I was downplaying it when I commented previously that custom officers at YVR can be unfriendly and unhelpful. Some that I worked with were obstreperous, brusque, surly, rude, resentful and unabashedly racist. One regular international flight, which usually had immigrants to process, who were commonly treated with contempt and disdain, was nicknamed the Camel Driver's Express.

I witnessed a new immigrant's personal belongings thrown on the floor because the officer on the front line deemed it too unhygienic for him to soil his hands with it. The only help the confused man received was from myself and an Hawaiian Air stewardess on our hands and knees helping him retrieve and repack his meager possessions and directing him to the next area for processing.

As I said, I hope things may have changed, but somehow I doubt the first edict of COVER YOUR ASS has gone by the wayside.