Border Crossing in Canada STALL

Tommys

Rank VI
Launch Member

Traveler III

3,295
Round Rock, Texas
First Name
Tommy
Last Name
Sustaita
Member #

9043

Guys and Gals!
Preparing thoroughly is essential when traversing/entering another country, such as Canada, because there are many details to consider.

Although we thought we did our homework, we fell slightly short. Yup, and made rookie mistakes.
Full Story
 
a little over 20 yrs ago I was on a drill ship working for Exxon/Mobile off the coast of Nova Scotia and since it was in Canadian waters, I was able to go since I was a senior supervisor, BUT I had to have an all Candian crew and leave my regular American crew back in the Gulf. I was given a Canadian crew, BUT (always a BUT) before working with them, I had to attend a special class...kind of like a Sensitivity Class. I was told NOT to talk about Canadians indigenous people, not to talk any politics, not talk about pay, etc...etc. Even as a seasoned diver, I still had to take their classes and obtain certs that I basically already had here in the US for many years. I was getting bummed out with all the mess, but when the BS was finally over and we started drilling with Canadian crews...the job went great. The Canadian workers were amazing to work with...very cool and professional and yet enjoyable to work with. They complained about how messed up their government was and definitely didn't require all the sensitivity training I went thru supposedly on their behalf. Been a while, but I bet that most of the regular folk you meet up there are going to be super cool and nice to be around while any government/ law enforcement will be total pain in the ass to even talk to. I didn't have a border crossing to deal with, but Customs at the airport in Dartsmouth were a bit cocky to deal with. I ended up hooking up with some of the family members of my new crew and they went out of their way to show me around and take care of me. Hopefully you will have a great experience there and not have to deal with the bureaucracy that is rampant there.

If you do have to encounter government people for anything...just play dumb and confused. If you don't challenge them directly, they seem to get bored and annoyed and will eventually just send you on your way...

AND...it wouldn't hurt to wear a jersey of a Canadian hockey team and learn the name of a few popular hockey players...eh? :grinning:

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I will tell you the same thing I tell Canadians going south you are entering a foreign country, you need to be polite and respect their rules. Don't lie, don't "forget" something or play dumb.
Mistakes happen and most border guys will get you sorted out pretty quick
 
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a little over 20 yrs ago I was on a drill ship working for Exxon/Mobile off the coast of Nova Scotia and since it was in Canadian waters, I was able to go since I was a senior supervisor, BUT I had to have an all Candian crew and leave my regular American crew back in the Gulf. I was given a Canadian crew, BUT (always a BUT) before working with them, I had to attend a special class...kind of like a Sensitivity Class. I was told NOT to talk about Canadians indigenous people, not to talk any politics, not talk about pay, etc...etc. Even as a seasoned diver, I still had to take their classes and obtain certs that I basically already had here in the US for many years. I was getting bummed out with all the mess, but when the BS was finally over and we started drilling with Canadian crews...the job went great. The Canadian workers were amazing to work with...very cool and professional and yet enjoyable to work with. They complained about how messed up their government was and definitely didn't require all the sensitivity training I went thru supposedly on their behalf. Been a while, but I bet that most of the regular folk you meet up there are going to be super cool and nice to be around while any government/ law enforcement will be total pain in the ass to even talk to. I didn't have a border crossing to deal with, but Customs at the airport in Dartsmouth were a bit cocky to deal with. I ended up hooking up with some of the family members of my new crew and they went out of their way to show me around and take care of me. Hopefully you will have a great experience there and not have to deal with the bureaucracy that is rampant there.

If you do have to encounter government people for anything...just play dumb and confused. If you don't challenge them directly, they seem to get bored and annoyed and will eventually just send you on your way...

AND...it wouldn't hurt to wear a jersey of a Canadian hockey team and learn the name of a few popular hockey players...

View attachment 296825
Yup, I’ve worked with Canadian folks up in the Maritimes, had a blast !
 
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Guys and Gals!
Preparing thoroughly is essential when traversing/entering another country, such as Canada, because there are many details to consider.

Although we thought we did our homework, we fell slightly short. Yup, and made rookie mistakes.
Full Story
yup, it was an ordeal! But I contributed to it.