Canada Canadian runs are the way to go!

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
For all you expeditors who are afraid of Canada...why?

Did you hear the horror stories about customs being 5 hour wait? That doesn't happen anymore. It's rare that you even have to stop at customs. Shippers are usually more organized with their customs paperwork since they get charged if there's a delay.

I know alot of truckers carry weapons in their truck, and just don't want to get caught. Smart move... other than you're carrying a gun without a cwp...dumb move. :)

Besides... when I go to Canada, almost all of them make me feel welcome. Kinda like down south, just with a different accent. Their big 3 is a helluva lot nicer than ours. They get you loaded and unloaded alot faster too. :D
 

redytrk

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I don`t know what crossings you are using.But I have had 19 hr,9hr,5hr and too numerous delays of 1 to 3 hrs to mention.The crossing I am refering to is the Ambassador Br.At Windsor/Detroit.Most delays are intering the US.I have spent countless hours on the 401,and it dosent matter if you are FAST qualified if you cant even get to the bridge.
THIS IS UNCOMPENSATED TIME AND ITS GOT TO STOP!!!!
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
I'm not talking about the wait time to get into the country... just customs. Yeah, the bridge can be nasty, to say the least. Try and listen for bridge times. US customs are a different entity. You don't have something like PARS, though they're trying to get PAPS moving. Unfortunately, the brokers on this side can be frustrating. And the attitude of the customs officers doesn't help either. Overall though, the wait isn't usually that long. I'm not opposed to going to Canada based on the compensation my company gives me, and the amount of freight they have there. It's a cash-cow, and it just leaves more for me if fewer people take runs there ;-)
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
With my company, we get paid for getting stuck at customs over an hour if it's the shipper's fault. Usually, they get something wrong on the paperwork, send you to the wrong broker, or not call it in on time for PARS to kick in. I haven't gone to customs yet this month, and had two Canadian runs as well as an "in transit"
 

redytrk

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
>I agree! How do you get your carrier to realize that your
>14 hours is being spent sitting.
There is no problem getting to realize what is happening.They often call customs or state patrol to verify what you are saying.Since we are a team we just go ahead to the delivery.The time has been bumped,and the consignee has been notified. In the case of a solo driver he would have to get his 10 hr.break before continuing.Unless he was lucky enough to log 10 of the 14 hrs as sleeper berth.
 

highway star

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Using PAPS to go into the U.S. is just like PARS and is up and running. Most of the time mine work, even Livingston lately! Maybe your carrier has not completed the process of getting on board with it. Be advised that some brokers are asking for 3 hours notice.
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
You're correct. My company is almost done getting verified. That will be so nice not having to stop. They never have anything good to eat in the machines :9
 

crazytruckin

Expert Expediter
Hey Tennesseahawk-We too are from the freindly South and I gotta tell you it would'nt matter to us if we NEVER went into Canada after going through the abuse we experienced on our last trip. We have been expediting for 5 years and the reception we got from a woman Canadian customs agent on election day entering at Windsor was inexcusible. She was sarcastic, attitudinal and down right ugly to us. We carry no weapon, no drugs, have all our necessary paperwork, even for our "watchdog" but she just singled us out I guess (although I have no clue why). The only thing I did not do was cut off the engine on the truck right away upon pulling up to the booth. She just stood there glaring at us with the window closed until I did turn it off. And then the fun began. In 5 years we have never been asked all the questions she asked and every one was with an attitude. And thats not even discussing the ordeal of having to go into a broker and then to the customs office when it is necessary. Need I say more. It ain't worth it for no amount of money!!x(
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
If she had a real attitude with you, your truck woulda been torn apart... like mine, twice in one trip.
The way I look at it is that 1/6 of my company's freight is Canadian related. I won't give up that much for a little loss of dignity, especially when I know most of the time it's a great experience. It helps to be on the ball too. You not cutting the engine off right away told her you were a newbie to Canada, thus the questions. As you gain experience, the customs ppl know that and don't bug you so much. I go to Canada every month or so outside of driving the truck, since my wife is from London. I'm so used to their questions, they like the quick responses and you LOOKING AT THEM. I know that's another reason they question ppl more... when you avert your eyes.
Just some suggestions... know what you're carrying, be considerate, answer quickly, and look at them when you answer. Don't be discouraged when they make you feel uncomfortable, cause the big 3 always do that to me. :7 :7 :7 ;)

T-Hawk
 

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
Crazytrucking,

I would suggest that once she has cleared you - kindly ask for her badge number and file a complaint. While they are paid to sniff out problems, they have to remain neutral on everything else.

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com


Education is the best defense against the media.


The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words.



-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!
[p]
http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg


Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!

-----------------------------------------
 

RobA

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
>Hey Tennesseahawk-We too are from the freindly South and I
>gotta tell you it would'nt matter to us if we NEVER went
>into Canada after going through the abuse we experienced on
>our last trip. We have been expediting for 5 years and the
>reception we got from a woman Canadian customs agent on
>election day entering at Windsor was inexcusible. She was
>sarcastic, attitudinal and down right ugly to us. We carry
>no weapon, no drugs, have all our necessary paperwork, even
>for our "watchdog" but she just singled us out I guess
>(although I have no clue why). The only thing I did not do
>was cut off the engine on the truck right away upon pulling
>up to the booth. She just stood there glaring at us with the
>window closed until I did turn it off. And then the fun
>began. In 5 years we have never been asked all the questions
>she asked and every one was with an attitude. And thats not
>even discussing the ordeal of having to go into a broker and
>then to the customs office when it is necessary. Need I say
>more. It ain't worth it for no amount of money!!x(



Crazy Truckin' - sorry you ran into an "attitude". Some people, when given a uniform, let it go to their heads. It happens; don't let it bother you.
If you feel intimidated by a Customs Officer; just ask to speak to the Duty Supervisor.
Don't ever give into the urge to have an "attitude" right back though. It makes the a**hole feel justified.

I'm always interested as to why going to a broker is an ordeal.
Shouldn't be; they are there to clear the shipments. Unfortunately it's the paperwork that makes life an ordeal sometimes.
 

Trucker don

Expert Expediter
>I'm always interested as to why going to a broker is an
>ordeal.
>Shouldn't be; they are there to clear the shipments.
>Unfortunately it's the paperwork that makes life an ordeal
>sometimes.
>
After having a Truckers. Give them a hard time becuase the fax the Paperwork 2 days before, They call and yes we got the paperwork Then get to Primary and find out Pars not on File. This will tick the driver off. Screams at the yound lady, and then she gets ticked because of problems. And it rains down on the next person.
There are 7000 + trucks a day the cross Windsor/Detroit. It's no woneder the Customs can have a glith in there.

Don
 

iheartfaye

Expert Expediter
>I'm always interested as to why going to a broker is an
>ordeal.

How about giving your paperwork to DHL, having too many people standing in the office to stay there, standing out in the hall for 3 hours, DHL completing your paperwork, and not using the intercom so the people in the hall know their load is cleared, and just throwing it on the counter!
 
Top