passports for Can/U.S border??? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**IDDQD** · 11-17-2005, 08:19 PM

I just saw a story saying crossing borders from Canada to U.S. and vice versa will require a passport starting january 2007, for both air and land crossing. I dont like that at all, most people dont even have a passport. And its going to make crossing on land so incredibly slow.
I dont like this very much

**space virgin** · 11-17-2005, 08:27 PM

Eh, the US razzes people who don't have passports so much now that I doubt things will be terribly different.

It was bound to happen sooner or later, I think.

**The Monsignor** · 11-17-2005, 08:28 PM

Yeah, it's a pain... Unfortunately, our porous borders pretty well make it a waste of time.

The idea behind it is that, because of Canada's relaxed standards for refugee status, and the ability to enter Canada from countries that would normally be restricted in the U.S. they've gone to that to ensure that they have a better chance of spotting trouble before it gets in this country...

Since we have a huge, unguarded border and millions of illegals flow across it every year (mostly from the south), this is like sticking your finger in the dike... you're doing something, but it's not terribly effective

**benna2** · 11-17-2005, 08:29 PM

I don't think it will make much of a difference either. And everyone should have a passport anyway because you never really know when you just MAY have to jump on a plane and get somewhere!

**space virgin** · 11-17-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

you never really know when you just MAY have to jump on a plane and get somewhere!

And wonder if the statute of limitations will run out before your passport expires...

xanthuos · 11-17-2005, 08:48 PM

Actually, everyone re-entering the United States will need a passport soon...so it's not just limited to Canada.

**IDDQD** · 11-17-2005, 09:07 PM

I guess i dont like it cause i grew up on the border, and going to the states was like going to the corner store. People would go over all the time to just get gas. I know the Ontario/Michigan boarders are generally still pretty relaxed like that, but once this passport deal comes into effect its most likely going to cut into border city profits somethin fierce.

**pinion** · 11-17-2005, 10:31 PM

I don't like crossing the border anymore and honestly try to avoid it. The BC/Washington border is a pain in the ass to get across. They think everyone has a condom filled with coke in their bum. I'm heading down there this weekend and there's little doubt in my mind when they see the big bad ugly Jeep pull up I'll be walking bow legged for a few days...

**Joker** · 11-17-2005, 11:29 PM

Yeah, this is gonna be a problem. But at the same time, this isn't just the US-Canada, or US-Mexican borders. This encompasses ALL foreign countries, including the Caribbean, where a photo-id was all you needed before. not the worst thing, given that outside the EU you need a PP to move around.

It makes me wonder, though, what about the folks that live and work on opposite sides... how is that gonna affect them?

**space virgin** · 11-17-2005, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pinion@Nov 18 2005, 06:31 AM
I don't like crossing the border anymore and honestly try to avoid it. The BC/Washington border is a pain in the ass to get across. They think everyone has a condom filled with coke in their bum. I'm heading down there this weekend and there's little doubt in my mind when they see the big bad ugly Jeep pull up I'll be walking bow legged for a few days...

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First of all: Jeep? When did you get that??

Second of all: Don't go through the Peace Arch. Go over to the truck crossing. Seriously.

When Anthon, Beth and I left you guys, it took us all of, oh, 15 minutes to get through the border there... 14 minutes of which was waiting in line.

Granted it just depends on the day, but I've always had great luck there and 9 times out of 10 nothing but shitty luck at the Peace Arch.