Travel/Customs Question...

[nickerjones]

I usually fly from Calgary back to the states... However on Saturday I fly Calgary to Edmonton , then Edmonton to the states. How would going through customs work? Do I go through customs in YYC or Edmonton? Do I have to pick up my bags in Edmonton , go through Customs and then go back through security? Anyone have any insight?

[alan21]

Usually you go through customs here. It's not where you connect but usually where your final destination is. Also, with connecting flights on the same airline, you don't have to pick up your bags and should meet you at your final destination.

Also, my prayers and thoughts go out to you as you will have to goto Edmonton even if it's only for a brief period.

[nickerjones]

not so brief... like 4 hours haha.... However I think I am flying Air Canada from YYC to Edmonton . Then United from Edmonton to Denver then OKC

[Ducay]

Uhhh, you'll likely have to go back through security and customs in Edmonton.

If your departing airport (Edmonton) has US preclearance (it does), you'll do customs there. I can't see any way the US would let you do preclearance in Calgary and then fly to another Canadian city.

[STeeLy]

Do you know which departure gates you're using here in Calgary?

If you're departure gate is A or B, you're going through customs hand Homeland Security in Edmonton for sure. If it's a C gate, you're going through US customs and homeland security here in Calgary.

[Dion]

You will be doing customs in Edmonton.

[STeeLy]

oh BTW... quick word of advice...

if your departure gate is a B gate, go through security at A. Security check at B is horrible, the lines are long and they're kinda slow.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Do you know which departure gates you're using here in Calgary?

If you're departure gate is A or B, you're going through customs hand Homeland Security in Edmonton for sure. If it's a C gate, you're going through US customs and homeland security here in Calgary.

Nope

You wouldn't get a Canadian bound flight departing out of a C-gates, or you'd have to have the entire flight go through US preclearance, which would never happen.

So no, you'll be doing US preclearance in Edmonton. You'll have to wait and pickup your bags like the rest of the schmucks in YEG and then go through US preclearance with them, and then drop them once you're through.

[Ryan Coke]

Ducay is pretty much much right on. You'll get your bags then do the whole US pre-clearance and security in Edmonton.

Only minor quibble is that there are some domestic flights that go out the C gates at times (33 and 34 usually) as those are 'swing gates' that can be either domestic or trans-border. Where you go through security doesn't change tough; if it is US then you go through the pre-clearnce area, if it is a domestic flight then you would go through the D check-in (WestJet).

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by Ducay

You'll have to wait and pickup your bags like the rest of the schmucks in YEG and then go through US preclearance with them, and then drop them once you're through.

Not anymore.

The bags are transferred and the CBP agent can call up a photo of the bag and have it brought up if search is needed; this is one of the great benefits of transferring through YEG. (YVR is the same, but a much longer walk through customs and to your gate).

A benefit to those who don't have "free bag-check" status with the US airlines - get an Air Canada codeshare YYC-YEG then through Denver or LAX on United or IAH on Continental and you get the first bag free.

[nickerjones]

well hopefully since I am flying first class on my other two flights , I wont have to pay a bag fee.