Rtd / Canada

[victoire7]

Just back from CANADA by Air with Green Card and no Passport.

I traveled with United Airlines from US to Canada and with Air Canada from Canada to US.

No passport is required to fly from US to CANADA for Green card holder.

1. Please make sure to print out the page that COMCAST provided us (http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm) and the Canadian consulate webpage too that explaining the non passport requirement for Green card holder. I did that before my trip.

2. I didn’t have any problem with Canadian and US officers; they swiped my card and wished me a safe trip. But the only person that I have to explain the non passport requirement for Green card holder is the travel agents in Canada and US.

3. I’m sorry to say that but Travel agents are not well inform as we are. I asked them to check their computer for the passport requirement for Green card holder and to speak with a Supervisor. For both side (US and CANADA) I was right. They apologized and let me aboard.

4. Make sure also that you fly from US and not from another country.


Green card in my wallet 08/04/06.
Asylum Granted: July-2003
I-485 Notification Date(ND) from NSC: March-2005
Transferred from NSC to TSC: January-18-2006
Case received at TSC: January-24-2006
Request For Initial Evidence (RFI): January-27-06
RFI received by TSC: February-24-06
Last update (LUD) change: February-25-06
BIO(Code 3) requested: March-17-06
BIO(Code 3) done: April-07-06
Last update (LUD): 04/24/06; 05/24/06, 07/28/06, 7/29/06: welcome notice, 07/31/06
08/01/06: Approval
Another LUD: 08/02/06
Green card in hand: 08/04/06.

 

[thankful]

Yes you can use green cards ONLY. I do not know why this problem always creates a big furor here. The rules are and were pretty simple. Historically green card holders could go to and from Canada with the green cards alone. United States citizens could go to Canada without a passport--that was just by using their birth certificates and/or some other evidence of citizenship. After 911 Congress concluded that allowing citizens to reenter the country with those documents was potentially dangerous. For the most part the federal government did not issue these documents and could not verify them on the spot. So Congress passed a new law requiring citizens to use a federally issued secure document (i.e. a passport) that the DHS can verify at the port of entry. Permanent residents have always been required to use a federally issued secured document (ie a green card) which the DHS can verify easily. The new law did not add to or subtract anything from the requirement with respect to green card holders. The rules on green card holders did not change with the new law. Green cards are a secure travel document which by themselves will allow you to return to this country.

Just back from CANADA by Air with Green Card and no Passport.

I traveled with United Airlines from US to Canada and with Air Canada from Canada to US.

No passport is required to fly from US to CANADA for Green card holder.

1. Please make sure to print out the page that COMCAST provided us (http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm) and the Canadian consulate webpage too that explaining the non passport requirement for Green card holder. I did that before my trip.

2. I didn’t have any problem with Canadian and US officers; they swiped my card and wished me a safe trip. But the only person that I have to explain the non passport requirement for Green card holder is the travel agents in Canada and US.

3. I’m sorry to say that but Travel agents are not well inform as we are. I asked them to check their computer for the passport requirement for Green card holder and to speak with a Supervisor. For both side (US and CANADA) I was right. They apologized and let me aboard.

4. Make sure also that you fly from US and not from another country.


Green card in my wallet 08/04/06.
Asylum Granted: July-2003
I-485 Notification Date(ND) from NSC: March-2005
Transferred from NSC to TSC: January-18-2006
Case received at TSC: January-24-2006
Request For Initial Evidence (RFI): January-27-06
RFI received by TSC: February-24-06
Last update (LUD) change: February-25-06
BIO(Code 3) requested: March-17-06
BIO(Code 3) done: April-07-06
Last update (LUD): 04/24/06; 05/24/06, 07/28/06, 7/29/06: welcome notice, 07/31/06
08/01/06: Approval
Another LUD: 08/02/06
Green card in hand: 08/04/06.

 

[ccordova624]

REGARDING Denied Boarding, I do not Deny Boarding to People because I want to. This are Orders I follow, Airlines can Deny Boarding anytime for many reasons, you guys wanna know why? The fines are so High, thousands of Dollars for stupid little mistakes Airlines do not want to take chances when playing with safety or legal issues. They rather deny boarding or refund your money that getting Fined with thousands of Dollars.
All I know at this point at work is that We do not check people in with GC only. I am glad you all guys never come across with difficulties traveling with GC only but after October 1st We do not even let Mexican Citizens to depart the US with out their passports and a Valid Visa to return to the US. (another thing I did not make or invent)
So they may be wrong but is their Choice.

Yes, the airline can deny boarding to anyone they want. BUT IF IS AN ILLEGAL deny (which is in this case) AND the passenger loses money because he/she didnt make it to a meeting or whatever. The passenger can easily sue the airline.
The judge once it reads the law for PR will go against the airline, and they will lose the lawsuit. You and your boss will be fired and the passenger will be compensated it for his/her loses.

What you are doing is illegal, and someday a passenger will file lawsuit against your company.

BTW: I went to Toronto from L.A. last weekend in Air Canada. The only document I needed was my GC. The AC agents were well inform about the laws. I also took my RTD just in case I get an airline agent that doesnt know the laws, however I didnt even take it out my backpack.
US and Canada immigration knows well about this rule. The problem, if any, is with the uninformed airline agents.

 

[asyleedec2006]

Cordova

I cannot get fired for following the orders of my supervisors. If someone will get fired will be him. That's the way it works. Plus I have never denied boarding to anyone. so I do;t feel guilty. I know for a fact that they don't let them check in if they don;t have a passport. but anyway. I always carry my RTD to not have any problems. I you travel international you should carry a Travel Document that's just common sense.

 

[anotheryear]

I cannot get fired for following the orders of my supervisors. If someone will get fired will be him. That's the way it works. Plus I have never denied boarding to anyone. so I do;t feel guilty. I know for a fact that they don't let them check in if they don;t have a passport. but anyway. I always carry my RTD to not have any problems. I you travel international you should carry a Travel Document that's just common sense.

I will not spend $300 for a document that expires in two years unless the law of either Canada or the United States requires me to. And the law does not impose this requirement. As ccordova624 pointed out, you and whoeve else told you do this could get into serious trouble (assuming that you are for real and did not make this up out of thin air). If the law was unclear people could forgive you for a honest mistake, but the law is clear. If you read the in-house manual that your employer has issued to you I am sure you will find information that is contrary to "your order." Any serious airline will have had its legal department looked at the law and issued guidance to the field staff that accurately reflects the legal requirements.

 

[asyleedec2006]

Look we all know that is not that way. Even when they hired me they didn't even know what asylee was. They wanted me to show them a Green Card. I told them many times I didn't have a Green Card but I didn't need it in order to get Hired. They suspended the process of hiring for about 1 week untill I showed them a print out of what the asylee status was. Regarding The Manual you said, again not everything is like you think it is. I have never been given a Manual all we use is a system called Timaticweb (in which does require a passport or travel document FOR ALL PASSENGERS . The real fact is that people working (not only at airlines) but many other places don't know the law and different immigration status that exists. That's the reality. So you go figure. Meanwhile I am telling you I have never denied boarding to no one because of this, so don't try to make me feel guilty. First of I let the manager or supervisor handle those cases. I have seen people being deny boarding bcause no passport and no travel document if that was a mistake well then is the manager responsability.

 

[wendy_beijing]

Yes airlines have to enter information into the computer system before we can check in an international passanger. I believe the data is transmitted in real time to the DHS computers so that the DHS knows who are leaving etc.

A Green Card is a travel document. What did you think it was Asyleedec2006? A plastic toy? We enter passengers' green card numbers and other information on the card (like his or her DOB).

Look we all know that is not that way. Even when they hired me they didn't even know what asylee was. They wanted me to show them a Green Card. I told them many times I didn't have a Green Card but I didn't need it in order to get Hired. They suspended the process of hiring for about 1 week untill I showed them a print out of what the asylee status was. Regarding The Manual you said, again not everything is like you think it is. I have never been given a Manual all we use is a system called Timaticweb (in which does require a passport or travel document FOR ALL PASSENGERS . The real fact is that people working (not only at airlines) but many other places don't know the law and different immigration status that exists. That's the reality. So you go figure. Meanwhile I am telling you I have never denied boarding to no one because of this, so don't try to make me feel guilty. First of I let the manager or supervisor handle those cases. I have seen people being deny boarding bcause no passport and no travel document if that was a mistake well then is the manager responsability.

 

[wendy_beijing]

I work part time on the weekends for an airline at a NYC airport. It has been made abundantly clear to us that GC is an acceptable form of document for entering Canada and the United States. When the new passport law went into effect they did corporate training to make sure every body was on the same page. We have a manual (they call it a handbook--both physical copy and in the computer. We also have quick reference sheets. Our in-house lawyers helped write those. No major corporation will allow its front line employees make up check-in rules as they go along. It is the corporate culture of this country (something that I took a while to get used to) all major matters entail the involvement of lawyers. Checking people in is what airlines do every single day. So when the new passport rule came out airlines proceeded to implement them with the direct counsel of our lawyers (we pay them ridiculous salaries to make sure that we do everything within the law).

 

[wendy_beijing]

Your immediate bosses may not know about the EAD rule for asylees. However the HR people should know. If not that is the funniest story I heard in a while. Our HR folks work with our General Counsel on all matters relating to hiring and firing.

Look we all know that is not that way. Even when they hired me they didn't even know what asylee was. They wanted me to show them a Green Card. I told them many times I didn't have a Green Card but I didn't need it in order to get Hired. They suspended the process of hiring for about 1 week untill I showed them a print out of what the asylee status was. Regarding The Manual you said, again not everything is like you think it is. I have never been given a Manual all we use is a system called Timaticweb (in which does require a passport or travel document FOR ALL PASSENGERS . The real fact is that people working (not only at airlines) but many other places don't know the law and different immigration status that exists. That's the reality. So you go figure. Meanwhile I am telling you I have never denied boarding to no one because of this, so don't try to make me feel guilty. First of I let the manager or supervisor handle those cases. I have seen people being deny boarding bcause no passport and no travel document if that was a mistake well then is the manager responsability.

 

[ccordova624]

Asyleedec2006,
Is your employer a U.S. Airline? or is Mex/Foreign Airline? Because if it is a foreign airline then... yes they may not know the rules about hiring asylees... BUT still... they just have to follow the I-9 Employment eligibility and thats all...

All HRs have to follow that form and if the employee shows ANY of the 2 forms of ID required they shouldnt ask you for anything else. It is illegal for the employer to ask you for an specific form of ID (in your case GC), by law they just have to accept 2 of the 2 sections the I-9 form requires.

Asylees should show: 1.) Unrestricted Social Security Card and 2.) State Driver License - those two fulfill the list A or B AND list C.

Anyways... Yes, sadly...some employers HR are clueless about the employment eligibility... which is bad...

 

[action123]

I had problem one time flew from sfo to singapore with RTD and GC.
I almost can't fly because the Singapore Airlines personel kept telling I can't fly without my passport even though I have RTD. Maybe I should report them to their supervisor. I was waiting for 2 hours to get clearance from them with 2 toddlers 18 months and 3 and my mom waiting for chemo in Singapore. How nice people working in airport never learn about the regulation in US.

 

[kiev]

I had problem one time flew from sfo to singapore with RTD and GC.
I almost can't fly because the Singapore Airlines personel kept telling I can't fly without my passport even though I have RTD. Maybe I should report them to their supervisor. I was waiting for 2 hours to get clearance from them with 2 toddlers 18 months and 3 and my mom waiting for chemo in Singapore. How nice people working in airport never learn about the regulation in US.

This happened to me to with my re-entry permit; it was Singapore Airlines. I asked to speak to a supervisor who cleared it up. After coming back I wrote a letter of complaint to their corporate headquarters. I got a nice letter back which I carried the next time I flew on Singapore Airlines.

One irony of this was that the Government of Singapore admitted me on a RP without even a visa.

I expect better performance from a U.S. airline thought.

 

[asyleedec2006]

Asyleedec2006,
Is your employer a U.S. Airline? or is Mex/Foreign Airline? Because if it is a foreign airline then... yes they may not know the rules about hiring asylees... BUT still... they just have to follow the I-9 Employment eligibility and thats all...

All HRs have to follow that form and if the employee shows ANY of the 2 forms of ID required they shouldnt ask you for anything else. It is illegal for the employer to ask you for an specific form of ID (in your case GC), by law they just have to accept 2 of the 2 sections the I-9 form requires.

Asylees should show: 1.) Unrestricted Social Security Card and 2.) State Driver License - those two fulfill the list A or B AND list C.

Anyways... Yes, sadly...some employers HR are clueless about the employment eligibility... which is bad...

Well believe it or not. I was asked for a GC after I showed my CA DL and Unrestricted Social Security Card and they put me in evidence infront of the group that was being hired at the same time. I felt embarassed and humiliated because the girl just came in to the room and called my last name and she's like " We need to see you GC"!!! Then we went to a different room and explained no. I don't have a Green Card and I don't need one. And they didn't know what Asylee status was.
So you go figure.

 

[vdostoi1]

Well believe it or not. I was asked for a GC after I showed my CA DL and Unrestricted Social Security Card and they put me in evidence infront of the group that was being hired at the same time. I felt embarassed and humiliated because the girl just came in to the room and called my last name and she's like " We need to see you GC"!!! Then we went to a different room and explained no. I don't have a Green Card and I don't need one. And they didn't know what Asylee status was.
So you go figure.

My knowledge of the law is limited but this was discriminatory action on the employer's part. They may not demand to see a certain document. Read the instructions for Form I-9.

 

[cafeconleche]

Well,

When I went to and from Canada in the summer of 2006 by car at the Niagara Falls crossing, I was asked for a passport even though I had a GC. They kept asking me what citizenship I held, and I said I was Indian, and had to show my Travel Document. That was annoying.