Border crossing procedures have gotten quite a bit more complicated since the 11 Sept 2001 attacks. I created the electronic manifests with EAPIS a few days ago, and last night I filed the flight plan for the flight to Watertown. I also called US Customs, as you need to notify them at least two hours prior to arrival and I figured time would be tight this morning. The lady I spoke with took down all the required info, then said:

"You'll need to call back two hours prior to arrival"

I responded "I'll be driving to the airport two hours prior to arrival. Can I call earlier?"

"You need to call at least two hours prior to arrival"

"It is more than two hours prior to arrival now. I was hoping that this phone call would be all I needed to do."

"You need to call two hours prior to arrival."

"Exactly two hours prior to arrival? That isn't very practical."

"You need to call at least two hours prior to arrival."

"It's at least two hours prior to arrival now."

"You need to call two hours prior to arrival."

It had become quite clear that I wasn't going to get any further, so I thanked her for her help and hung up. I called back early this morning, and fortunately ended up speaking with a much more helpful person. He already had all the info from the call I made the night before, and the call was over quickly. When we finally got to Watertown, the Customs officers who met us were very friendly and professional.

Today Terry and I had a great trip down to the EAA Chapter 486 Pancake Breakfast at Oswego County airport, Fulton, NY. The weather was perfect, and we got airborne on schedule at 8:30. Customs at Watertown was quick and friendly, and then it was off to Oswego County, landing at 9:45. The $7 breakfast was huge and tasty (two eggs, pancakes, french toast, sausage, ham, homemade donuts, orange juice and coffee).

There was quite a large turnout, with several interesting aircraft, including what I think was a Culver Dart with a radial engine (it left before I could get a picture), a beautiful 1940 Luscombe 8 and a Hatz biplane.

We managed to get to the USA and back without ending up in jail - mission accomplished. This photo shows us approaching the Canada-US border on the way home.

We are really looking forward to the trip to Oshkosh in late July. We've inspected all our camping gear, and we bought the local Scottish Irish Brewing Company craft beer (great tasting beer in the old Canadian heritige stubby bottles) that we will take to Chuck Swain's camp site to check out his coffin full of beer. This should be a cultural experience :)