I want to take the bus, it's some Chinese bus that leaves here from an Asian store and goes straight to China town. 9 hours give or take. Friend has gone twice, but he is a citizen. I don't want to ask if there were any immigration stops but from what he told me they just bring dogs in the bus to search for drugs. I feel that it's safe, but I'd rather ask.
I have been on those chinese buses before. Never from SC to NY but you're going north so there shouldn't be any BP stops on the way. Also, I had never seen or heard of dogs being brought onto the bus. It seems a little far fetched in my opinion since who the hell would have drug sniffing dogs at their disposal. This is a commercial bus that travels between states, not a tour bus from Columbia that has to cross the border and be inspected by customs.
As far as the Chinese buses go, its a rough ride but they are usually cheap as hell.
Don't do it, and this is coming from a NYer. There have been constant reports on the local Chinese newspaper that Chinatown buses have been searched by Immigration in route to as close to Philly. They know that the majority of passengers on these kind of buses are Chinese restaurant workers with no papers.
