Troubles with Airline travel through Canada (just to catch a connection) with a DUI

[down_to_business]

As I am not going to Canada, I didn't think the travel section was the appropriate place to post this question. What is your understanding of flying from the USA to Europe with a transfer through Canada. Have you ever come across a problem with this scenario because your escort companion has a DUI in the past 5 years- that they will deny him entry to Canada to catch his connecting flight to Europe and make him return to the USA? Talk about an unexpected ruin to a vacation! Do you all vet your escorts to make sure they don't have a criminal record of any kind before booking travel through Canada?

[+ Charlie]

It's been quite a while since the last time I flew from the US to Europe through a Canadian airport, but unless you plan to make a stopover in Canada before going on to Europe, there shouldn't be a problem, since you are only in transit, not trying to enter the country.

[+ azdr0710]

DTB: did this already happen or did your guy tell you he may have a problem traveling thru Canada on a future planned trip you two have??...obviously, I think the answer is to contact Canada immigration, somehow, and see what their policy is....mention, of course, that you'll be in transit.....

 

good luck....curious to hear what the result is.....

 

I found this on flyertalk after a google search for "in transit thru canada dui"....there may be a lot more discussion at other areas...

 

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/1054290-entering-canada-criminal-record-21.html

[down_to_business]

DTB: did this already happen or did your guy tell you he may have a problem traveling thru Canada on a future planned trip you two have??...obviously, I think the answer is to contact Canada immigration, somehow, and see what their policy is....mention, of course, that you'll be in transit.....

 

good luck....curious to hear what the result is.....

 

I found this on flyertalk after a google search for "in transit thru canada dui"....there may be a lot more discussion at other areas...

 

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/1054290-entering-canada-criminal-record-21.html

 

I had the flights booked and everything but in a fluke the DUI issue came up in conversation. The internet was riddled with conflicting information. Even reading the info at the Canadian customs site did not offer 100% clarity. There was at least a 50/50 chance that he would be denied entry and and that was not a risk I was willing to take, so I rebooked our flights through another country to avoid Canada at some expense.

 

There was enough serious warnings on official sites like the Canadian Immigration site to sure make it seem like if the offense was less than 5 years ago or there was more than 1 conviction that he would be denied entry for an almost certainty and put right back on a plane to the US. The fact that it was 'transitory' was irrevelent because the travellers always can leave the terminal in Canada by simply walking out the exit - the terminal is not a fortress to prevent this-- and therefore there was almost no chance of him being admitted to the international terminal to catch the connecting flight.

 

This was a real eye opener because I never thought of asking my escort friend about personal matters like this before and my entire vacation would have been ruined simply because I didn't know about some 'stupid' DUI (FYI substitute DUI with any other offense with the same results)

[JoeyBryant]

I had the flights booked and everything but in a fluke the DUI issue came up in conversation. The internet was riddled with conflicting information. Even reading the info at the Canadian customs site did not offer 100% clarity. There was at least a 50/50 chance that he would be denied entry and and that was not a risk I was willing to take, so I rebooked our flights through another country to avoid Canada at some expense.

 

There was enough serious warnings on official sites like the Canadian Immigration site to sure make it seem like if the offense was less than 5 years ago or there was more than 1 conviction that he would be denied entry for an almost certainty and put right back on a plane to the US. The fact that it was 'transitory' was irrevelent because the travellers always can leave the terminal in Canada by simply walking out the exit - the terminal is not a fortress to prevent this-- and therefore there was almost no chance of him being admitted to the international terminal to catch the connecting flight.

 

This was a real eye opener because I never thought of asking my escort friend about personal matters like this before and my entire vacation would have been ruined simply because I didn't know about some 'stupid' DUI (FYI substitute DUI with any other offense with the same results)

 

I will say that you probably have a better chance (after my research) getting into Canada by air than ground travel. I've read countless stories of train passengers being harassed by customs. Whereas air travel was more if you were actually visiting the country. But you're right to not take any chances as DUI is like terrorism there.

 

However, I do have a written apology from the supervisor of Immigration at Alberta from my initial visit to the area. They actually reprimanded one of the staff and admitted they acted disorderly. Especially since they thought escorting was illegal in the country. Dipshits. I didn't even have a DUI or any convictions

[geoffk]

well this isnt just an issue for Canada, if you try flying in the US with an open warrant you will be arrested at the airport. It happened to the guy I paid for last year.

[Frequentflier]

I had a former employee that encountered the same problem traveling to Canada. There are three alternatives. 1) A one time entry permit can be applied for at the border (bring documentation of the conviction and money for the permit fee). No guaranty of entry. 2) A "minister's permit" can be applied for and is good for multiple entries in any 12 month period and can be applied for again when they expire. 3) A certificate of "rehabilitation" can be applied for which would mean no mention of the conviction is required when trying to enter and someone can enter freely like anyone without a conviction. In the case of 3, Canada appears to be more forgiving when someone has gone a long period of time without any new issues. All this information can be found on the website for the government of Canada.

[KMEM]

Interesting. Perhaps I will go to Canada when I die.

 

Best regards,

KMEM