POE @ Pearson International Airport

[darkchilde794 5]

I am finally home!

I POE'd at Pearson on Nov 23 2009. My flight was scheduled for 3:30 in the afternoon so I arrived at the airport at 1:00 pm. I was considering arriving early -- as I was a bit worried that there will be a looooong line considering it is turkey week, but I decided to spend more time with my mum and so left a bit later.

I POE'd with two big boxes (it is very normal for Filipinos to travel with boxes! Just think - they have very little weight so I was able to lug 99 pounds worth of stuff to Baltimore ), a backpack and 1 roller carry on.

The first CBP guy who began processing my paperwork was actually really nice and funny. He saw that I was Filipina and tried to say something which he believed was Filipino, but not really... anyway I told him whatever word he is saying does not exist in my language and he just laughed. He asked why I had so much stuff and I gave him the K1 package. He said, "Oh! Where is your significant other?" and then tapped the window of another CBP guy and said, "Check this!". The other CBP guy went, "Why is everyone entering the US wanting to stay in the US???" I thought that was interesting

Anyway I was told to enter the secondary area. There were 5 other people ahead of me so I waited for almost half an hour before getting processed. The CBP who took my paperwork seemed pretty new with K1, as he was taking directions from another person. Anyway after stamping on my documents several times, he asked me to come to his counter/desk. He then asked, "When are you getting married?", and I replied, "Wednesday". He looked startled and said, "This Wednesday???" I nodded. He went, "You have 90 days to marry in this visa". I thought that was kind of silly but I figured it was something he needed to say, so I just nodded again. He then asked me what was in the boxes, and I told him clothes and cook ware.

I guess there is something to travelling with two huge boxes because he then wanted me to put them in the x-ray machines. He was actually nice enough to put one of the boxes on the belt. After he scanned my stuff, I asked him if my dishes were broken and he seemed really shocked at how candid I was and just shook his head abruptly. Hehe.

He then led me back to his counter/desk, gave me my passport and showed me the exit. After I exited, I realized he forgot to get my customs declaration card and I tried to give it to another CBP person. Apparently, you shouldnt do that because now the other CBP person thought something was wrong with me... and he told me to remain where I stood, walked into the secondary room and asked the person who processed my visa if I was done. Actually this was the most annoying part of the POE because the second CBP referred to me as a chick, and I HATE being called "chick". Anyway, the second guy waved my customs declaration card to the original CBP dude and he (dude who processed my paperwork), literally smacked his forehead and shook his head. He must have told the second CBP person I was clear to go, as he waved me off.

The entire process probably took half an hour and that's likely due to me struggling to lift my heavy boxes to the x-ray machine. Overall, very smooth!

[mikey78 6]

Good job with these boxes Welcome home!

[KnJ 0]

Yay baby! welcome home! We're both here now. Happy Nuptials!

Haha that sounds so funny. Happy Nuptials.

Enjoy it <3

[Sam and Ben 2]

Glad to hear things went well!

[supremecomplex 8]

Hey -- I'm Filipino, too! LOL. I hear what you're saying though -- it's SO ANNOYING to be called "that chick"! I'm glad your POE went (somewhat) smoothly... congratulations!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Welcome to America! Enjoy your new life here

Good luck.

[TimandJoyce 1]

Glad everything went good and you didn't have to wait long. Enjoy married life!

[Peachey 10]

Darkchilde got married yesterday

[Arabella 4]

Grats on the move and the wedding. You now have the same anniversary as my sister!!