Interrogated by Canadian Customs for 1.5 hours!

[Dave in Phoenix]

Yes they took computer in a side room not that far from me.

All this stuff about planting spyware seems silly. I do nothing that is illegal, no illegal pictures, nothing... they didn't find anything and were convinced I never lived in FL. I don't see any purpose in why they would have any continuing interest in law abiding Old Dave who has never even had a parking ticket !

I don't even see escorts in the U.S, because its not legal in the U.S. like it is in Canada! That is why I come to Canada to enjoy what is perfectly legal here.

 

[goodtime]

Once flagged, alway a candidate

Pull you over once, pull you over each time ... Get used to it.

Once you are on record for being pulled over they have to file a report and that report goes on file. A senior personnel usually determines afterwards if you should be flagged on a regular basis when you enter this country, so be prepared to be puled over again. It is a 50/50 chance depending on how you co-operate.

VBB

So true. Friends in that sceniro.

Dave, I'm guessing you gave permission for them to search your laptop. As our law, unless you are a terrorist, otherwise would need search warrant. Did you charge them education fee for the lesson?

BTW, to clean your record, go to your Sheriff dept. Our custom just tab into Justice database. And they are known as officers, while U.S. are agents.

 

[Timbit]

Hmmm...My experience in Victoria customs Strip Search!! =QUOTE]

Yeah, but look at you - you're gorgeous -can you blame them?

Dave, on the other hand, didn't mention anything about strip searches...

Timbit

 

[NorCalGuy]

Solution for sensitive files

Get a USB Flash Drive with hardware encryption, like the Kingston DataTraveler Elite. When you initialize it, you can set up a non-encrypted portion and an encrypted portion. The encrypted portion is completely invisible unless you run a special utility which knows about the encrypted portion. If it's just plugged into another computer, or yours without running the utility, all you see is the non-encrypted portion. Buy a 512MB flash drive, split it into a non-encrypted 256MB and an encrypted 256MB, and no one except you will know that there's 256MB of porn and escort reviews on it.

 

[papasmerf]

Get a USB Flash Drive with hardware encryption, like the Kingston DataTraveler Elite. When you initialize it, you can set up a non-encrypted portion and an encrypted portion. The encrypted portion is completely invisible unless you run a special utility which knows about the encrypted portion. If it's just plugged into another computer, or yours without running the utility, all you see is the non-encrypted portion. Buy a 512MB flash drive, split it into a non-encrypted 256MB and an encrypted 256MB, and no one except you will know that there's 256MB of porn and escort reviews on it.

So ummmmmmm lessons in covet activity at the border is called for?

 

[Mr.lover]

They have the power to do all that?

Let me get this right? Canada customs have the power to go through your laptop and copy your files without telling u? and also plant spyware? you guys are kidding right? If i had say for example, personal photos, videos etc of me and my GF in my laptop, they have the power to access these? I am sure there is some violation of privacy there somewhere.
besides Vancouver customs agents are the worse for abusing their powers. Apparently they are trying to maintain their "top" spot in security in the worlds' airports.. all the while pissing off travelers and having us plan trips into canada trying to avoid transit in Vancouver. DO they not know it is bad for their pot smoking city? give me a fucking break.

 

[baltimoron]

I think we're blowing this out of proportion. I don't think we should scare anyone into not crossing the border. Thousands of people do it everyday and some cross frequently with no problems and no searching at all. Customs simply don't have the time to make a mountain out of the mole hill for everyone, just those on any watch lists or with criminal backgrounds.

Like Dave said, they thought he was someone else, which triggered the extensive search. I know that the border guards have more powers to search and seize than regular LE, but it would seem to me that to search a laptop requires a search warrant. They can inspect it physically to make sure that it is not a bomb. I suspect that they probably said you can wait 3 days in the airport for us to get a search warrant, or you can consent for us to do it now. Typical cop tactics.

Another thing is Dave mentioned he has Asian stamps on his passport. Ever since Dubya's speech a year or so ago about cracking down on sex tourism, customs officials around the world are aware of this issue. Sex tourism is legal, so long as prostitution is legal in the country you're visiting and the prostitutes are of age. It is a US federal offense for US citizens to engage in sexual acts with minors of any nationality, commercial or otherwise. Thailand is renowned for having underage prostitutes. So this also raises suspicion with customs.

My suggestion would be to enroll in NEXUS/CANPASS. Vancouver airport has CANPASS terminals. Then rent a car and take the BC ferry to Victoria. Not to mention that since Vancouver is a major aiport, it'll probably be cheaper to fly there as well. Customs in Victoria may have had nothing better to do.

 

[kricket]

wow ....

 

[Dave in Phoenix]

baltimoron had good points.

On prior trips to Victoria I've flown into Vancouver and took the Ferry. Nice trip but long and usually means have to stay overnight in Vancouver since in too late. This trip I wanted to get to Victoria faster so went to Seattle and then to Victoria. Cost almost as much to go Seattle to Victoria as it did Phoenix to Seattle, but less than via Vancouver.

Starting in mid October,I believe it is Westjet that will have service from Phoenix via Calgary to Victoria. And its about as cheap or cheaper than going Phx to Vancouver.

 

[baltimoron]

Have you tried America West yet?

Dave,

I'm sure you know, living in Phoenix, that that's the HQ and hub city for America West. And Am West flies to Vancouver. And Seattle. And they're merging with US Airways. I would think that regardless of whether you fly to Vancouver or fly to Seattle and take Horizon Air to Victoria, you should be able to find low fares on Am West since PHX is its hub city.

 

[goodtime]

...
I'm sure you know, living in Phoenix, that that's the HQ and hub city for America West. And Am West flies to Vancouver. And Seattle. And they're merging with US Airways...

May not be a good thing. Or consider carry-ons as US Airways have one of the worst misplaced luggage record.

 

[Dave in Phoenix]

Dave,
I'm sure you know, living in Phoenix, that that's the HQ and hub city for America West. And Am West flies to Vancouver. And Seattle. And they're merging with US Airways. I would think that regardless of whether you fly to Vancouver or fly to Seattle and take Horizon Air to Victoria, you should be able to find low fares on Am West since PHX is its hub city.

Yes I used America West to Seattle which was cheaper than America West to Vancouver. Going to Victoria was expensive by air.

 

[HaywoodJabloemy]

...they thought all prostitution was illegal in Canada!..

You would think they would have some idea of the law because of their job.

I don't know why so many Canadians refuse to acknowledge we have a large legal (and/or tolerated) sex trade. Have they never seen the Yellow Pages, entertainment tabloids, or the internet? It's a weird attitude -- they know it's there, but seem to think they have to keep pretending it doesn't exist.

 

[Larry_Fyne]

You would think they would have some idea of the law because of their job.

I don't know why so many Canadians refuse to acknowledge we have a large legal (and/or tolerated) sex trade. Have they never seen the Yellow Pages, entertainment tabloids, or the internet? It's a weird attitude -- they know it's there, but seem to think they have to keep pretending it doesn't exist.

Canada Customs is not an agency that polices prostitution - why would you expect them to know. They are there to enforce immigration and customs laws. Since 9/11 (I am getting sick of that term), they are also tasked with keeping out the terrorists. I think someone tipped them off that Dave was a wacko and they pulled him out of the line. They found stuff and continued the search. Personally, if I was a CRA agent and you started telling me about our laws (whether you were right or not), I would have put your a$$ on the next flight back to where you came from. Pompous Americans.

 

[oldjones]

Canada Customs is not an agency that polices prostitution - why would you expect them to know. They are there to enforce immigration and customs laws. Since 9/11 (I am getting sick of that term), they are also tasked with keeping out the terrorists. I think someone tipped them off that Dave was a wacko and they pulled him out of the line. They found stuff and continued the search. Personally, if I was a CRA agent and you started telling me about our laws (whether you were right or not), I would have put your a$$ on the next flight back to where you came from. Pompous Americans.

And since nothing Dave had offended neither customs nor immigration law they should have promptly let him go and gotten back to their real work. Larry your readiness (thanks be it's hypothetical) to cause injustice to serve your prejudices does you no credit. Fortunately the customs folks had more sense. And maybe less pomposity.

 

[MindJohn]

To Dave in Phoenix:

Could you not greatly reduce the material presently ON your laptop by simply having Yahoo e-mail accounts online where you can conveniently retrieve sensitive sex-related information you might need?

You could surely spend a day or two organizing such an e-mail account at Yahoo, and greatly reduce the chance that any such border searches would need to dwell on so much information.

In addition you'd then have all of that stuff in a place online, as a backup, in the event that a hurricane flooded Phoenix or Victoria and rendered your laptop in the drink.

 

[goodtime]

www.gotomypc.com

Monthly service so you can remotely 'take-over' work as if you're in front of your home computer as long as you have IP access.

Hotmail is the worst for carrying virus & trojans. Yahoo is bit better but not by much. With public email, there are concerns of LE getting warrant to scan your mailw without you knowing.

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

Funny thing... In the last few days, I crossed the boarder, returning to Canada by car and was not asked to show any identification

 

[Dave in Phoenix]

What I have on my laptop for trip planning etc is also on my main computer in Phoenix which I can access easily from my laptop from anywhere using gotomypc.com as I often do.

I can also store stuff in a private area of one of my websites.

But since I have never been stopped or questioned before on zillions of trips to Canada, I didn't see any need. Since I have nothing to hide, didn't feel need to hide anything.

But on next trip to avoid any inconvience will be more careful what I have on my laptop.

I'm now back in Phoenix after great time got 9 days in Victoria with trip report now up at http://www.sexworkvictoria.com

 

[Mcluhan]

This would be just like him to pull such a thing. If this happens again I will tell the custom agent my suspicion and provide full information on who he is if they want to check it out.

I am tempted to see if there is a way to file a complaint with Customs with this suspicion but probably won't since I have more enjoyable things planned unless it happens on a future trip. Would be very interesting to find out what info and the source that triggered the red flags on my name in Customs since been to Canada zillions of previous times with never a problem. Obviously the won't tell me but wonder if there is cause to have someone in LE investigate.

There can't be more than one Vic hobbyist with that Rep. Let me know if I guessed correctly...

Good story Dave. That would explain everything... and what and asshole is that person.