We cross at the Peace Bridge. How have the border crossings gone? Anything different from years past?
The other vehicle in our group had a ruder than usual greeting by Canadian Customs this year. The agent was really questioning about firearms and proceeded to make them pull over and then removed everything from their Explorer and searched it thoroughly. My friend thinks it might have been because he was wearing a t-shirt from work (US Justice Dept) and they perhaps think all employees of that agency are packing heat. No problems on the US side.
Last year they asked me at least a half dozen times, 'Do you have any firearms or ammunition with you', and as we were getting ready to pull away they asked me again 'Are you sure you don't have any firearms'. I was sure I was going to get pulled and searched. All I could figure my wife and I both have full time carry permits in NY and it probably comes up in their computer and they think we always carry. I was going to reply 'Maybe some Fireline, but not any Firearms', but I figured it was better not to.
On our way to Kipawa, we cross at the Lewiston Queenston bridge, usually around 5am so there isn't much of a wait. But on the way home which is usually around 5-6 pm, we check the wait times at all of the bridges and then just drive to the one with the shortest wait time. The Queenston bridge is always over an hour wait at that time of the day, so we usually go to Rainbow or Peace bridges. Always best to check for the wait times before you get there.
Kathy
A few years ago I was asked if I "had any weapons" repeatedly and then told to pull over for the inspection. As soon as I pulled into the search spot I had 5 agents descend on my truck and start looking. They where very polite while doing it and afterwards one of the agents expressed a surprise that I didn't have any weapons. I had figured at the time I was inspected was because I'm from Texas and was driving a Texas registered truck (stereotype of Texans fondness for guns? :)). Total inspection time was under 15 minutes.
I will be prepared to repeat the process this year if the Border Agents seem to be looking for weapons.
We cross at the peace bridge also. No issues at all...