North of the border

I'am making my first official work road trip north of the border next week. Leave here Monday am, then will be crossing sometime tuesday afternoon. It's not as easy crossing with a commercial truck as it is with a personal vehicle. They can search my truck and trailer and do a DOT check if they so desire.
I do have my Passport, and it has been signed. I hope to be back in the states sometime Wed.
They ask all the drivers who had passports, there was only 3 of us that admitted we had them. One of them just quit, so that leaves 2 of us now that can go. So I will probably go about every other week as long as we have something going to Toronto. If no one hears from me for a while you will know that I was detained and they are keeping me up there.

PS. No I will not be bringing back anyones Favorite adult beverages, as that is not permitted in a commercial vehicle.

Fun times.
Unless you have a F.A.S.T. card do not get in the F.A.S.T. only lanes. Border agents hate that!
Try to have all your proper paperwork done in advance. Make sure to have your tractor and trailer license plate info with you in the cab. You may be asked for it. When crossing at night, turn on your dome light. Sleeper light too if that's applicable. Do NOT apply your parking brakes at the booth. Just keep your foot on the brake pedal. Don't make jokes with the Customs Officers. They are strictly business. No firearms into Canada. No dirty magazines or DVDs either. No spare truck parts. Fuel filters and light bulbs are okay.

Keep your temper when things go bad. It's a test. Entire truck will be X-rayed. Secondary X-rays too. Put truck in gear, no brakes. Get out of the truck and wait in a Lead-Lined room. If you ever have a thallium stress test, don't go for 3-4 days. Their sensors show it as radiation until it gets washed from your system from going to the bathroom.

Good Luck. I don't envy you. I usually cross into and out of Ontario 5 times per week. Sometimes more. Chrysler has everything set up so we have minimal aggravation.

Thanks Tumbleweed. I have already been warned of all that. Paperwork is taken care of. The fast card application has been completed 2 months ago, but not heard anything yet.
WE will be crossing at Buffalo Peace bridge.

Good luck Jeff. Keep us posted on how the first trip goes.

If we never see you again its been nice knowing you Sportsman

Tumbleweed, Does that mean that I have to leave my DVD"S of "Hotlips Houlihan" at home too??????

Bring 'em. They might take pity on you.

Keep us posted !! Good luck.

Well I made it Back. It was an easy trip, got right in and back out no Problems. Had to Wait about 10 mins going in and 5 mins. coming back out. and that was for the trucks in front of me. Other driver that went up last month, had his complete truck searched and all is belongings. He was there for about 1 1/2 hrs. Took about 6 hrs for the round trip in Canada, and that included a stop for dinner of the way back. Sorry Mary, they did not have any Walleye on the Menu, I asked. I got to the yard about 11am this morning, had time to go home for a quick shower and some clean clothes and back out again for North west Michigan. Another long week for me.

Good Deal. Hopefully it will always be as smooth for you.

Jeff you just have an honest face. Glad everything went SMOOOOOOOth

I guess the only reason we had any trouble coming back from Canada was because we had Joyce with us LOL ( make sure you tell her I said that)

all this talk of work makes me happy i'm retired glad everything worked out ok, miss the great guys i worked with,not the work

rockrolls I couldn't agree with you more.

Sportsman wrote:

They ask all the drivers who had passports, there was only 3 of us that admitted we had them. One of them just quit, so that leaves 2 of us now that can go.

Are the Canada road trips going to become a job requirement

I'd think every driver should get a turn and need a passport soon then...

Not a job requirement. When we have something going up there, we will rotate between us 2. That means if there is not enough loads at the time for everyone, then someone will sit at the house while Joe and I work. It's their tough luck. Then they will be crying that they did not get any hrs. There are other drivers that have a passport but they dont want to go up there so they did not volunteer the info. I had a really good week with the trip up to Canada, so I'am not complaining. It's possible it could turn into a dedicated run later and it would be mine first. That would permit me to have every Sat and Sun. off.

Very good way to look at it then Sportsman... Be Positive.

Keep the rubber down and be safe traveling.