US Customs in Vancouver

[shofer]

Anyone recently off a ship in Vancouver and had unusual delays at US Customs? Just wondering if the "sequester" issues are having any impact on travelers.

 

Sue

[Putterdude]

Not likely, the cruise season in Vancouver does not begin in earnest for about another 5 weeks or so.

[shofer]

Just in time for our cruise. LOL

 

Sue

[Putterdude]

Well from an other thread you have your GE card....now up to now there has not been a separate line at Canada Place for GE card holders .... but who knows in the future. Me thinks that with most cruise terminals in North America they are seasonal in nature and not worth wiring in GE kiosks.

[scottbee]

Anyone recently off a ship in Vancouver and had unusual delays at US Customs? Just wondering if the "sequester" issues are having any impact on travelers.

 

Sue

 

Getting off a ship in Vancouver would involve clearing Canadian Immigration and Customs; plus the 1st ship isn't due into Vancouver until the middle of April.

 

Were you talking about US pre-clearance at the airport?

[shofer]

Getting off a ship in Vancouver would involve clearing Canadian Immigration and Customs; plus the 1st ship isn't due into Vancouver until the middle of April.

 

Were you talking about US pre-clearance at the airport?

 

Yes, I was talking about US Customs. I do have my GE card and am anticipating that this will be easier for us to make our flight.

 

Sue

[scottbee]

Yes, I was talking about US Customs. I do have my GE card and am anticipating that this will be easier for us to make our flight.

 

Sue

 

Yes, a GE card will help. I've never come across a long line at YVR pre-clearance for the Nexus/GE line.

[Putterdude]

At YVR your wait at the kiosk should be just minutes.

[shofer]

Yes, a GE card will help. I've never come across a long line at YVR pre-clearance for the Nexus/GE line.

 

We don't have the Nexus add-on, just the GE card so we will still have to clear Canadian customs first. But at least the US Customs should be timely.

 

Just hate to schlep the luggage through 2 lines and still have to check in for the flight.

 

Sue

[rnrcruzin]

I'm missing something, GE Card?

[Putterdude]

I'm missing something, GE Card?

 

Global Entry Card.... http://www.globalentry.gov/

[scottbee]

We don't have the Nexus add-on, just the GE card so we will still have to clear Canadian customs first. But at least the US Customs should be timely.

 

Just hate to schlep the luggage through 2 lines and still have to check in for the flight.

 

I really would emphasize "should" here. You never can tell with US C&I.

[Putterdude]

Almost immediately after you check in with your airline you will place your checked luggage on a conveyor belt so you will not have to schlep your luggage through US CBP people.

[shofer]

Thanks for the heads-up. I did this in 2003 and didn't remember the conveyor belt. I do remember our friends' luggage got pulled out for "special consideration" by TSA.

 

We're just on a much shorter time table here and will be moving at a quick clip to check in for our flight to Seattle. We have more time for our Seattle flight to ORD.

 

Sue