Monday, July 15, 2013

International Travel Alert

If you're traveling as a single adult with children, you'll want to bring a letter from the parent(s) stating you have permission to have them with you.

We deplaned in Toronto, and had to do a quick trip through customs.  An angry customs agent was very gruff with me.

"Where is your husband?"

"Excuse me?"

"Where is your husband?  The father?"  To Seamus: "Where is your father?"

"Oh, their father is in Maine.  He isn't on this trip---"

"I said to the boy...you...where is your father?  Does he know you're here?  Does he know you're traveling?"

"Of course he knows where they are.  We have passports.  He signed off on them---"

"YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO TRAVEL WITH THE CHILDREN!"

Now I'm quite peeved, and the slightest bit panicked that this will actually disrupt our trip.  "I am the MOTHER of these children.  Of course I can travel with them."

He stamped the passports, looked at me with contempt and said, "For international travel you should always have documentation for both parents.  Go!"

It was like dealing with the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld, only with a better outcome.

And then I had to explain international kidnapping to the kids.  Yay.

1 comment:

  1. I had heard that was the case when traveling with only one parent. That customs person sounds lovely!

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