on border crossing
Dec. 13th, 2009 02:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
castironThe only time I ever ran into a problem while crossing an international border was last May, on a trip to Canada to visit relatives.
The extent of the trouble? Twenty minutes of extra questioning and being told to bring proper documentation next time. (Public service announcement: If you plan to enter Canada with your minor child and without child's co-parent, bring a notarized statement from the co-parent saying they know you're taking kid into Canada and are okay with it, or the divorce paperwork saying that you have the right to determine the child's residence.)
The professionalism and courtesy level? 100%.
My level of fear for my personal safety and that of my infant child? 0%.
I'm sure there are jerks in the Canadian customs & immigration services, but comparing my story to Peter <a="http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/11/dr-peter-watts-canad.html">Watt's, I'd rather deal with Canada's border guards than my own country's.
The extent of the trouble? Twenty minutes of extra questioning and being told to bring proper documentation next time. (Public service announcement: If you plan to enter Canada with your minor child and without child's co-parent, bring a notarized statement from the co-parent saying they know you're taking kid into Canada and are okay with it, or the divorce paperwork saying that you have the right to determine the child's residence.)
The professionalism and courtesy level? 100%.
My level of fear for my personal safety and that of my infant child? 0%.
I'm sure there are jerks in the Canadian customs & immigration services, but comparing my story to Peter <a="http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/11/dr-peter-watts-canad.html">Watt's, I'd rather deal with Canada's border guards than my own country's.