Trying to get across the border from US to CA fly/move back to UK

[trandy]

My wife and I have been trying to move back to the UK for a while now and were initially due to fly just as lockdown struck.

As such our flights from Seattle to London were repeatedly canceled but we saw some stable flights via Vancouver. Our move home is predicated on needing to take care of my elderly mother and my wife's UK visa had to be renewed specifically based on this reason as it had elapsed. We are leaving/have left our jobs and will be leaving our home when we get to the border. We've tried contacting border agents and some say we'll be OK as long as we're transiting through and have no symptoms, others are less hopeful. All other US flights have been either unstable or impossibly expensive.

In short: Is there anyone I can contact that might be even more of an authority than a border agent who might advise us or grant us permission or... Something. Flight is a little over a week and we're desperate.

 

[canuck78]

Would assume that your best bet is to buy a flight from Settle to Vancouver and Vancouver to London.

 

[trandy]

Would assume that your best bet is to buy a flight from Settle to Vancouver and Vancouver to London.

That thought did cross my mind. Not sure if it would make a difference though.

 

[canuck78]

That thought did cross my mind. Not sure if it would make a difference though.

It would much more clear that you are transiting.

 

[trandy]

It would much more clear that you are transiting.

That's true.
Update: called border services and they said there's no way to drive through, even if you have a plane ticket. People are willing to buy a plane ticket just to get across the border to shelter as it's safer in Canada than the US.
But the guy did say that flying across should be fine as you'll be in transit and can be isolated at the airport until your flight.

 

[PMM]

Hi

That's true.
Update: called border services and they said there's no way to drive through, even if you have a plane ticket. People are willing to buy a plane ticket just to get across the border to shelter as it's safer in Canada than the US.
But the guy did say that flying across should be fine as you'll be in transit and can be isolated at the airport until your flight.

1. It is unlikely the airline would allow you to board for a Canadian flight as CBSA wouldn't consider your flight "essential"
t

 

[trandy]

Hi

1. It is unlikely the airline would allow you to board for a Canadian flight as CBSA wouldn't consider your flight "essential"
t

There are exemptions and among them are if you're on a connecting flight that isn't taking longer than 24 hours to board and you don't leave the area of the airport you land in (to go through customs etc.)

 

[canuck78]

Still think there is a decent chance because it wouldn’t be considered travel to Canada but rather through Canada although it would have been better to have booked the route on one ticket. Again I would contact CBSA and CIC if possible.

 

[trandy]

Still think there is a decent chance because it wouldn’t be considered travel to Canada but rather through Canada although it would have been better to have booked the route on one ticket. Again I would contact CBSA and CIC if possible.

haven't contacted CIC but have called CBSA many times and each time they say as long as you're transiting and have no symptoms you'll be fine. The last agent I spoke to said he'd be 'astonished' if they didn't let you on the flight to Canada if you present your flight ticket going out of Canada.

But the point is moot as I can't get a flight to Vancouver for reasons I won't go into. Will have to cancel/postpone and wait until the border opens.

 

[canuck78]

haven't contacted CIC but have called CBSA many times and each time they say as long as you're transiting and have no symptoms you'll be fine. The last agent I spoke to said he'd be 'astonished' if they didn't let you on the flight to Canada if you present your flight ticket going out of Canada.

But the point is moot as I can't get a flight to Vancouver for reasons I won't go into. Will have to cancel/postpone and wait until the border opens.

Yes you’ll need to cancel your flight and hope you get a refund. Most are giving out voucher or nothing if it was non-refundable.

 

[Bs65]

So am I missing something in that BA still have flights from some US cities to London, LAX/LHR, Chicago/LHR, NY/LHR, for example all with availability June 2. Sure you have to get to one of these cities and UK into US are currently banned but would not expect US to UK being banned.

Note assume you know UK will have mandatory 14 day self isolation for all arrivals from June 8 onwards

 

[canuck78]

So am I missing something in that BA still have flights from some US cities to London, LAX/LHR, Chicago/LHR, NY/LHR, for example all with availability June 2. Sure you have to get to one of these cities and UK into US are currently banned but would not expect US to UK being banned.

Note assume you know UK will have mandatory 14 day self isolation for all arrivals from June 8 onwards

They seem to be avoiding flying from the US for some reason.

 

[Bs65]

Can understand that if trying to enter the US to fly to UK but they are already in the US so can only provide feedback of options I guess. Suspect British Airways are only flying to major US hubs to keep slots open so passenger loads in each direction are likely light, but Seattle and Vancouver for Canada are Maybe not on the top of their priority list to start up any time soon. Plus who knows what will be left of Air Canada international once this is over at the rate they plan layoffs.

 

[canuck78]

Who knows. Without knowing why they can’t fly from Seattle to Vancouver even though they are very anxious to return home who knows whether other flight routes through the US would be possible. Assume that may have already been considered.