Reply To: Two hour trip to LHR – am I likely to get stopped?

[Lady London]

I was asked at the US border processing desk in Toronto, why was I flying to Fort Lauderdale via Toronto on Air Canada instead of flying to Fort Lauderdale from London direct (it’s a long detour).

My straight away off the cuff response to the officer was “Because it’s cheaper”. The officer nodded, he’d clearly heard that before, and it was accepted.

Border control and customs officers deal with thousands of travellers every week and will know if you’re lying. Honesty is always the best policy. If you can make them grin a bit and agree with you by saying it’s my 3rd visit to Portland in three years and No I don’t know anyone there but I like it and I’m from England so all the rain there makes me feel at home, that helps too.

They know about mileage runs just tell them if that’s your case.