U.S. Immigration does have full rights to operate at YVR as if they were on U.S. soil. It is a strange set up, but that's what AIF pays for.

Also, when I was there last summer my traveling partner got the full-on secondary because of some of the mountaineering gear in his checked luggage. I mean, he got wanded, patted-down and all of his luggage *thoroughly* hand-search. However comma, they were as nice as can be. But it did take some time, as I waited for him after I'd gone through the metal detectors.

That said, about every 4th or 5th pax was gifted with a secondary, random wanding that morning.

I guess the moral of the story is, YMMV.

.... which is not for any US authority to determine.... in fact, they most likely don't even know Canadian law...

Yes, but they cannot detain you - they can only refuse you entry to the US. After all, it's Canadian soil, and you're protected by Canadian law (assuming you're in Canada legally).

This is no longer true.

Returning from YYZ>DCA yesterday on US Air express ( :rolleyes: ) EVERY SINGLE PAX was subjected to a full and thorough secondary after clearing airport security.

The USX agent said this is SOP for all int'l fllights bound for DCA. Note this was not a random selection, but the whole flight. It also caused a 1-hour departure delay because the rent-a-bodies doing the secondary were oh-so efficient.

I absolutely adore YYZ, but from now on methinks we will be flying to BUF and driving over the border.

Sigh,
Lewis

ETA: I was so angry about this I sent a letter to my "Congresswoman*" complaining about this ludicruous waste of time and resources - not to mention the insult to the Canadian people. 24,739,312 passengers travelled through Toronto Pearson in 2003, 7.3 million of which were "trans-border" passengers, and I am not aware of any incidents in recent memory that would warrant ALL PASSENGERS on only those flights bound to DCA to be held to such high scrutiny.

*in quotes because although we pay federal and local taxes, DC residents have no voting representation in Congress

Every time I have traveled from YVR back to the US, I have been subjected to secondary screening by US Customs, most likely because I only had carry-on luggage and I was traveling solo. They always seem very suspicious of me and ask me lots of questions to try to make me inadvertently "confess" to some awful crime. Once I was asked, "did you use any illegal narcotics while you were in Canada?" I would love to know how many US citizens visit Canada for the sole purpose of engaging in illegal activities. :rolleyes:

Having said all that, I find Canadian immigration and customs to be equally annoying and suspcious of me. I've been subjected to lengthy interrogation and a thorough search of my carry-on luggage almost every time I have visited Canada. I guess they don't like solo travelers either! :td:

When I return from Canada, I only have carry-ons and am traveling solo. There are plenty of others out there like that. I have never been asked the deeper questions that you get. Maybe I don't look like a terrorist, maybe the guy collecting the declaration cards likeed me jabbing him about the Oakland Raiders.

Something's in their computers about you...that's the only plausible explanation.

I was eluding to the random secondaries on LGA, ORD or IAD departures. Sorry to learn about your experiences.

Those guys usualy have things thrust upon them, and usually take longer to dissolve (ie: 30 minute rule being waived) north of the border. I think it will go away, just a matter of time.

Maybe try flying to/from IAD next time?

Most definitely. I truly love DCA, it's the only airport that, as a business and personal traveller, has ever truly felt like "home" to me, and it is 15 minutes from where I live, but IAD isn't so bad. And it's worth the drive to Dulles to be able to visit Toronto unimpeded.

I hope the letter I sent to Congresswoman Norton encourages the powers-that-be at DHS to reconsider some of the "over-reactionary" policies that have sadly become the norm in the last four years.

Secondary
 

It's important to differentiate a "secondary screening" for security for the flight versus one for customs upon entering a country in this case the US.

It seems that some people regularly get inspected at immigration/customs. I was wondering, Morrissey, what you looked like, then saw your Ian Thorpe lookalike message and looked this person up. Had no idea who he was. If you do, in fact, look like tha swimmer, you certainly don't fit the terrorist profile.

My question would be: what do you wear when traversing the border? Casual with a back pack or a suit/tie/laptop case?

I used to get checked regularly until I started wearing ties and a suit coat. This has made my immigration and customs experiences so much better. If any, I only have to put my bags theu the Agriculture scanner since I frequently bring back (permitted) food items from abroad. (And I have a full beard!)

Correct. I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

I am always wearing casual clothing. It would probably raise even more suspicions if I said I was on a leisure trip and I was wearing a suit and tie! For some reason, this only happens when I visit Canada. I've been to Thailand solo countless times, and US immigration and customs couldn't care less. After visiting Indonesia solo last year, I was fully prepared for a complete interrogation and full cavity search upon my return to the US, but all I got was a "welcome home!" Go figger!

Hey, Morrissey,


in general, my suit and tie routine has worked. I only have one "failure". And the irony is that this happened in one of my favorite countries, where I had never and have never since had any problems: Canada!

It was on Sep 14, 2001. I had booked a Star Alliance RTW and was determined to go. To make a long story short, I flew SFO to YVR to start my RTW ex Canada since the fare was much cheaper. After clearing customs, at the exit I was segregated to go to secondary screening. As I meandered the corridor and arrived at the checkpoint, no one was there. Finally I saw someone who apparently was not an inspector. After 5 mins I said I would return to the initial exit but was reprimanded by the non-inspector. After another 5, a woman came and called me to the station.

I endured about 30 minutes of interrogation, going thru every single one of my papers in my carry-ons (had no checked bags), asking ridiculous questions about my ticket: "that's a very expensive ticket!" (I answered: "No, it's much cheaper than buying it ex-USA.")

I finally said that I did not appreciate the harrassment and that they had just bombed my country, not Canada.

She eventually let me go. I had to return to special immigration, where the agent asked me if this was the first time I'd been to Canada. I stated I'd been there multiple times, he checked my passport and asked with either wonder or surprise that I'd been to Calcary, he just stamped my passport, and I was on my way.

The whole rest of the RTW was without any hassle. Right post 9/11.

I've never had that happen coming via YYZ. I fly out of there 12-16 times a year and 90% of the time, carry on only. The times I have checked bags, its usually hockey gear :)

I will say I signed up for CanPass afew months ago and it has made it much easier coming and go-ing.

Actually, read the act. The area where customs is located is the same as US soil. Its treated as a part of the embassy. They work with Canadian law enforcement if you act odd, or break any rules while waiting to enter the US. They can't detain you, but they can turn you over to Canadian authorities, who can then detain you. Yes, you can turn away if you don't want to answer their questions, but the next time you try to enter, there will be a big note on your file and you'll probably be answering more questions than before :)

For the exact law, check http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/p-19.3/93336.html