Mods, I've tried to be discreet in my descriptions. Let me know if you're unhappy with my descriptions.
According to article, visits by foreign tourists have fallen because they're not feeling welcome.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071101203321.9b0hpiha&show_article=1
A year ago, I would have laughed at this article. But after taking 50 high-school students to Canada this past summer, and experiencing rude and vulgar treatment by the Border patrol in New York, I'm a believer.
We were in 2 vans and 2 20+ passenger buses. The poorly marked lanes at the Niagra Falls border crossing said "Buses only." When the border agent boarded us, my pastor (who happened to be driving at the time...I was his reliever) said, "excuse me sir, I have a question."
His words were, and I quote exactly:
I was dumbfounded. We all were. Our church name was clearly marked on all vehicles, and we were in line together.
In Canada, where we were treated civilly and professionally, we were told (at the border by the agents) to have all the paperwork at the front of every van. Going back into the states, Mister Jerk (the agent) said, when presented with the paperwork for our van (and I quote exactly):
What a jerk. One of my kids said, "I want to go back to Canada. They respect people there."
I emailed the TSA and border patrol. No response. Figures.
Sad thing is...a year ago, I would have said, "No way we'd be treated this way." Guess I was wrong.
:tear: I know 9/11 screwed stuff up...but why do we have people like that allowed to keep their jobs? I would have demanded an apology on the spot, but I didn't feel like being arrested and having all 50 kids in jail with me.
Sad.
Folks entering US treated rudely
Discussion in '2007 Archive' started by rbell, Nov 2, 2007.
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Won't say much, but on my own personal couple of trips to the US since 9/11 and reports from nearly every visitor going back this sounds familiar. And we are talking about US citizens entering the US.
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Sorry to say I found the same thing LEAVING the USA from Detroit. Entering, however, I was treated with courtesy and good humour.
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Its your accent :)
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I'm sorry you and your kids had to experience that rbell.
I hate to hear it's on the rise.
It's embarrassing to the max. -
Seriously though - I was given a piece of truly friendly advice from an immigration officer shortly after 9/11 to shave my full beard - nice guy but he pointed out that my appearance could cause me problems entering the country.
It would be okay now - have you ever seen a fat Iranian :)? -
Several years ago our then 3 year old was carrying a stuffed kangaroo on a flight through Atlanta. The security officer said, in an accent we didn't catch the first time "Put the reindeer on the belt." We didn't have a clue what she said till she screamed "I SAID PUT THE REINDEER ON THE BELT!!!"
We finally figured out that the wanted the stuffed kangaroo on the belt, but not before our little guy was in tears. -
Welcome to the United States. Land of the free and home of the jerks. These border patrol guards need to get a new line of work.
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If incoming guests don't like the security precautions, they should stay home. I have no doubt that some of them consider the precautions "unfriendly" as well. -
Every nation in the world now takes precautions with their borders. That is no excuse to be harsh and unkind.
It is possible to be professional and human at the same time.
Do you suggest that Americans who don't like being treated poorly should also stay away? -
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Not trying to condone what the agents did, but maybe they had some hassles earlier in the day. maybe they have worked several days without a decent break. Could be Border Control needs more agents, shorter hours ect.
Have you written your US Senator and Congressman; and the committees that oversee the TSA? I implore you not to give up. If need be ask your congressman to send his aides "undercover". Also write to the Network newsmagizine shows, They probably would love to do a show on this.
Remember, when you remain silent, you have spoken. You have spoken the first sentence on this issue. In the words of Winston Churchill, never give in, never, never, never!
One last quote: Those who have something to do find a way, others find an excuse.
Salty -
That's the whole point isn't it -- professional and thorough! The fact that rbell had to eliminate half the words said by the border patrol is pathetic and we should be outraged!
AND that is just the language -- there is demeaner involved in this too.
Ron and I can't fly anywhere anymore without it taking twice the amount of time it takes everyone else because he got flagged somehow. We've jumped through tons of hoops and just about the time we think it's settled down, it pops up again. We are doing our bit with little complaint. I don't want to be screamed and cussed at too. NOR do I want my country represented to any visitor in this manner. -
I suggest the "jerks" be fired. One warning, then termination. -
I am afraid to say anything - don't want to get tagged as a troublemaker.
I hate traveling to the US anymore. Instead of feeling like I am coming "home" I feel like an unwanted guest.
If you travel much it won't take long to know what we are talking about. -
It sounds like Vice-President Cheney trained the border agents at Niagera Falls. Maybe George did not have anything for him to do that day.
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I will be seeing my brother tomorrw. He travels to Canada frequently. I will ask him about his experience.
Salty -
Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
Fly in the western cities, Spokane, Missoula, Salt Lake City, I have never had an unpleasant experience in any of them. Now when I travel to N.Y., Boston, or Dulles, I get the above treatment.
Sorry you guys had bad trips, but don't try to tell me every American airport worker is a jerk. The jerks just stand out more.
And the travel to Paris, and ask a local the time, you know, "qu'elle heur est ti ?", you'll most likely get a rude response. The locals in Naples, Italy can also be pretty rude to Americans, and most airports in Africa require bribes to everybody who can foul yer trip up.
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