Actually, thinking about it now, most underwire isn’t metal anymore anyway - it’s that sort of flexi plastic stuff. I’m assuming that the hooks aren’t going to trip anything up.
Damn I get nervous flying - I hate it. Three hours of white knuckling the frikin’ seat. 
Oh well, at least WestJet has satalite TV - maybe I can watch what not to wear. 
I’ve heard that bringing along a paper copy of the script helps with security. Also, if for some unknown reason, they do take your medicine, you may be able to get more.
Also, I’ve had nothing be trouble with travelers checks. Unless they are in US currency, stores won’t take them and you’ll need to get them changed, which will be at a much more unfavorable rate than taking money out of the ATM, even with the fees, you might be better off without them. I always felt that way when traveling abroad.
I don’t get the hate for the travelers cheques - I’ve never had any problem, whatsoever. Of course I bought them in US currency - I am going to the US. 
My dad started getting me travelers cheques when I was about 6 and we were going to the states for holidays so I guess I’m just used to them. Honestly, I can’t imagine leaving the country without them.
Further, if you have to prove that you have enough money for your trip, you can just pull them out and show them.
Oh well, different strokes I guess.
Also, travelers cheques make it really easy to stick to a budget. When they’re gone, you’re done shopping. 
ATMs are just an order of magnitude more convenient, in my experience. Not all places will take TC, though most still will. It’s just that in most towns and cities ATMs are quick, easy, no fee (from my banks), and a good exchange rate. I can get TC for free, but I no longer find it to be of any savings of time or money. When travelling in Europe it was handy for getting Euros and Swiss Francs on the same trip. In Canada I wouldn’t even think of using TCs, my ATM or CC would cover me for all needs.
IMO, travelling between the US and Canada doesn’t require any prep except I might carry my passport. Otherwise it’s no different than any other trip away from home. I’ve never been asked about having to show money, I don’t need to keep a strict budget, and ATMs (to me) are hassle-free and fee-free.
But what is important is what makes you happy. If it will reduce your stress and meets all your needs, TC are clearly the way to go.
Hey, two weeks ago I flew home directly from Ottowa to Newark, NJ. The Canadian Security person went through my bag and removed a very small moustache scissors, severely chiding me for having them.
Somehow she missed the Leatherman SuperTool with no less than 4 completely lethal four inch blades that was on my pouch. Interesting… :dubious:
I apologized for the scissors, but didn’t exactly feel compelled to fess up about the Leatherman…
I’ve never been asked to show money either; however, I sure know other people who have. Now, I’m flying in a $400 pair of shoes, so hopefully they’ll figure out that I’ll probably be able to feed myself, but I wasn’t sure if things were stricter now. Regarding the budget - I’m just trying to avoid a $5,000 credit card bill, which is really easy to wind up with when you buy $400 shoes…
I’ve worked several retail jobs where we didn’t accept any travelers checks as there had been too much fraud. And I’ve had to explain to more people than I’d like to admit that no, we don’t take travelers checks and even if we did, you have ones in pounds, euros, yen etc.
I’ve also never heard of being asked to show money. I usually travel with about 20 bucks on me, as I use plastic for most things. Do they actually do that?
I usually cash them at a bank. I’ve never had any trouble.
I think if you look a bit shifty they get particular about this - like maybe you’re planning on working under the table or something. I really don’t know. I’ve never been asked either.
Mind, I’ve never been given a cavity search at customs either, and I know a guy who got one every time he crossed the boarder - about 6 times a year. Honestly, after about the 4th time, we figured that he wasn’t going for the cheap US cigarettes, if ya know what I mean…
Nope, no de-shoeing in Canada, at least at the many airports I’ve been in over the last few years. So do you have a parade of people with bare feet going through security? I find that a bit icky. (As a wee hijack, I’m also a bit amused given the intensity of the discussion on this board on taking off shoes at someone else’s home especially (admittedly broadbrushing) since it tends to be considered polite in Canada and rude in the US.)
Oh, and Cartooniverse, since you did it twice, I figure that it’s probably not a typo: it’s Ottawa, not Ottowa. Assuming you’re talking about the national capital, that is.
Not that I know of. My mobile works equally well in the US and Canada and I have unlimited airtime and long distance while in Canada for 10$ a month.
US based Cingular phone, btw.
Yah - I phone Rogers and they said it should be fine. Except - $1.30 a MINUTE to receive calls!!! Holy crap - nobody better frikin’ call me!
Well, don’t be a casually dressed male 20-something minority with visible tattoos, no checked luggage, and a one way ticket. The last time I flew to SFO, the nice US customs lady in Calgary Airport spent a good hour meticulously inspecting my single beat-up backpack, took me to a room in the back and inspected me rather meticulously in various states of undress, and interrogated me (politely) in great detail about what I did, where I lived, the purpose of my visit, and the significance of my tattoos. I wasn’t really bothered since I had prepared for such an eventuality and arrived early enough, but man, it was a rather more convoluted process than I had thought it would be. AFAIK I was the only passenger on that flight and probably that day to have been the subject of so much attention.
Check to see if there’s any extra charge for text messages, it might be a cheaper way to keep in touch.
I think he said he’s flying out of Calgary. If that’s the case (or if you fly out of several other major Canadian cities) you pre-clear US customs before you ever get on the plane, so there’s no need for forms on the aircraft. Having a pen with you is handy though!
A quick perusal under my skirt reveals that I’m a SHE as opposed to a he.
Nope, they’re taken out of the bags and not returned to you. They’d be taken out even if they weren’t the pointy ones, depending on which mood the security guys are in.
Well, according to other posts in this thread, this seems to depend on which security guy/gal you get, so I might risk it. I just cannot face 10 days with unruley brows… 
You are going to the US, not the moon. It isn’t a big deal. Take what you need for however long you are going for and don’t sweat it. Any medications should be in their original containers, but I just put everything in one marked ‘Asprin’. No one has ever checked.
I travel all the time and have multiple stamps including work visas from the ME. That always gets at least one question from customs agents. Just answer the questions they ask you. Don’t volunteer stuff. Don’t try and think up witty rejoinders as it seems like you are lying when you hesitate. Be pleasant and smile and above all don’t panic and forget something important, like your name or where you live. Hehe, jinx!
A very important tip when you come back into Calgary and have to go through customs: Avoid the lineups with women customs agents. I have been traveling through that airport for over 5 years now, and I, along with most everyone I travel with agree to this (that’s a couple hundred people, btw). You will spend more time in front of a female agent having her ask you questions, and having a better chance of being pulled aside, than if you go to a male customs agent. I don’t know why this is, and I know it sounds sexist, but from our experience, it seems to be the way it is. I’m all for equality, but I’m more for not having to stand in line and have someone give me the 3rd degree when I’m coming back into my own country.
Make sure you know what the luggage sizes your airline allows for carry-on. They differ by airline.
And if possible, always arrive early to the airport. Yeah, it’s a pain sitting around in the airport, but avoiding the stress of getting there last minute is worth it (especially if you are standing at a security check and can see your plane taking off through the window!). No, this hasn’t happened to me although it has been close. I still shudder at the thought.
Oh, and don’t act like all the other fools in front of you at the security check. You are allowed to start stripping all the change out of your pockets BEFORE you get up to the point where the security guard asks you to. Jesus Christ on a stick, is it to much to ask people to put all their metal items into their bag and take their jacket off before they get up to the scanner? One of the reasons there is a long line is because no one is prepared when they get up there. Does anyone really think that $20 in change, a cell phone, an Ipod, a metal ‘I’m a redneck’ belt buckle, and 5 lbs of jewelry is going to get through the detector without beeping?
<snerk> Yer funny.
FWIW, I’ve noticed the same thing with the customs agents Canada wide. I always assumed that the “girls” were helping things along with the male agents, but perhaps it’s just the lady agents are more hardcore.