Lining up with Americans at US airport?
Oct 4, 2011, 8:58 am
#31
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
Don't know if this is the right place to post this. Feel free to move it if necessary.
I'll be flying into IAD from FRA (never flown into US from international destinations). As a Canadian, am I allowed to line up with the Americans at the border control? I have heard that we are allowed to but I just want to make sure...
Thanks!
I'll be flying into IAD from FRA (never flown into US from international destinations). As a Canadian, am I allowed to line up with the Americans at the border control? I have heard that we are allowed to but I just want to make sure...
Thanks!
all the other non-Americans.
Oct 4, 2011, 9:22 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
I quite like that there are no seperate lines in YYZ, plus the 'open plan' layout is kinda funny as you watch people charge across cutting people up!
Oct 4, 2011, 11:04 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
Just a word of caution. A couple of years back at JFK I was directed to the US line with my Canadian passport but after waiting for ~30 mins when I got to the CPB agent he I wasn't allowed to be there sent me to the back of the foreigners line causing me to nearly miss my connecting flight. The whole situation struck me as a bit of a power trip but YMMV.
Oct 4, 2011, 12:27 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: All Accor Plat, 1865 Voyager, AE E35K, HH Gold,Hyatt, Hrtz Gold, Marriott Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 1,670
I visited the NEXUS office to update my profile for GE even though I had all ten fingerprints on file, just in case. I've read reports of some people who've used GE kiosks with no problem without having to go in.
I guess it depends on each individual case - maybe how diligent the agents were when you first signed up for NEXUS. It's probably best to go in before using GE if you have the chance.
I guess it depends on each individual case - maybe how diligent the agents were when you first signed up for NEXUS. It's probably best to go in before using GE if you have the chance.
Oct 4, 2011, 2:39 pm
#35
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: MKE
Programs: AA Exec Platinum, SPG Platinum / Ambassador / Lifetime Gold, Avis FIRST
Posts: 3,293
I went through passport control twice recently at EWR, one time arriving from SXM, the other from BOM. Both times I specifically noticed some people in the US line in front of me had Canadian passports. Both times I noticed the groups got through without any issue.
I don't know if it's kinda an unspoken rule or if they just got lucky ... but from my narrow perspective this definitely happens at least at EWR.
I don't know if it's kinda an unspoken rule or if they just got lucky ... but from my narrow perspective this definitely happens at least at EWR.
Oct 4, 2011, 2:47 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
A clarification of the CBP procedure for Canadians: Unlike other nationals that need ETSA or photographed and finger printed, these steps are not required for Canadian.
Out of the nicety of their heart most CBP agent would not blink and eye when processing Canadian who are mostly in transit to Canada in their line. The process is about the same and take same amount of time (Canadian passports are verifiable on the CBP scan). But there are some CBP agents who forgot who their real friends are.
Out of the nicety of their heart most CBP agent would not blink and eye when processing Canadian who are mostly in transit to Canada in their line. The process is about the same and take same amount of time (Canadian passports are verifiable on the CBP scan). But there are some CBP agents who forgot who their real friends are.
Oct 4, 2011, 4:12 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
No but certain VIPs get special treatment. I recall returning to JFK on Concorde and Michael Jackson and his entourage of stocky Jersey shore Neanderthals were escorted through ahead of the rest of us...our Concorde being the only flight in the arrival hall.
Oct 4, 2011, 4:16 pm
#38
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
Programs: AS MVP/AC75K/AM Gold/UA*S/SPG-Marriott Lifetime Titanium/Accor-FPC Gold/HHDiamond/Hyatt Exp
Posts: 5,035
Canadians generally get away with it because the process for checking them is identical to an American. Swipe passport, ask question, make approve/refer decision. Some small visa stuff occasionally, but normally we're as easy as they are. So the agents just really don't care as it doesn't affect their throughput.
OTOH, if a visa-required national went into the US line, you can bet they'd be sent back to the other line as the officer has no interest in holding up his booth for 15 minutes.
OTOH, if a visa-required national went into the US line, you can bet they'd be sent back to the other line as the officer has no interest in holding up his booth for 15 minutes.
Oct 4, 2011, 8:19 pm
#39
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YQR
Programs: NEXUS; alas, no status anymore.
Posts: 1,181
I've only cleared US Customs at a US airport twice so far, and once was at ORD using GE (which was painless), but going through the non-US line at DEN last year, I certainly didn't get anyone shaking their head at me as if I went down the wrong line.
Oct 4, 2011, 10:02 pm
#40
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,841
I've seen airport staff at a few US airports ask people in the foreigner line if they were Canadian and direct them to the Americans line, particularly if it was busy. It's great that we don't need ESTA or any other crap (for now), that was the main reason for me getting a Canadian passport.
As for Nexus/GE, the CBP officer who did my (rather strenuous) interview for Nexus in Blaine explicitly told me that I was enrolled in GE and that I could begin using it immediately. Sure enough, I used it the week after in the zoo that is LAX arrivals.
As for Nexus/GE, the CBP officer who did my (rather strenuous) interview for Nexus in Blaine explicitly told me that I was enrolled in GE and that I could begin using it immediately. Sure enough, I used it the week after in the zoo that is LAX arrivals.
Oct 5, 2011, 9:27 am
#41
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,159
Good to know. I had thought about trying it in the past, but I never bothered given that the foreigner line is usually extremely long and I didn't like the idea of having to go to the end of a long line after waiting in the one for Americans. (Not to mention feeling like an ... when the inspector explains to me that I'm not American.)
I agree with the poster who said that DHS should provide some clarity on this, though. If Canadians can use the American line, then say so.
I agree with the poster who said that DHS should provide some clarity on this, though. If Canadians can use the American line, then say so.
Oct 5, 2011, 2:00 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
Far easier to just turn a blind eye to those who use the line anyways.
Oct 5, 2011, 2:07 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Programs: VIA Rail - Premier, Fairmont, Cunard - Diamond, AC - Mere mortal
Posts: 212
The three times we have arrived at EWR on Porter, upon entering the the immigration hall we have been directed to use the returning US residents queue. One time we were simply asked what airline we had arrived on and the other two times the man said: "US and Canadian passport holders over here." The last time (May this year) it was no doubt helpful, but the wait was still a full hour.
Oct 11, 2011, 5:16 pm
#45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YQB
Programs: AC MM E50, AF Flying Blue
Posts: 572
I will be connecting in IAD ex YQB on my way to IAH. Is there a fast lane for connecting pax entering the US? From what I read, there may not be... It will be a Saturday at about noon... hopefully 90 minutes will be enough...