Montreal Interview: small purses?

[chris11xb 0]

In the Interview Letter, there is mention to not bring "backpacks, luggage, or large purses." No problem. Has anyone gone in with a small purse? Was that acceptable? I'm just wondering, between carrying the evidence and printed documents in hand, it'd be nice to have a small purse to stash the wallet, car keys, hotel keys, passports, etc.

Anyone here taken in a small purse and been asked to leave it outside? Or has a small purse been acceptable in your experience? Or did you just waddle in with stuffed pockets and dump it all out for the security scanner?

Thanks!

Lori (and Chris)

[CHD 0]

In the Interview Letter, there is mention to not bring "backpacks, luggage, or large purses." No problem. Has anyone gone in with a small purse? Was that acceptable? I'm just wondering, between carrying the evidence and printed documents in hand, it'd be nice to have a small purse to stash the wallet, car keys, hotel keys, passports, etc.

Anyone here taken in a small purse and been asked to leave it outside? Or has a small purse been acceptable in your experience? Or did you just waddle in with stuffed pockets and dump it all out for the security scanner?

Thanks!

Lori (and Chris)

I went in with a normal sized purse (14"x9"x4") and a hardcover briefcase-style accordion holder for my documents (17.5"x12.5"x3.5") and had no problems. The guard at the door did question and inspect the briefcase before letting me in to security, but he seemed content that it didn't contain a computer and that it was made of plastic. The purse was never questioned. They were both searched thoroughly, so it may have taken me slightly longer to get though security, but it was still hassle-free.

[Reba 2]

You also cannot take any food, drinks or electronics with you. So leave the cell phone and Ipod and your breakfast at the hotel. When I went they confiscated a tube of lip balm when I went in. I got it back afterward though.

Just put your interview documents in a plastic shopping bag, or a cheap-o accordian file folder. And don't put any photos in a scrap book or photo album, it won't fit thru the interview window, they need to be loose.

[Frazell Thomas 0]

When I went to my interview on December 18, I brought along a small purse (with only my essentials, wallet and keys) and was able to bring along a tote bag (like those re-usable shopping bags) with my accordian-style folder with all my documents inside of that. I was concerned about carrying along the tote bag (my intentions were to leave it with my family after they had dropped me off at the consulate) but we got there before they opened and the gentleman who worked there was outside having a cigerette and said that the tote bag was fine. Oh and they make you empty out everything in all of your pockets, including pieces of paper. So get rid of any unnecessary receipts etc. I also saw people trying to come in with cell phones, and backpacks who were being turned away and told to get rid of them before entering the building.

Hope this helps,

-Kerri