Just want to hear stories so I can mentally prepare myself for such… hostile… interactions… (Hopefully this never happens to me)
P.S: And before anyone start spamming “Don’t Consent to searches”, remember that that’s a very democracy-centric viewpoint. In some countries you could be jailed for refusing.
Only time I was searched was in the Fall following 9/11 coming back from a hunting trip. Got pulled aside at the border, presumably because I was a teenager in a new pickup, and searched by US National Guardsman with automatic rifles.
Their leader came up to me while I watched 4 other guys diligently search every accessible crevice in the cab, underside and wheel wells. He seemed confused why I had been set aside for search. I shrugged and just said “he pointed so I pulled over” Took 10 minutes tops and they didn’t damage anything (thank goodness. They could have taken knives to the cushions). Haven’t had a problem at the border since. FTR white Canadian.
My advice? Don’t be rude, and don’t assume they have a bone to pick with you. If you are or do you WILL have a problem and people can cry ‘rights’ and ‘lawsuit’ all they want but I for one would rather avoid BS than antagonize. It is possible to assert your rights and not be an asshole. Thread that needle.