BRANTFORD, Ont. – The events of Sept. 11 in New York and Washington have made clear a need for reformed border crossings. In some cases, truckers have had to endure 18- to 24-hour backups to accommodate extra security checks. Truck News travelled to the Esso Truck stop in Brantford to ask drivers what they think should be done, if anything, to unclog border crossings.

Willy Vellinga, a dump truck driver for DW Cooper out of Brantford says he is lucky enough to not have to cross the border as part of his job.

Although he adds it is probably frustrating for truckers who are held up frequently on their traditional routes from Canada to the U.S. “Maybe they should use pass cards,” he says.

U.S. driver Don Malcolm of Nevada, Miss., hauls across the border quite regularly for Contract Freighters Inc. out of Joplin, Miss., and thinks something should definitely be done about border crossings for truckers.

“I think it should be an open border,” he says. “Both Canada and the U.S. are friendly countries. Drivers have always travelled both ways, there really shouldn’t be any problems.”

Paper hauler, Peter Delisle, who drives for Wesbell out of Brampton doesn’t believe anything should be done other than adding more manpower to the borders.

“Leave well enough alone. It can’t get better it can only get worse,” he says. Delisle was headed for St. Mary’s, Buffalo in his 2000 International.

Winchester, Ontario’s own Doug Peters, a driver for Villeneuve Tank Lines out of Maxville, Ont. was stopped at the Esso Truck Stop in Brantford when he took a moment to ponder.

“I think they should tighten it (the border) up. There is too much bad going on,” he says.

He adds that, given the events of Sept. 11, drivers have to be patient.

“The border being clogged is a pain but we just have to deal with it. Hopefully it will get better,” Peters says.

James Bagg, of Brantford, hauls anything and everything for Cooney Bulk Sales, also of Brantford.

The driver of a 1994 Ford L9000 thinks there should be adjustments made for those who cross the border regularly.

“Guys that are running to and from (the U.S.) on an ongoing basis should have an easy pass,” he suggests.

“It would make for quicker identification for drivers,” says Bragg.