WestJet Rewards - WestJet flight from YEG to LAX

Hi,

I'm flying from YEG to LAX non-stop with West Jet. I want everything to go smoothly that day from the airport on... so this is (step-by-step) what I would do:

#1) Arrive at Zone 1 (South) at YEG
#2) Check-in with WestJet
#3) Receive my boarding pass and drop my baggage off
#4) Go over to the US customs and answer any questions they may have/Get the entry stamp on my passport
#5) Go to the US Departure Lounge and wait for my flight to start boarding
#6) Arrive in Los Angeles and pick up my bags and go? (it will be treated as a domestic flight, yes?)

Is this accurate representation of what will or should happen, and is the order correct too? You don't really have to have flown from Edmonton to LAX... but if you have previous experience from Canadian airport to USA airport, you should be able to help.

Thank you!!!

EDIT: Do I need to show my return e-ticket and/or bank statement (or other documents) to the US custom person in Edmonton? I'm going for one week for vacation purposes.

Yes, YEG is one of the airports where pre-clearance is available:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/preclear_locations.xml
There is no easy answer to your last query. They can ask for your return ticket if they doubt your story! Bank statements, not so much. Here is what I expect:
Q - Citizenship?
A- Canadian.
Q- Where are you going?
A- LAX?
Q- What is purpose of your visit?
A- Vacation.
Q- What are you bringing that you intend to leave in the US?
A - Nothing.
Have a good day!

Yes, YEG is one of the airports where pre-clearance is available:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/preclear_locations.xml
There is no easy answer to your last query. They can ask for your return ticket if they doubt your story! Bank statements, not so much. Here is what I expect:
Q - Citizenship?
A- Canadian.
Q- Where are you going?
A- LAX?
Q- What is purpose of your visit?
A- Vacation.
Q- What are you bringing that you intend to leave in the US?
A - Nothing.
Have a good day!

Alright. There's also a form (which has your name, address in US, how long, etc..) that you fill out at the airport, right?

Yes you need to have that form filled out before you reach the US Immigration officer.

Alright. There's also a form (which has your name, address in US, how long, etc..) that you fill out at the airport, right?

That form is the Customs Declaration, also known as CBP Form 6059B. You can see the form here:

Front:
http://www.ugandamission.net/travel/air/image/6059bf.jpg

Back:
http://data.presne.sk/img/form-6059B-back.jpg

That form is the Customs Declaration, also known as CBP Form 6059B. You can see the form here:

Front:
http://www.ugandamission.net/travel/air/image/6059bf.jpg

Back:
http://data.presne.sk/img/form-6059B-back.jpg

That's really helpful. Now, I know what to expect from that form. Thanks.

One more question:
Once I get to LAX (Terminal 2), I just need to collect my luggage and go, right? or do I have to deal with US officials in Los Angeles too?

That's really helpful. Now, I know what to expect from that form. Thanks.

One more question:
Once I get to LAX (Terminal 2), I just need to collect my luggage and go, right? or do I have to deal with US officials in Los Angeles too?

You just go. It's like a domestic. Nothing to it (Except don't get run over outside the terminal. BUSY).

You just go. It's like a domestic. Nothing to it (Except don't get run over outside the terminal. BUSY).

Hahaha, alright. Thanks!

#2) Check-in with WestJet
#3) Receive my boarding pass and drop my baggage off

Why not check-in online and print off you BP's?

Why not check-in online and print off you BP's?

Because I have to check-in baggage anyways. If I only had a carry-on, that's what I would do.

Because I have to check-in baggage anyways. If I only had a carry-on, that's what I would do.

You can still OLCI (Online Check In) at the 24 hour mark prior to flight, indicate number of checked bags, select your seat, print your BP and then once you arrive at the airport just scan the barcode on the BP at one of the WS kiosks and select the "check baggage" option. The kiosk will print your bag tags and you just apply them and drop the bag off at the express bag drop nearby.

Doing OLCI is admittedly a relatively small time savings but I prefer to do it as it's convenient in streamlining the process at the airport while also giving a better choice of seats to chose from.

Hi,

#1) Arrive at Zone 1 (South) at YEG
#2) Check-in with WestJet
#3) Receive my boarding pass and drop my baggage off
#4) Go over to the US customs and answer any questions they may have/Get the entry stamp on my passport
#5) Go to the US Departure Lounge and wait for my flight to start boarding
#6) Arrive in Los Angeles and pick up my bags and go? (it will be treated as a domestic flight, yes?)



Small change:
#1) Arrive at Zone 1 (South) at YEG
#2) Check-in with WestJet
#3) Receive my boarding pass and have checked baggage tagged by WestJet agent but keep it with me
#4) Go over to the US customs and answer any questions they may have/Get the entry stamp on my passport
#5) Drop checked baggage, which is already tagged, on the belt after customs
#6) Proceed through security (depending on the airport security sometimes is at an earlier step and with your checked baggage (see YOW, for example))
#7) Go to the US Departure Lounge and wait for my flight to start boarding
#8) Arrive in Los Angeles and pick up my bags and go? (it will be treated as a domestic flight, yes?) (A: yes)

I've never actually flown through US pre-clearance from YEG but this is the process at every other Canadian airport so I assume I'm correct.

At most Canadian airports if you don't have a Nexus Card I recommend arriving at the airport a minimum of two hours before your scheduled departure because US Customs can get overloaded if there are a lot of flights out at the same time.

You can still OLCI (Online Check In) at the 24 hour mark prior to flight, indicate number of checked bags, select your seat, print your BP and then once you arrive at the airport just scan the barcode on the BP at one of the WS kiosks and select the "check baggage" option. The kiosk will print your bag tags and you just apply them and drop the bag off at the express bag drop nearby.

Doing OLCI is admittedly a relatively small time savings but I prefer to do it as it's convenient in streamlining the process at the airport while also giving a better choice of seats to chose from.

Yeah, the seat choice is definitely something to consider. :D

The bag tags and using express bag tag service does not work for US departures according to the WestJet's website. Looking at the second post I quoted, I assume I should be able to print bag tags, but sending them right away is not an option until you clear customs.

Small change:
#1) Arrive at Zone 1 (South) at YEG
#2) Check-in with WestJet
#3) Receive my boarding pass and have checked baggage tagged by WestJet agent but keep it with me
#4) Go over to the US customs and answer any questions they may have/Get the entry stamp on my passport
#5) Drop checked baggage, which is already tagged, on the belt after customs
#6) Proceed through security (depending on the airport security sometimes is at an earlier step and with your checked baggage (see YOW, for example))
#7) Go to the US Departure Lounge and wait for my flight to start boarding
#8) Arrive in Los Angeles and pick up my bags and go? (it will be treated as a domestic flight, yes?) (A: yes)

I've never actually flown through US pre-clearance from YEG but this is the process at every other Canadian airport so I assume I'm correct.

At most Canadian airports if you don't have a Nexus Card I recommend arriving at the airport a minimum of two hours before your scheduled departure because US Customs can get overloaded if there are a lot of flights out at the same time.

Wow, I totally forgot about security. :eek:

Alright, thank you so much. Now, I know exactly what to do. I plan on getting there two and a half hours before my flight.

If someone has not flown from YEG they should not answer the question. I will respect my own comment as I have not flown since the new section opened but note in the link below that you now leave your checked bags at check in!

http://www.flyeia.com/expansion2012.aspx

Also, Westjet leaves at 9 am. I would not suggest arriving 2.5 hours early as you WILL then get the tail end of the rush time. Arrive 90-120 minutes before departure and you will be fine.

Once you check in at the Westjet desk and your bags are tagged, you take your luggage with you to security. Right before security, there is a luggage drop off point where you place your own luggage on the conveyor belt. You then walk up to security and go through that process before you get in line for customs. Once you have cleared customs, you'll walk down a long hallway to the US departures area.

If someone has not flown from YEG they should not answer the question. I will respect my own comment as I have not flown since the new section opened but note in the link below that you now leave your checked bags at check in!

http://www.flyeia.com/expansion2012.aspx

Also, Westjet leaves at 9 am. I would not suggest arriving 2.5 hours early as you WILL then get the tail end of the rush time. Arrive 90-120 minutes before departure and you will be fine.

Once you check in at the Westjet desk and your bags are tagged, you take your luggage with you to security. Right before security, there is a luggage drop off point where you place your own luggage on the conveyor belt. You then walk up to security and go through that process before you get in line for customs. Once you have cleared customs, you'll walk down a long hallway to the US departures area.

Okay so:
Check-in
Carry my bags and drop them off before security
Security
Customs
Wait in the Departure Lounge

What you said, however, conflicts with what is said in the link given by Atlaflyer. The link says you drop the bags off at check-in. Hmm..

Regardless, it's not a big issue either way. I'll figure it out there. Thanks guys!

It's a common misconception that airline employees generally leave passengers to their own devices when travelling. At WS, if you don't know something, don't be shy about asking! WS owners will be more than happy to give you a hand and show you the ropes!

Okay so:
Check-in
Carry my bags and drop them off before security
Security
Customs
Wait in the Departure Lounge

What you said, however, conflicts with what is said in the link given by Atlaflyer. The link says you drop the bags off at check-in. Hmm..

Regardless, it's not a big issue either way. I'll figure it out there. Thanks guys!

It is a bit odd that the website says drop at check in. I've been through there a few times since the new terminal opened earlier this year and you do take your bags to a bag drop after check in. If you look at the terminal map on the YEG website you will see this separation of the check in counters and bag drop.

I think they say what they do on the website so people know they don't have to take their bags through US
Pre clearance anymore. By the way, if you are looking at the map, security is right as you enter the US Customs area. It isn't that clear on the map.

I also second the PP who said not to be 2.5 hours early. There are a lot of flights between 6 am and 8 am and the area is crowded. It starts to thin out after 7, so definitely no more than 2 hours ahead.

It's a common misconception that airline employees generally leave passengers to their own devices when travelling. At WS, if you don't know something, don't be shy about asking! WS owners will be more than happy to give you a hand and show you the ropes!

I will ask questions if I have any, but it seems simple enough now that I think I understand. First time going to the US... After this, I'll be much more comfortable next time.

It is a bit odd that the website says drop at check in. I've been through there a few times since the new terminal opened earlier this year and you do take your bags to a bag drop after check in. If you look at the terminal map on the YEG website you will see this separation of the check in counters and bag drop.

I think they say what they do on the website so people know they don't have to take their bags through US
Pre clearance anymore. By the way, if you are looking at the map, security is right as you enter the US Customs area. It isn't that clear on the map.

I also second the PP who said not to be 2.5 hours early. There are a lot of flights between 6 am and 8 am and the area is crowded. It starts to thin out after 7, so definitely no more than 2 hours ahead.

Alright. Thank you for your advice! :cool:

BTW, did you like the new US Departure Lounge?