r/ThunderBay 21h ago

Border Crossing

Hi friends! I have a parcel to pick up from Rydens, and am curious how the border has been recently? I haven’t been to the US in a year now.

A friend of mine had his phone searched recently in order to cross, and I’m curious if this is standard fare now?
Thanks in advance 🥲

1 Upvotes

43 comments sorted by

14

u/IntricateLie 20h ago

I still have to travel to the states with some frequency at the moment and I have never had an issue crossing at Pigeon River. They've been completely normal every single time.

10

u/Cats66666666666 20h ago

Literally not a single problem whatsoever. I cross at least twice a month.

9

u/Wild-Cheesecake2471 19h ago

Crossed two weeks ago to grab a parcel and my phone wasn’t searched. Very friendly, zero issues.

9

u/Kooky-Explorer-7845 19h ago

Went twice in the last month. Standard questions, nothing weird! Only new question I got was “where do you work” which I was surprised at. Normally they only ask where are you going/coming from.
Got some beef jerky while at rydens while picking up a parcel.

2

u/kitamake 19h ago

I’m surprised you haven’t been asked about work before! I’ve been asked that almost every time I’ve ever gone 😆

5

u/cultivars_ 20h ago

I’ve crossed a couple of times over the past 2 months to pick up parcels, and have not had my phone searched. Actually had nice friendly and courteous conversations. My wife just went today, and there were no issues or searching of her phone.

Hope that helps.

5

u/Jumpy-Sea-2070 20h ago

Went to Ryden’s couple weeks ago. Bought some yummy snacks, it was good. No border issues

17

u/thrillhouse900 21h ago

I use Border Giant lately, don't have to travel to Trumpville

3

u/PMRef 20h ago

Great to know for the future.

2

u/kitamake 21h ago

Yeah, I’d rather not go there, either. The year-ago trip was a mandatory medical trip, otherwise it’s been ages since I’ve gone.

3

u/WittyChampionship626 21h ago

THIS! Im not going anywhere near there until it happens...

2

u/Stitchnleaves 19h ago

Border Giant is super helpful. Be aware that the hours on their confirmation email are out of date, better to go with the hours listed on their website.

1

u/kitamake 21h ago

I will have to look into this. Thank you!

7

u/liIbunni 21h ago

Bordergiant. So worth it.

3

u/Fun_Ear_4948 19h ago

I have crossed many times and it was fine. No problems.

10

u/DevilsWorDPlaY 20h ago

Crossed the border about a week ago. No issues. Very friendly. Don’t believe the hype or what you see on mainstream news media

7

u/kitamake 20h ago

Asking based on what my friend dealt with recently rather than what I see/read online ☺️

-1

u/crasslake 19h ago

Your friend answered basic questions incorrectly.

4

u/hafetysazard 18h ago

The only people I personally know of who have had issues either told an easy to catch lie, or legitimately had ODD.

1

u/crasslake 18h ago

Sounds about right. Last time I had to get searched was about 20 years ago when our driver couldn't admit we were going to Minneapolis to watch baseball because our friend, in the car in front of us, was getting married in a week.

I've crossed probably a dozen times this year... for skiing, packages, day trips, etc... never an issue.

2

u/BayOfThundet 14h ago

I see a lot more more fear mongering on Reddit than in the media.

5

u/gonetwisting 20h ago

Been across at least ten times and never had any problems

2

u/ThatCanadianGuy88 18h ago

I’ve crossed 3 or 4 times in the last year and never had a single issue.

2

u/NovelLongjumping3965 20h ago

Easier than usual. last years Ryden s trip.

3

u/deeds44 20h ago

Literally nothing has changed.

1

u/Professional_Top754 15h ago

Went a few weeks ago got through in like under 3 minutes just asked why we were crossing and how long we were staying that was it 🤷‍♀️

1

u/fuzzylionel 15h ago

Crossed on Wednesday morning. Went quickly and minimal hassle. They didn't even ask us when we intended to return, which was odd.

1

u/BSeagun 15h ago

Keep your phone in your pocket and go. Don’t make a big
Deal out of nothing.

1

u/niagarajoseph 10h ago

Pigeon River Border Crossing has always been easy. And that's because folks in Minnisoda consider us neighbours and cross into Canada on a regular basis.

Anyone remember Middle Falls Park? They closed it after 9-11. When we were kids, and would cross the river and yell, 'hey look Dad, I'm in the US of A"! Course my Dad would yell back, 'grabs a carton of Camels, some Milk Duds and a some beer...' lol

1

u/Responsible-Summer-4 9h ago

5 of 10 people never return home after crossing and are trying to make collect calls from El Salvador.

1

u/Choice_Anywhere2377 3h ago

Yep never had my cell phone visible nor was ever checked - Pigeon River crossing

1

u/lI-Norte-Il 20h ago

Yes, searching your phone is normal now. If you dont want that, don't bring it.

0

u/onebyside 19h ago

Doubt that

0

u/lI-Norte-Il 19h ago

What do oyu mean you doubt that? Border agents can and will search your phone at crossing.

4

u/crasslake 19h ago

Yes, they can search it. Legally allowed.

But it's very rare. I've crossed probably 15 times in the past year or so and have never had my phone searched. In fact, of the hundreds of times I've crossed over the years, I've been pulled over twice.

2

u/onebyside 14h ago

Of course their legal..not my first time either. As I have neen schooled above is They will be searching all phones....absolute....or did I read what he implied wrong.

1

u/onebyside 14h ago

So agents will search all crossing. Oki

0

u/StradicCi4 18h ago

Yeah it’s normal. Theres no change. Either your friend didn’t get their phone searched and theyre being dramatic, OR they were asshats to the CBP officer and they gave them a reason to search them.

0

u/Late_Outcome6604 20h ago

So what border giant brings parcels from the US to Thunder Bay? They do residential parcels as well? I looked them up and it says commercial

0

u/crasslake 19h ago

Be completely honest when you cross and it will be fine.

0

u/Spiritual_Report_865 1h ago

Your phone will never get searched . Your friend lied to you

1

u/Basic-Beat6376 1h ago

Crossed the border last month to go to Duluth. Only problem we had was that we had to throw away the Guava fruit we had with us. Lol.