Update Dec 18 2007
As this thread in now large Kiwiflyer has made an index in post 258 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9244826&postcount=258) of links to the relevant posts for quick reference, sorted by airport code. As the forum software has changed some old links no longer work.

This summary will be updated from time to time.

If you are unsure of the airport code please use the FT airport code lookup (http://www.flyertalk.com/acl/).

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What experience have mileage runners had in turning around at an airport, both on domestic flights and internationally (any in any country in the world, not just the USA) given that may people can not understand why someone would fly somewhere, and then return immediately to the same place whence they come or then go somewhere when they have taken a direct flight.

More interested in airport’s that were in a different country from the departure airport, but all experiences are welcome

Information that would be useful
(a) Airports / countries the flight was
(b) Dates
(c) Airline
(d) How much time was there between your flights
(e) If a change of air line was needed
(f) If you had checked baggage or carry on baggage
(g) If you went through customs and immigration or an internal airport transit,
(h) If you had a boarding pass for the next leg or if you had to get it an transit point
(i) If you stayed more than 24 hrs (i.e more than what the air line considered a transit
(j) Any experience’s if staying at the airport overnight in the bar, lounge, sleeping on the floor or what ever.
(k) Any costs of visa & air port taxes you had to pay at the airport
(l) Any hassles with airline staff or the bureaucracy,
(m) Any good or bad stories on turn-a-rounds / transits

Some cities seem popular with mileage runners, like Dubai from London (LHR-DXB), and Singapore

I remember one post that said in Singapore the airline staff got the next boarding pass for the pax, without them requiring to go through customs and immigration.

There will be stories in trip reports, so any I find will cut and paste to this post

Calgary, Canada

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003688.html (link dead)
new link to this old post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181719)
Originally posted by timid_trnchcoat:
MR TPA-DFW-YYC-ORD-MIA-TPA in F on AA..

....Upon arriving in Calgary, I was beat. I proceeded to immigration and pulled an immigration form from the counter. While the directions were in English, the fields of the form were in French. I pulled out a few forms and they were all the same.

Stupidly, I started to fill it out not knowing exactly what was what. When I inevitably got stuck, I search for the English form and filled it out quickly and proceeded to the immigration screening counters. They asked why I was coming to Canada and I said I was meeting a friend I had met online. When I got to the actual immigration counter, they asked pretty much asked the same questions and I showed them my US passport and return ticket. Then the immigration agent asked how long I would be staying, I said about 12 hours. Things went downhill from there. They asked me all about my friend in Calgary - how we met, how long I'd known her, her name, address, phone number, profession, living situation, if she was meeting me at the airport, etc. Since I had met her online and she was really a friend of a friend, we just exchanged phone numbers so that I could contact her when I arrived. When I was questioned, I realized how little I had known my friend, despite having talked for about a year! Of course, it didn't stop there. I had to fess up and say that I was flying for miles also. He
was convinced I was travelling on a business trip, which I denied. I don't remember the exact words but I believe he concluded that my reason for "visiting" Canada was a biggest pile of cockamamie b/s he'd ever heard and took me to customs.

The lady asked me some questions, some of the same, some different. They wanted to search my luggage, and of course, being on an MR, I had none, just my carefully packed backpack. The words 'thorough search' do not do justice to the way they searched my bag. They found things (old receipts, ticket stubs) in my bag that I didn't even know were there. After she was done searching that and my wallet, I was told to go back to immigration and sit in the waiting room. Three other pax were here, all with dejected looks on their faces. I didn't want to be here. One of the pax left her passport wallet on the plane, and of course was stuck when going through immigration. I think she was a UK citizen. A nice agent handed her the passport wallet and said he had them re-search the aircraft and they found it between the seats, all in a reassuring and sympathetic voice. When couldn't I get this guy? Another gent had arrived from MXP via ORD and I later found out he would be flown back to ORD because he came for a work-related reason. Then my guy came in and said that until he could contact my friend (who wasn't answering her phone), that I was staying there. I buried my head in my hands and rubbed my forehead.

This is was turning into a nightmare. After about twenty minutes, he told me to come around to his counter. He told me he had spoke with my friend and she had said that she thought that I was on sort of business trip. My heart sunk. I had never told her my reasons for coming to Calgary, but what woman would want to play second fiddle to an MR! He asked me a lot of questions - an obscene amount really. I have been to job interviews where less questions were asked. The bottom line was he wasn't buying any of MR reasons, claiming no one comes to Calgary 12 hours after having travelled 12 already. I asked if there was an internet kiosk available, and suprisingly, he seemed willing to entertain my plea. I told him about FT. The PC he was using at the immigration counter had Internet access so I fed him the URL. I then cited the Mileage Run, saying many people take circuitous routes to a farwaway destination only to turn around and do it all over again. I didn't have an angle on the monitor, but knowing the site design by heart, I talked him exactly to the thread which I found the fare. I told him I would be completing an AA challenge on this trip. He said it was a waste of money and he surmised that if I wanted to do this again that I should do it in my own country. It was about 12:30am when he was done questioning me and reluctantly let me go, concluding that what I was doing was throwing up a lot of red flags. All pax had long gone. I started to head out, when a customs officer came running from the customs area. She only wanted the form I forgot to give her because no one was there when I passed by. Whew. I did manage to get to my hotel via one of the lone taxis circling the airport at this hour. Was in my room shortly before 1 am.

[This message has been edited by Mwenenzi (edited 04-26-2003).]

I did an MR to SIN earlier in the year. Hung around and posted on FT without ever leaving the terminal area -- just went to the transit desk to get my boarding passes for the return flight.

The security and transit desk agents didn't seem too out of sorts with my answer that I was flying for the miles. (and given that I was returning on the first available flight, what were they going to do, toss me out of the country? That's where I was headed in any case! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )

Steve

Did you get your passport stamped?

If not, did INS/customs give you any problems?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sllevin:
I did an MR to SIN earlier in the year. Hung around and posted on FT without ever leaving the terminal area -- just went to the transit desk to get my boarding passes for the return flight.

The security and transit desk agents didn't seem too out of sorts with my answer that I was flying for the miles. (and given that I was returning on the first available flight, what were they going to do, toss me out of the country? That's where I was headed in any case! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )

Steve</font>

I've done a fair number of domestic MRs with pretty much 1-4 hours turn around. I love the expression on the agent's face when I check in at the gate or club - "How did you get past security?" I have had all my boarding passes (like 4 or 5) pop out when checking in since it's a non-overnight turn. One agent tried to keep the return passes - nope, hand those over please. I don't do true international MRs; if I leave the country, I stay at least one day.

Checked baggage? Are you kidding me? I never check bags, even when going to HNL for 2 weeks. "Why are you doing this?" is a question I have heard a couple of times. I respond "I have a meeting in XXX (and YYY, if necessary)" and that's enough. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mwenenzi:
Calgary, Canada

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003688.html

</font>

I sympathise with this poster. I am also from Australia and was hassled to high-hell and back when I went to Canada.

This was back in 2000, and I was traveling from DC to Quebec City (via Montreal) for about 2 days. Upon arriving in Montreal I was asked what the purpose of my visit to Canada was. I just said I wanted to see Quebec City. They then asked me why I was only in Canada for 2 days etc...

It went down hil pretty quickly from there as I was hoarded off into an interview room. The lady there started asking me all sorts of personal questions like whether I had a criminal record, whether I used drugs, whether I was a drug trafficker. They then asked me whether I intended to ever leave Canada to which I replied with "I am from Australia why would I want to stay in Canada". They didn't like that one bit, but all I meant was that I am not from a poor country (ie, Afghanistan) so why would I not want to return home.

Then they asked me what hotel I was staying at (the Hilton) and they called the hotel to check my reservation. Next up they went over my ticket (a RTW) and asked me what I had done in every city I had visited. Next up, they went right through my bags, the pockets in my clothes, and even took drug residue samples from my clothes and bags.

They counted my money, asked me what my limit was on my credit cards.

About 2.5hrs later I was finally let out of the airport.

I was disgusted at how rude the airport staff were to me, and I know this is going to sound terrible, but it left me with no desire to go back to Canada, ever. I know this was a very small sample of the Canadian population, but the experience was so awful, I never want to (and prob never will) set foot in Canada again.

Maybe someone should send Canadian customs some advice on how to be friendly with travelers. I was not rude to them in the slighest (except for my Australia reference which they mis-took), had done absolutely nothing wrong, yet was treated like a criminal for 2.5 hours for no reason at all. Not even a "thank you, sorry for delaying you" at the end.

I have had one other "thorough" experience with customs officers and that was in the USA (same trip actually, must have been that black overcoat). They searched my bags (presumably for drugs) but all the officers were extremely friendly, explained why they wanted to look in my bags, and were altogether quite pleasant to be around.

I have no problem with customs searching people who they suspect may have drugs, but I have a big problem with people who do not show others basic courtesy and respect.

Rant over.

As for other cities, I have transited Singapore about 30 times and have always gone through immigration and customs, even on just a 2 hour connect. Never, not once, have customs hassled me in the slightest. As a matter of fact, in recent years I have gone on many 2-3 day trips to Asian countries like Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and India and have never had any troubles with customs at all.

London ask a lot of questions, but are friendly enough if you are honest.

The USA can be quite thorough, but again, in my experiences, the customs officers are friendly enough.

MD

[This message has been edited by MilesDependent (edited 04-26-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mwenenzi:
What experience have mileage runners had in turning around at an airport, both on domestic flights and internationally (any in any country in the world, not just the USA) given that may people can not understand why someone would fly somewhere, and then return immediately to the same place whence they come or then go somewhere when they have taken a direct flight.

More interested in airport’s that were in a different country from the departure airport, but all experiences are welcome

Please advise
(a) Airports / countries the flight was
(b) Dates
(c) Airline
(d) How much time was there between your flights
(e) If a change of air line was needed
(f) If you had checked baggage or carry on baggage
(g) If you went through customs and immigration or an internal airport transit,
(h) If you had a boarding pass for the next leg or if you had to get it an transit point
(i) If you stayed more than 24 hrs (i.e more than what the air line considered a transit
(j) Any experience’s if staying at the airport overnight in the bar, lounge, sleeping on the floor or what ever.
(k) Any costs of visa & air port taxes you had to pay at the airport
(l) Any hassles with airline staff or the bureaucracy,
(m) Any good or bad stories on turn-a-rounds / transits

Some cities seem popular with mileage runners, like Dubai from London (LHR-DXB), and Singapore

I remember one post that said in Singapore the airline staff got the next boarding pass for the pax, without them requiring to go through customs and immigration.

Their will be stories in this in trip reports, so any I find I will cut and paste to this post


[This message has been edited by Mwenenzi (edited 04-25-2003).]</font>

I took a mr to AMS. No problems in AMS at all. Imigration and Customs at EWR were not so great. When talking to the imigration officer I flet as though he didn't even want to admit me and was questioning why I would fly to AMS and than turnaround and come back. The Customs guy went through the whole drug spiel and had to search my bag. My worst experience was coming home from Italy on a vacation. The Customs guy had the balls to ask me how long I planned on staying in America while he was holding my US Passport. Since I was coming from Amsterdam he also did the whole drug search. Before 911 the most customs ever asked was where I came from and than where do you work answer those and I was out of there. Happy Flying!!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff:
Did you get your passport stamped?

If not, did INS/customs give you any problems?
</font>

Didn't get it stamped, no.

Didn't have any issues upon return. Admittedly, the immigration area for IAH was crowded since a couple of different flights had arrived at the same time, but they didn't seem to be rushing through anyone.

Steve

MilesDependent, I think you are not alone, sadly.

I, too, had more than a few very negative experiences (not at YUL but at YVR and YYZ).

I wonder if Canada is going to do some tourism promotion for Toronto after the Sars thing. Remove those immgiration and customs officials, and I will go even if Sars is there!

Pity, I like YVR a lot but I just can't stand those immgiration officers and reduced trips there.

I think one of the CX forum regulars, Commuter, wrote to YVR airport about the immigration nightmare and got some feedback. I couldn't find that thread.

Forgot to add that AKL is very turnaround-able. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I did a CX to CX transfer. The arriving aircraft leaves the airport in one hour. No check-in counter for CX but go to the gate direct. They'll check you in there. No questions asked. I had no baggage.

I agree that YVR is the worst. When I was working for an airline I flew into YVR, and didn't have a return ticket. Which is no big deal because I could just get passes from the ticket counter. Well that wasn't good enough for this guy. I showed him my work id, my passport, and he still asked me 1000's of questions. Then he asked me why I had passed through Canadian immigration 3 times in the previous week. He just couldn't catch on that I was an airline employee and I was flying for work those other times.

YYC - Calgary: agree wholeheartedly with the comments about the customs officers at this airport. I wasn't on a mileage run (was there and YEG for 3 days) but I got the full grill down by a customs officer upon arrival at the airport, why are you here, what are you doing, who are you visiting, where are you going after this, why are you going there? where do you work? what do you do there? (among 20 other questions). Canadian customs officers could be a little more friendly! Like miles dependent, we are from Australia, why would we want to stay in Canada!!

CGK - Jakarta - I did this MR with another FTer, and it was great (with the help of the other FTer of course), we took LH from SIN on the 55,555 promo and wanted to make the round trip immediately, didn't want to stay in CGK for the night. Only problem the LH aircraft was leaving around 30-60 mins after arrival. The other FTer was aware that CGK customs can be very slow, particularly with foreigners, so we found a nice airport officer and the other FTer had a nice chat to them in Indonesian, and what do you know it, he got us to change some $ for payment of taxes and whisked our passports through immigration and about 10 minutes later we had our passports back, stamped and back on the LH flight to SIN. The only pain was flying on LH Y.

SIN - Singapore - gone on a number of MR's from SIN and never had any questions from checkin agents or staff whatsoever.

At one place I did a MR, it was quite embarassing, as I kept on arriving back a few times a day, and the staff would say, Oh kawoh, have you missed your connection?? I would reply - no, i've been there already, i'm earning more frequent flyer miles... they just shook their heads! On some trips i've left myself a 10-25 minute turnaround. Granted there was a bit of running around but it's possible (never again though!)

[This message has been edited by kawoh (edited 04-26-2003).]

Done NRT multiple times, where you simply pass through the transit security checkpoint. They don't even check for an ongoing ticket 90% of the time. No immigration or customs stamp, but usually a raised eyebrow or two when I return to the US.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff:
I don't do true international MRs; if I leave the country, I stay at least one day.</font>

Same here. I tend to jump on sale fares for domestic itineraries. Last year I did 10 JFK runs, and this year I've already completed 9 of 10 DCA/IAD runs, and also booked two of the IND $99RT fares. When I was a heavy UA flyer, my runs were to Florida (MCO,TPA,JAX), some overnight, and some right back after landing. The miles come in handy for international trips in business class. I can't ever recall being bothered by anyone on domestic routings.

YVR - Worst experience. I said I was staying for three days and then I was onward to Hong Kong via CX. Because I had a Thailand stamp in my passport, the man asked me many questions before getting the Canadian form stamped. Obviously, this is bogus and I feel the Canadians are being trained to question single males who do not wear suits that stay for X number of days.

Thinking it was over, a female Canadian Customs officer comes over, takes my passport and says to look for her when I retrieve my checked bag. Went through the same scrutiny as listed by previous posters. Her best question was "Have you ever done any drugs in your life"! I said "No", she didn't believe me, so I responded. As President Clinton would say "I didn't inhale it and I didn't like it."

Anyway, my experience last 1 hour 10 minutes. The trick was to enjoy it and keep smiling. By then, they couldn't get anything on me, inside I believe they made a phone call...it all checked out and I was on my way. Naturally, the **BIG TRICK** is I am not meeting anyone (which I wasn't). I told the officer, "You did a really good job". She started to laugh over he "acting" as being upset with the world. It could have been worse, but I just make the best of it.

YYZ - Only get scrutiny if I am coming directly to the city as a round trip. The first time they were A*hole about it, but I offered to have them look through my bag and they refused. The second time, I had a nicer man re-question me and just made a "love of life" joke about it! I told him to "check my criminal record" and he said he did. I said "Really, what's it say?" That got me a stamp on my US PASSPORT (my very first from Canada).

Other places, no problems ever.....except maybe the USA from time-to-time, but nothing I can't deal with. Just give it back to them as much as they give it to you (ONLY if you are white-on-white American....NOT recommended if you are not an American citizen or a colour that can be "profiled" on a 2 way street).

Yes, YVR was the worst and it is bogus crap they provide too. Because Seattle is so much close, but YVR is a better Asian gateway with JAL and CX. I have noticed that YVR doesn't bug you if you are doing a one day continuing layaway from Asia into North America. It will never change, but tell the truth, nevertheless, even if you are driving to Seattle.....they probably know more about you than we know about ourselves.

SHADO

I've done no-stay MRs to LHR and NRT, as well as short-stay runs to those cities and ZRH, EZE and GIG.

Never had any problems in any of those cities - but occasionally had an a-hole of an immigration agent back here in the US upon return. LAX is usually the worst, while MIA and JFK seem used to the concept of MRs.

Never any checked bags on a mileage run (nor on business trips, as a rule).

Plenty of quick turn MRs in the US - ALB, PVD, JFK, DCA, JAX, MIA, MCO, LAX, SFO, SAN, and SDF, to name a few. Never any problems checking in or boarding, but FAs can be a little shocked to see your face on the return flight just 15 minutes after you arrived.

Have turned domestically at:
LAX, SMF, SEA, PHX and transits at DTW, MCI, MEM, TPA, FLL, MSY and others I will probably remember after hitting "Submit."

International runs (with between 1 and 24 hours time at destination) include: YVR, YYC, YEG, YUL, YYZ, LHR, BRU, and SIN.

Have ONLY had one minor problem at LAX and that happened in October 2001 (tensions were still running high). It required an "interview" with the captain before boarding and was set off because we were turning with the same crew (which we've done many times before and since). All ended fine.

Both my partner and I are white. He's an American citizen, I am not.

Many years ago, coming into the US from Canada (pre-clearing at YUL), I learned a very important lesson. Be direct in telling the immigration officer what you know he or she wants to hear. If you happen to be "stretching the truth," make sure your story is tight and well-rehearsed.

Most often, it's best to simply tell the truth. Your confidence is often the deciding factor between a hassle and a stamp n' smile.

I've done a turnaround in ACC last year.. that was probably my most interesting experience to date..... I didn't have a visa for Ghana either.. so I was escorted over to the transit area, my passport and tickets taken from me, and I sat waiting there for half an hour... going crazy about the fact that my passport and ticket could have just been stolen from me by unscrupulous government workers...
but luckily, I did get my passport and tickets back along with the return boarding pass...

was travelling on British Airways, and the turnaround time was about 2 hours.. there was really nothing at the ACC airport, except for a few shabby shops and some benches to sit on... There was a generic airline lounge there as well... here are some of the pictures I took when I was there... yes.. I know pictures were forbidden in that airport, but I did it anyways... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

oh yeah, login is ft and password is flyertalk
http://www.fung.net/Flights/game/13.htm

LGA-DCA-DFW-STL-LGW-RDU-LGA on AA, the short of it.
Washington Reagan-National:
The best airport I went to on the trip, lots of natural light, beyond security had a wide array of food services including California Pizza Kitchen and McDonalds, very nice clean bathrooms and the comfy airport chairs.
Dallas Ft. Worth:
The airport was under construction and not built very well, windows were few and hallways narrow, concessions we're limited to mainly fast food chains, still it wasn't too bad.
St. Louis Lambert:
Everything here seemed to be black or steal, concsessions were also limited and it was very bleak, also it was like stepping into 1980's technology, half the departure montiors didnt work and the gates had manual displays instead of TVs at every other AA hub or major airport.
London Gatwick:
Dreary with poor singage, they don't let you down to the gates until right before boarding and you are stuck in a waiting area filled with about forty duty free shops offering the same things, food was cheap wiht a good selection though.
Raleigh-Durham:
Terrible airport, had no major chains, I had to transfer terminals to change my currency back, I had a 7 hour wait here due to delays and it was the first time in my life I would have rather been home then at an airport.

------------------
DC-10's Forever!

I recently did SFO-SMF-SFO-SMF-SFO one afternoon one a star RTW to get to 50k to requal for Prem Exec on United.

None of the UA employees really cared too much, although leaving SFO they refused to issue me boarding passes for the entire trip after consulting a supervisor. Apparently they felt there was some kind of security issue if they did issue me all the passes at the start - not sure what.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">but usually a raised eyebrow or two when I return to the US.</font>

My experience, too.

I've done turnarounds or very short stay trips through LHR, MXP, DUS, FRA, SIN, SEL and PVG and have never had issues - they may think I'm nuts, but no issues.

The worst I've ever had was in February @ SFO where the roving customs inspector asked me what I did, what kind of law I practice, who my clients are, did I have any paperwork from work that I could show him, etc.

Although I've never been on a MR through Canada, which seems (by far) to be the worst, my rule is "tell the truth." There is nothing illegal about a MR - weird? Sure. Illegal? No. Especially not coming to your home country. Lying to a customs official, though? That's illegal and can get you in a world of hurt.

Greg

These stories are chilling! I did a turnaround once in Frankfort--was in the airport for literally less than two hours and flew back on the same NWA plane I came in on. Braun Hilda at check-in was very curt in her questioning, but no hassles.

I prefer to do runs within the U.S.--free upgrades to FC for all domestic flights (except Hawaii) on NWA, so I can sit up front. Last MR was from DTW to SFO and I got into SFO at 11:15 am and flew out at 12:35 pm--same plane, same crew (my ticket did not require a Sat night stay--watch carefully, they do pop up!). Sat in F both ways and nobody from the crew ever said a thing, and no hassles with customs and/or immigration. True, I can rack up only about 5000 miles RT on one run, where you can tally much more on an International flight, but the upgrades into F are worht the multiple runs--and they can be done in one (long) day.

NRT Narita, Japan

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum124/HTML/004882.html (dead)

Originally posted by joebeenyc: Looking to do a butt-numbingly brutal NYC-NRT run.

The trip entails going to NRT and landing at 1:55pm. Then jumping back on the same plane at 4:20 to return to NYC the next day.

Any NRT pros care to comment? Is 2 hours enough time to connect? I am thinking so but just want to make sure before I book it.

reply

Originally posted by FWAAA: Plenty of time unless ATC delays cause your inbound to be delayed (it's happened to me before).

No need to go thru immigration or customs - just like at LHR, you go thru mini-security, then straight to flight connections desk.

May not be the exact same plane, depending on airline. Often the planes rotate around the system, and don't just fly back to origin.
Have fun. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by Mwenenzi (edited 04-29-2003).]

Canada is the one place I have had bad experiences with MR's.

One time I was going to YVR for the days. Immigragtion did not like my reason (that I wanted to take advantage of a cheap fare). They pulled me aside. Asked question after question. Went through my backpack. All they found was my notebook, in which was a family tree of names. I was preparing a Eulogy for a congregant who had died. Must have looked like a drug chain to them!

After about an hour they let me go.

I have done a turn around at the following airports
DXB: required immigration clearance once Very easy. Twice got boarding pass at LHR
DPS(Bali) Excellent Had problems on return to Hong Kong as there was no stamp in the passport. Interviewed by Immigration and let through
MCT: Problem Sorted out by BA station manager
SIN: Never had any problem
ANC: No problem
SFO: No problem

The one thing that stands out after reading this thread was that Canada Customs can be a real pain. I never realised this.

I have travelled to Canada hundreds of times in the past 20 years and never have I had one ounce of trouble. I have found the younger University student staff to be fantastic and most to be nice. I have never been to secondary nor do I have Canada residency. This is my loonies worth just in case one gets the impression that Canada is guarded by a bunch of morons.

I have found Canadians to be from every walk of life and if I may add "representative of the world" in general. A great place to visit but I know living there can be harsh with the cold winters, high taxes and lousy football.

Cheers
Dave

Mwenenzi: I've had a number of experiences both good and bad. Check out my first MR trip report - MEL-SIN-BKK-SIN-AMS-CPH-GOT-FRA-TLV-FRA-YYZ-YUL-LGA-IAD-LAX-AKL-MEL (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/002958.html). (I'd cut and paste but it's almost 4,000 words!)

goodo

With the 777 taking over the MD-11's ATL-NRT job, is is possible that the MD-11 could be covering for a 777 on the MCO run?

Interesting comments about YYC's Customs/Immigration. I suppose that I don't get any of it because I'm a Canadian citizen (and the last time I went through YYC customs, the agent said exactly zero words to me). I imagine that your home country customs will always treat you the nicest, although I'm looking forward to trying to get a student visa the next time I goto the UK (there's no application in advance, I just need to 'prove' it that I'm studying, and that I'll leave when I'm done).

Then again, my always terrible customs experiences go happen at YYZ with US Agents. Was going for an academic conference, which the agent found difficult to comprehend, and she kept on asking me questions to try and catch me in a lie (which she didn't do). But whatever...

O

Originally posted by YYCOllie:
Interesting comments about YYC's Customs/Immigration.....I imagine that your home country customs will always treat you the nicest......


As long as you are not wanted by your home country authorities, are smuggling or what ever, they can hardly stop you coming in. All they can do is apprehend you, after you go through the formalities.

Well, I've flown into YVR over 100 times in the last five years, never worn a suit, and NEVER been questioned once.

Unfortunately, there is a problem at YVR I think. Anyone of Asian decent is probably 100x more likely to be questioned.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SHADO:
[B]YVR - Worst experience. I said I was staying for three days and then I was onward to Hong Kong via CX. Because I had a Thailand stamp in my passport, the man asked me many questions before getting the Canadian form stamped. Obviously, this is bogus and I feel the Canadians are being trained to question single males who do not wear suits that stay for X number of days.

Only thing I would say domestically if you are doing mrs w/ 2 different a/lines, know your terminal maps in regards to the physical distance and layout from one terminal to the other. Doing a bktobk mr on UA/AA into LAX, its better to go in on AA than UA, as the a/port traffic flow gos that way. On tight connections if you flew in on UA, you'd probably have to run back-probably over a 1/4 mile to reach AA terminals. The shuttles ahve to go all the way around. Same scennario @ DFW if you connect DL from AA. Stupid underground train goes only oneway, unlike Houstons IAH. Just my 2 cnts worth.

I've done MR's to LGW, LHR, FRA, ZRH & CDG all without ever having a problem. And many times with a stay of less than two hours.

The only time I was ever rally questioned at all was in FRA, and I happened to have a copy of my statements showing that I'd done this several. And no more questions were asked.

Knock on wood, but so far I've never had a problem.

bump

I'm a Canadian from YVR that is living in SJC right now. I've yet to pop my mileage run cherry, but I've had to deal with our beloved Canadian Immigration. I can't help but feel really embarassed about the ......s that works at our airports and apologize for their rudeness.

While I stll lived in Vancouver: Flew in from IAD-SFO-YVR after a month long vication in Asia and then DC. Immigration agent asked me the usual 3 questions and let me go. Grabbed my bag at the claim, got stopped by a roving inspector. After 10 minutes of one question after another, he noticed that on my declaration form that it happend to be my 18th birthday. After he asked "It's your birthday today, eh?" I said "yeah" while shooting him the nastiest glare I can muster. Jerk asked me another bull**** question and let me on my way.

After I moved down to SJC: Flying to YVR for a few days in March two years ago, mainly to see this girl I met online, but also to take care of some financial stuff for the family. At the immigration booth the guy asked more than his usual share of questions. Finally he asked why I am going back. "Pay my taxes" I said (which is 100% true). That shut him up right there.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ironmanjt:
[B]Unfortunately, there is a problem at YVR I think. Anyone of Asian decent is probably 100x more likely to be questioned.</font>

How said but how true.

What really is ironic is that being Asian-Canadian myself, every time I've been hassled by an immigration official, they are always Asian-Canadian inspectors. I've never really had a problem with a Caucasian customs inspector (until I come back to the US, but that's a whole different can of worms we'll save for later). Kind of disturbing, really...

While I was living in Japan, I did a lot of travel around Asia.

In general the customs and immigration folks in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Australia, and Korea are very polite and I've never been hassled. Yes Australia is not Asia exactly, but 10 hours to Australia from Japan is a heck of a lot better than 17 hours from LAX.

However, 2 cautionary notes:

1) Due to SARS, I would not be getting on an airplane if I had any type of cough, sniffle, or even allergy. Going to any of those countries above plus mainland China means you risk a 10 day enforced airports 'SARS-batical'.

This is of course ignoring the SARS chance itself.

2) Don't ever carry Tic Tac type mints in any luggage - especially going to/from Thailand. I once had a pack of white Tic Tacs in a checked luggage coming back from Thailand. The only time Japanese customs ever checks anyone is for Thailand returnees - and the **** Tic Tac box had broken open and spread everywhere in the suitcase. Needless to say a bunch of small white pill-like objects in my luggage then engendered a 4 hour wait in the airport while one (or more) of said objects were tested for drugs.

Everyone was very polite, but I personally will only carry the dissolving film breath fresheners from now on. At least until I get hassled by someone thinking they are speed tabs...

I happened to take advantage of two great deals. Last week I flew JFK-LHR. The immigration officer at LHR could not believe that I would "fly all that way for a day trip." Finally, she let me through after hearing the person next to me say that he was also taking advantage of a $99 r/t. No problem coming back to JFK: the US immigration officer didn't ask me a single question.
Yesterday, I went to YYZ. I was asked several questions about why I wanted to come to Canada for a day. After mentioning the cheap fare and the frequent flyer miles, I was allowed in. She stamped my passport. US Customs at YYZ was no problem at all.

I've never done mileage runs. My question is - what happens if you miss a connection along the way? Or if you're going to (for example) LHR & coming back on the next flight, and your outbound gets delayed causing you to miss? What do the airlines do?

------------------
Sharon

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SkiAdcock:
I've never done mileage runs. My question is - what happens if you miss a connection along the way? Or if you're going to (for example) LHR & coming back on the next flight, and your outbound gets delayed causing you to miss? What do the airlines do?

</font>

Happens to me with some regularity - AA simply puts me on the next available flight. If it's their fault - I get confirmed space. If it's my fault - I ride standby. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by umguy:
I agree that YVR is the worst. When I was working for an airline I flew into YVR, and didn't have a return ticket. Which is no big deal because I could just get passes from the ticket counter. Well that wasn't good enough for this guy. I showed him my work id, my passport, and he still asked me 1000's of questions. Then he asked me why I had passed through Canadian immigration 3 times in the previous week. He just couldn't catch on that I was an airline employee and I was flying for work those other times. </font>

Totally agree with you on this one umguy. I fly into Canada about7 times a year for business primarily, and usually to YVR. my last entrance was the worst, with me being sent to wait in line with about 30 other people to have everything checked.
Luckily they singled me out because I spoke English, and then went through the 30 questions routine. total delay-approximately 1 hour.
This officer was quite nice, but the first officer at immigration was nothing short of rude and arrogant.
I, like you all, travel frequently and all over the world, and Canada is the only country that has treated me this way.
I have been searched once in the USA (bags only) and it was not an unpleasent experience-very polite and apologised for the delay.
Lets hope someone from Canadian Immigration reads these threads

These comments about Canada concern me a bit since I am currently planning a MR on a ONE ticket as follows:

HKG-(viaYVR)-JFK-YVR-DFW-ANC-DFW-ORD-LAX-LHR...

[My girlfriend, who believes me to be insane will, meanwhile, fly HKG-LHR http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ]

Has anyone experience of:

a) turning round on the CX flight at JFK (arr from HK/Canada, dep to Canada on the same plane)

b) transiting YVR (arriving at 02:45 departing 07:00) from USA to USA?

Do I get stamped into Canada in the first transit at YVR (I know it would need a visa if I didn't have a passport which is visa-free for Canada)?

[This message has been edited by christep (edited 05-20-2003).]

bump

I'm fairly new to mileage runs but I decided to take the big plunge recently. I took advantage of the $320 continental fare to Hawaii [thanks to FT http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif !]. It was SFO-EWR-IAH-HNL-IAH-ANC-DTW-SFO. I enjoyed 3 wonderful days in Honolulu last month and gained a lot of miles. I had no issues at any airport. My only issue was being a tired rookie mileage runner.

Last week I received a message from a member of the Anchorage DEA requesting a return call. It took us a week to connect with each other but when we did, the questions were regarding the mileage run. She mentioned that she'd received a report from the airline of strange flight activity. There was someone else with a similar itinerary and she wanted to know if or how I knew this individual. I explained that it was a mileage run and that I was traveling alone. She was very understanding and stated that she'd already run a background check and figured it was probably that. She'd talked to the other person in question and he also told her that his was a mileage run. We even joked about it and she wished me "Happy Flying" when saying goodbye. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

My friends already thought I was crazy for flying everywhere in just a few days. I figured I would relay my story here where a few others might understand.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by c1ue:
Don't ever carry Tic Tac type mints in any luggage - especially going to/from Thailand. I once had a pack of white Tic Tacs in a checked luggage coming back from Thailand. The only time Japanese customs ever checks anyone is for Thailand returnees - and the **** Tic Tac box had broken open and spread everywhere in the suitcase. Needless to say a bunch of small white pill-like objects in my luggage then engendered a 4 hour wait in the airport while one (or more) of said objects were tested for drugs.

Everyone was very polite, but I personally will only carry the dissolving film breath fresheners from now on. At least until I get hassled by someone thinking they are speed tabs...</font>

I had the same problem with Tic Tacs. I spent a year overseas and before I left my dad put a few packets of Tic Tacs in my suitcase. I had no idea they were there, until I arrived back in MEL and they X-rayed my bags at customs, and then opened it up to find my little white pills.

goodo

Just finished a mileage run which included:

- same plane turnround YVR-JFK-YVR
- transit at YVR from JFK to DFW
- same plane turnround at ANC
- same plane turnround (but 6 hour gap) at CAI

No problems anywhere. Trip report in three parts:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003834.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003842.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003847.html

This was in beginning of 2002 during DL's 2x status miles for YBM fares. I booked an AA ORD-NRT-ORD dep 1/11 rtn on 2/3 for like $450 or so. Got some good onus miles on that flight. Anyway, I had then booked NRT-ATL-ORD-ATL-NRT dep NRT on 1/13, 1/20, 1/27 and returning on 1/19, 1/26, and 2/2. All the DL fares were M so I basically got PLT for $600 x 3 plus the $450 I spent on AA. One of the rtn to NRT the flight was overweight and I took a bump for $700 cash and they gave me the miles for this return. They also let me skip the outbound NRT-ATL-ORD of my next ticket, gave me miles for it as well. They put me on a plane back to ORD in F. Anyway, on my last DL arrival into NRT on 2/2...I got in at like 2pm or so. Since AA was in the other terminal and I thought I had plenty of time for my 6pm ORD departure...I decided to go through regular immigration - not the transit desk. The lady there looked at me like I was nuts. Totally crackers! When asked why I was doing this, all I could think of was to say for FUN. She looked at me strangely but finally let me through. I got to spend a good couple of hours out in the fresh air walkinbg around which was worht it....but I was sure I was soon going to be taken away and strip searched.

In the end I flew 3 roundtrips to NRT in 4 weeks, made PLT with DL, got a total of 135000 miles with DL and 30000 or so with AA. All for about $2000.

I was given a rough treatement at Perth in Australia on mileage run. I was on a AONE4 RTW so all travel was in F and that did help a little. I simply said I thought I'd spend 2 days visiting Australia and flying over it to get a "feel" for the place while also collecting miles. The fact that it was First Class ticket made them suspicious as to why I would care about miles (they don't understand RTWs :-) ). In the end they accepted it but only after a thorough check of all bags (no checkin, simply a small carryon). I did get asked if I know any terrorists or drug users!

I also got questioned at DBX while in transit (the routing was sub-optimal and the agents raised questions). I have family in Canada, so I always get away with MRs to Canada (just stopping for a few hours to see family members). US customs does do a cursory check if the itinerary is a very long complicated MR.

Friends with Indian or other developing country passports did have problems here and there (DXB, LHR, SYD, etc.). HKG, SIN, BKK, MEX and ZRH were most friendly to the Indian passport holders on MRs. My advice is to avoid checking out but try connecting flts that allow you to be entirely in the transit areas (as in NRT, SIN, HKG, etc.)

I just had an interesting experience in CDG earlier this month on a CLL-DFW-BNA-DFW-CDG-XDB-CDG-DFW-CLL butt-numb-a-thon run. When checking in with AA security for the flight back to CDG, the agent noticed that I had arrived at CDG that morning and was leaving already.. so asked all sorts of questions about what I did, where I had been, if I knew anyone in Lille (where I had been for all of 30 minutes), etc. Wanted to see boarding passes, business card (don't usually carry them), train tickets etc. Then he led me through immigration, security, where they did a pretty thorough bag search and body pat down. This was odd for CDG; in my experience usually I'm just waved through, at least half the time my passport isn't stamped on entry/exit either.

bump

My only MR has been to SIN, as many others have done. I did my first in February of this year, and I'm doing my next in about a month. I did not clear customs/immigration, I got a room at the transit hotel, although I only spent about 2 hours in the room. It was daytime for me, so I spent some time screwing around on the internet from my laptop, plugged in to one of the free internet ports.
Two people gave me raised eyebrows and one gave me actual trouble. The first person was the check-in agent in SEA, she was surprised and commended me on my flying stamina. The second was the check-in agent in SIN. It seems like most people checking in at 5:00 or whatever time the transit desk opens are people who missed their connection. He was not ready for someone who actually meant to do that. Also, he seemed most concerned that I had no baggage, and had to fill out some kind of baggage fee waiver. He also was worried that I didn't speak English well and that my bags were going to get stuck in SIN purgatory because he was marking me as having zero bags.
The only person who gave me a real hassle was customs in SEA when I returned. I didn't have bags, so I was the first one out, and that was enough to make me picked for further scrutiny. The agent who looked at my documents was fairly incredulous, but was polite. He did a full search of my bag (boring), but as always in SEA, my badge and business card from a well-respected employer in the area whose employees are known for doing weird thing was my get-out-of-customs-free card.

IST Turnaround http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/001794.html

Lots has been written on these boards about the IST turnaround to maximise Miles but I can't find any threads giving peoples experiences of doing the same day turnaround. I am planning either a same day or overnight turnaround sometime in the next few weeks. Is it possible to stay airside and avoid customs and immigration and having to get a Visa? If not, how much is the Visa for UK Passpost holders and what currency does it have to be paid in?
If I do an overnight are there any reasonable hotels nearby or is it worth heading in to Central Istanbul?
------------------
Gaza's oneworld & Star Alliance Round the World Information Pages - www.rtw-info.co.uk (http://www.rtw-info.co.uk)

DXB turnarounf
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/001793.html
Originally posted by alect:
I am soon doing a LHR-DXB-LHR stright through turnaround. Can I check in for both outbound and inbound sectors at LHR? If not do I need to clear customs in DXB or can I just check in at the lounge (I will have no checked bags). Are there any other issues/problems I need to be forewarned about?

post
Originally posted by mikalee:
When using the self service check in at LHR recently, one of the options was that you could checkin a return flight if it was within 12 or 24 hours.
Probably best to ask this on the BA board.

post
Originally posted by BoSoxinBkk:You can check in at LHR for the return segment. Transiting to the departure area is simple at DXB. You will need to show your onward boarding pass, but they will not ask you which flight you've come in on.

With the recent fare sale to Europe by many airlines, I'm curious to see what people's expoeriences are with doing a quick turnaround at LHR. This thread is overrun by Canada experiences, and only has 1 or 2 LHR recounts. I'm booked on two MRs in January/February on AA with no night stays.

Experiences?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MeLike2Travel:
With the recent fare sale to Europe by many airlines, I'm curious to see what people's expoeriences are with doing a quick turnaround at LHR. This thread is overrun by Canada experiences, and only has 1 or 2 LHR recounts. I'm booked on two MRs in January/February on AA with no night stays.

Experiences?</font>

When are you going? I'm doing the same, but 1 time staying 1 night and the other 2 nights.
I'm scheduled for
1/15 AA16 SFO-JFK
1/15 AA116 JFK-LHR
1/18 AA101 LHR-JFK
1/18 AA45 JFK-SFO

and

2/20 AA860 SFO-ORD
2/20 AA98 ORD-LHR
2/22 AA67 LHR-ORD
2/22 AA1825 ORD-SFO

I'll echo the comments of the other Australians regarding Canada. I was on a RTW ticket with a rather 'silly' routing; SYD-AKL-PPT-LAX-YYZ was the first hit (all in one go) and I had no end of problems when I got to YYZ.

After presenting to the passport counters the lady asked the usual questions and then squiggled on my landing card. On the basis of the squiggle I was pulled aside before entering the baggage claim area. I was sent down a corridor where there were little interviewing rooms. At this stage I had been on the go for 30 odd hours (thankfully the NZ upgrade AKL-LAX was the only thing keeping me awake at this point in time).

The lady that was interviewing me was less than friendly ... upon telling her that I was only staying 2 nights in Canada, had prepaid the accom in full and had plenty of money for the stay; she snapped "I'll be the judge of how much money you have". She then went through my passport with a fine tooth comb, using verious UV lights and other tools to check its authenticity and the stamps in it. She then wanted to see my ticket which is where the next problem started. She wanted to know why I hadnt flown directly from SYD-LAX on UA, and had instead chosen a circular routing on NZ.

I explained that I didn't really want to fly on UA after what had happened and at any rate the service on NZ was superb. She then wanted to know why I had booked the non stop NZ flight - to which my answer was that I had an upgrade credit with NZ and the most it was good for was AKL-PPT, and consequently as I wouldnt get a chance to use it before it expired, thats the routing I took. She openly told me that she didn't believe a word of this and now wanted to see my money.

I was in the process of getting the cash and travellers cheques out of my money belt (one of those ones with elastic that goes under your jumper). She then snapped that she wanted to see the entire contents of the belt and then snapped if I had any other things hidden away on my person I should tell her now. (I mean how unusual is it for someone to have their cash strapped to their person along with the other important travel documents).

Anyway - she counted the money (of which there was more than plenty for a two night stay) ... she then looked at the onward ticket (YYZ-YUL-YHZ-YYT-LHR for two days later) and asked a couple of questions about that... then came her discovery of my British Passport. This passport is several years old and doesn't have a single stamp in it ... this caused her no end of angst... she asked "where did you get this from" to which my answer was "the British High Commission in Canberra" ... she took this as a personal insult and told me not to get smart with her as she had the power to deport me (I knew it was only 6 or so hours till the next flight to LHR and boy was I tempted to tell her that I would get on that)... at any rate eventually after going through all her questions again she put a stamp in my passport and then asked "how long are you staying again?" to which I replied two days ... so she wrote a visa validity underneath the stamp of 6 months!

My bag was being watched by the customs official who had just two bags to clear before going home for the night (mine and that of the bloke who was still being grilled about his passport)... I handed him my card and he said "have a nice stay" and that was that!

Looks like Canadian customs are to be avoided if at all possible...

Looks like I'm going to miss you. I'm doing 5 different trips between January and March. I'm actually doing a run 2/20-2/22, as you are, but am on different flights:

2/20 SFO-ORD AA46
2/20 ORD-LHR AA46
2/22 LHR-ORD AA87
2/22 ORD-SFO AA1835

My other runs are:
1/31-2/1
2/6-2/8
3/6-3/7
3/12-3/14

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JonnieB:
When are you going? I'm doing the same, but 1 time staying 1 night and the other 2 nights.
I'm scheduled for
1/15 AA16 SFO-JFK
1/15 AA116 JFK-LHR
1/18 AA101 LHR-JFK
1/18 AA45 JFK-SFO

and

2/20 AA860 SFO-ORD
2/20 AA98 ORD-LHR
2/22 AA67 LHR-ORD
2/22 AA1825 ORD-SFO</font>

X

[This message has been edited by JonnieB (edited 11-10-2003).]

It looks like you are going to be spending the night, yes? If so if you want to grab a beer or something, let me know.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JonnieB:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by MeLike2Travel:
[B]Looks like I'm going to miss you. I'm doing 5 different trips between January and March. I'm actually doing a run 2/20-2/22, as you are, but am on different flights:

2/20 SFO-ORD AA46
2/20 ORD-LHR AA46
2/22 LHR-ORD AA87
2/22 ORD-SFO AA1835

My other runs are:
1/31-2/1
2/6-2/8
3/6-3/7
3/12-3/14

</font>

love this thread. any other thoughts on Paris (CDG)?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by enjoystravel:
I was given a rough treatement at Perth in Australia on mileage run. I was on a AONE4 RTW so all travel was in F and that did help a little. I simply said I thought I'd spend 2 days visiting Australia and flying over it to get a "feel" for the place while also collecting miles. The fact that it was First Class ticket made them suspicious as to why I would care about miles (they don't understand RTWs :-) ). In the end they accepted it but only after a thorough check of all bags (no checkin, simply a small carryon). I did get asked if I know any terrorists or drug users!
</font>

I've had similar at PER where they couldnt understand a long weekend trip from NZ. The fact it was in C and had been to AMS a couple of weeks prior didnt help http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Must say they were very pleasant about it all though.

bar none, the worst experiences I've ever had have been at YWG (Winnipeg). my company has a mfg. plant in Wpg. I go there 4-5 times a year to fix production problems and/or install new systems. I tell em that at the airport and it's total pandemonium. why is this such a difficult concept? I'm an American, working for an American company who happen to have a plant in Canada, paid in US dollars through the home office in the States, who lives in one of those states. I am not here to take anyone's job, nor do I plan on staying in Winnipeg (it's cold enough here, thanks). I can only tell em the truth, but it seems like I have to tell this story five different ways before I can get through. I *hate* Canadian immigration. No matter that I've been there at least a dozen times now and have plenty of Immigration Canada stamps in my passport; it's the same ordeal every goddam time.

Sure, what the heck. I'm not sure where I'm going to stay yet. I'll probably get a bunk at a hostel. We'll see.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JonnieB:
It looks like you are going to be spending the night, yes? If so if you want to grab a beer or something, let me know.


</font>

Drop me an email

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MeLike2Travel:
Sure, what the heck. I'm not sure where I'm going to stay yet. I'll probably get a bunk at a hostel. We'll see.

</font>

YYZ was the pits for me, loadsa questions that seemed to try and trip me up, then finally he grunted and stamped me through.

It was actually easier getting into Havana, no questions, just a smile and a stamp. (Getting out was harder, just one question :-)

Never did get my *A miles on my UA account for CAN-HAV-CAN :-(

(I was there legally, i)UK Citizen, and ii)as I reside in the US, I was there as a journalist. Absolutely nor problem coming back into the US at CLT, Immigration asked me how long I was in Cancun, "4 hours" I said, said I was in transit from Havana, I had a journalist visa so he was fine, we ended up discussing Castro (I was the only non-US citizen on that flight, nice having 3 inspectors to myself!!).

Customs was just a couple of questions, "Did I have more than $10k?", "No", "have a nice day and welcome back"

Link to Narita NRT transit (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum124/HTML/006439.html)

Calgary (YYC) was my worst immigration experience ever. Many questions regarding money, employment, specific plans for time in Canada, hotel reservation, return ticket, etc.

Now whenever I go to Canada, I always prepare a dossier containing everything relating to my visit. Fortunately, I haven't had any problems since YYC. I do have an upcoming YVR trip-- hopefully that won't live up to its reputation here.

Paris CDG

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum124/HTML/006558.html

Link to Cairo CAI transit (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/001966.html)

I have always stayed at least 1 day on international trips until this past week. I did a 3 hour turn around at LGW since my planned weekend to London was interrupted and compressed by the snow last weekend. I explained to the immigration officer what happened and that I needed the miles by the end of the year. He laughed and said he hoped it was worth it. Then said, "well, dont want to hold you up any longer, you dont have a lot of time here after all. Enjoy your visit"

My only immediate turnaround on a domestic run has been recent also, At JFK on United I was asking at the RCC about boarding passes on the return. The person at the desk was looking rather strangely at her screen as she was looking. I told her I needed a few thousand miles to requalify for 1K. She said, "oh yes, its that time of year again isnt it." Seemed to not be too surprised.

I have done:

OAK-DFW-BDL-DFW-OAK all in one day twice. At OAK, the GA's laughed when the boarding passes printed. At BDL the GA shook his head and thanked me for flying on AA

OAK-LAX-SAN-LAX-OAK all in a few hours. No questions, as it was during the Great Offer on UA so they were used to it.

SFO-LAS-DEN-ORD-MKE-ORD-DEN-LAX-SFO with an overnite stay, so the only one who questioned my sanity was my aunt in Chicago who feed me dinner that night.

SFO-PIT-PHL-CLT-FPO-CLT-DCA-PIT-SFO with an overnite stay at CLT. The only place any hassle at all was FPO when they questioned my about the nature of my trip as I was there only 1 1/2 hours. I assured them I would be staying next time, that this was a CMR. They laughed and sent me on my way. Though they did search my bag at the US Customs area in the FPO airport. I was glad that US Customs was cleared before we left as I had a very close connection at CLT-DCA.

SFO-ORD-MIA-CDG-XYD(Lyon)/LYS-FRA-CGN/QKL-FRA-QKL/CGN-MUC-LYS/XYD-CDG-MIA-SFO where I didn't sleep in a bed for about 48 hours, until I arrived at Cologne Hyatt after midnite. The second day was in Frankfurt so an easy day before returning to Lyon for another overnite stay. Spent a lot of time in airline lounges:

SFO AC just fair

ORD AC excellent Term3 Concourse H large club, looks new and very comfy. Also has a separate smoking room that doesn't impact the non-smoking areas

MIA AC in Concourse B (?) it is small and crowded with a tv and a bar. Use the one in Concourse E instead

CDG AA Arrivals Lounge is a little bit of a walk but good showers and comfy for a small lounge with coffee/espresson maker, drinks and snacks

LYS Mont Blanc Executive Center is tiny and the smoking area is not separated from the non smoking area in any appreciable way. But more comfy than the public areas which are crowded. Had drinks, coffee, snacks and newspapers

FRA SEN Lounge in the intra Euro terminal was fair, definitely not much more than drinks, coffee and snacks with a few comfy seats

CGN SEN Lounge is small but very comfortable seating. Drinks (seems all of the SEN Lounges have beer on tap,) snacks and papers

MUC SEN Lounge is one of the nicest lounges, large, lots of comfy seats, a "sleeping" area with three lounge chairs that almost go flat in a dimly light room, showers and great food selection

CDG AC is good, comfortable though feels a bit small as it is wrapped around the circle of the Terminal walk are. Just drinks, coffee and pastries though, with papers and tv

MIA AC Terminal E is a great lounge, large, a lot of computers, though 2 were broken, and good bar and meals are available

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mwenenzi:
What experience have mileage runners had in


[This message has been edited by Mwenenzi (edited 04-26-2003).]</font>
Have a look at this site !
http://www.flyertalk.com/milesfr.shtml
see under SWISS // New Cheap 1 day return specials

LX has offers just for MR


[This message has been edited by bertheike (edited Dec 14, 2003).]

I just did my first ever MR this past weekend. LAX-DFW-BOS and back by the same routing. The one thing I learned is that when choosing a hotel, really check out its location before booking. I booked the Sheraton Newton, which seemed close enough to Logan airport, but the taxi fare, including tolls and tip, came to $40. I know, I know...I didn't do my homework.

Took Back Bay Shuttle from Newton to Logan next morning for $12.00.

The other important thing I learned, since I'm doing another run in a few weeks on the exact same routing is get to Boston 2-2-1/2 hours early due to the extreme congestion at security. I thought it might have been holiday travellers, but someone in line with me said it's almost that bad all the time.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bertheike:
Have a look at this site !
http://www.flyertalk.com/milesfr.shtml
see under SWISS // New Cheap 1 day return specials

LX has offers just for MR


[This message has been edited by bertheike (edited Dec 14, 2003).]</font>

Is this the link you mean? New Cheap 1 Day return Specials (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum142/HTML/000346.html)



[This message has been edited by planeluvr (edited Dec 15, 2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Nanook:
I just did my first ever MR this past weekend. LAX-DFW-BOS and back by the same routing. The one thing I learned is that when choosing a hotel, really check out its location before booking. I booked the Sheraton Newton, which seemed close enough to Logan airport, but the taxi fare, including tolls and tip, came to $40. I know, I know...I didn't do my homework.

Took Back Bay Shuttle from Newton to Logan next morning for $12.00.

The other important thing I learned, since I'm doing another run in a few weeks on the exact same routing is get to Boston 2-2-1/2 hours early due to the extreme congestion at security. I thought it might have been holiday travellers, but someone in line with me said it's almost that bad all the time.</font>

Although I have done lots of mileage runs where a hotel is required, next time look at LAX-DFW(Sat eve redeye)-BOS(Sun morning) and back on Sunday. Viola - no hotel needed, as your Saturday night stay occurred on the plane. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You don't even have to leave the sterile area. Just check in at the BOS AC and print your BP there for your return segments. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Trust me - this works. I've done this to lots of cities, including LHR, CDG, MAD, NRT, etc., as well as ALB, SDF, PVD, BOS, JFK, etc.

Good luck and have fun. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FWAAA:
Although I have done lots of mileage runs where a hotel is required, next time look at LAX-DFW(Sat eve redeye)-BOS(Sun morning) and back on Sunday. Viola - no hotel needed, as your Saturday night stay occurred on the plane. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

Don't the midcon redeyes leave at 0030 or 0100?

I have a similar issue out of SFO -- the redeyes that help with minimum stays (i.e., the ones that leave before midnight), are the longer ones to the East Coast, which often aren't the maximum mileage routins.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by channa:
Don't the midcon redeyes leave at 0030 or 0100?

I have a similar issue out of SFO -- the redeyes that help with minimum stays (i.e., the ones that leave before midnight), are the longer ones to the East Coast, which often aren't the maximum mileage routins.</font>

D'oh!! You're right. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Then fly to ORD, which leave LAX (and SFO/SJC) prior to midnight. Most of the time I go LAX-DFW on the redeye it's because a convoluted mileage run has gone haywire (becuase I'm delayed somewhere else), and I've missed my redeye from LAX to places like BOS or MIA, which then gets me routed thru DFW.

As a Canadian planning to do a SIN MR on UA, I wonder what hassle can I expect from INS? I did that twice last year both out of Buffalo. On crossing the border by land, they question where I'm going, why I'm flying out of Buffalo instead of Toronto and want to see my e-ticket printout. On the return at SEA, I got stopped by a custom agent rather than immigration because I didn't have any checked bag. Although I got through ok, just wonder what kind of hassle can I expect.

Just another quick question as I prepare for my first mileagerun......

Do the check-in agents (specifically UA) have the 'return' information on their screen when checking-in or do they just have the current departure information for that specific date?

Thanks

I did SJC-IAH-LGW with a two-hour turnaround last weekend. The British immigration/customs people were appropriately curious what I was doing coming into the UK while planning to leave in 2 hours, so I was just honest -- briefly explained the concept of a MR and its future benefits. They asked what my profession is, but didn't even search my hand luggage and let me go on.

Then checking back in for the return flight from LGW (had to exit security), the guy checking my passport asked how long I had been in the UK. I smiled and said "a half an hour." His eyes widened and then he said "Oh, you're on of THOSE, what do they call them?" "Mileage runners" I said. "We fly for the miles/elite status on our airlines." We then had a brief chat about the benefits, and he said "We had one of those chaps last weekend. Mileage runner, eh? Well that's a lot better than a drug runner!" With a big smile he let me go on, again, no hand search of the luggage.

I proceded to a luxurious shower at the CO President's club and snacks, and then on to my return flight.

As there is nothing illegal about MRs and quick turnarounds, it may make more sense to be up front about what you are doing than trying to contrive some goofy story like "I flew to London to have lunch".

That's ridiculous, eh? I always cross from Vermont into Canada by means of automobile and has always been easy...other than when my dad and a friend drove off and the friend with my dad said "We got the bomb through" They then searched the car all over for hours.. Granted, I haven't been in Canada since pre-9/11. I went into Ukraine for 3 days..A stamp, and I was off at Boryspil.
-AG

"I've never done mileage runs. My question is - what happens if you miss a connection along the way? Or if you're going to (for example) LHR & coming back
on the next flight, and your outbound gets delayed causing you to miss? What do the airlines do?"
There are times when this can be an advantage. For example, I was recently on a flight that got divertted. This meant I got an extra segment because I had to fly from the diversion city to where I was going. Also I got a hotel and meal voucher, and got hotel status credit for the airline paid room. It is up to the airlines discretion as to whether to put up the passenger in a hotel due to weather. The official policy is no. The best thing is to try to talk to an agent or supervisor away from other customers so that nobody else knows what you are getting. It is easy for them to say give 5 out of 300 people hotel vouchers, but they don't want the other 295 people to know that. So try to do it quietly. Even volunteer to them that you won't tell anybody. Actually read this bit of advice in some travel article a long time ago.

I have gotten suspicious and quisicle looks from people doing mileage runs. Also once in YUL got sent to the special area but was quicly released. Also comments like "haven't I seen you before," etc.

I think in general the agent can see your return flight although perhaps they don't always look at it.

edmonton has been one of my more difficult experiences regarding customs with a
complete search of luggage and about twenty minutes of offbeat questioning
judging from my experience in toronto on several occasions and edmonton, doing a mileage run to canada represents a destination that may have more surprises than you might expect for travelers expecting a quick turnaround
they seem particularly concerned about whether you are a businessman masquerading as a tourist (which seems rather absurd if you are leaving within a short period)

Link toCairo turnaround (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/002024.html)

[This message has been edited by Mwenenzi (edited Jan 10, 2004).]

Just had a UA mileage run gone bad. How bad remains to be seen. We flew from SJC to ORD en route to Milwaukee. Arrived 245 PM, next flight 345 PM. Board posted late departure 515 PM. This is now dicey for the 615 PM same day return out of MKE. This is an "equipment problem," according to the gate agent. I really want my 500 flown miles BUT, after seeing the gate taken up by another plane, waiting an hour for gas (!), it is clear we will not go out in time for the return. So I ask when is the last flight. It is 615 PM (mine) and cancelled! Now, we either fly to MKE and see what UA intends to do with us about a hotel and fly out in the snow the next day, or get a half price (pretty generous, actually) refund and go home on our ORD-SJC flight at 735 PM. Husband and I had great debate but I was concerned about more delays due to snow (not likely to have a free hotel then) and, as I am a CA girl, do not like flying in snow. Ordinarily, my idea of a great winter run is SFO-SIN! So, after discussing the issue with MP who promised to credit us with the unflown miles since we were stuck, we flew home. That is today. Tomorrow after the flights post, we will see what MP will do. Meanwhile, I have enough refund $$ to fly to LAX for the day if we have to. No real way to see if this was a good decision last night. This run plus a run to NYC was my 10K for January. Had to work around husband's double jury duty (superior court and US Dist) this month. The gate agents were acting all strange about our itinerary so we told them we were carrying documents to MKE! However, a word to the wise about MKE runs - apparently a lot of them get cancelled because people decide at the last min to take the bus for 62 miles and there are not enough passengers.

Anyone had experience of doing MRs every week to London six times in a row? How does the UK customs treat you, and what about the US customs? Did you make purchases?

I'm looking at the Customs website and it states that only one $800 dutyfree declaration may be declared every 30 days. This is NOT good for me as I intended to connect to other European countries and will certainly buy souvenirs...

Columba, Sri Lanka (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/001835.html)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MiamiPrep:
I did turn-around on CX 703 10 days ago. Went pretty smoothly. And I talked to CX crew member. They had been overnighting in BKK, but now are staying in CMB.
Just a hint. You take bus from plane to immigration. Do NOT clear immigration. Upon entry from bus to terminal turn RIGHT before customs and go up the stairs. At top of stairs you immediately turn RIGHT, walk 10 paces, and get your boarding pass at Air Sri Lanka desk. And, I bought gifts (tea, beautiful masks) in duty-free area. Maybe get foot massage if guy is available.</font>

Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU)

I had an interesting experience at RDU. The day before the flight looked pretty open and I was looking to score an open row or at least an open set next to me. But when I arrived at RDU, the gate area was a zoo...apparently a direct result of the BOS/JFK cancellations and subsequent rebookings. As I and most everyone else was seated and settled in, an AA employee approached me, addressed me by name and asked me to come with him. Once I got to the jetway, a police officer was there and he asked me "So why don't you tell me why you're really going to London?" Unwaiveringly, told him I was on an MR even after which he recited my complete itinerary to me. Fortunately, this was a brief encounter no more than five minutes summed up with him saying "Do you know how suspicious what you're doing is?" I seriously expected problems but bidded me a nice trip onward. This was part of a MCO-DFW-ORD-RDU-LGW-DFW-AUS-DFW-MCO run.

I also went through Calgary Airport in August... they questioned why I was flying for 2 days... I told them I had a netsaaver from AA. I had to go thru secondary inspection, but once I proved to them I was there strictly on tourist purpose, they were OK...I had to show my maps, itinerary, hotel reservations, etc...

I was very surprised, I've never been questioned when doing MR's to Europe.... even when returning to the US... ocassionally they make comment on some of the passport stamps, but that's about it.

having said that, if you travel by yourself to any canadian port of entry, for a short stay... be prepared for heavy questioning.

Anyone have experience with turn arounds at AMS...I have a 4 hour turn time and have no prior experience there... I have 2 trips there in the next 4 weeks (one is klm over and back, the other is NWA over and back)

Do you have to clear customs and then come back after getting tickets or can you stay plane side and get tickets at gate???

I'm used to turns at SIN...there you don't have to clear customs...its real easy, but the security officers that you have to get past to get to ticket counter always looked confused when they see I have only been there for 4 hours.

thanks for any info on AMS.

I have to admit that I've really enjoyed the Canadian immigration horror stories.

I was a US ex-pat that lived in Toronto for just over 2 years (2000-2002). My wife and I were on a work visas and received no end of grief from the YYZ based Canadian inspectors just about every time we returned from a trip to the US or overseas. When traveling alone or as a family, I was always grilled but never searched. When my wife traveled alone, she was inspected 70% of the time. They were always looking for tax revenue on he, trying to determine if she bought clothes while in the US (closely examined the labels, etc). At the time we were there, the Canadian dollar was in the toilet, so since we were paid in USD, Canada was a slightly better bargain for us on most things.

My one Canadian based MR experience was pretty positive. I came back from SIN on a 6 hour turn around, out of Canada for just over 36 hours. The inspector asked why I was gone such a short time on such a long trip, and I told her I did it for the UA points. She asked "how many?" I told her about the fare, mileage and bonuses, and elite status, and she basically called be “nuts”. I smiled, and she waived me through. I think on that occasion, my US citizenship and work visa eliminated anything nefarious.

The YYZ agents are second only to the nasty agents working the bridge & tunnel in Detroit. We drove home to IND on Christmas, and I had shipped all of our presents ahead of time to my mother in law's house (purchased from Amazon and etoys). We loaded up the van and schlepped it back to TO. At the bridge, the agent asked our status, and how much we were bringing back. I replied "about $2000 CDN" worth of stuff; she looked like she was ready to jump for joy at the prospect of nailing us for the duty and taxes. When she found out we had 5 in the family and had been gone form Canada for 10 days her face fell as she realized we were well under the limit. She dejectedly waived us through.

Various European cities to turn a round
Easiest "turnaround" city in Europe for MR (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum124/HTML/007054.html)

Includes posts on AMS, Moscow, Lisbon, SZG, Munich, Brussels, Geneva and a few others

Amsterdan
Any recent AMS turnaround experience? (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum124/HTML/007048.html)

SFO turnaround experience? (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum124/HTML/007049.html)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PokerHammy:
Anyone had experience of doing MRs every week to London six times in a row? How does the UK customs treat you, and what about the US customs? Did you make purchases?

I'm looking at the Customs website and it states that only one $800 dutyfree declaration may be declared every 30 days. This is NOT good for me as I intended to connect to other European countries and will certainly buy souvenirs...</font>


If you're doing a true mileage run (i.e. 2-4 hours in London), the more important rule is that you only get the $800 exemption if you have been gone for at least 48 hours. And if neither of these apply (either because you were gone &lt;48 hours or you used the exemption already in the last 30 days), then you still have a $200 exemption per trip. See http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/vacation/know_brochure/dutyfree_exemption.xml

Does anyone have any experience regarding turnaround at Shanghai Pudong (PVG)? Is it possible to check in without going through immigration? Any need to pass through security checks, customs etc? Do you have to pay the airport tax?

Take your roll on luggage vs. a backpack or a shoulder tote...every time I pack lightly w/a shoulder carry-on, I get stopped by SFO customs asking 'Where's your luggage?' Not so, if I have my roller bag...

I want to let you know about a good experience. When I came from overseas lin Januray the customs officer at JFK just said I never heard of your hometown and said welcome home and I was out. From my aircraft to my next gate including hte time it took me to drop my luggage at the short check counter, take the Airtrain to Terminal 9, print out a boarding pass and head to my next gate was 1 hour

Link to Immigration at CDG (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum124/HTML/006558.html)

One more for 'ya...a 6 hour turn-around in Singapore SIN (my first REAL only-for-the-miles-run...), I de-planed straight from my UA flight to the Transit Hotel for 5 hours b/f my next flight. Got my boarding pass from the Transit Desk (note to MR folks, there are 4 transit desks at SIN) and the customs/security guy smiled and said, 'Oh, you must be doing this for the miles, I've seen 20 of you people in the last week...' (all FTers, I'm sure!!!

Seems like folks are getting educated...(-:

I just came across this thread and noticed more than one person has had trouble when clearing immigrations in Canada. I too, have had problems in Canada but not even due to mileage runs. I often travel there alone for pleasure. This too, causes numerous hassles and triggers baggage searches and numerous questions. They even want to see my cash and credit cards to make sure I'm not a vagrant or something.

Next time I go to a city in Canada by myself, I'm going to first go online and see what the destination city has to offer while I'm there. Then when questioned, I can say I'm going to the baseball or football game, a festival or to some of the museums which by then, I'll know all the details.

[This message has been edited by Neal (edited Mar 07, 2004).]

I have had turnarounds in a few places already covered here - so far without any major problem.

On an upcoming trip I may have a 1 hour turnaround in MNL (Manila) - ie coming back on the same plane. Is this long enough? Any tips?

I have had turnarounds in a few places already covered here - so far without any major problem.

On an upcoming trip I may have a 1 hour turnaround in MNL (Manila) - ie coming back on the same plane. Is this long enough? Any tips?

Funny you should mention a MNL quick-turn because I've actually done just that (long story). Incidentally, that was my best trip to MNL and given the current political situation think you're smart to get out as fast as possible.

As for your question, 1 hour should be ok, but I hope you're flying a carrier with more than one flight. Other thoughts:

-t1 is a real dump
-t2 (which is only used by PAL, for free at tha) is really nice
-duty free prices are very good there

Didnt end up going via MNL as too risky.

4 hour turn around at EWR on international flights went well but I'd probably want a minimum 2 1/2 hours.

Do you all recommend a purely domestic MR over international? I'm planning a run around Labor Day weekend and am considering either: 1) US transcon like those taken on July 4th by many posters; or 2) international run to Asia. I need to return to work promptly on the Sept 7th so I will be in a bind if the international flight has snags.

Any suggestions for great US routes originating out of Houston?

Anyone turned around in PEK? Is 90 minutes enough? I dont think I need a visa but do I need to clear customs & immigration? Any tips greatly appreciated.

Does anyone have an answer to my PEK (Beijing) questions?

Does anyone have any experience regarding turnaround at Shanghai Pudong (PVG)? Is it possible to check in without going through immigration? Any need to pass through security checks, customs etc? Do you have to pay the airport tax?

Everytime I get off the plane at PVG (all UA international flights), there are officers blocking exit doors. Essentially point you to the direction of immigration and customs. That is where everybody walks to. I have never seen anybody transiting or going directly to the international departure gates, but it may be possible.

Does anyone have an answer to my PEK (Beijing) questions?

You probably want to check with your local Chinese consulate/embassy. I know that in Shanghai there is a 48 hour visa free period. People with certain passports can enter visa free into the country (i.e., US and I do not know which other nationalities). This 48 hour visa free period was supposed to be extended to Beijing. I am not sure if it has been implemented (but I think it has). If you are going to enter with the 48 hour visa free period, you will have to show your airplane ticket leaving out the same airport within 48 hours. They immigration officers will enforce this (I knew an American who entered Shanghai after arriving from Hong Kong and did not have a visa. The immigration officers made her purchase an airplane ticket out of the country (within 48 hours) before they let her enter Shanghai.

You may also want to drop this question at www.lonelyplanet.com in the China section. Maybe someone who is more knowledgable of Beijing can give you a definitive answer.

BKK is easy to turnaround in an hour (or less).

I can weigh in on LHR and LGW and some domestic MRs.

1. LGA-DFW-SEA-DFW-LGA -- turn was no problem. When checking me in, AC agent commented "year-end milage run, huh?"

2. JFK-SAN-JFK-SJU-JFK-SNA-JFK - turn no problem. Problems with upgrades caused me to get my boarding passes for SAN-JFK-SJU at SAN. A raised eyebrow, but that was it. No issues in SJU.

3. LGW -- did these two weekends in a row last year (or maybe the year before). Ended up with the same flight crew on the STL-LGW-STL flights -- it was fun to chat with them about MRs. Same agent at LGW Transit who remembered me, smiled and handed me my boarding pass.

4. JFK-LHR -- many times -- no problems, most seem to know mileage runs.

5. LHR-LAX -- no concept of mileage run. Made me miss an earlier connection to my final destination by 5 minutes.

6. JFK-LHR-transit-LGW-RDU-DFW-PHX (price was a factor (fare > transit cost to LGW via bus)). I got to LGW and was told by AA Security they were waiting for me. Same questions as always, thanked me for flying AA, and I was on my way.

I had considered Canada - but based on responses here, glad I never did. I would imagine ZRH and BRU would be easy based on recent real trips through.

Would consider ANC but it is seasonal on AA and not a great PPM (price per mile). Would also consider HNL but hard to find sometimes.

--Jim

Is 50 minutes doable at Jakarta (CGK)? Its same plane if that makes any difference.

Funny, I had the same problem when I was entering AUSTRALIA. I was travelling around Asia a bit, and flew from Tokyo to Cairns for a 2 week stay in Australia. I have never been searched so hard in my life-checked every pocket of my bag and every clothing pocket, did drug residue tests on my wallet, looked at all my credit cards and asked about my bank account balance. i was there almost 1.5 hours and missed my bus. it was so early in the morning, i was too tired to even be upset. and they were asking me to see all my tickets, even my return from Europe (where i was living at the time) to the US (where i was going back to a few months later) (i didnt have the ticket with me, which they acted like it was weird that i dont carry all my airline tix with me at all times, plus it was prob an e-ticket). Seeing all the signs about quarantine, i figured they r really concerned about plants and stuff, but i guess they r worried about illegals and drugs also. they too asked me if i planned to stay in australia, as if i couldnt have applied through legal ways if i wanted to move there...

and i just wanna say to MilesDependent, though i had a horrible time at the airport, i had a WONDERFUL time in australia, which i suspect you would experience as well if u went back to canada.

r


I sympathise with this poster. I am also from Australia and was hassled to high-hell and back when I went to Canada.

This was back in 2000, and I was traveling from DC to Quebec City (via Montreal) for about 2 days. Upon arriving in Montreal I was asked what the purpose of my visit to Canada was. I just said I wanted to see Quebec City. They then asked me why I was only in Canada for 2 days etc...

It went down hil pretty quickly from there as I was hoarded off into an interview room. The lady there started asking me all sorts of personal questions like whether I had a criminal record, whether I used drugs, whether I was a drug trafficker. They then asked me whether I intended to ever leave Canada to which I replied with "I am from Australia why would I want to stay in Canada". They didn't like that one bit, but all I meant was that I am not from a poor country (ie, Afghanistan) so why would I not want to return home.

Then they asked me what hotel I was staying at (the Hilton) and they called the hotel to check my reservation. Next up they went over my ticket (a RTW) and asked me what I had done in every city I had visited. Next up, they went right through my bags, the pockets in my clothes, and even took drug residue samples from my clothes and bags.

They counted my money, asked me what my limit was on my credit cards.

About 2.5hrs later I was finally let out of the airport.

I was disgusted at how rude the airport staff were to me, and I know this is going to sound terrible, but it left me with no desire to go back to Canada, ever. I know this was a very small sample of the Canadian population, but the experience was so awful, I never want to (and prob never will) set foot in Canada again.

Maybe someone should send Canadian customs some advice on how to be friendly with travelers. I was not rude to them in the slighest (except for my Australia reference which they mis-took), had done absolutely nothing wrong, yet was treated like a criminal for 2.5 hours for no reason at all. Not even a "thank you, sorry for delaying you" at the end.

I have had one other "thorough" experience with customs officers and that was in the USA (same trip actually, must have been that black overcoat). They searched my bags (presumably for drugs) but all the officers were extremely friendly, explained why they wanted to look in my bags, and were altogether quite pleasant to be around.

I have no problem with customs searching people who they suspect may have drugs, but I have a big problem with people who do not show others basic courtesy and respect.

Rant over.

As for other cities, I have transited Singapore about 30 times and have always gone through immigration and customs, even on just a 2 hour connect. Never, not once, have customs hassled me in the slightest. As a matter of fact, in recent years I have gone on many 2-3 day trips to Asian countries like Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and India and have never had any troubles with customs at all.

London ask a lot of questions, but are friendly enough if you are honest.

The USA can be quite thorough, but again, in my experiences, the customs officers are friendly enough.

MD

[This message has been edited by MilesDependent (edited 04-26-2003).]

No questions asked either way! :)

There are some constructions and it took about 20 minutes at LHR going through Flight Connections.

JFK customs was a breeze. I got to the AC (here now) from landing in 15 minutes.

CGK turnaround (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190791)

I'm doing a MR for the first time tomorrow (same day turnaround) SAV-ATL-MCO-SAV. When do I pick up my boarding card for the MCO-SAV flight? I booked the flight as round trip from SAV to MCO with the outbound trip through Atlanta.

BRU turnaround (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3730855#post3730855)

DEL turnaround (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3770255)

I'm doing a MR for the first time tomorrow (same day turnaround) SAV-ATL-MCO-SAV. When do I pick up my boarding card for the MCO-SAV flight? I booked the flight as round trip from SAV to MCO with the outbound trip through Atlanta.
You could print out your BP (boarding pass) online...or see gate agent at MCO.

Same plane turnarounds at MAN and CGK in this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413562).

IST Turnaround My experience - drbala (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432988)

gaza's crazy run to AKL (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=444918) (turnarounds at WAW, ANC, SJU, HKG)

SIN-KUL-SIN turnaround (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371581)

I've been pissed-off several times with Canadian Border Protection Agency questioning but no big problems. I've had been asked to go " in the back " 3 times by US Customs, twice from AMS and once from GIG, and all the time they stoped or even didn't start the search when they asked me my

Is 50 minutes doable at Jakarta (CGK)? Its same plane if that makes any difference.
Yes Collect your boarding pass at HKG or at Transit desk before immigration on your right. Go up escalator and gate. Do not go near immigration.
I did it in 15 minutes a few days ago. Easier than DPS

Yes I've posted to this thread successful turnarounds at CGK a couple times since I asked that question.

1 hour turnaround at CAI (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=450985)

In a land where prejudice is a 4 leter word, I almost hate to say this. Nevertheless, there are stereotypes, flags, indicators that law enforcement looks for. Call it prejudice or profiling, it still exists. The only real bust I've seen at customs was a long haired Jamacian in dreads, dressed like a slob, and the color blind drug dog at MIA sat on him.

SO... what to do? Before I travel, I shave, make sure I have a neat haircut, and dress nicely. Even wear a sport coat if I have it. Move into the successful business traveler stereotype. I shave and take a spit bath in the airport men's room if it has been 12 hours.

This also helps with elite first class upgrades. The airlines know the guy who paid $6000 for an F seat would rather have a well dressed man or woman sitting next to him. Even if I'm off to SJU on vacation, I never wear shorts and a tee shirt to the airport. Change once you're there.

I've travelled a bunch, and never gotten more than a cursory inspection at customs, in part because I make an effort to be profiled as a successful businessman. Yes, I've occasionally been flagged by the TSA when I had an unusual ticket or late checkin, but never more than a wand search.

So for minimal hassle, dress up! :-:

Well said Bernoulli 777.....I follow the exactly the same routine as you do and have had no problems. Maybe some funny looks from GAs and FAs but thats it. Mostly after the funny looks we joke around about it.

DXB turnaround on BA (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338263)

I've only done one international MR - LGA-DFW-LGW-DFW-LGA.

At LGW, AA's security person working in front of the in transit desk really gave me the third degree. Between the MR and the fact that I had a rented laptop on me (which was a problem (1) because it wasn't mine and (2) because the girl couldn't understand the concept of a rented computer). That went on for about 15 minutes.

Back at DFW I got pegged by a customs agent who pulled me out of the crowd (not even at the desk) as a kid with drugs. At least, that's my best guess. Fortunately I had no luggage because I was on a MR - just a backpack with my computer, headphones and some books. So that search was pretty quick. Fortunately they didn't ask me any questions about where I went or how long, otherwise that would have just compounded the problem. :rolleyes:

SQ CMB turnaround (www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4495885)

ATH turnaround (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=467079)

In a land where prejudice is a 4 leter word, I almost hate to say this. Nevertheless, there are stereotypes, flags, indicators that law enforcement looks for. Call it prejudice or profiling, it still exists. The only real bust I've seen at customs was a long haired Jamacian in dreads, dressed like a slob, and the color blind drug dog at MIA sat on him.

SO... what to do? Before I travel, I shave, make sure I have a neat haircut, and dress nicely. Even wear a sport coat if I have it. Move into the successful business traveler stereotype. I shave and take a spit bath in the airport men's room if it has been 12 hours.

This also helps with elite first class upgrades. The airlines know the guy who paid $6000 for an F seat would rather have a well dressed man or woman sitting next to him. Even if I'm off to SJU on vacation, I never wear shorts and a tee shirt to the airport. Change once you're there.

I've travelled a bunch, and never gotten more than a cursory inspection at customs, in part because I make an effort to be profiled as a successful businessman. Yes, I've occasionally been flagged by the TSA when I had an unusual ticket or late checkin, but never more than a wand search.

So for minimal hassle, dress up! :-:

I almost always wear shorts or jeans and a nice polo shirt. I have pretty thick goatee and am one of those guys how could shave in the morning and damn near have a beard by the end of the day...lol. All of this said I've never had any problems and am not worried about it because I know I'm not doing anything illegal.

I've only been searched once and that was because I got ssss'ed after NW rebooked me from a cancelled flight...and that was nothing more than a wanding...lol.

I guess I look at it like this...I paid for my seat, I can dress how I see fit. I will by no means ever dress like a slob on a flight, but if I have no reason to be in business attire then I'm not going to be.

On a side note I am wondering if I'll get an extra looks fro