Update: US Inbound Airport Security

[imcarthur]

Just to update anybody traveling internationally. Internal flights & outbound flights are about the same as the last year. You know the drill. No liquids, no gels blah, blah, blah.

However. When you fly INTO the US it is quite different. I have flown into the US from Toronto 3 times since the Xmas incident. Each time it has been different. I clear Customs in Toronto so other departures from other international cities may vary. I flew from Toronto to LaGuardia Sunday. The latest:

1. Carry-on is restricted to 1 article + small computer bag or purse. Not a briefcase but a computer bag. No man purses either. No briefcases filled with files or paper. And if you bring a book or camera, they must fit into your carry-on. And they were checking the size of the carry-on & refusing anything that didn’t conform. Check your airline the night before you fly.
2. They refused entry to the Custom hall for flights departing more than 2 hours out.
3. Before they had 2 lineups at Custom/Immigration (US or Canadian), now there is only one, so add time.
4. At security, there were almost as many staff as passengers. And they were very diligent. They stopped patting everyone down, however.

In other words, add time. I saw a lot of runners once I got into the gate area who obviously cut their time too short.

The screwball thing is that outbound, you can take the ‘normal’ pre-incident carry-on . . .

I will be flying to Miami tomorrow, so it might be different again.

Ian

[BRPORSCHE]

I hope I can bring my normal carry on in June for the grand prix. I HATE checking bags.

[holtjv]

will be coming in from sydney tomorrow so thanks for the heads up.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by BRPORSCHE

I hope I can bring my normal carry on in June for the grand prix. I HATE checking bags.

This is all coming from the TSA/FAA/US Customs & Immigration. Internal Canadian is just business as usual because I flew to Montreal 3 weeks ago & no issues/problems. So it is only flights from elsewhere INTO the US.

Ian

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by BRPORSCHE

I hope I can bring my normal carry on in June for the grand prix. I HATE checking bags.

I am required to check bags...

[BRPORSCHE]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

This is all coming from the TSA/FAA/US Customs & Immigration. Internal Canadian is just business as usual because I flew to Montreal 3 weeks ago & no issues/problems. So it is only flights from elsewhere INTO the US.

Ian

Well I usually have my north face backpack and carry on bag. Been doing it for years on Continental. Now, if I have to check my bag leaving Canada I'll be upset.

[imcarthur]

What you have been doing is probably no longer is allowed. That incident changed the rules. I get through with a small computer bag & a gym-type bag.

Ian