Are we always such assholes?

[Guest]

that sucks, call Canada and tell them that I personally vouch for Tol...I could see Charley not getting through, but Tol....no way.

I hope something works out babe.

They'd put Charley in quarantine.


Any news on Tolyl yet, Logo?

 

[ABSTRUSE]

They'd put Charley in quarantine.

:

We could only hope.

 

[cantdog]

Actually, Abby, it wasn't the Canadian fellows who caused the grief, but the U.S. ones. Terrorist attackers will make people do strange things in the name of security.

When I flew with the family to Paris, the aircraft stopped in Heathrow. We also stopped there on the way back. The first time, we were not allowed to leave the plane at all, "for security reasons." They cleaned it and pumped out the blue stuff in the lav and all that stuff, with everyone still in their seats. Coming back, we were required to exit the plane "for security reasons." No one was allowed to retain their baggage. We were herded all into a windowless room where a guard was posted by the door. After a bit, they required us to re-enter the plane.

I suppose that there is an airport complex in Heathrow somewhere, but I've never seen it.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Jesus Cant, did you also have a sex change and become Sweetsubsarah???

 

[cantdog]

No, but for some reason I have access to the drawing. She prefers the sepia-toned version, if it helps.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

No, but for some reason I have access to the drawing. She prefers the sepia-toned version, if it helps.

You had me worried there babe, I'd miss the mustache.

 

[cantdog]

*rrrowr!*

 

[logophile]

They'd put Charley in quarantine.


Any news on Tolyl yet, Logo?

No word yet. The last thing I heard was earlier this morning. The attendent at Greyhound said that there had been a bus at 1:40 am and he was *probably* on it. Nothing else. I've left messages around for him in the hopes that he'll check in somewhere.

*trying not worry*

 

[cantdog]

He's a grownup. Worry changes nothing, and it could be seen as a lack of confidence in someone's ability to cope. I daresay he is fine. He never really left Canada, after all. Canada is civilized.

 

[~photoguy~]

geezuz Logo this whole thing sukkks !!!!

I have travelled into the US many many times and its never taken more than 2 minutes chatting with the US border patrol. (I dont carry a passport, just my Cdn. birth certificate) Sometimes I only zip into the US for a few hours -- to buy gas and cheep booze. My only thought is that he must have his name on a "list". I dont know Tolyk's background but he certainly seems like a nice guy ?? I know for example that the US wont let anyone with a criminal record into the country and they must have numerous other reasons for turning people back.

He should probably check with the US Consulate when he gets home, see if he can find out what he would have to do to get in.

good luck to both of ya !! Its WAY cool that you've decided to meet and take the next steps

 

[cantdog]

We're pulling for you, Logo. May fate let you guys up.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I'm sorry this happened Logo. http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/love/2/love01.gif

I hope the two of you can figure out a way to meet and things go much better the next time.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I suppose that there is an airport complex in Heathrow somewhere, but I've never seen it.

I have. It's the only time I've ever seen people carrying firearms of that size and meance in public. The SO and I rounded a corner and nearly walked into a couple of helmeted, uniformed squaddies carrying weapons that, in my moment of startlement, looked huge and terribly menacing. Some sort of great, sleek, evil-looking black rifle things. Frankly, it scared the piss out of me.

It was near Christmas. I imagine they were on the lookout for gift packages from their neighbors in NI.

It's true, police and customs folk and similar are often surly and short. On the other hand, customs people spend all day chained to a desk looking at forms that people have filled out wrong. I'd rather work at McDonald's. Not justifying their behavior - they really ought to be presenting a better image of the states. But I imagine that at the moment, their superiors are stressing security first, speed next, and civility somewhere down with eyebrow grooming. We need more people out there, really, but most of the people paying taxes don't see that side of things.

We're lucky, I suppose. The SO is from out of the country as well, but has not had substantial airport difficulties. SO was in and already on a work visa on September 11th, and I think that being soft-spoken and English helped as well.

Shanglan

 

[logophile]

Bruce, Crim, and Cant...

Thanks for your good wishes. I'm really trying not to worry, I know he's all grown up and everything but we were both pretty shaken up last night and I didn't ask many questions. I'm feeling a little better now, but I have friends here feeding me pancakes and bacon. He's probably doing better as well but I just don't know.

Anyway, I'll try to stop posting now until I have something more positive to say.

 

[yui]

Luck to you both, logo.

 

[davidwatts]

I agree.

Have you ever noticed, though, that the people who have those types of jobs - customs officers, police, etc. - are the very people who absolutely shouldn't have those jobs? They're the ones that everyone picked on in grammar school, and now they have power (or they think they do), and they enjoy throwing their perceived authority around.

Absolutely. The reason behind that is the fact that the pay for those jobs stinks. You get what you pay for, and it shows most clearly in law enforcement and similar jobs. What's the requirement for a customs officer, a GED?

I don't have a glowing opinion of cops as a general rule, but I know that I wouldn't do the job for twice the salary. Customs officer sounds more like a security guard type salary as well.

 

[sweetnpetite]

I haven't traveled through canada since the early 90's, but I always had the opposite problem. (I realize that things are different now, post 9/11)

Getting in, the border gaurds were often rude and asked a lot of questions. (Maybe it was because we looked so young- who knows) A couple of times we got stopped and delayed, but eventually got through (mainly because my ex was an excellent bullshitter ) ON our way out they were like "good-bye, get out" like they couldn't get us out fast enough. Well, maybe that was just my imagination.

It does sound like it's tougher now. My first thought too was his colouring, but I didn't give that thought a lot of credit until a few posts here confirmed it. I wonder if there is any help from the embassy or whatever government agency deals with these things?

 

[CharleyH]

First, a confession. Our Canadian friend Tolyk has wooed me over the course of the last 6 weeks or so. He is sweet and kind, romantic and funny, and sexy as hell.

This weekend he was coming from Canada to America to visit me for the first time. We have spent countless hours on the phone and the computer and we both felt like we had gone about as far as we could go without a face to face meeting. So a bus ticket was purchased and he packed his bags to head for my place. He left home at 8:00 yesterday (Friday morning) and was to arrive here at 9:30 this morning (Saturday).

Last night, just before midnight I got a call from him saying that the US border guard had refused him entry into the US. His questioning period had clearly felt more like an interrogation to him (Guard: How long are you going to be there? Tol: 3 days. Guard: So you're going to be there 2 weeks? Tol: No sir, I'm going to be there 3 days.) and they told him they didn't believe him. They also said he didn't have enough money for his intended length of stay and that was one "official" reason he was denied entry.

I don't have a lot of details about what happened because he was standing out in the cold at a pay phone to call me. I just feel so ashamed about this. I love my country (I'm a raving patriot) but this is embarassing. They wouldn't let him stay at customs and the bus station was closed for the night so he didn't have anywhere to go until he could catch the next bus this afternoon at 1:40pm.

Has anyone else had this problem with our board guards? I know it's not easy to get in here now, but this is really crazy. Share your stories, and any secrets to gaining entry, if you have them.

Very sadly,
Logo

Ah, yes, particularly on the bus, but not driving or on a plane. It sounds like a bus ride to me, and I was held for half hour to 45 minutes being questioned about comp cards and business cards, and whether or not I had a 'real' job, and why I did not have my passport. Well, travelling has never been so bad. All I have ever needed was my drivers card, never my birth certificate, and yet, there they were wondering, miss pastey white me, whether or not I was REALLY born in Canada. They are dicks, and yes what a pain.

Suggestion next time: Get a ride over the border, and take bus or plane from there.

Sorry for you both

(LOL - on a lighter note, I am just happy they did not open my bag. Was going to see GF in NYC, for 2 weeks, and had accoutrements(sp)

 

[tolyk]

Update

I'm fine. Annoyed, but fine.

As for the details, I really don't feel like getting into them right now, however everything that Pure said I already did. I dressed nicely, has a passport, and all the documentation I knew I would need. This was not my first crossing, I immigrated to America for a year, and did so through the proper methods (IE: hundreds of dollars on paperwork which took 6 months to process)

Thanks for the support though everyone.

*KISS* for LogoPhile.

 

[ElizabethWest]

So good to hear from you TOL! Situation sucks but at least I know you made it back safely...

 

[Blackie Malone]

Tol....things will work out, stay positive.

 

[tolyk]

I'm as positive as can be.. just royally pissed off. It takes a lot to upset me, but the border guards can do it every single time.

 

[logophile]

I'm fine. Annoyed, but fine.

As for the details, I really don't feel like getting into them right now, however everything that Pure said I already did. I dressed nicely, has a passport, and all the documentation I knew I would need. This was not my first crossing, I immigrated to America for a year, and did so through the proper methods (IE: hundreds of dollars on paperwork which took 6 months to process)

Thanks for the support though everyone.

*KISS* for LogoPhile.

And a for you too, Sweet. So glad you made it home safely. I guess I'll just have to come to Canada next time!

 

[rgraham666]

Hey tolyk. Glad to see you make it home OK. Really sorry thing didn't work out.

Do your think border guards get 'points' for being discourteous?

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

I wonder why they had a problem.