After my recent trip back to Alaska and my adventures with customs in Northway, I figured since Spring had sprung and people would be headed North i would re-post the change in hours of operations.

I was told by the border agent that due to budget cuts, Northway customs is closing at 1600 Alaska time this year. Thats an hour earlier than last year, and that there is no plan at this time to have later hours during the summer season.

By the way, really enjoyed the strip-search coming back into the Country in Northway . Got to take EVERYTHING out out the plane, including the granola bar laying on the floor in the back; probably some terrorists or bomb materials hidden under it . Really, i feel much safer and i'm happy my tax dollars are being spent well . So, plan on getting into Northway early and spending some time there if there are other planes in front of you. I was on the ground for over a hour and a half, and i was the only plane on the field.

Chris

Chris, Was the little FBO place at Northway still open? In '08 when I stopped, they were out of gas and acted strange. While we were eating a hamburg, someone called the gal running the place and I heard her say "the check is in the mail" as she got up and went in another room. Then shortly, I watched a backhoe pull up and push over the sign with the name of the place?

Here are some pictures from us going from Northway into the Lake Hood strip:
http://vimeo.com/5719998

The Lodge at the Northway airport was open and they had gas, though when i went through, it was early enough in the season nobody was around except the old couple that run it. They were very nice. They said they would open up the kitchen if i wanted something, but it was toward the end of 3 long days of flying and wanted to make it to Fairbanks so i could go to sleep .
Nice place, nice people.
If the customs process dosen't speed up, i guess a lot of pilots will be spending more time than they planned there. Been through there a few times, never have had to empty the plane before, guess it was just my turn.