spongeg
September 10th, 2007, 06:58 AM
found this article...
It's easier to get to New York than Vancouver, B.C.
By D. PARVAZ
P-I COLUMNIST
The sad truth about getting to Vancouver, B.C., from Seattle is that in transit time alone, you could fly to New York in less time than it takes to drive the 142 miles between the downtowns of the two cities. It's emblematic of the U.S.'s oddly isolated worldview -- there's us, and then there's who? Where? Huh?
Going up about once a month for eight years to visit my family, I've become a pro, albeit a battered and bruised one, at this game. And after reading that construction, border lane reductions and security issues will further gum up the works, I figured I'd offer newbs heading north a few pointers.
Count on a six-hour commute
You can travel by air, water or land, but unless you care to spend time in Victoria, the ferry isn't for you. Flying is great, if you can afford it. The Amtrak train is an option if you don't mind being at the station by 7 a.m. and aren't on a schedule on the other end. Which leaves buses -- the two main lines being Cantrail (which contracts with Amtrak) and Greyhound.
Unless you plan on driving up on your own in the dead of night (not a bad idea), you can't count on arriving in downtown Vancouver within the two hours, 37 minutes predicted by Mapquest. It might happen (not likely). There's traffic and long lines at the border. Even if the border is clear, you might hit the dreaded shift change, which could take as long as 20 minutes. Also, if you sus out a fellow passenger who might look squirrelly to a cop, brace yourself. The extra TLC lavished upon them by agents will delay your departure.
The laws of gravity apply
It takes more effort and energy to go up (north) than it does to come down (south). Well, at least when taking a Cantrail bus. Going north, the buses wait for Amtrak trains arriving from wherever. And for a variety of reasons (mechanical issues, weather, freight trains hogging the tracks) those trains are as irregular as Britney Spears' period, which means that these "connector" buses tend to leave quite late when heading north. Your best bet is hitting Greyhound's mid-day express bus. When heading to the U.S., however, Cantrail waits for nothing and no one.
Follow Paris Hilton's prison rules
If reports had it right, Hilton was so paranoid about being seen urinating while in prison that she limited her fluid intake. Should you wish to avoid the throbbing pain of a full bladder when returning to the U.S. by bus, do the same. The loo at the U.S. Peace Arch Border Inspection Station (aka Port of Entry) has not been available to the public for years, neither has the bathroom at the Pacific Highway crossing. "It's a security thing," said Mike Milne, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman. "People could leave explosives and stuff in there." He adds that you could plead your case with the agents on hand. Given how appealing most bus bathrooms are -- flashlights, Purell and one's own supply of TP are often required -- the border office is what most passengers hold out for, especially after being stuck in traffic for hours. Oh well. Welcome to America. Hope you don't soil your pants.
Don't mess with border agents
Border agents share a curious unpredictability with a go-go dancer coming off a meth binge. You might get a quiet, low-energy officer or a tweaking "Don't make me give you a cavity search" officer. I'm not saying border agents do drugs. I'm saying that they're unpredictable and that's probably part of the game (Canadian guards are reliably ornery).
Don't do what I did and try to cross without a passport and/or every piece of ID, every scrap of paper that could prove your legitimate standing. Bring it all. Third-grade yearbook? Sure. Oh, also, don't sass the agents, don't openly sneer at the framed photos of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney and do not use the words "bomb" or "Allah" for any reason whatsoever. Just trust me.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/parvaz/330809_parvaz08.html
It's easier to get to New York than Vancouver, B.C.
By D. PARVAZ
P-I COLUMNIST
The sad truth about getting to Vancouver, B.C., from Seattle is that in transit time alone, you could fly to New York in less time than it takes to drive the 142 miles between the downtowns of the two cities. It's emblematic of the U.S.'s oddly isolated worldview -- there's us, and then there's who? Where? Huh?
Going up about once a month for eight years to visit my family, I've become a pro, albeit a battered and bruised one, at this game. And after reading that construction, border lane reductions and security issues will further gum up the works, I figured I'd offer newbs heading north a few pointers.
Count on a six-hour commute
You can travel by air, water or land, but unless you care to spend time in Victoria, the ferry isn't for you. Flying is great, if you can afford it. The Amtrak train is an option if you don't mind being at the station by 7 a.m. and aren't on a schedule on the other end. Which leaves buses -- the two main lines being Cantrail (which contracts with Amtrak) and Greyhound.
Unless you plan on driving up on your own in the dead of night (not a bad idea), you can't count on arriving in downtown Vancouver within the two hours, 37 minutes predicted by Mapquest. It might happen (not likely). There's traffic and long lines at the border. Even if the border is clear, you might hit the dreaded shift change, which could take as long as 20 minutes. Also, if you sus out a fellow passenger who might look squirrelly to a cop, brace yourself. The extra TLC lavished upon them by agents will delay your departure.
The laws of gravity apply
It takes more effort and energy to go up (north) than it does to come down (south). Well, at least when taking a Cantrail bus. Going north, the buses wait for Amtrak trains arriving from wherever. And for a variety of reasons (mechanical issues, weather, freight trains hogging the tracks) those trains are as irregular as Britney Spears' period, which means that these "connector" buses tend to leave quite late when heading north. Your best bet is hitting Greyhound's mid-day express bus. When heading to the U.S., however, Cantrail waits for nothing and no one.
Follow Paris Hilton's prison rules
If reports had it right, Hilton was so paranoid about being seen urinating while in prison that she limited her fluid intake. Should you wish to avoid the throbbing pain of a full bladder when returning to the U.S. by bus, do the same. The loo at the U.S. Peace Arch Border Inspection Station (aka Port of Entry) has not been available to the public for years, neither has the bathroom at the Pacific Highway crossing. "It's a security thing," said Mike Milne, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman. "People could leave explosives and stuff in there." He adds that you could plead your case with the agents on hand. Given how appealing most bus bathrooms are -- flashlights, Purell and one's own supply of TP are often required -- the border office is what most passengers hold out for, especially after being stuck in traffic for hours. Oh well. Welcome to America. Hope you don't soil your pants.
Don't mess with border agents
Border agents share a curious unpredictability with a go-go dancer coming off a meth binge. You might get a quiet, low-energy officer or a tweaking "Don't make me give you a cavity search" officer. I'm not saying border agents do drugs. I'm saying that they're unpredictable and that's probably part of the game (Canadian guards are reliably ornery).
Don't do what I did and try to cross without a passport and/or every piece of ID, every scrap of paper that could prove your legitimate standing. Bring it all. Third-grade yearbook? Sure. Oh, also, don't sass the agents, don't openly sneer at the framed photos of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney and do not use the words "bomb" or "Allah" for any reason whatsoever. Just trust me.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/parvaz/330809_parvaz08.html