Flight Trouble

[Hardchargers]

Has any Canuck had any trouble boarding a flight in the U.S. without a passport.

I realize one is required when we fly internationally to the South; and we do NOT need one to drive across(yet!!).

But...

Those of us who live close enough to the border and can drive over can fly domestically. This is the scenario I'm interested in. I've heard of Canucks being refused a passage home because they did not have a passport. This seems to be dependent upon the particular security person you are dealing with I guess, because these people must have been aloud to board in the first place.

I'm wondering how prevalent this is. Has anyone experienced this or have heard much about it.

TIA

 

[dsneygirl]

DH just went to Vegas last week from BUF and had no problems without his passport.

 

[poohbear7]

I have had no problems just using a drivers license. I think the people who may of been denied boarding were taking a Flight back into Canada. I've never had a problem flying from and to Buffalo.

 

[Hardchargers]

Bump

 

[Legend of Odon]

Last August 5 of us drove to Sryacuse and then flew from there to Orlando and return. Three of us had passports and 2 of us did not. We did not have any problems at all....other than waiting out the hurricane in Phillie on our return flight.

 

[talicskai]

I just got back two weeks ago. My kids and I flew from Buffalo to Orlando roundtrip. I have a passport and the kids do not. I had absolutely no problems. In fact, I had a letter from their dad, stating I had permission to enter the USA with them and they didn't even look at it!

Passports are not required if you are entering the United States via a land border crossing. Only if entering via sea or air.

Teresa

 

[cslittle999]

You only need a passport for international flights to/from the US. For US domestic flights you need photo id. Starting January 1, 2008 you will need a passport for drive across the border too.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

A story in the Kitchener Record today indicated that a US Homeland Security spokeperson said that no Canadian has been denied boarding because they did not have a passport.

 

[cslittle999]

A story in the Kitchener Record today indicated that a US Homeland Security spokeperson said that no Canadian has been denied boarding because they did not have a passport.

I read the editorial. The quote also says that they could start ridgely enforcing the rule. Relying on the kindness of Homeland Security doesn't seem like a good travel plan except in an emergency. If they do let you board without a passport I'm sure it's after long drawn out process starting with the ticketing agent. Who wants that extra hassle? If you're flying to the US this year get a passport. If you're going to the US at all next year get a passport.

 

[dangler]

My friend's DH just flew to Vegas last weekend out of Detroit and he was only required to show his driver's license. He had called the airline ahead of time to see if he needed a passport and he didn't.

 

[cslittle999]

My friend's DH just flew to Vegas last weekend out of Detroit and he was only required to show his driver's license. He had called the airline ahead of time to see if he needed a passport and he didn't.

Which is to be expected. As long as you are flying from an airport in the US to another airport in the US you only need photo id. After January 1, 2008 you'll need your passport to drive across the border so it all will become moot.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I read the editorial. The quote also says that they could start ridgely enforcing the rule. Relying on the kindness of Homeland Security doesn't seem like a good travel plan except in an emergency. If they do let you board without a passport I'm sure it's after long drawn out process starting with the ticketing agent. Who wants that extra hassle? If you're flying to the US this year get a passport. If you're going to the US at all next year get a passport.

On this I agree with you fully. I certainly hope you didn't think I was advocating forgoing the passport with the hopes that Homeland Security would take pity on the traveller. I am one of the greatest proponents of carrying a passport when travelling -- even if that travel involves a land crossing into the United States.

The fact of the matter is the border between Canada and the United States of America is an international border. The document of choice for crossing an international border is a passport. The Ontario Drivers License and Birth Certificate are laughable in their security -- they have none. The top layer of plastic on an Ontario Drivers License can be peeled back, the photo replaced and signature erased and then the top layer of plastic replaced. I could make a better looking facsimile of an Ontario Birth Certificate than the Ontario Birth Certificate that I have.

That either of these documents is accepted by U.S. Homeland Security as documents proving residency and citizenship is laughable. A Canadian birth certificate is not proof of citizenship. A current Ontario Drivers License is not proof of residency. I have an Ontario Drivers License that appears to be valid and yet lists an address at which I no longer live. Lord Black of Crossharbour will, in all likelihood, possess a birth certificate showing his place of birth to be Montreal, Quebec -- yet he is not a Canadian citizen.

 

[cslittle999]

On this I agree with you fully. I certainly hope you didn't think I was advocating forgoing the passport with the hopes that Homeland Security would take pity on the traveller. I am one of the greatest proponents of carrying a passport when travelling -- even if that travel involves a land crossing into the United States.

The fact of the matter is the border between Canada and the United States of America is an international border. The document of choice for crossing an international border is a passport. The Ontario Drivers License and Birth Certificate are laughable in their security -- they have none. The top layer of plastic on an Ontario Drivers License can be peeled back, the photo replaced and signature erased and then the top layer of plastic replaced. I could make a better looking facsimile of an Ontario Birth Certificate than the Ontario Birth Certificate that I have.

That either of these documents is accepted by U.S. Homeland Security as documents proving residency and citizenship is laughable. A Canadian birth certificate is not proof of citizenship. A current Ontario Drivers License is not proof of residency. I have an Ontario Drivers License that appears to be valid and yet lists an address at which I no longer live. Lord Black of Crossharbour will, in all likelihood, possess a birth certificate showing his place of birth to be Montreal, Quebec -- yet he is not a Canadian citizen.

It did sound a little like you were saying that people should take a chance without a passport. I'm glad that you posted to clarify.

I thought about this a little more and I wonder if Homeland Security's statement is only true because it is the airlines that won't give you a ticket without a passport? No need to turn people away if they never make it to customs.

 

[myasmum]

I read in the paper the other day that ALOT of people at the airport I assumer customs are not really denying Canadians who dont have a passport into the US BUT I wouldnt take my chances like anything you could get a really nice person BUT then you could get a jerk or someone having a bad day and refuse you. AS it IS law to have a pssport to travel by plane, train and bus to the US

 

[canron]

no --i just went and came back no trouble anywhere,,im going in may not worried at alll

 

[riu girl]

Which is to be expected. As long as you are flying from an airport in the US to another airport in the US you only need photo id. After January 1, 2008 you'll need your passport to drive across the border so it all will become moot.

O my gosh, I thought that you wouldn't need a passport to cross by land until 2009? When did the Jan 1 2008 date come about? We will be driving Canada-BUF in Dec 2007, and then driving BUF-Canada early January 2008. Does this mean we require passports for this?

 

[cslittle999]

O my gosh, I thought that you wouldn't need a passport to cross by land until 2009? When did the Jan 1 2008 date come about? We will be driving Canada-BUF in Dec 2007, and then driving BUF-Canada early January 2008. Does this mean we require passports for this?

Maybe. The date is from the US Department of State site, http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html. The date does say as early as January 1, 2008. Congress did pass an Act this year that allows them to delay that date as late as June 1, 2009 but it could happen sooner. He's a link to a Canada Border Services Agency web page that explains it. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency/whti-ivho/what-quoi-e.html

According to the rules US customs should allow you into the US. Coming home should be easy. Canadian customs just requires proof of identity and citizenship.

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Boncho]

Has any Canuck had any trouble boarding a flight in the U.S. without a passport.

I realize one is required when we fly internationally to the South; and we do NOT need one to drive across(yet!!).

But...

Those of us who live close enough to the border and can drive over can fly domestically. This is the scenario I'm interested in. I've heard of Canucks being refused a passage home because they did not have a passport. This seems to be dependent upon the particular security person you are dealing with I guess, because these people must have been aloud to board in the first place.

I'm wondering how prevalent this is. Has anyone experienced this or have heard much about it.

TIA

You know you are supposed to have a passport and have had lots of warning about needing one - why would you take the chance?

 

[FayeW]

You know you are supposed to have a passport and have had lots of warning about needing one - why would you take the chance?

But he's not supposed to have a passport for land travel, just when entering the US via land or sea. Based on the current entrance requirements there is no need for a passport when driving across the border. Once inside the US, you do not need a passport to take a domestic flight. That may change in January, or it may not change until June/09.