..even my sunglasses.
This happened to both my passengers as well.
Meanwhile my car was given a good working over.
I have had my vehicle searched before at a border crossing. But this time was remarkably different.
As I said earlier. I gave the car a good cleaning. I dont think any DHS officer likes fishing under seats through a sea of gum wrappers and pop cans...So i made an effort to clean things up for them (as I was sure i would get searched yet again.)
So as my car is getting a looking at, one young DHS officer comes walking towards the building we were being effectively detained in. (We were all told to sit down and wait to be called to approach the counter, and that we were not to talk to each other while we waited. In addition another DHS officer stood in the doorway which we had entered.)
He has my ashtray from my car and the 12v cigarette lighter in his hands.
He point blank asked me if i had been smoking "pot" (his word.)
I replied with a friendly, yet firm "No, I have not."
He told me that my ashtray smelled like "pot." He then informed me that he was going to test the ashes in the ashtray. (He didnt inform me what he was testing for, but i guess it was for "pot")
After mixing my ashes with some other thing and waiting 5 or so minutes the DHS officer held the sample up to 3 different light sources. Not finding anything, he asked his supervisor to take a look. Again nothing. Then the younger officer asked the senior officer to smell the ashtray. The senior officer replied that the ashtray smelled like tobacco and said "no, it is clean, but good try" Then he laughed. The junior officer retired out of view with that "tail between his legs" look.
Our ID was returned and we were sent on our way. Both the senior officer and another gentleman who ran our ID thanked us for our patience and willing compliance.
I thought the whole ordeal was a bit excessive, considering both mine and my passengers compliance.
Upon returning to my car i was dissapointed to see that the DHS officers had left quite the mess. The few contents of the glovebox (the usual pens, owners manual, one book) a water bottle in the cupholder, a package of cigarettes that was in plain view on top of the console, a tire gauge i keep in the drivers door pocket, and coffee mug in the driver's cupholder were all over the floor. The almost full pack (22 of 25) of cigarettes were thrown all over the 2 front floormats.
The trunk was even worse. There were 2 tagged duffles in the trunk that belonged to the one passenger, my RCMP storm parka (that thing is amazing, it is a tent, a blanket, and a pillow all in one..oh yeah, and a jacket.) and a 2.5 gallon plastic jerry can of gas that I like to keep full when im making a trip to a place where I dont know where the next gas station will be. I keep it wedged in the corner of the trunk..straight up and down.
The jerry can of gas was on top of all the other articles that had been spread out all over the bottom of the trunk...on its side. I'd like to think this was just an oversight or an accident..but I can't.
Im not going to not visit the United States of America just because I had one bad experience. This one 'tard just might have been having a bad day (he had that "animal that says meow" whipped look about him), or gung ho and new to the job and wanting to prove just how hardcore he could be, or maybe he is just one bad apple in a big bunch of good people.
In short, two points.
1. When you are a guest, be it another person's house...or another's country. You are just that. A guest. Wipe your feet before you walk in, and help with the dishes.
2. Time and time again I have said it. "I dislike far more Canadians than Americans."
