[Noisebridge-congress] re-entry to the US

[Christie Dudley]

My experience was also coming through Canada.  I think you can pretty much
expect that at or around US Customs you'll be expected to check something if
you have more than one bag.  They explicitly listed: anything with wheels
must get checked.  Anything that doesn't seem like something you'd be
walking around on the street with, they'll badger you to be checked.  I saw
a lot of backpacks, although I also saw a lot of backpacks checked.

What I would do, if doing it all over again is stick whatever I wanted to
carry through the US into my laptop bag and put the change of underwear,
shampoo, etc in the other bag.  I'm glad I had 2 bags unchecked while
traveling through Germany, as I would have had to collect my checked bag to
overnight at the hotel they put me up in.  I don't think I would have
otherwise packed anything differently knowing that at the border they'd be a
right royal PITA.

When I got the "bonus patdown" - a second round of security in the Toronto
airport, they gave me a slip outlining the new guidelines. (Because
obviously I didn't meet them - I had *gasp* FOOD in my bag!)  I am
completely positive that NOBODY adheres to the new guidelines as they're
literally impossible to follow - i.e. you can't bring medications at all if
you carry a laptop, although medications are explicitly allowed.

Also cameras are explicitly allowed as carry ons.  I'd address them just
like a laptop, although the regulations don't include things like, oh,
camera bags and film...  There's nothing like a rules set that is so
restrictive it contradicts itself.

Christie
_______
Getting to the bottom of the hill is convenient. The view from the top of
the hill is stunning. Where would you choose to live?


On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 12:02 PM, Kate McKinley <kate at lugh.net> wrote:

> I was able to travel with a rollon and a laptop bag with two laptops. YMMV.
>
> --Kate
>
> On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 9:45 AM, Ben Rupert <meowdip at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hey, just thought I'd let everyone know that the new security
> requirements
> > since Dec. 25th say that passengers are no longer allowed carry on bags
> when
> > flying into the US from other countries.  You are only allowed a personal
> > item.  I've talked to a couple gate agents here in Canada where I've been
> > stuck for the past day.  They told me that the size of the personal item
> is
> > heavily dependent on the US security agent who screens you.  They told me
> > that I may not be allowed to carry my backpack which easily fits under a
> > seat.  Some have only been allowing a very small purse or laptop in a
> > sleeve.  Also it's not clear if they're patting down every single
> passenger
> > still or not.  Anyway I thought I would warn the people who are still in
> > Europe but returning in the next couple weeks.  If there is anything that
> > you absolutely must carry with you (such as medications), make sure you
> can
> > get it out easily and stuff it in a pocket, or put it there in the first
> > place.  Or better yet stay in a more sane country.
> >
> > Ben
> >
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> >
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