Originally Posted by sunblaster
I've done this before while on transit in ORD. Had to collect bags for customs clearance before tossing them onto a belt to route them to my connecting flight. Interesting that this practice is called "entering the US", because one is really only on transit.
The United States does not have "sterile" in-transit areas for international connections. When you change planes at NRT, you will just clear security and go to your next gate; you don't actually have to enter the country of Japan.
In the United States, even though you are "in-transit" for the purpose of your trip to Canada, it's necessary for you to enter the United States by going through US Customs & Immigrations. You are in the country just like any other visitor, you have the rights guaranteed by the US Constitution, and if you had time, you could leave the airport and go see some sights in Chicago or Houston. Nothing is stopping you from walking out of the airport.
Originally Posted by sunblaster
The last time I flew through the US, I found upon returning home that the lock on my luggage had been ripped open. They even left a note inside apologising for the inconvenience and saying that this was a security measure. This was just stupid I though. It's a new low in relationships between individuals and oppressive state institutions where air travel is concerned: deliberately damaging one's property, then apologising for it by invoking cheap-... rhetoric on security.
Yup, that is the TSA. There are special TSA approved locks you can purchase (try
www.brookstone.com) where the TSA has the ability to open your lock without cutting it off.
Originally Posted by sunblaster
I'm curious what you mean by legacy carriers. By the way, I chose CO because the deal on offer was sweet. NW nearly matched it, but would have cost at least US200-400 more.
A legacy carrier is one of the traditional Hub & Spoke full service airlines in the United States. These would be Continental, American, Northwest, United, Delta, and US Airways. We have many upstart "budget" carriers here now such as Southwest, JetBlue, etc., which fly domestic on a point to point basis vs the hub and spoke.
Originally Posted by sunblaster
I'm looking forward to it. Is AVOD offered in coach?
Yes, AVOD (Audio / Video On Demand) is offered in coach on Northwest Airlines. Continental has a nice system too, but not AVOD; it recycles every 2.75 hours. NWA does offer free alcoholic drinks, but Continental does not.
Have a great trip!
SDF_Traveler
P.S. Are you returning the same route? If you are, you will clear US Immigrations and Customs in Toronto. There are many trans-border flights from major Canadian cities like YYZ; US Immigrations and Customs is setup there, so when the flight from Toronto arrives in Houston, it'll arrive like a domestic US flight where you deplane and connect to your next flight. If you have gone from Toronto to Chicago in the past, you've experienced it.