Clearing Canadian Customs

[allustoms]

This is the first time we do not have a direct flight into the US. We are stopping in Calgary for 3 hours before flying to Orlando (not a lot of choice with Air Miles). I am not sure what we will need to do with our bags. Do we collect them in Calgary to take them through customs or will we be clearing customs at home even though it is not our last stop before crossing into the US?

Also, our flight home got changed to a 7 am departure, do we really need to get to the Orlando airport 3 hours prior? That's 4 am!

If it makes any difference, we are flying West Jet.

Thanks

 

[SaraMc]

Often at Orlando Intl, you go through customs there. Westjet should take care of your luggage till you arrive in MCO where you will have to retrieve it for US inspection in MCO. Having a stop over shouldnt effect anything.

 

[bbangel]

This is the first time we do not have a direct flight into the US. We are stopping in Calgary for 3 hours before flying to Orlando (not a lot of choice with Air Miles). I am not sure what we will need to do with our bags. Do we collect them in Calgary to take them through customs or will we be clearing customs at home even though it is not our last stop before crossing into the US?

Also, our flight home got changed to a 7 am departure, do we really need to get to the Orlando airport 3 hours prior? That's 4 am!

If it makes any difference, we are flying West Jet.

Thanks

You will clear US customs in the Calgary airport. You will have to pick up your bags and take them through with you. Give WestJet a call and they will let you know when their check in counter opens in Orlando.

 

[almacdonald]

You will have to collect your luggage in Calgary. WestJet flies into Terminal D, follow the moving sidewalk to the luggage carousels. Then take your luggage to terminal C (International flights.) You go through customs here.

In Orlando there is only like 2 Westjet ticket counters tucked into the furthest corner, that's all they need cause they're only ever checking in 1 flight at a time! There is no need to be there 3 hours in advance though if you're taking Magical Express you don't really have much choice. Oh yeah, your luggage will need to clear customs again if you land in Calgary on your way home.

 

[cab0899]

We've flown with WestJet with a transfer from Calgary before. You have to collect your luggage and go through customs in the Calgary airport. When you land in Orlando, you just have to go straight to the Magical Express counter. Kim

 

[allustoms]

You will clear US customs in the Calgary airport. You will have to pick up your bags and take them through with you. Give WestJet a call and they will let you know when their check in counter opens in Orlando.

I never even thought that maybe the Westjet counter wouldn't be open at 4 am! Thankyou, I will speak to them there. I'm sure if I call the main phone number I will get an agent in Calgary that will tell me the standard "check in 3 hours prior" The person at the check in counter in Orlando will know exactly when we need to get there.

I really am not looking forward to having to leave our condo at 3:30 ish in order to make the drive and return our car.

Thanks again

 

[Timon]

Your luggage will be waiting for you at the US Transfer Baggage Room in Calgary, not on the luggage carousel in Terminal D. But just like the poster said, you will have to exit terminal D when you get there, go up one level to Departures Level and go to Gate C through the Customs door, your luggage will be in the little room past those doors to the right. If you have any problems, there will be a check in counter for West Jet US flights right in front of the Customs Doors.

Just make sure you are ready to go through customs, as once you pick up your bags you have to go through customs right away. If you need to exchange money or anything prior to boarding, do it before you make your way to the US transfer baggage room. You also need to fill out the blue customs card before you head into Customs, there are forms and tables right there that you can do this at.

Here's a map of YYC, good to know the lay of the lands before hand!

http://www.calgaryairport.com/maps/dsp_departuresmap.cfm

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

You also need to fill out the blue customs card before you head into Customs, there are forms and tables right there that you can do this at.

what is the blue customs card? what type of info is on it, and will i need to fill one out in ottawa (i am flying ottawa to orlando direct, west jet. and we have customs preclearance here)

thanks! (been way too long since i got to do this)

 

[Timon]

Yes, you will need one going through pre-clearance in Ottawa. They should have the forms near the airline check in area, if not then right before the US Customs area.

Here is some info on the forms:

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/sample_declaration_form.xml

 

[seashoreCM]

(Am I hijacking this thread?)

What, pray, do you do if you need to clear customs at a connection point and checked baggage does not appear for you to take through customs?

(1) Run for your connecting flight and expect the airline to clear the bag and deliver it to Disney for you?

(2) File a lost baggage claim at your final destination (Orlando)?

(3) (You fill in the blank. Not sure how to make this into a poll question.)

 

[allustoms]

Cass:

I normally don't worry about things like this but I am travelling with my daughter and my 73 year old mother and do not want to be wandering around the airport trying to figure out where the heck we are supposed to be. Thank you so much!!!

 

[Timon]

seashoreCM,

I have seen this happen before, either from people trying to make a short layover and if they waited for their bags, they would have missed their flight or from people landing in Calgary and deciding to walk around and shop and eat before going through customs, although there luggage was there they never made their flight as they showed up at customs 30 minutes before their flight.

My first suggestion....

Make sure you have at least 1.5 hours connection time between landing in a pre-clearance city and leaving it. You have to realize that you are entering another country and not only can there be long line ups during the rush periods but they have the right to detain you for anything. Most people can and will get through customs in about 10 minutes during the non busy times but you can't count on this.

But don't forget in Calgary, once you have cleared customs, you still have to go through security screening and during busy times in C this can add another 30-60 minutes!

When people have missed their luggage, I have seen the airlines fly it out on their next flight. And usually they have it shipped to your hotel so always have that info handy. But not every airline is the same.

My second suggestion...

As soon as you land in Calgary, go find your luggage, fill out the customs form and go through Customs and security. Even if you have 2-3 hours before your flight. It's always good to be early! There's not much to choose from in C but you can find snacks and magazines and then just relax and not worry about catching your plane!

allustoms,

I am glad I could help you out! I worked at YYC for over 2 years and saw a lot of very sad people miss their flight so anything I can do to help makes me feel better!