My experiences with CBP agents have been mostly positive and their disposition tolerable if not unexpectedly pleasant. They are like an unprovoked grizzly - not particularly threatening if you do everything right. Yet some demonstrate an inability to interact with the public without unwarranted intimidation or an authoritarian attitude, and would perhaps be more suited to a different line of work. The institution and the individual are not necessarily one in the same.

I recently found myself at an FAA seminar hosted by CBP and DHS in Bellingham, WA. It was a full house. A DHS enforcement officer presented an informational slide show and discussed their border patrol ops while the CBP agent represented the EAPIS part of the presentaion. The presentation's focus was on drug enforcement successes since DHS began patrolling the northwest border in 2004, and the importance of border protection and anti-terrorism. It was indicated that the region would descend into unimaginable chaos if operations ceased (I wonder how we managed prior to 2004?). We were told about aerial intercept procedures and how to recognize suspicious activities. We were asked to be on the lookout for bad guys. Common terminology included “obey”, “compliance”, “penalty”, and when responding to a difficult question the default response was “ ...because of 911”, or “since 911”. OK, so don't beat me up over this, I know 911 was horrifying and vigilance is prudent but let's not replace rational, intelligent decision making with fear and paranoia.

I wanted to ask questions at the meeting about EAPIS and trans-border flights but once underway, I realized that program structure did not invite public interaction and was meant to disseminate information without pause. I was compelled to interject at least some of my questions and did so. Soon the audience came alive and it was clear that most were frustrated by the burdensome regulations.

A Lynden, WA based pilot explained that before he could check the weather, file a flight plan, preflight his plane, or complete the flight he must deal with the exhausting process of getting permission to leave the country. He said it compromised the safety of his flights.

FILING MULTIPLE NOTICES of ARRIVAL, AMENDING ARRIVAL TIME WITH A CALL
Most pilots file both notices of departures and arrivals at the same time. When flying to/from AK my scheduled arrival time is based on good VFR conditions the entire trip. This avoids arriving at the border early. In reality I usually experience weather delays lasting from 1 to 5 days. I typically call to amend my arrival time the day I actually cross the border. Until October 2010 this worked for me.

When this topic was discussed at the meeting (not having internet access to file a notice of arrival and not knowing exactly when you will cross the border on such a long and unpredictable trip) the presenter stated “if your are a couple days late because of weather, all you have to do is phone the appropriate CBP office and they'll update your arrival time”. I explained this was incorrect based on my personal experience.

Here's a solution: File multiple notices of arrival so that you'll be in the system on the day you actually cross. File a notice of arrival based on the best case scenario or earliest arrival time and, in my case, I file a notice of arrival for each of the next 5 days. The additional notices are inconsequential.

In October, 2010, during a call to KBLI CBP advising them of my amended arrival time they responded “we can't find you in the system” (this was because I was a few days late). With more detail they found me in the system but since I was arriving on a different day, the agent required me to re-file electronically. Racing darkness, I quickly confirmed I'd refile and to expect my arrival just prior to civil twilight.

I refiled a notice of arrival, filed a flight plan, and dailed up the discrete border crossing sqwak code issued by Vancouver Center. It was nearly dark when I arrived at KBLI. I waited patiently for 20 minutes before an agent approached the plane and said, “where did you come from? You didn't call us...we don't know your coming unless you call”. . . . I find the entertainment pleasures that await me after such a long and grueling flight to be most delightful.

ADDITIONAL INFO

Flights to Canada with no landings and back to the US do not require EAPIS notification. You are required to be on an active flight plan, communicate your intentions to cross the border, receive a border crossing transponder code from ATC, and monitor appropriate radio frequencies.

If you are ramp checked by DHS or any other agency, you are not obligated to permit a search of the aircraft without a search warrant. This does not apply if your flight originated in Canada and you are clearing Customs.

If you are intercepted by the military or DHS they will want to communicate with you on 121.5. They are trained and permitted to fly very close to you. This seems dangerous since they could be in a Citation, a King Air, helicopter, or any number of other aerial assets and they may not know what another pilot's reaction might be. Generally they will require you to land at the nearest airport, and they prefer to FOLLOW you there.

Good info, thanks.

Just as a point of correction/clarification for those who care the helicopters and other aircraft labeled "Homeland Security" are operated by the CBP ( Customs and Border Protection.) Their uniforms in flight ops are a bit different though. They and the US Border Patrol (and the Coast Guard) make up the balance of flight ops for DHS.

And not all of DHS aircraft will have identifiable markings. Asked how pilots can identify them in that case the response was "there will not be any doubt, we will make eye contact with you". The official said intercepting aircraft will be positioned to the left of the intercepted aircraft, but don't count on that.

PS they should be wearing tan flight suits.

I GET THE FEELING THAT YOU YELL A LOT AM I RIGHT?

Oh, a yeller.. I can see how my writing style/topics might imply that. No, actually I am pretty calm and unremarkable. I only yell out when I hit my thumb with a hammer. I think my online persona is misleading. Maybe my next post will be about flyfishing.

I think I just figured out what you want to tell me...I'm not used to translating - am I not supposed to use caps? My mistake.

I just activated my eapis account with hopes of a fishing
trip to canada yet this winter. I am trying to cross all the
T's and dot all the I's but am nervous about making a mistake.
A friend who has a cabin thier said if your return day is delayed
by weather, when calling CBP advise them of the day you should
have returned. They will then find your manifest for that day
and amened it when you arrive. I don't know if that is fact, just
what I was told.
46tcrft

The phone amendment worked for me 7 times but then it changed on my last trip. It could have been the agent or a new way of doing things. I suggest filing multiple days as mentioned. If you feel uncomfortable with that you can request an amendment by phone. Worst outcome is they will require you to refile your notice of arrival electronically - an inconvenience. This isn't something you'll get into trouble for. On the other hand if you just show up two days late without a call, well, I would at least expect a verbal lashing.

You can call the CBP office located at your crossing point to confirm. They'll even help you file.

have a fun trip

As most of you already know I just came back from Mexico. I'll share a few of my thoughts and observations on the south border crossing. First I over analyze everything. M7flyer was my wing man, he has been to Mexico by plane many times. This was his and my 1st time using ePiss.

We stayed at FloatFlyer's place. FF has over 200 border crossings Canada and Mexico. They kept telling me to chill out no big deal. I know the official rules and the government doesn't follow their own rules. So what is a pilot to do??

First ePiss is the most important! Do it right or your looking for trouble and most likely will find it. Never give a government worker with a uniform and gun an attitude! That will get you eff up. Be nice.

We stopped in at Calexico on the way out of the US. The CBP officers could not have been nicer! Said we were in the system and ask if we had our sticker. After I ask a few newbe questions, I could tell he was thinking, dude, you are making this way more difficult than it is. Go have fun, drink a marg.

Tried to get San Diego radio on the ground, could not. Took off. You got 2 minutes to get them before you turn south. Open FP. No special squawk. VFR 1200 good by. Done.

Coming back we changed days so we called FSS on FloatFlyers internet phone. Amended our FP. Filed a new ePiss. Easy because everything is saved and we just changed the date. Took all of 15 minutes. If you have no internet I like VMC idea of filing multiple times. Any back country strip worth a darn should have satellite internet and wi fi. FloatFlyer does and it is all solar powered. FAST! too.

So we gas and check out of San Felipe. While there I call Calexico directly and tell them I'll be there in 1.5. I didn't need to do that but the phone worked so what the heck, took 2 minutes. Once in the air as soon as we could get San Diego radio we opened FP looked at the GPS and gave them the exact TOA. San Diego gave us a squawk code. They didn't want the 15 notice of ADIZ penetration.

Once on the ground. CBP came out, did the radiation check, ask what I had in the plane. Sent me inside to finish. The FAA has CBP doing their dirty work. You have to show pilots lic, medical, registration, airworthiness cert. Whatever. The whole process on the ground took maybe 10 minutes.

Mexico wasn't even that bad. 1st stop gas and show army pilot lic answer standard BS questions where you going bla bla, they may or may not shearch your stuff, 2nd stop show pass port, 2 minutes, 3rd stop flight plan and multi entry permit, 20 minutes, 4th stop pay, 5 minutes, 5th stop back to FP guy show you paid, 6th stop back to get your passport show him you paid. Takes about an hour.

Seems complicated. Just like eating an elephant, take one bite at a time.

Cheers

Rob,

You know that Border Patrol already knows everything about us. Every once in a while when I cross one of the borders, they will ask a question pertaining to an answer I have given at some time in the past. So my guess is, that you would have had even an easier time crossing the borders, if they had not known your association with that scoundrel Ford. Glad you made it across. Steve

Yeah on my seasonal flight north I allow a few hours to do and redo the crew and pilot manifest, 'cause it is the screwiest system. Also I love that the EAPIS system can't let the customs folks know when and where you are landing, that would make too much sense. Got a reprimand in my file because I filed but did not call once.

I've also wondered how to do the deal with no internet access, now I know to just do alot of 'em.

-Brad

And, the fact that our government has now restricted us to being required to have internet access to be able to re-enter our own country.......and let them know in advance......

Imagine what would happen if the same agencies were to take the same approach with Mr. Business Man who's flying first class to London for business, but isn't real certain what day he'll be returning.

MTV

mtv wrote:And, the fact that our government has now restricted us to being required to have internet access to be able to re-enter our own country.......and let them know in advance......

Imagine what would happen if the same agencies were to take the same approach with Mr. Business Man who's flying first class to London for business, but isn't real certain what day he'll be returning.

MTV

They do. Except he can outsource the work for a fee, in his case to the airlines as part of his ticket. If he takes his Gulfstream he is in the same boat as us - or his pilot is. I read somewhere that there is an entrepreneur doing the same thing - managing eapis - for more pedestrian forms of GA?

RobBurson wrote:Any back country strip worth a darn should have satellite internet and wi fi.

Glad not to be living in that universe

denalipilot wrote:

RobBurson wrote:Any back country strip worth a darn should have satellite internet and wi fi.

Glad not to be living in that universe

No wi fi in the park? OMG

I thought every little native Alaskan village had wi fi provided by the government. Isn't that how they order more pop and pampers from the subsidized airplane delivery service? Must have sat phone then.

How does Washington DC tell you guys what to do with out internet?

Heck even PC has internet in his cabin.

I'm was not aware Alaska was exempt from ePiss. You are part of the net world like it or not.

I'm just messing with ya.

Good day.

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:
They do. Except he can outsource the work for a fee, in his case to the airlines as part of his ticket. If he takes his Gulfstream he is in the same boat as us - or his pilot is. I read somewhere that there is an entrepreneur doing the same thing - managing eapis - for more pedestrian forms of GA?

We use Universal Weather out of Houston for all of our International flying. It's a bit costly but one phone call and maybe a fax or email with the manifest and they do it all for you. Got a change? No problem, one quick call and off you go, meanwhile they are revising eapis, or whatever your destination country requires.
Air Routing and Baseops do the same job and are cheaper. Handling pedestrian GA eapis stuff wouldn't be hard but you would have to be available 24/7.