[Jabba]

I think you can do it online. Get the forms fill it in and mail it in.

[moo]

Originally Posted by Applehoney

>not even 2 months after sept 11.

Crossed the border at the Lewiston bridge two weeks after 9/11, expected intensive security - fastest ever!

"Where are you going? Letchworth? Have a great weekend" .. gone...

Crossed the border at the Lewiston bridge six months after and had no problems while I watched a guy nearly get shot for getting out of his SUV to open the back hatch (helping the searchers?).

It could all have been avoided by not electing either Bush.

[Pauld]

Originally Posted by can773

Some passports suck...mine has visa's from Poland, Venezuela, Oman (middle east) in Arabic no less...and a bunch of other stamps.....its about as useful for getting across the border as a can of soup would be

ID...hand over passport....oh great now the questions start...what were you doing in the middle east...working...on what?...s**t Even getting back into Canada is a PITA Needless to say I should just loose it and get a new one....most of the time I avoid handing it over unless absolutely required which it usually isnt.

Anyway...I really hate my passport.

Chad,

I guess that tip I sent in worked>>>>> :P :P :P :P

Paul

P.S. - you should have seen the questions I got in the U.S. when they spotted my Chinese Visa!

[voyager_663rd]

online access:

http://www.pptc.gc.ca/online_forms/index_e.asp

If anyone has done the online method, two questions:

1)how do you get the regulation picture to them
2)how does the guarantor sign the document?

[StevenHilton]

If you go to a satellite office the lines are not bad. Do not try at the passprt office in any downtown center or the waits are brutal. I got mine ourside of Toronto and it was a breeze.

[moo]

Originally Posted by StevenHilton

If you go to a satellite office the lines are not bad. Do not try at the passprt office in any downtown center or the waits are brutal. I got mine ourside of Toronto and it was a breeze.

Mississauga is impossible, Brampton is fine if you are a new citizen and speak Hindi, how far will I need to drive for a passport?

[JimBrown]

If you're going to the States to attend an event and taking planes and what not with you, it would be a good idea to have some kind of proof that you brought the planes into the States with you, otherwise you may get hassled on your way back into Canada. It happened to me twice the summer before last. I almost had to pay taxes on whatever value they would decide they were worth, and then file a claim to get that money back as long as I could provide proof that I purchased the stuff in Canada (who keeps reciepts for everything that goes into a plane?) Fortunatly, I just got a lecture about it.

Now, I have a picture of each plane, and my toolboxes, and a few other larger items, all of which do not have serial numbers. Before crossing into the States, I stop at Canada Customs and get the pictures stamped with whatever "official" stamp they want to use. Usually the Customs officer will want to have a look in the van to verify what's in the picture. Once the picture has been stamped, I can use it on any future trips without having to have it stamped again.

For items with serial numbers (cameras, camcorders, etc.) again stop at Canada Customs and get the little green card they have. List the items with their serial numbers, get it stamped and keep it with you. It can be used for each trip.

As for the passport question, my wife and I applied for ours a month after 9/11, as we knew things would get tighter at the border, particularly since I am a Canadian born abroad (England.) We've never had any problems entering the States with our passports. In fact, on one trip, I had to listen to the US Customs officer explain the recent crash of his RC Trainer. We all smiled as he sent us on our way.

...jim

[Guest]

Originally Posted by JimBrown

If you're going to the States to attend an event and taking planes and what not with you, it would be a good idea to have some kind of proof that you brought the planes into the States with you, otherwise you may get hassled on your way back into Canada. It happened to me twice the summer before last. I almost had to pay taxes on whatever value they would decide they were worth, and then file a claim to get that money back as long as I could provide proof that I purchased the stuff in Canada (who keeps reciepts for everything that goes into a plane?) Fortunatly, I just got a lecture about it.

LOL, I have had that lecture at least a 1/2 dozen times

Yes, yes ok I am sorry wont happen again

This summer when going to Muncie, Adam and I were driving in my Matrix with all our planes and luggage....packed to the roof no less.

US Customs " can I see in the back"
Chad " sure" get out open hatch
US Customs "radio control planes you say, how many?"
Chad "yep 2 of them"
US Customs "does any size on them measure more than 12 feet?"
Chad "u think I can fit a 12 foot airplane in this car?"
US Customs "no"
Chad "there you have it"
US Customs "Have a good trip!"

LOL, entertaining

[R_Lefebvre]

I cross the border every day, and it frankly comes down to this:

Until Dec 31st, 2007, you technically only need a birth certificate and driver's license.

HOWEVER, the reality is... if you're anything other than "white", bring a passport. It could speed things up.