US/Canada customs, how does airport compare to bus?

Chaotic Descent

I'm a Canadian citizen taking a trip to the USA, trying to decide whether to fly from a Canadian city or US city on both my outgoing and returning flights (for a convention and short visit with relatives);
but I've never dealt with airport customs before, only the customs that the GreyHound bus goes through, and it's generally been so terrible that I've tried to avoid it as much as possible (, in addition the prices being horrible. This year it's actually comparable, which is why I'm considering a direct trip).

The US customs treat me like I'm a criminal, mostly because I'm on disability and have no job. They consider a job to be the only guarantee that anyone would ever return to their home country. Maybe things have changed now that the USA is in a recession. (Although they may still be frightened that a skinny white nerd will "steal their wimminz" and whisk her away to exotic Canadia.) *
Canadian customs... I don't remember. Last time was alright. It's been years before that since I've gone through.

* anecdote: Man, what a MESS it was last time, and hilarious. I was visiting my best friend in Vermont for like a month to relax, so I brought my desktop computer. Poor people don't have laptops, and they have to take the bus. So this guy looks at me like I'm moving down there. and he wanted me to unpack the box. and then repack it with nowhere to do so without making people wait. So I dragged my dolly (thing with wheels to carry the box) and one of the metal loops that holds the bungie cord to it was on the bottom edge and it scraped up their tile floor because I was in a hurry. Hahahahah! Ahhhhh. I am not comfortable with authority figures, especially when I'm keeping people waiting in line.

I gotta say, airport security is a lot nicer to go through than customs while taking the bus. At least everything's streamlined there, and you're rarely keeping people waiting, and not that many when you do. but they're not exactly the same thing.

SmallLady

what city are you leaving from? I find the US Customs officers at Vancouver Airport are pretty tame.

Robman

US Customs are entirely variable. I've been waved through with a nod and a wink as a penniless student in a packed car, my dad (a 50 year old white dude in a suit) has been held up for ages flying direct from Toronto to San Fran business class with a return ticket with a conference package in-hand.

Chaotic Descent

Robman wrote: »

US Customs are entirely variable. I've been waved through with a nod and a wink as a penniless student in a packed car, my dad (a 50 year old white dude in a suit) has been held up for ages flying direct from Toronto to San Fran business class with a return ticket with a conference package in-hand.

"variable" is vague, but I already know that traveling by car is easier, so that variability is more predictable instead of just random.
I was hoping to find info from people who travel frequently enough to know how much crap they're going to put me through if I travel by air.

Hrm, well... only the flight down has any savings to be made from driving across the border, which coincides with the most guarantee of hassle, and even though the cost of gas will probably negate the savings, I haven't had to pay any of that cost due to family driving. (yay!) so perhaps that helps me decide.

DoraB

Keep in mind, how "comfortable" or not you are with authority figures doesn't matter at customs. If you want to go across the border, they call the shots, and the CAN basically deny you for whatever reason they want. Be polite, relaxed, respectful, answer any questions they have as succinctly as possible (offering too much information makes you look nervous), and if they DO pull you aside, which can happen for any reason, don't make a fuss. I've been pulled out of line twice (once on my first trip, and once on a random chance), and both times I made it on my flight. They gave my luggage a poke, asked to see whatever paperwork I had, and told me to enjoy my flight.

They're not looking at you like you're a criminal, they're looking at you like you're a flight risk. With no job you're not automatically denied, but they do look at you like, "Well, what does this person have tying them to their country? What's just keeping them from vanishing into the US?" As you've discovered, and as I've seen first hand, taking boxes of things is suspicious. BORROW a suitcase or duffel bag if you have to, but don't bring what might appear to be a suspicious excess of luggage for your trip. You CAN bring documents to help show you intend to return. If you pay rent, a statement from your landlord or any roommates about your lease can help, or even your most recent bank statement showing a positive balance, a note from a professor about your classes if you have any, or your most recent bill in your name. All of this can help show that you have a life you intend to come back to, and can help ultimately get you on that plane if you're pulled out of line for further examination. Bear in mind that if you've ever been denied entry, they will have a record of it and will ask about it.

The best advice I can give, having flown out of Edmonton to visit the US multiple times before I immigrated here in 2007, is to get as early a flight as you can. Customs officers are in a MUCH better mood early in the morning than they are at the end of their shift after a long day when they might have dealt with a lot of crap or already had to deny people entry. It doesn't mean you're automatically going to get a green light, just that they're not going to be quite so cranky.

While going through customs in the US was always a little frustrating, I actually found the return to be smooth as silk. I was asked if I had any alcohol or tobacco, and then if I'd had a good trip and told "Welcome home". Not necessarily a guarantee of smooth sailing for everyone, but it was a good experience.

Sir Headless VII

Don't be nervous, you aren't doing anything wrong. They will ask questions, you will answer them honestly. Do that and you should get through fairly easily. That said US customs are notorious amongst my co-workers for being the worst customs in the world (there are people who will flat out refuse flights connecting through the US). But like I said, don't be nervous (which you obviously are) and you'll be fine.

UrQuanLord88

From my experience, U.S. immigration just wants to know if you are going to be an illegal immigrant or not. I don't think it matters whether you enter by land or by air.

If you indeed have no intention to immigrate to the States illegally, a good way to shut them up faster is to imply that you want to head back home asap after your trip to the States (in the case of being a tourist). Also, try not to act shady or give long shady answers.

In your example, I can see how the customs officer might want to check your box because it might look like you are trying to move to the States. That definitely can be seen as a red flag.