The Customs form asks if you’re carrying more than $10,000 (US dollars) worth of “currency or monetary instruments” (which I guess might include traveler’s checks). They don’t expect you to have that much (most people will answer No)- I think that’s on there to catch drug dealers and stuff like that. Other than that, I don’t think they care how much money you bring in. I imagine we get our share of foreign tourists who do what Mr. Neville and I do in foreign countries- immediately on arrival, we go to an ATM at the airport and withdraw money in the local currency. And, of course, there’s always credit cards- I’ve found that my American credit cards work in other countries, and have no reason to believe that credit cards from other countries wouldn’t work here. So I’m pretty sure that whether or not you have enough money for your trip is your problem, not the customs agent’s problem.
Here’s some info on the forms you’ll have to fill out. It’s aimed at British tourists, but AFAIK all foreign tourists entering the US fill out the same forms.
The forms will probably be handed out by the flight attendants toward the end of your flight. Take a pen with you. The flight attendants run out of pens to lend to people very early on in the process of passing out the forms.
I’ve never found the forms you fill out to get into a country to be much of a problem. It’s the ones you fill out when you go back that I dread, because that means that I have to try to remember all the stuff I bought on this trip, how much I paid for it, and try to convert it to American dollars (I am not good at doing math in my head, and tend to buy a lot of inexpensive souvenirs and stuff on trips). I know damn well I’m not going to have to pay duty on it, but it’s a pain to try to remember what I bought and all that. I have no idea if Canada will make you fill out a form like that when you go back.
Forgot to mention, you don’t need money or travellers cheques. Just bring an ATM card and get money anywhere you want in LA. You might want to get $20-40 in US currency before the flight, but beyond that don’t bother. ATMs are clearly the best way to get money while travelling in the 1st world.
There are rather expensive fees associated with using ATMs not associated with my bank - obviously, I don’t want to carry thousands of $$ around with me, which requires multiple trips to ATMs which racks up lots of fees.
Credit cards don’t necessarily give fabulous exchange rates.
My bank gives me and excellent exchange rate as well as my travellers cheques for free so I’ve gone that route - I just picked them up, actually. Then if I lose my wallet or something, I don’t have to worry about trying to get funds without a bank card/credit card, etc- I can just call and get the traveler’s cheques replaced.
And I do not. Despite the fact that I hate flying, I actually fly on a fairly regular basis (about 4 times a year) - just not into the US recently.
In fact, I purchased my “mini-suitcase” specifically because it’s small enough that it doesn’t need to be checked. Also, with no checked luggage, I can skip all the check in lines and just use the automated machine, high-tail it to security and I’m good to go.
Furthermore, my case has a nifty handle and wheels, so I can just tour it around the terminal - it also only weighs about 20 lbs so carrying it isn’t really a big deal.
I’m assuming that RickJay objects to people taking these types of cases onto the plane rather than checking them because they take up more room than, say, a small backpack. Sadly for RickJay, I don’t care. If I can skip the baggage portion of the game, I’m gonna.
I suppose depending on how much shopping I do in LA, I may need to borrow a larger bag and check it on the way home.
I didn’t think, “Who effing cares?” would cut it when he asked.
As far as income, I was interrogated about where I work and how long I’ve been employed there. Immigration guy told me to bring some sort of proof of income next time. I think I didn’t have enough money available to make them happy. I wouldn’t know what they’re looking for, so I couldn’t give you more information than that.
Most of the flights I’ve been on lately will let you carry on the typical small rolling luggage that fits into the designated allowed dimensions, but will have you do a planeside or loading ramp ticket check where they load your luggage into the cargo hold and return it to you when you deplane. They’ll give you a brightly colored claim check ticket. This happens all the time at my shitty little airport because of the midget planes they fly out of here. You will probably be on a normally humongous jet.
Sometimes people will get seriously disturbed when you are trying to jam your oversized carry on into the overhead, especially when there is no more room. The last time I flew, the attendant asked whose oversized luggage was stuffed in there (it actually had the brightly colored claim ticket on it) and then everyone gave the owner a ton of shit when he got off the plane. I always take advantage of the planeside luggage check-in because it’s the civil thing to do.
I suggest wearing as little metal as possible–skip the underwire bra, and wear a soft cup. Wear a fabric belt and wear shoes that don’t a have a metal shank. Go easy on the jewelry and empty your wallet of excess coins. Maybe I’m paranoid, but that’s what I do every time I fly, and I haven’t had any problems.
The smaller jets and turboprops they use in Santa Barbara have tiny overhead compartments. There is no chance of fitting all the “airport sizer” trolleys if every single person had one (plus the usual laptop briefcase). Like I said, your jet (Calgary to LA) will probably have adequately sized overheads that can fit trolleys with the long dimension perpendicular to the aisle. Pay no attention to me, although it is a legitimate rant under the proper circumstances.
Just thought of another hint: If you have slip-on shoes, wear them for travelling. I don’t know if you’re likely to have to de-shoe on the Canadian side of things but in the US. it’s pretty common (mandatory?). I wore my Birkenstocks for just that reason the last couple of times we travelled, and was very happy I did as it saved that “fumbling with getting shoes on while running for the gate because the d*mn security line took too long” frustration.
He said that he let you in because you were with us. Whatever. They were looking for means for you to return to the USA. I told him point blank that I was doing the driving both days, so that shouldn’t be an issue. He did clam up when I told him I was a Canadian citizen, and why was he asking me these questions.
It shouldn’t be, but any narcotic even something as banal as Tylenol #3 may make them confiscate it. The US Customs officers can be real SOB’s about that stuff. Yes, even if you have them in the original bottle with your name on it. They should let you enter with all of your meds.
In case they do not, it might be well worth it to have your L.A. pal contact his/her local Md. and explain your concerns and see if, in case any of your meds were to be confiscated, if the Md. would be willing to write you a scrip. The Tylenol with Codeine is tough, but perhaps not if you present your info to the Md well in advance. Just a thought.
I was recently in Canada, where as you know you can buy Tylenol with 8 Mg. of Codeine per tablet over the counter. ( Shoppers Drug World, Wal-Mart, etc. ) It sure did take the edge off while I was working up there for a few weeks. Then I threw out the rest of the bottle before flying out of Ottowa. Just in case.
Yah, I was wondering about this. So, for the sake of arguement, lets say they take the T3s, and I get a migrane in LA. How much of a gong show is it going to be to get a shot of toradol in an emergency room? I have extended health coverage, so the cost is not an issue - I’m just concerned that they may not want to give me anything, which would be bad.
I presumed. Followed up by the thought that I must have been giving off that “I’d rather be Canadian!” vibe. Could I buy my own deportation for illegal immigration?
It was the other parts of our convo had me expecting to be banned from Canada for life, but we won’t go into that. Ending hijack. I apologize.
FWIW, Alice, I’ve never had this experience flying back and forth from the US and Canada. Even if I check a bag, I always carry all my meds–prescription and other–as well as my overnight bag with razor, toiletries, etc. on board with me. It’s really saved my neck a few times when the checked luggage got lost or delayed. The overnight case has fingernail scissors and a few other sharp things in it; never been a problem.
Really, customs and security have rarely been a problem. True story: the only time I ever got hassled was by a Canadian customs agent who insisted there wasn’t enough to do in Edmonton for how long I intended to stay. (?!) Just allow some extra time for everybody to do what they gotta do and it’ll be a snap. Breeze through, then grab a cup of coffee and a bagel and relax with a book.
Do wear slip-on shoes if at all possible. They make it a lot easier to slide 'em off and back on at security. Most of the security folks are very patient and courteous, IME. They’re used to people being frazzled and confused. If you don’t know or don’t remember to do something, they’ll ask. As long as you’re pleasant, they will be too.
One minor suggestion: pack as many things in clear plastic bags as possible. Putting all your underwear, socks, etc. in a gallon baggie helps things stay organized (and less embarrassing) in case they do need to rummage through your bag.
You’ll be fine. The thing that’ll probably upset them the most is going to be how nervous you are.
My boyfriend was once asked to prove he had enough money available before he was allowed to enter the US… but he was a long-haired scruffy-looking unemployed guy going to visit his girlfriend, who he’d met on the internet. Seriously, if you have a job/a family/property/pets in Canada, they’ll probably talk to you for maybe 45 seconds before they stamp your form and send you on your way. The more relaxed you are and the less you treat it like a big scary thing, the easier it’ll be.
Oh, and for the record… my breasts and I have never had any trouble whatsoever with underwires in airports, and I always wear them. I haven’t set off a walk-through metal detector in years. They’ve sometimes made the wand thingy beep when I get pulled aside for a random screen, but the wand lady just asks “underwire?” and makes sure that it’s setting off the wand in basically the same way as the nine million other underwire bras she’s waved her wand over.
Not exactly true. ATMs associated with Credit Unions don’t (can’t) charge fees. Anyone can use them, although, it is sometimes hard to find a Credit Union.
That is, unless your own bank charges you to use an outside ATM.
I have never done any of this, and also never had problems. I think we are being a bit too paranoid here. It’s just airport security. I wouldn’t go in wearing a turban, though.
And I now have this amusing image of someone trying to hijack a plain with a set of tweezers.*
*I know, I know, box-cutters. But still.
Yep - I’ve never had an underwire set off the detector either.
And my sister flies all the time (internationally even) with a literal pharmacy of various (legal prescription) drugs all jumbled together in her purse. Perhaps she’s just been lucky - but the only time we’ve ever had any trouble at all at the border was the last time we flew down to AZ with her boyfriend, who is an Aussie, had accidentally filled out the “wrong” form and hadn’t slept in two days. He looked like hell - I would have stopped him too.
I don’t understand - my case fits in the airport sizer - it’s not “oversized”?? 
