POE with a K1 at YUL (Montreal airport)

[SpiritAlight 1]

Hello Wonder-Full VJers,

Here is my report on my (re)entrance into the U.S. of A.:

My flight was for 2:36pm (January Ninth) so I figured getting there around 11:45 would be ample time to get through.

Well, United's line-up was a tad long, no computer check-in (why did they get rid of them??), and one very slow attendant.

Sweat.

Got through there and into the longish custom's line-up by 12: 30 (or so).

Once at the custom's booth, I hand over my passport with the page open to the fancy-schmancy visa glued inside and chow the dude my two large and stuffed envelopes.

He takes them, along with my passport and boarding pass, and is looking at stuff on his screen. Types some stuff, and then keeps reading.

I worry a tiny bit.

"Please follow me. And fill this as best as you can."

Phew.

He had handed me a white card (the I-94?).

Into secondary and wait behind a few other people.

When the custom's dude in there gets to my stuff, he opens a drawer takes out some paper, some stamps and ink and I feel he knows EXACTLY what he is doing and this will be painless. Sure enough...

He calls me to the counter and asks if I am travelling alone or is my U.S. fiancé with me.

I say I am alone.

He takes the card and asks me to sit and wait.

After about 15-20 minutes (less?) he comes back out and calls me to the counter.

Hands me my passport with part of that card stapled inside.

The visa has been stamped and a line drawn through it.

He reminds me I have 90 days to get married.

I ask him about whether there is any possibility of getting an employment authorization

(hey, you never know ), and he shows me on the paper that had been taped to the front of the envelope where on-line to get that procedure started. Said they used to give those out but are not permitted anymore.

I asked him about a copy of any medical info and /or the vaccination info that is in the package he took.

He told me not to worry that I do not need any of it as it is all being mailed to my local office where I will be doing my AOS.

I thanked him and off I went.

The older security awaiting to check boarding passes before going through the check in, laughed as he exclaimed, "Wow! you're smiling!"

"Why, yes. I feel great!"

"Good good....welcome."

Check through was fun and also a breeze as I was floating now.

I got to a seat by the window at my gate and looked at the time: 1:30.

Coffee and croissant in hand: life is good.

Texted at least 50 people and made a few phone calls.

Spreading the good vibrations!

Ha!

:star:

The crazy winds were disconcerting. Would we take off in that??

Best part: the kind guy that I sat next to on the little plane.

He was a Montrealite that had been living in Chicago for a decade.

He had gotten married and had a child and now was planning on moving them all up to Montreal as he got great work.

The conversation and the info was awesome!

The feeling of my transition (I had kind of been numb) was now excited, smooth, informed and highly eager to start this next adventure.

Thank you stranger (angel).

I hope things go as smoothly for all of you getting into the U.S. in the months to come.

And once again thank you for your guidance and support VJ family.

(F) (F)

Edited January 10, 2008 by SpiritAlight

[trailmix 77]

Well congratulations! Your review made me smile, sounds like a pretty good experience and I'm so glad you found someone so helpful and nice to chat with on your flight.

Has it REALLY sunk in yet that you are there!?

[Flames9_RN 358]

Good to hear it al lwent well!! I shall drink a Molsons tonight in ur honor!! Well maybe a Coors light, thats all I have, but its owned by Molsons,lol Congrats!!

[Autumnchik 6]

Congrats!!!! Glad to read your review

[Emancipation 2]

Awe.. wonderful news and a nice review!! Welcome home!

[SpiritAlight 1]

Well congratulations! Your review made me smile, sounds like a pretty good experience and I'm so glad you found someone so helpful and nice to chat with on your flight.

Has it REALLY sunk in yet that you are there!?

Oh gawd NO.

Hahaha.

This will take a while.

It feels like a dream and I will be waking up any time now...

Good to hear it al lwent well!! I shall drink a Molsons tonight in ur honor!! Well maybe a Coors light, thats all I have, but its owned by Molsons,lol Congrats!!

Ha! Yes typical USian drink of choice.

I had been around too many sailors (and other "jock" types)...so I know.

I hope to influence people to drink something without chemicals in it.

Thanks for your comments Flames!!

Congrats!!!! Glad to read your review

Thanks Autumnchick!

Awe.. wonderful news and a nice review!! Welcome home!

Yeah, no kidding.

It feels like a year ago was yesterday.

That's the last time I was in my sweetie's house.

Thanks so much Emancipation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't believe how quick all of you are!!

Hee hee.

[Krikit 1,164]

Awwwwwww. Congratulations Spirit! And welcome to America! (Not to be a downer, but it's too bad you weren't able to get a copy of the vaccination worksheet.)

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Congrats. I was so concerned about airport POEs (I thought they'd give a free thinker more trouble ) but all that matters is you're on your way. Bon voyage and happy landings in the windy city!!!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Your post made me cry.

I wish you and your fiance all the happiness and joy in this world.

Congratulations on the next step of your journey.

Enjoy every second.

[KarenCee 3]

Ah Spirit....much happiness for you and your sweetness as you get ready for the wedding. Congratulations on the smooth entry...and welcome to the US. I wish many years of happiness for you both

[SpiritAlight 1]

Awwwwwww. Congratulations Spirit! And welcome to America! (Not to be a downer, but it's too bad you weren't able to get a copy of the vaccination worksheet.)

Ha! Thanks Krikit.

Fooled them.

I had already mailed and put a self addressed stamped envelope to my doctor's office in Montreal and they returned the DS 3026 (? I forget the number), and they filled it out, signed it and mailed it back to me a while ago.

I was just curious if there was something the customs' guy had forgotten.

Thanks to Mephys...she had told me to get that sheet done ASAP.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Congrats. I was so concerned about airport POEs (I thought they'd give a free thinker more trouble ) but all that matters is you're on your way. Bon voyage and happy landings in the windy city!!!

Thanks Mumsie!

Well put about the not being able to fit in a formula thingie...but I have discovered: Smoke & Mirrors.

Bahaha!

I look good on paper...some of it anyways. Hee hee.

Do you know that a while ago I looked the "windy city" thing up, and Chicago is nowhere near the windiest city.

It is something that was made up for PR reasons.

Strange, huh?

I was concerned being an avid saior.

However, they do get tornadoes and water spouts...(shudder).

Where the H do you get those emoticons?!

They are too much!!!

Your post made me cry.

I wish you and your fiance all the happiness and joy in this world.

Congratulations on the next step of your journey.

Enjoy every second.

You are soooooooooo sweeeeet Laura.

I made you cry?

Ohhhhh...

Thank you for your response.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Ah Spirit....much happiness for you and your sweetness as you get ready for the wedding. Congratulations on the smooth entry...and welcome to the US. I wish many years of happiness for you both

Thank you muchly too KarenCee!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

QUESTION:

Isn't it odd that I wasn't asked for fingerprinting nor a photo taken??

I saw that every single visitor was getting their photo take and their index fingerprints scanned at the first custom's booth you go to.

Is it like this at every Canadian airport??

[Krikit 1,164]

I had already mailed and put a self addressed stamped envelope to my doctor's office in Montreal and they returned the DS 3026 (? I forget the number), and they filled it out, signed it and mailed it back to me a while ago.

I was just curious if there was something the customs' guy had forgotten.

Thanks to Mephys...she had told me to get that sheet done ASAP.

Excellent!!! (DS-3025)

[Krikit 1,164]

Isn't it odd that I wasn't asked for fingerprinting nor a photo taken??

I saw that every single visitor was getting their photo take and their index fingerprints scanned at the first custom's booth you go to.

Is it like this at every Canadian airport??

They did my index fingers, but not my photograph, at the Peace Bridge for the Visa entry. They did my index fingers, but not my photograph, at Toronto Pearson for my first AP entry. They did neither the index fingers nor the photograph at the Peace Bridge and Queenston/Lewiston land borders for subsequent AP entries.