Amtrak: Canadian Border Crossing

[@lauraault430]

Geez, not sure what rail travel was like a couple decade ago, but when we went camping, they used to wave us across at the border crossing to Canada, and the same returning home. Strange times we live in.

[@Triley215]

Remember that thing that happened in 2001? Unfortunately that caused these results, and it's a shame on so many levels.

[@ALuimes]

@Ken Lompart Europe has terror attacks too but they don't tighten their borders

[@robkrasinski6217]

@@Triley215 Yes, now you have to pay to leave the US even for a vacation, that is if you don't currently have a passport or other approved ID, unless you live in an area that has enhanced DL, but even then that probably cost extra. Before the new border crossing law, 2007 or whenever, you could get by with just ID you already have, like birth cert., dl, social security card, to cross both ways by car, bus, train. Now you have to pay $45 per person for a passport card if traveling by land and over $100 for a passport book if you're flying anywhere outside the US that includes all of the Caribbean and Mexico, too. And you have to allow enough time for processing, so you can't just go on the spur of the moment, you have to plan in advance. If you attempt to go to the border (driving) without approved ID, you might get in and might be allowed back in the US with a warning but I wouldn't risk it. Amtrak probably requires approved ID at point of reservation. Remember, the guys manning the border on both sides are like law enforcement officers. They are armed and all, and have arrest powers. And probably the US guys can be dickheads and abuse their power, and make your border crossing experience hell. You can't cross the border with a felony record or DUI or with an active warrant, they will see it on their computers and apprehend you. That includes initially leaving the US and entering Canada, their guards can arrest a fleeing suspect. That happened several years ago, a murder suspect from PA fled to Niagara Falls in an attempt to leave the US but was caught because they checked his background and found the warrant. I thought there was two separate incidents, the one guy got through but was caught later and the other guy was actually detained at the border booth. On the Toronto Amtrak train does the Amtrak crew get replaced with VIA crew at Niagara Falls, ON including the engineer? And vice versa when returning to the US?

[@Triley215]

@@robkrasinski6217 I knew all of the above! Even though I'm only 29. Started dating my now husband in 2006, long distance. My grandmother and I once drove up to Canada, and the officer simply asked where we were coming from, where we were going, and when we are coming back, and didn't even take our IDs. On the Maple Leaf the cafe attendant gets off in Niagara Falls, NY, and a VIA attendant gets on at Niagara Falls, ON. The conductor and engineer both change out at Niagara Falls, ON. VIA runs the train to Toronto, services it, does any necessary mechanical inspections, and I assume they would dump the sewerage tanks as well as water the cars, then run the train back to the border in the morning.

[@cats0182]

We visited Montreal from NYS decades ago. I can't remember if we even needed a passport. They may have accepted our driver licenses. We didn't have to leave the train. Agents walked through, checked documents and the train was on its way. After seeing this mess, I'll take a pass on visiting Canada.

[@matveypavlov495]

I live in Russia. Here in Europe we don’t need to leave train while crossing the Russia/EU border. We have passport and customs control right on board. In certain cases train doesn’t stop at all (like the high-speed train between St. Petersburg and Helsinki).

[@frankt.1391]

turns out america is not what we thought about

[@seanwebb605]

When I entered Russia by ship we had to have passes to leave the ship and explore the city. Since I was stuck in a safety training class I wasn't able to go to the crew purser to request a pass before all of them were gone. I got stuck on the ship for two days.

[@alfredvinciguerra532]

Sean Webb you thought you could walk right in. From Mexico you can 🤣🤣🤣

[@seanwebb605]

@@alfredvinciguerra532 The United States of America has what I would describe as "aggressive" border control on their southern border.

[@alfredvinciguerra532]

Sean Webb No they don’t

[@johnslyfield5096]

Important note for Amtrak Cascades (Portland-Seattle-Vancouver): Amtrak does not cede control to VIA rail at the border. Customs inspections are done in Vancouver both inbound and outbound. US customs will board at the border but the initial determination of admissibility happens in Vancouver. VIA rail is responsible for customer service for the Amtrak Service in Vancouver as there is no Amtrak staff there save for the train attendants.

[@Triley215]

*conductors and cafe attendants In the US conductors also work onboard with the passengers, unlike in Canada where they stay in the engine with the engineer, and have an attendant taking care of customer service duties onboard

[@ellisonketovore]

Obviously a U.S. production, atmosphere isn't quite that ominous here in Canada thank God.

[@patricktomaszewski2063]

No if it was Canadian, it would be made by Bureaucrats and it would be ALL about Taxes, what you can/cannot bring in and that you are going to have to PAY a TAX!

[@grosvenorclub]

Yes , its not exactly a "Please come and visit us " documentary is it !

[@seanwebb605]

@Brandi Bohannon I live about an hour away from the U.S. border and travel to Buffalo frequently. A couple of times a year I travel to Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. U.S. border control is a real hassle. One time when a friend and I were returning from Buffalo I said good evening to the Canadian border staff and they just said "Just coming back from the baseball game?" Yes I replied. "Okay. Have a good day". Boom. Done. On the way in we were asked far more questions, they looked around the vehicle and had my pop the back, inquired about how much currency we had on us etc. There are many things to like and admire about the U.S. That's why I choose to travel there so frequently. However, in the last two years I have done it far less because my friends can't accept how minorities, refugees and asylum seekers are being treated at the U.S. border.

[@seanwebb605]

@Brandi Bohannon Oddly enough many Canadians don't buy real Canadian maple syrup. Often they by products from Vermont or corn syrup from the U.S. midwest. Although I certainly make sure to spend the extra money for real Canadian maple syrup from Quebec. The United States of America is indeed a destination for many immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The climate in Canada isn't very enticing. However, I work with three people who emigrated to the United States first only to decide that they would rather be in Canada. Racism does exist in Canada. There is an excellent example only three blocks away from where I live. Each Saturday a group of white nationalists is protesting outside of City Hall. They have had heated and something violent conflicts with the Pride events in our community. A leader from a local anarchist group has attempted to align the interests of their militant organization with the LGBT community. Some were arrested the other day with a violent protest at the mayor's house. We have all of the same freedoms that other liberal democracies in the west have. Including but limited to freedom of consciousness, freedom of speech. freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly. They are described differently in our laws and in our constitution. The U.S. should never go around saying that they are the only country with freedom. Many countries have freedom. I never have a problem drawing attention to the issues that remain here in Canada. There are many worth addressing. When you speak of our immigration system I would correct you and say that we have a better system. We have a more humane system. A kinder and gentler system. And in some ways a stricter system. Of course I live in the most ethnically diverse city on the face of the earth at a multi cultural television station. We celebrate ethnic diversity. We air programs from many different communities in many different countries. By people who worship various religions.

[@seanwebb605]

@Brandi Bohannon That's not at all accurate. Our first constitution was in the form of the British North American Act in 1867. Through a long process and changing frameworks we have had several constitutions. We just didn't have a violent revolution and declaration that we were breaking away from Britain. Even those who wanted independence from Britain still wanted to be loyal to the crown. So the monarch is the monarch of many realms. The 1984 constitution was a Made In Canada idea to take a god idea and improve upon it. Now Canadian laws didn't need the formality of then being approved by the British parliament too. Not that it was really an issue. They weren't striking down legislation passed by our parliament.

Crossing the border from Finland to Russia is seemingly less complicated. You don't even need to get off the train for the border control. Not to mention that the trains here usually go lot faster than 79mph on the line.

[@nochatter7134]

Paavo Ylönen Because no one is barely traveling in eastern europe. You are comparing a tiny place like europe that’s is so boring to a highly sought place like North America.... wake up !!!

[@timoriusmaximus]

@@nochatter7134 I guess you have never been to europe? There are a lot of famous and interesting things to see in the different countrys and therefore tons of tourists travel around europe - by train, plane, bus, etc.

[@juanmolina3192]

Back in 1995 I had to go to Canada to get my HIB visa and I had a great time in Canada. Canadians are very warm people and ready to help foreigners; even more, the Canadian border officers very nice and polite people. I can't say that for the idiots working at then INS now, Homeland Security. Rude and stupid at the way they treated and still treat people; I know there are exceptions. I remember when I came back to the States; the US INS idiots looked at me and then talk to each other and decided to let me enter with my H1B visa and one said to the other: "yeah, let him enter; anyway he is gonna be history after the visa expires.". It is 2019 and I am not history as those SOBs thought it would happens. God is the one who decides the future of all us. I am not history and a happy camper.

[@PeterNGloor]

@Brandi Bohannon what a stupid response. Canadians welcome visitors, that's the difference.

[@hwyfan]

From what I understand, train travelers headed back to the United States from Vancouver rail station are pre-screened in Vancouver by US Customs officials so as to eliminate the need for the stop at the border for screening.

[@Linescrew1Canada]

That is true, and I have used this service. It's slower than driving to Seattle, however, but it's convenient downtown to downtown service at least.

[@Triley215]

Well...Partially true. On the way to Canada, you bypass the stop at the border itself, and handle customs with CBSA in Vancouver. On the way to the US you pre-clear customs with CBP in Vancouver, and then still stop at the border crossing where officers board and collect the declaration cards, possibly ask a few more questions, etc. People have been pulled off the train at the border as well, so no funny business!

[@algrayson8965]

Thomas Riley, Stop-and-question, search and arrest powers are virtually unlimited at the border. If the pre-screen detects a suspicious person or someone "of interest" in the USA they pretend not to notice, then contact the border security where the person can be appropriately dealt with.

[@Triley215]

Al Grayson We're talking about preclearing US customs while in Canada. Unless you want to bring someone to the border, in to your country, for something like they have a warrant in the US...then it makes more sense to just refuse them at the station and release them back in Canada and be done with it.

[@georgelurye6274]

@@algrayson8965 Actually, you interpret things. Your first statement is correct. The border zone allows law enforcement to search anyone who they believe has crossed the border or intends to cross the border at any time. However, that doesn't limit such actions to the border crossing itself, so your second statement is incorrect. In fact, law enforcement has broad authority to do this within 100 miles of the border, meaning if they saw something "of interest" they have the same exact right to go through the process there, on the spot. Courts have used the below-referenced laws to extend the right to search and seizure from just "for aliens" to anything that is illegal at the border. That's pretty broad, but it is what it is. "The authority for this is based on the Immigration and Nationality Act 287(a)(3) and copied in 8 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 287 (a)(3), which states that Immigration Officers, without a warrant, may "within a reasonable distance from any external boundary of the United States...board and search for aliens in any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States and any railcar, aircraft, conveyance, or vehicle. 8 CFR 287 (a)(1) defines reasonable distance as 100 air miles from the border." help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1084/~/legal-authority-for-the-border-patrol Look it up if you don't believe me.

[@ianprince1698]

Between the uk and the rest of Europe the checks are done at the stations uk and European customs sitting on adjacent cabins before the departure platforms.they screen for the terrorist threat to the tunnel.

[@yamahonkawazuki]

the bad guys explore this also. theyll figure a way to use this.

[@Brick-Life]

Same as Mainland China to Hong Kong by train.

[@nochatter7134]

Ian Prince europe is so tiny compared to North America.

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

Bills in both Parliament and Congress would set up pre clearance by U.S. customs for the Adirondack departing Montreal, plus Canadian customs arriving in Montreal. Already done in the Vancouver station for twice daily Cascades trips to and fr Seattle. Border issues especially coming to the U.S. put an end to Chicago-Flint-Port Huron-Sarnia-Toronto Amtrak and VIA service, jointly operated not unlike New York-Toronto service shown here.

[@CriticalRoleHighlights]

1:43 Oh, look. It's officer Crabtree from 'Allo 'Allo.

[@markm.j.lewandowskijr1171]

I see conductor Tim all the time on the Empire State Express

[@coastaku1954]

Yeah it's called the Empire service... not the Empire State Express

[@HSMiyamoto]

Between British Columbia and Washington, there are no intermediate stops, so all checks, besides "do you have a passport?" happen at the door into Vancouver station. It's pretty simple and casual.

[@bobgil3464]

Looks fun. I need to put Amtrac on my bucket lists.

[@willneverforgets3341]

Interesting. In EU normally international trains are in hands of a company between two countries and staff is joint. They usually speak both countries' languages plus English at the least. Sometimes police checks ID's but not always. The tighter controls are normally to and from the UK as they are not in the Schengen agreement

[@jerrysinclair3771]

I will say that I appreciate the attempt to recognize human trafficking as a real threat. The victims are not the main threat, but their handlers are "real bad guys"!

[@bobjacobson858]

At about 8:00 it is mentioned that the amount of money one can bring into the US is limited. However, according to the US customs form, ANY amount may be brought in but if the amount being brought in is greater than US $10K (or an equivalent value in foreign currency or other bearer-negotiable monetary items), then a special form must be completed to declare it--otherwise, the money is subject to being confiscated. If there are various currencies involved but their TOTAL surpasses a value of US $10K, then the entire amount must be declared.

[@TransitAndTeslas]

Just bring a debit card. Sheesh now you can bring millions with you and they can’t care.

[@Hanna-yn5ou]

Holy c-p! I'm European and I have crossed the Iron curtain as a child, by train. Not to mention other borders in Europe, pre-EU. That was nothing compared with this. They just came onboard, with a sniffer dog, checked your passport and visa - took at most 30 minutes. Here, they require you to get off the train, give a fingerprint and generally treat you as a potential criminal. This gives me the creeps. I seriously am not sure if I want to enter the US as a non-citizen, it's like a scary sci-fi movie, where I'm potentially the bad guy.

[@NYCS19339]

It's probably only going to get worse in the United States unfortunately

[@PowerTrain611]

They should have done one of these videos for travelling in and out of Colorado, too. On my trip outbound, they had a K9 unit come through the train and ask to search my belongings to make sure I had no Marijuana in my bags that I was trying to take out of state..

[@michaelbergman8758]

Inspector Cleausau on the thumbnail made me watch this video.

[@seaningram4434]

Inspector Clouseau and Tim Curry :) lol

[@ernierobinson4892]

Wow it has changed Last time I rode the train to Toronto was few years after the 9/11.. We didn't have to exit the train and the security would just go up and down with the dogs doing their sweep.. We we're at the border for a good 2 to almost 4hrs lmao Amtrak too cheap to at least add in some sleeping cars to the train lol That took literally a whole 24hrs from New York Penn to Toronto

[@sepulturajim]

The only train that the crew changes is on the Toronto/NYC train! Vancouver Central Station has customs facilities from both countries, and Montreal trains you legit stop in the middle of nowhere

[@sk33t_38]

this took an uneccesary dark turn lmao I just wanted to know what I needed, not a lesson on human trafficking that most are already aware of lmao

[@scdevon]

In other words: "How can we slow down your already slow Amtrak experience even more"?

[@Chip-jl5mz]

Well you cant just walk right into a different country thats the law not Amtrak's fault

[@algrayson8965]

scdevon, Each nation's territory is private property. Do you allow people who you don't know to just enter your premises as they please?

[@billyreynolds4749]

+dogsitter68 - Well, if you are that irritated at being inconvenienced, GUESS WHAT?? Don't go to Canada!! It's all about safety and security...especially Border Security!!

[@kaifreeman286]

@dogsitter68 That figure's about the "black women" (loool)

[@rah62]

@@algrayson8965 You clearly don't understand the concept of "private property". A country is not the same as your house.

[@БелорусскийРусскийБостон]

It feels like you’re entering a Police State

[@luddity]

But there's no realistic possibility of preventing the flow of invasive species or pests across that continent spanning border, no matter how much you crack down.

[@CanImperator]

You can thank the US for that. Canada is just following the procedures implemented by the US after 9/11

[@grosvenorclub]

Its sad really , when we lived in Alberta back in the 60's and early 70's I can't remember showing any ID , maybe showed a drivers licence ? , the states and provinces were more worried about carrying certain fruits across the borders .

[@Jake-rc4ws]

What’s sad about it? What’s so sad about trying to make sure that terrorist attacks are at a minimum?

[@grosvenorclub]

@@Jake-rc4ws I understand the 9/11 lot came in through the front door . I understand the USA's fear but hassling everybody at the borders including their best neighbour is not good in the long run . Beside that most of the murders committed in the USA are by US citizens .

[@Jake-rc4ws]

grosvenorclub another thing is drug, weapons, and human trafficking. Should we go back to the 60’s and 70’s where it was easier to traffic drugs and humans

[@grosvenorclub]

@@Jake-rc4ws There was very few drug issues in Canada in the 60's , maybe in the east ,not sure , but not in the west . Admittedly that was almost 60 years ago , and now the place is riddled with drugs and the murders that go with it and I would bet mostly coming up through the states or maybe direct from south america , the border checks certainly are not stopping it , that's for sure .

[@Jake-rc4ws]

grosvenorclub they’re not completely stopping them but they’re reducing them

[@marks238]

What an unwelcoming attitude to passengers/travellers.

[@coastaku1954]

What the hell are you on about?

[@rayblack8]

I had no idea Amtrak trains entered Canada at all.

[@frankdenardo8684]

Reggie Jones they Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

[@PeterNGloor]

there have been trains between the two countries for decades, even in steam days. Nothing new. Buses do it, planes do it..

[@Jake-rc4ws]

PeterNGloor but it’s interesting because Amtrak is a United States funded program

[@terrikatz4854]

The horror is in the other direction, entering the US. The US workers don't go to the Rouses Point station until after the train arrives. When the train arrives, they drive miles there from the highway border check. They are not already at the Rouses Point station waiting for the train. This means that hundreds of people sit on the training waiting for the US officials to arrive. US officials don't seem familiar with passports. Rather than checking passports electronically with some central US passport base, the US officials ask whether you are a US citizen or not, then look intently into your eyes to see if you are lying. Without checking, they can't tell if the passport is valid or not. This is idiotic because I doubt an illegal alien or a terrorist would tell the US official the truth. Further, the US officials should be on the train miles before the border, then walk through the train conducting the check as the train is moving. The present method is unprofessional, and results is hours long delays. It shows the US' callous disregard for the convenience of hundreds of passengers.

[@dahongpalaysfca5664]

Terri Katz ,Well Said

[@HawklordLI]

Conductors name was Boomhower! Tellyawhatmantakeoldadgumtrainupincanadachoochoochoocrossintheborderman....

[@radanju3]

lol

[@PeterNGloor]

the agent at min.4.38 looked Canadian, being friendly and looking neat! Imagine such proceedures being in effect throughout Europe - our train system would collapse. All border control, if there is any, takes place on board.

[@daveyboy_]

And it used to be the longest unprotected border in the world !

[@prutwekker2193]

Uh what time are you talking about. customs etc were in place in 1975.

[@daveyboy_]

Prut Wekker im talking about before 9-11 it the longest unprotected border in the world . ( why does it feel like im repeating myself here)

[@daveyboy_]

Ken Lompart No it isnt both sides now have arms. Therefore it is protected.

[@daveyboy_]

Ken Lompart they have guns therefore it is no longer an unprotected border. did u not read my comment. or do u just want to argue ?

[@daveyboy_]

Ken Lompart no guns unprotected . Guns = protected. Whos being thick. it used to be unprotected. not both sides are armed. therefore it is no longer an u nprotected border. Mercy !

[@johnslyfield5096]

Global Entry card is only valid when going to the USA.

[@Hanna-yn5ou]

Never heard of this card.

[@MSNWindows7]

Wow, after traveling around Europe a lot recently I took these border crossings for granted! You barely would even know you crossed a border, often, for example, a Deutsche Bahn (German) train will go all the way to Amsterdam or Paris. No screening, no fuss, literally just hop on and hop off... occasionally a few officials will hop on the train and walk down the isle when the train crossed a border and maybe check your passport if you're suspicious looking (like a young person like myself haha) -- but even that pails in comparison to this!

[@chasemartin4450]

Geographically speaking, that's the equivalent of crossing between states in the United States. With the exception of an agricultural inspection in some places (which is usually nothing more than a toll booth unless you're carrying a truckload of crops), you just cross the border into a different jurisdiction. I have a feeling that may change in the future though, as states adopt increasingly different laws surrounding certain things.

[@ohhi1134]

The amount of importance given to safety, sometimes borderlining paranoia, rather than efficient and quality service is interesting.

[@importedmusic]

It all comes down to government budgets and resources - things like this have more money thrown at them year after year to a point where they have more money at their disposal and year after year it gets harder to actually find things to spend money on.

[@nochatter7134]

Oh hi How is looking after the safety of citizens paranoia??? If something happens then both countries and it’s authorities are blamed.......

[@patrickrichmond9896]

Things has gotten way out of hand and nowdays Amtrak is forced to do border checks so that we get into the country safely. Yes my blocking people was rude but just because Amtrak steps up with security measures does NOT mean they have been declared as a bad company. Yes they are slower than traveling on the highway. And way slower than traveling by air. If you go to the airport, you have to show ID. Same with traveling by bus and by air.

[@rickrennyoneill]

Why don’t they check at the train station before the border?

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

trains are too slow, plus hand opened doors, most trains are considered too easy to jump on and off

[@eddiedeleon2425]

BE HONEST ... tourism is another of too many bridges that connects us as human beings that we are ONE ...thanks a lot and good morning i always view coast starlight

[@seaningram4434]

No "Multi-pass"?

[@rennaaa6667]

Holy shit this safety paranoia is so foreign to me as an European.

[@zeero62]

Its necessary. Today we have to consider the worst thing that can happen and be prepared for it.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

Not just you in Europe. Even for me as a Canadian, this video seems completely ridiculous. This video is so obviously made a U.S. agency, I couldn't see a Canadian agency making such a fear-mongering and micromanaging video. Some of the over-the-top 'vigilance' rhetoric has spilled over to Canada, but it really is another level of insanity in the States.

[@dasBunny99]

Imagine every car being checked, when all the people are coming from Germany to go Skiing in Austria, imagine living in Luxemburg and trying to go somewhere else for an hour or two, imagine every train from Frankfurt to Paris having to stop for this nonsense. Would be a nightmare...

[@robertgriffith8857]

It’s not foreign to me as a Brit, makes sense to control Borders. Just a pity mainland Europe fails to control its Borders thus allowing “economic migrants” to congregate in Calais France.

[@rennaaa6667]

Control boarders, sure. But the whole safety issue, and "anyone could be up to no good, so you better watch out" is out of control in this video.

[@docmalthus]

I last crossed the Canadian border in 2000 (on a Trailways Bus BTW). I had my US drivers license, which had always worked before, but was detained by a diminutive witch in uniform, who interrogated me on my whim to make a day trip to Vancouver. In the meantime by bus left without me and could not be turned back. So I paid a taxi to take me to Vancouver, hoping that I would be able to return to US. As a result, I vowed never to return to Canada unless it was to take Canadian dollars south. I have kept that promise these many years. Good job, border patrol. One less "undesirable" to deal with!

[@Howrider65]

They never tell you how many people they caught because it is just a joke to keep doing this.. It should be an open border.. Canada is just like the USA.. When your there it's like being in the USA with different money.. Politicians have nothing better to do then to make stupid laws.

[@nochatter7134]

H B I don’t think Canadian/USA authorities are worried about Canadians or Americans traveling in both countries......they are worried about people coming in that are NOT from either countries

[@QuarioQuario54321]

How do unidentifiable people cross?

[@Leonard_Wilson]

I live in NYC. Last year, I took Air Canada to Toronto. Those Canadian border patrol agents don't play. When I got to Pearson Airport in Toronto, all of the passengers were searched and interrogated. I'm 6'1" and one of the female agents was almost as tall as me. She asked me why I was in Canada, where was I staying, and what attractions will I visit. She wasn't rude, just serious.

[@granskare]

I used to cross the border with a driver's license - now since 9-11, things are different

[@jimguelde4068]

I used to travel by AMTRAK quite often, generally by sleeper for longer trips. I stopped using AMTRAK when TSA got involved. We lost our guts on 911. Despite all the chest-thumping pledges that "We won't trade liberty for safety".. we've done just that. . . . Back in 1975, the U.S. Senate held hearings into abuses by NSA and other alphabet agencies. Chaired by Senator Frank Church (D-ID), the committee held a series of hearings and published 14 reports as it investigated the legality of intelligence operations by the CIA, NSA, and FBI, including attempts to assassinate foreign leaders, spying on Martin Luther King, Jr., and monitoring the political activities of other U.S. citizens.. . . . . Revelations in the Church Committee report included the early existence of NSA surveillance programs that dated back to the Truman administration and the Vietnam War. Project Shamrock started in 1947 and it allowed the government to copy telegrams sent overseas without obtaining warrants. Five years later, Truman formally established the National Security Agency to handle such efforts. In the 1960s, the NSA started another operation, Project Minaret, to monitor the communications of “watch listed” individuals without a warrant. People on the watch list included those who attended public protests about the Vietnam War, such as Muhammad Ali, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and even Senator Frank Church. During the Church Committee hearings, Senator Walter Mondale publicly asked if the NSA "could be used by President 'A' in the future to spy upon the American people, to chill and interrupt political dissent.". . . In his summary, Senator Church warned us... "The National Security Agency’s capability at any time could be turned around on the American people, and no American would have any privacy left, such is the capability to monitor everything: telephone conversations, telegrams, it doesn’t matter. There would be no place to hide. If a dictator ever took over, the N.S.A. could enable it to impose total tyranny, and there would be no way to fight back.“ . . . In our post-911 fear and paranoia, we have stood by as The State has built a surveillance network that Adolph Hitler would have envied.... SHAME ON US!

[@Knards]

Nah. I used to go to Canada all the time when I lived in Michigan. But now? I think not. Been through this in Australia and New Zealand

[@lonebuffalo74]

You forgot about a FAST Express card for crossing

[@mustaphamitchell5562]

I am from Algeria and i live in Canada how i get in the US broder i don't have national of Canada just the passport of Algeria. Please help me? ?

[@surbon514]

You would need to apply for a visa at the American consulate nearest you.

[@patrickmcwilliams696]

All a big show, fooling nobody. Glad I saw what I needed to of Canada before all this paranoia became a permanent part of the landscape. You just know that the powers that be would be happy to establish the same rigamarole for a trip from Kansas City, Kansas to Kansas City, Missouri.

[@homeofthemad3044]

What?

[@kaibaCorpHQ]

@@homeofthemad3044 I think he meant that they would like to do ID checks from one part of the US to another.

[@homeofthemad3044]

@@kaibaCorpHQ ok

[@ednorton47]

@@kaibaCorpHQ They already do that in AZ and TX.

[@TransitAndTeslas]

Edward Norton and California from AZ

[@colasalz2]

oh, you have to be perpared, and you have to get out of the train here and there, and fill out the checklist here...and security here, security there... what a mess

[@nafanarefour4564]

Is bringing maple syrup illegal? I'm the only maple syrup dealer in my town and I can't let my clients down!

[@illanes00]

Why am i watching this? I live more than 10000 km away from those countries

[@nochatter7134]

Martín Illanes Because it’s the best 2 countries in world...

[@woahgina]

@@nochatter7134 LOL

[@drewconway7135]

07:31 "If there is anything that needs a secondary look, they will separate you from the regular people...." Good. I think irregular people should be quarantined at all times, myself. You never know when they're going to have an "incident," and personally I don't want to be around when that inevitably happens.

[@dangrub4347]

At ab 2:15 it scared the shit out of me

[@ragnarragnarson9393]

The "enhanced security" matches the trend the Iron Curtain took from 1946 to 1953. And guess what? Border security never relents, it just gets tighter.

[@JetsonRING]

Is there REALLY a perceived American threat in Canada???

[@jerrysinclair3771]

Yes. We might bring Trump across the border.

[@95bochamp]

Just like America, Canada has a right to determine who enters. You can't tell who poses a threat just by their nationality.

[@jaredhighlands4604]

Trump....

[@realliving9253]

American paranoia!

[@birddog3130]

WTF? is a enhanced drivers license ? @ 1:20

[@knucklehoagies]

it's a special drivers license that doubles as a passport only for land crossings. Border States like Washington and New York have them.

[@cats0182]

I'll tell you. After watching this, I'll think long and hard before I take a train between the US and Canada. It's really little better than what you have to put up with when you fly.

[@barvdw]

I'd still be more stressed about flying, but yes, what a hassle to get to Canada or the US from either side... I'm happy I am a European living in the Schengen Area, I wouldn't want to dream of what would happen if we had the same procedures in place between all of our countries...

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

The border crossing in this video (at Niagara Falls NY/ON) is actually even more of a hassle than flying since you need to get off the train in the middle, go through customs and get back on, which takes two hours. In contrast, Amtrak trains to Vancouver travel non-stop over the border, then deal with customs inside the Vancouver train station. So as soon as you've cleared customs you can continue on your way, rather than having to wait for the entire train to clear customs like in Niagara Falls.

Between Finland and Russia you can do all that on board of the train! The border crossing happens slowed down from the normal speed but that's mainly due to change in overhead wires' voltage (yes, the trains run on electricity) and then there's a stop at the nearest town where the customs people step off the train. Distance between Helsinki (Finland, within Schengen/EU) and Saint-Petersburg (Russian Federation) is roughly 250 miles, travel time 3 hours 30 minutes. Do they bother us with this level of "be aware of your surroundings"/"be very afraid"? Nope.

[@marcvanderwee]

@ The train between Helsinki and Saint-Petersburg is a dual-voltage (3 kV = and 25 kV ~)high speed train owned by Valtionrautatiet (for the few who don't know that name, it is State Railways in Finnish..), isn't it? I know a couple of years ago there was a loco-hauled train with Finnish coaches that were made dual-voltage for the hotel power supply, the train was named Sibelius. I hope to visit Suomi (Finland) in the future, it must be so beautiful! Haluan oppia ensin Suomea.. ;-) (Got that from Google translate, TBH!)

[@commandercody5374]

I’ve experienced the border customs one time on my my way to Vancouver BC they just check your passport and they just let you roll

[@frankdenardo8684]

GT Master same going to Toronto, and Montreal

[@andywerner838]

To complicated..no way

[@WideWorldofTrains]

Great video

[@TrailerguyGotStolen]

Via Rail > Amtrak

[@LunaMizuki8806]

98 doesn't go to toronto o.o?

[@jacoblopez2868]

Good thing I live in Mississauga so there is no border crossing lol

[@walterbrown8694]

Let me see if I understand all this: Canada requires a US passport to enter a Canadian port of entry. The US requires a passport to enter a US port of entry ON THE CANADIAN border. Mexico requires a US passport to enter a Mexican port of entry on its northern border. The US requires no documentation to enter the southern border with Mexico - ( Unless one is a US citizen ? )

[@TheSchiffReport]

Man I hate borders....

[@TheyRiseBand]

Police state. Papers, please.

[@navycorpsman9291]

Sorry I don’t smoke 🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴

[@Kansasavation]

How come this is it on Amtrak The KZbin channel by the way I’m subbed to Amtrak

[@StKobren]

We cut it for Amtrak.

[@Kansasavation]

👌

[@Coaldale1947]

How complicated they have made things. Canada and the U.S. should get together and form an open border, much like borders in the E.U. The current set up is ridiculous!

[@Ahuntsicspotter]

Its not like that on Adirondack train between Montreal and New-York city.

[@mareerogers364]

Yes,they come on the train,ask questions, ask to see passports. I've seen them take people off of the train.

[@shakellw4634]

this is in parts a very old video, at 6:21their is a brief moment when they show the cable cars in Niagara falls, these cable cars haven't been their for years

[@straightpipediesel]

What are you talking about? That's the Whirlpool Aero Car. It's there today.

[@shakellw4634]

I live a half hour from Niagara falls, ill go and see soon

[@Steve-xf4uv]

You would not scoff at these security measures if your plane/train was hijacked or if a family member was injured by some radical/nutcase. Yes there are some overzealous border agents but mostly they take their jobs seriously and keep us safe.

[@semco72057]

That is good information to know about crossing the border on the trains and I would not want to violate the laws of either country and enjoy my trip.

[@jslasher1]

More red-tape. Going from bad to worse.

[@reidgibbs]

I live in Canada and I was on a via rail train on friday!

[@mediapark101]

Would you like to know more?

[@kwonglie5]

GOOD SERVICE FROM BOISE IDAHO USA

[@zachfila]

Going through the comments I see so many people mad about showing documentation at a international border crossing it’s not hard to show a passport or ID jeez

[@xplorefurther]

I have never seen this kind of process. Mostly are cleared at station.

[@AndrejPodzimek]

2:36 That description fits with an astounding precision - guess which well-known couple crossed my mind immediately. :-D

[@thomassmith4616]

Need a passport to get into Canada, and need a passport to get back into USA, but 20,000 plus can walk in from Mexico, feed em, house em! all with taxes, what crock!!

[@fordlandau]

Like travelling into a dictatorship actually !

[@95bochamp]

How so?

[@PeterNGloor]

@@95bochamp reminds me of my two crossings of the Iron curtain in the 80's. A member of our group had a magazine with him that they confiscated, and another one had an apple which they cut in two to see if there might be any microfilm inside.

[@an0n71]

Wow. Good job for everyone 👏🏼

[@thetvexplorer]

this appeared on my recommendations too much

[@dohyunchoi3735]

Constant surveillance, talking about security a million times, and most of all, rail travel is physically much safer than a train that you don't have to really give safety briefings. I would have to say that this video sounds from a dystopian future where the big brother knows everything.

[@fordlandau]

This is a serous overreaction to any possibility of problems.

[@bd5154]

Very well done but it sounds like paranoia propaganda not saying that people don't try stuff but sometimes you look too hard you find something even when it's not there

[@georgelurye6274]

It's not propaganda. It's informational. You should know what you'll be facing when you cross the border at both sides. If you don't want to know, don't.

[@tigdogsbody]

Over the years, I bet, my boy and I have waved at every one of these rail employees!

[@billstout6159]

Any chance we send some of these folks to the southern border? Any chance at all?

[@MNpolarbear]

Forgot that native americans can just use their tribal id's. (Federal Identification) & use of the jay treaty.

[@carinelamoureux5777]

Why not screen us at the central station like an airport first instead of makings live the train at the border

[@surbon514]

Because there's about 16 stops between NYC and Montreal. How would you screen everybody at each stop?

[@dahongpalaysfca5664]

That’s so uncomfortable,Plan B then travel by car

[@donaldscott3921]

As we might expect from those who worship the security state - they're not the best and brightest, and so did not know how to spell one word splashed on the screen. And remember, in this new police state that most Americans seem to accept, what old Ben Franklin said: "Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

[@nitramretep]

Another example of the bureaucracy center of the world......USA

[@yamahonkawazuki]

canada mixed in here too ;)

[@PerthTowne]

This was not my experience. I went from Vancouver to Seattle on Amtrak. All they did was ask people to have their ID out and ready. We didn't even get out of our seats. We just held up our ID, he looked at it, and went on to the next person. It was that simple. It's only if there was a problem that someone would have had to get off the train--and that happened on another crossing from New York State to Quebec.

[@georgelurye6274]

When was this?

[@PerthTowne]

It was a few years ago--maybe 7 or 8 years ago. I really can't remember exactly.

[@kevinjredmond1129]

I took this train, the Border people from the Canadian side were rude & demeaning to every passenger from the Amtrak train, absolutely no call for their behaviour.

[@peacelord]

I had the opposite experience. American border agents seemed like they were on a mission, while Canadian agents were like ok let's get this done zip zip zip ok move the train. That's just me, I guess. I just want the train to move.

[@Triley215]

If there is something specific that they did that someone did not -actually- deserve (them pushing and asking questions is part of their job...), then go to the CBSA website and fill out the feedback form. They are actually interested in hearing situations like this so they can be corrected.

[@daveyboy_]

Power trippin

[@mrbrainbob5320]

Ken Lompart true but canada seems worst

[@georgelurye6274]

I've had run-ins that were less than professional on both sides of the border, but I'll admit that US CBP tend to be more heavy-handed. I remember back in the 1990s when I was crossing back into the U.S. from Ontario, with my U.S. passport that says that I was born in Russia (which I was) and the border agent, with his left hand on his firearm, looked up from my passport page, looked straight at me and said, "You know, not too long ago I used to think that the only good Russian was a dead Russian." It was a disturbing moment, for sure. I smiled and nervously laughed. He gave me my passport back and waved me in. I remember being slightly in a cold sweat on the drive back. Meanwhile, I'm a USAF veteran now.

[@HarleyQuinn_93]

I didn’t know crimes as awful as human trafficking were done in that plain of sight.... but saying that you should look for a group of people where one person holds all the identification and such is a bit far.... when I travel with my family, my dad carries everything important for everyone

[@marclemire1414]

People shouldn't try to cross international borders without passports.

[@alexanderip1003]

when are they gonna get rid of those rotten Amfleets for the Siemens Chargers

[@zachfila]

Alexander Ip the charger is a locomotive and the amfleets is a passenger car

[@jerrysinclair3771]

After watching this video, I've changed my mind about visiting Canada by rail

[@realliving9253]

Good

[@frankdenardo8684]

Jerry Sinclair I will still visit Canada.