Halifax airport customs guys really that bad?

[coastgirl]

Lots of media chat this week about how awful the customs guys are at YHZ. (Canadian side, apparently--the problem seems to be with arriving, not departing.) I haven't managed yet to fly direct to US from YHZ, though dh has done it on business a couple of times.

But the thought of going through customs in TO just makes us shudder. Never had particular problems with the agents (not gettting any warm fuzzies either), but the process of collecting luggage, queuing up, and then dumping the luggage again is awful, and we have missed flights/lost luggage in the process. Actually saw comments on the Chronicle Herald's site that some people purposely went through TO instead of clearing in Halifax? Perhaps if you're a business traveller with carry-on only and not trying to herd the kids, this would be more do-able! In practice, we have lately driven to NH for cheaper fares (so we clear at a land crossing), though I am watching the US airlines out of YHZ for Feb.

I thought a direct flight from here to the US was a good thing... So, wondering if anyone here has had a hard time with clearing Customs (in or out) here in Halifax?

 

[gilsan]

We have gone through customs a few times in Halifax and never had a problem. The last time when we were coming back we had bought too much alcohol at the duty free shop. When we told the customs officer he told us what we should have bought and let us go without paying the extra duty and tax. We were just going to give them the bottle if it had been a problem. The week before I had a patient tell me that he had tried to sneak in extra alcohol and was caught and now every time he flies out of country he gets "extra" screening, so I was not about to hide the fact we had to much alcohol.

The last time we flew was in April on direct flights in and out of Halifax. The time before it was on connecting flights on US airlines. When we go in February we are connecting in Toronto and will have to clear customs there, but we are flying direct home. I definitely prefer a direct flight.

 

[gilsan]

Did you check Kayak the fares for the first week of Feb have dropped. Yesterday Continental had flights for $393 return taxes in, today they are a bit more at $429 return taxes in. You are probably looking for the next two weeks but prices are beginning to fall for February.

We got $216 taxes in on WestJet connecting in Toronto and $265 taxes in on Air Canada direct from Orlando.

 

[coastgirl]

I "did the rounds" this morning and was still seeing $2000+ from YHZ for 4. The school break runs from Feb 12th to 27th. I'd go a day or two earlier, but prefer not to stretch the break more than that. Unfortunately the President's Day weekend is pushing up the return prices from the US airports too. THanks for keeping me posted, though!

 

[mbb]

We've never had any issues

We've flown YHZ-BOS, and MCO and always comment on how great pre-clearing at YHZ is compared to YYZ or YUL.

Departing/arriving...no problems with agents from either side.

Not having heard any of what was on the airwaves this week, but as a frequent traveler, I am willing to have the customs agent be thorough with me.

Cranky?
Well, that's not fun.
Thorough?
Oh yes.
Check everything you need to there on your computer. Take your time with the people that make your gut instincts react. Please. I need you to do that. I will wait longer, no problem. I will get another flight. I *may* not get my luggage, but that's a risk I run when I check bags. It's ok.

That's their job.

I know my paperwork is good, I have everything accounted for, and be a responsible traveler.

That's my job.

My kids know standing in line means what we've prepared them for.
Get out your book.
Have your snack.
Sit on your suitcase.
Positive attitudes get great results.

That's their job.

Keep me, my family, and everyone else traveling, safe.
That's my prayer, mantra, breathe with the spirit of life...whatever you want to call it.

Everyone does their jobs - we're all set.

Just let us all be safe.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I only used the customs in Halifax on one trip, when I flew with Delta through Boston. I did not have any issues. I agree with previous posters, prepare your children, make sure they have little things they can do in line, too.

Besides Toronto (and I've done customs there too, and never had any issues) there is Montreal. At least in Montreal (starting this year) you do not pick up your checked luggage. They show you a picture of your bag and ask if it is yours and it's shipped straight to MCO. I found that much easier last time.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

No issues here

 

[coastgirl]

The only issues I have with customs at YYZ have nothing to do with the people behind the counter--more the process that gets me to that counter.

At least in Montreal (starting this year) you do not pick up your checked luggage. They show you a picture of your bag and ask if it is yours and it's shipped straight to MCO. I found that much easier last time.

Wow, really? That would be worth chosing Mtl over TO.

The comments I did see, if true, reflected unnecessary and unprofessional behaviours. Prob. still up on the Herald website if you want to find it. Although someone complained about the presence of a sniffer dog...hey, if he just needs to sniff my bag and not mess up my packing and unfold my undies in public, I've got noooo problem with the pup...

 

[Tinkershelly]

Never had any problem either going or returning through Halifax. And in the past few years we've returned from US, Cuba and Mexico. As previously said, just be prepared and let them do their jobs.

 

[Disney-Chick]

We only flew once to Disney 4 years ago but we didn't have any issues. I just think they do random checks and it's all about luck. I could be wrong, could just be the mood there in that day and if they want to give people a hard time

 

[DisneyFreak06]

The only issues I have with customs at YYZ have nothing to do with the people behind the counter--more the process that gets me to that counter.



Wow, really? That would be worth chosing Mtl over TO.

The comments I did see, if true, reflected unnecessary and unprofessional behaviours. Prob. still up on the Herald website if you want to find it. Although someone complained about the presence of a sniffer dog...hey, if he just needs to sniff my bag and not mess up my packing and unfold my undies in public, I've got noooo problem with the pup...

Ew! Yucky if they are unprofessional! I might have to go take a look. I liked the not having to go pick up my bag in Montreal, but I did have some issues (see my response to the next quote)

We only flew once to Disney 4 years ago but we didn't have any issues. I just think they do random checks and it's all about luck. I could be wrong, could just be the mood there in that day and if they want to give people a hard time

As for the random checks, it's the airline that flags your boarding pass. (lately anyways, I think!) Mine had for "S"s on it like this SSSS and I was pulled out of the regular line in Montreal for extra security. They went through my carry on very thoroughly and I had to be put through the x-ray machine. It took at least 20 minutes from the time I was pulled through the line. My friend went through the regular security line (which was very long) and had to wait for me. Then we needed to go through customs. No big deal except it was about 15 minutes or so (I can't remember now and no pictures to document this part!) before our flight. With a suggestion from a friendly flyer, I found someone who worked there and she pulled us from the regular customs line and put us in the crew line, and made sure the flight waited for us.

I like flying through Montreal because they will help you if you need it. After making you late!

 

[nibab4]

In March we returned from the caribbean and it is my 17 year old daughter that got the extra attention!!
It kinda gave me the creeps as the guy was young and went thru her personnal belongings. We were all there as this took place.
She took it all in stride.

J

 

[MikeyNS]

Never have had a problem.. in fact we've had nothing but great customs experiences. When we got in last year (~11pm ish) our 4YR didn't sleep and was on the verge of a meltdown, and as we went through the customs line the person was very sympathetic and let us through with minimal questions. The only time we've ever had a secondary search (YEARS ago) was when we were coming back from our honeymoon, and when we was about to open our bags he asked us what we were doing in Florida, we mentioned honeymoon and just smiled, stopped opening our bags and said "have a great day".

We LOVE coming in through Halifax.

 

[coastgirl]

Aww...gotta love someone who's nice to a little kid. We've had several nice customs officers over the years, who were kind to our kids.

Well, my unscientific survey indicates it's no big deal!

 

[fan1080]

We've generally had good experiences coming back through customs in Halifax.

Twice we were tagged for luggage inspection. Sucks to be picked for it. Not sure how they decide... the way we answer questions, look quilty, etc, beats me. Fisrt time, they went through 2 of our bags. Found some candy the our daughters bought and gave us crap for not declaring "food", lol. Closely inspected our meds, very closely. But there was nothing illegal, or over the limits of our allowance, to find in our luggage. Second time, one of the agents at inspection waved us through becausee there was quite a line-up ahead of us for inspection...... lol

No biggie really. Some agents have a better attitude than others, just have to accept that and expect it.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

no issues here either over the last 2 trips. we do travel with small kids(5 and 3). and i often worry we take so long going through when we leave but they have the family line now and directed us to that one in april. now that i've said it i've jinxed us for feb im sure!

last octobers trip after coming through they had a sniffer dog and one of the custom agents gave the kids a little card about the dogs- kinda like a hockey card. they were over the moon.

aprils trip while leaving this time was more of an ordeal- but i forgot i had left a nail polish in my purse and hand sanitizer. they made me bag the polish and didnt notice the sanitizer- like 5 times bigger! ?!?!?! they also swabbed my purse down, but other than that it was fine.