Pre-clearance at Toronto Pearson?

[doctorkb]

Well we also found another that goes to Ottawa before going onto Toronto and it offers almost 3 hours so that is even better for us anyway. Should we walk up together or separately? Or do we have no other choice?

Together, I'd say. You do have a choice, however.

Also, what should he mention, that he is going to visit my family?

That is probably the best answer -- just answer the questions truthfully and don't offer any more than an answer to their question.

Last time (the first and only time) that he came to the US, he said he wasn't sent to a separate room at Newark but I do know that he was asked questions and his enzymes were looked at. He brought about 6 bottles of enzymes because he needs about 4-5 to take with every meal. But they just let him go. He did not have a doctors note and wasn't taking any care of his health besides that at the time and didn't have a return ticket. I am assuming this what mainly did it. They didn't stamp or put a restriction on his stay either.

Well, without some other documentation, he would have been admitted as a visitor for a period not exceeding six months. It's strange there was no stamp to denote the date of entry, but *shrug*.

We won't be getting travel insurance as it is only two weeks but would having a printout (in case) of our savings account be useful? I just won't be too happy if they try to give him a hard time. I will tell them, I was the one who immigrated to Canada and that he receives the care he needs for free in Canada, we have no need for him to stay longer or immigrate.

Happy or not, the phrase that rings true is: "the one place you absolutely do not 'complain about the food' is in a border control area."

You can never have too much information *available* but offering it without prompting can prolong your experience.

Just answer their questions completely without offering more information than they're asking for. Ensure you're communicating respect (it doesn't hurt to end each answer with "sir" or "ma'am").

 

[Kaycee1]

None of his medications should be a problem as long as you have them in the original bottles with his name on it. The problem comes when people take them out and put them in other containers that aren't officially labelled. I'm a family physician and have had many patients ask me about this - it has never been a problem, unless he's travelling with huge amounts of narcotics or something!

And I believe WASP is actually White Anglo Saxon Protestant, not person

I have missed a few flights over the years due to missed connections/customs, etc. As long as you book your flights at the same time on the same reservation, usually the airline will just put you onto the next available flight. It happens a lot!

 

[CharlieD10]

Not every Customs/Immigration officer is that trusting, Kaycee1. My husband's iron tablets were all in the original packaging with the prescription sticker. He was still made to open all the bottles and empty out some of the contents by Jamaican Immigration. Of course, it could have just been some kind of discrimination, he does have earrings and tattoos!

 

[Kaycee1]

Not every Customs/Immigration officer is that trusting, Kaycee1. My husband's iron tablets were all in the original packaging with the prescription sticker. He was still made to open all the bottles and empty out some of the contents by Jamaican Immigration. Of course, it could have just been some kind of discrimination, he does have earrings and tattoos!

Well that's unusual then. The only time I've had to write a note for my patients is for them to take diabetic testing supplies and needles on the plane, I guess they consider them dangerous!

 

[medellinguy]

it's not like it's any of my business...but you should definately have a travel insurrance. What if something happens in the US? does he have an insurance there?? what if he has to pay up to $100000 because something goes wrong. It's the common sense to take a travel insurance. Especially when US prices for surgeries or treatment are so high...I even take one when I go on a week-end trip to NYC. Then again, it's me!

 

[Baloo]

you should definately have a travel insurance

Most certainly.

 

[Love_Young]

Well we will look into the travel insurance later. Does anyone recommend a good company that can also cover Cystic Fibrosis?
I would like for him to have travel insurance because you never know what can happen we just aren't sure where to look is all.

We also have decided to not travel until the spring for our 2nd anniversary but I am glad because that gives us more time to really prepare everything and cover all our bases for a smoother travel. I am so glad for all your tips and advice though. Hopefully we can still just travel through Toronto come time for that but we will see based on tickets. I just know that I would like to stick with one airline company through out the trip to make it easier on policies etc.

 

[doctorkb]

Well we will look into the travel insurance later. Does anyone recommend a good company that can also cover Cystic Fibrosis?
I would like for him to have travel insurance because you never know what can happen we just aren't sure where to look is all.

We also have decided to not travel until the spring for our 2nd anniversary but I am glad because that gives us more time to really prepare everything and cover all our bases for a smoother travel. I am so glad for all your tips and advice though. Hopefully we can still just travel through Toronto come time for that but we will see based on tickets. I just know that I would like to stick with one airline company through out the trip to make it easier on policies etc.

Most travel insurance is just emergency coverage. Some will also add a "top up" to your provincial health care for other issues if there is some urgency (like lost/stolen meds).

Call your local friendly insurance agent and explain what you're after. Once you get the policy, read it to make sure you don't have some sort of exclusion on something you want to be covered.

 

[Kaycee1]

A lot of travel insurance won't cover pre-existing conditions either, so make sure they will cover him if he has any problems with his CF while you're away.

 

[Love_Young]

A lot of travel insurance won't cover pre-existing conditions either, so make sure they will cover him if he has any problems with his CF while you're away.

Thats why I we thought about getting it. I mean yes, accidents happen but what if something CF related occurs. I mean that is a higher possibility in my opinion. Hmm... this seems like it will be harder than I imagined.

 

[Cdp6727]

June 1, 2013. Flight from Montreal to Puerto Rico via Toronto. 1.5 hours to connect between West Jet flights. Long wait for luggage, very long line at US customs- missed connection by 15 minutes. This is the first time I've had to go through US customs in Canada. Leave at least 2.5 hours, I suggest.

 

[doctorkb]

June 1, 2013. Flight from Montreal to Puerto Rico via Toronto. 1.5 hours to connect between West Jet flights. Long wait for luggage, very long line at US customs- missed connection by 15 minutes. This is the first time I've had to go through US customs in Canada. Leave at least 2.5 hours, I suggest.

WestJet should have escorted you to the front-of-the-line if the baggage was that late... or did you not think to ask them about it when the baggage was taking forever?