View Single Post
  #21   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 05-04-2010, 22:52
Tom Line's Avatar
Tom Line Tom Line is offline
Raptors can't turn doorknobs.
FRC #1718 (The Fighting Pi)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Rookie Year: 1999
Location: Armada, Michigan
Posts: 2,540
Tom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond reputeTom Line has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Decline of GTR Attendance

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick TYler View Post
Seriously -- border guards aren't FRC inspectors.

"What's in the back of the van?"
"We do high school robotics competitions. That's our robots and tools."
"Is that like BattleBots?"
"Not really -- think basketball, not football."
"Are you selling anything while you are in Canada?"
"No. Just going to a tournament then going home."
"Have a good time in Canada."

Just reverse the comments coming back to the US. In a dozen border crossings we've never had our boxes opened, luggage inspected, or otherwise been hassled. In either direction.

There is nothing particularly sinister about even an FRC robot. Don't worry about it.
I can vouch for this as well. Living right next door to Windsor and Sarnia, the border guards really won't give you any problems. Be polite, answer their questions truthfully, and you'll be through without a problem (even with a robot). I've brought across tool boxes that I didn't have the key for without a problem at all, along with numerous other things (sails, superchargers, turbochargers).

I have to take my sailboat across the border for regattas, and the only time I really had to wait was when of the security guards knocked himself out coming out of the hatch (didn't pay attention to the 35 foot aluminum mast laying directly over the opening and drove his head right into it coming up the ladder). The border guards got very... interesting.... looks on their faces when I ran in to tell them their friend needed medical help. Got some good laughes from them too .