Has anyone ever traveled through Detroit, Michigan on their way back from Europe or Africa? What was going through customs like there vs. Dulles or Atlanta? I have family coming back from Paris through Detroit and wanted to find out what going through customs there was like vs. Dulles or Atlanta. Thanks.

I did in 2006. No problem. Very similar to Atlanta in 2004. I wouldn't worry about it.

I do it coming and going a few times a year. I have also done Dulles, but not Atlanta.

Compared to Dulles, Detroit is normally a piece of cake. They do have intermittant computer problems which can delay things but my guess is it's that way all over.

If you are traveling with sporting arms please be advised that the NW folks in the red jackets are not your friends nor do they know what is really happening with your arms or ammo being brought back.

Arms, along with ANY bags marked at check -in as carrying ammo, are brought directly to the customs folks. They do not go on the baggage chute like other bags. So, if you do not see your bag(s) on the carousel simply go into the customs area, tell them you are looking for your stuff, and lo and behold, 99 times out of a hundred they are looking for you, too.

Usually in Dulles or Atlanta they will check your rifles coming back into the country but usually do not go through your checked bags as well. More of an interest in your rifles and them matching the 4457 form. Is that the same experience in Detroit, or can you expect to have them go through everything just because you are carrying rifles and ammo?

UEG,

they will certainly match the 4457s to the guns. I have never had my bags searched in Detroit but I'm always asked questions like "any animal parts with you from this trip?" I'd be willing to bet that most of the folks working DTW hunt or know a lot of people that do.

Best advice-- smile alot, look wistful like you can't wait to go back (as if that's hard to do), and let them fawn all over your african rifles, and tell them it is time for them to go over, too.

It's simple. Relax. Repeat as needed.

Thanks. Always great advice whether it's Atlanta, Dulles, New York or Detroit.

i came though in minneapolis a time or 2. the guns are always the same, seems like those people think hunters are mobilizing to attack iran or something. Once they are satisfied they don't even look at anything else. I think you could bring back 40# of cocain and as long as they have guns to look at, they'd never even check the drugs. Anyway it was alot quicker coming through the lines at an inland airport than through a big international hub

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
i came though in minneapolis a time or 2. the guns are always the same, seems like those people think hunters are mobilizing to attack iran or something. Once they are satisfied they don't even look at anything else. I think you could bring back 40# of cocain and as long as they have guns to look at, they'd never even check the drugs. Anyway it was alot quicker coming through the lines at an inland airport than through a big international hub

MSP has always been a piece of cake compared to Miami, Detroit, or JFK. Nice people, which is unusual, to say the least.

Detroit is a piece of cake. Nice officers, prompt handling.

Detroit has not been a problem for me. However, it is the only place that I have experienced my guns being taken directly to customs by the baggage people.

Some locations are typically better than others, but it all depends on the luck of the draw as to who the individual employees are at the time you transit. Some are good, reasonable, and efficient, and some are . . . not.