What else is your new licence booklet good for?

[North Shore]

Well, for starters, it looks like a passport!

The Mrs. won a trip down to Seattle for a few days. We decided to take the kids along , as childcare wasn't a convenient option. Amongst all of the hassles involved in getting everyone out of the house on time, I dropped a passport-sized/coloured booklet in my pocket, so that I'd have my passport ready to enter the USA. Show up at the pre-boarding Customs/immigration screening, and out of my pocket comes .... my pilot's licence D'oh! Profuse apologies, and explanations that it was an easy mistake to make, a small discussion with a supervisor, and I'm Ok to get on the ship taking us across the border. Show up at the real Immigration counter at our destination: "Passports, please" and I hand across the whole bundle. Faces check with pictures, and we're in - I'm 90% certain that buddy didn't even notice that I didn't have my passport with me, as he didn't even bat an eyelid...

Compare that to the return to Canada, where the guy did notice, and bombarded me with numerous questions about my identity, work location/nature and home ...

[slam525i]

Don't they scan your passport upon entry into US? I would think scanning the license wouldn't give them a proper result...

[AEROBAT]

You are the second person I have heard about using his licence as a passport. The first guy handed his licence over accidently and didn't notice it until they had handed it back to him. He was cleared through, it was at a land crossing.

[kevind]

Took my kids to Disneyworld a few years ago... going into the US..no problem

Coming home.... then wanted kids passpoerts, letter from X saying I had her permission to be with my kids, etc etc.. I was coming home...why was border tax collector so worried about me taking the kids away..I was coming home...

I find the American Border very professional and serious and appear well trained to protect their country. Our guys... well.. they are good at getting duty and taxes from citizens coming home, but they dont make me feel like out borders are secure.

[Nark]

I got a lecture to high hell and back about firearm safety when I crossed from Alaska to Yukon earlier this spring.
Despite the proper RCMP/CFC paperwork authorizing me to transport, the border guard has the authority to deny the firearms entry.

She told me several times that I don't have the proper training to use my pistol. I didn't have the heart nor the inclination to tell her that "the USMC Veteran plates" on my truck say otherwise.

Even as an airline pilot, dealing with Canadian Customs is a pain in the ass. I make it painfully obvious to go to the hot chick's booth at YVR when I fly in. That's about all they're good for.

[Expat]

Coming to CYYZ, every time, I am surprised to find these guys dressed in black, with surgeon gloves, wearing body armor, checking inbound passengers...
WTF? I just landed...
Customs agents in all countries I travel through, including Middle-East and Af, have more customer-oriented agents...
I do not waste time showing my pilot licence. It could trigger more searches...

[iflyforpie]

Don't they scan your passport upon entry into US? I would think scanning the license wouldn't give them a proper result...

The codes are identical (or at least produce the desired result).

Was told by a TC inspector that you can use them as passports and he indeed used his when crossing the border.

But one question... where do they put the stamps and visas then?


I probably wouldn't bother, just like I don't use my pilots or AME license as government issued photo ID as most lawyers and notaries get jittery at the thought...

[Dagwood]

Once I tried to use my license instead of the passport, and the agent looked at it quizzically and asked "what is this?". I offered an explanation, but she just asked for my passport...

where do they put the stamps and visas then?

Maybe on one of the 45 (at last count) remaining CAME stamp locations?

[Sheila]

just had 3 drinks
Ok. I read last year, passports were required for air travel. I don't think it meant border crossings and ships. General people were still crossing with licences and photo id's because those border guys know who is legit and who is not, By Now! So you could probably go again except there would be hassles.

[Brantford Beech Boy]

I know it has been discussed here before (too lazy to find it)...

but if you find the Customs ppl to be a pain (US or Can)...pay the $50 and get NEXUS.
I cross a border every 2 weeks. Since I was approved for the NEXUS program (about 3 months ago), I have spoken to exactly 1 (one) customs official since.

BBB

[Nark]

Sorry guys but...

I travel across to Canada and Mexico and back again home to the US, but I have to say the Canadian bubba's generally are a pain to deal with.