Cross-border checked baggage service for eastern routes

[TML]

Many years ago, the Adirondack train had checked baggage service, including to/from Montreal. Did checked bags have to be offloaded and reloaded at the border crossing back then?

Also, under current conditions (assuming that sufficient baggage cars/crews exist), how feasible would it be to establish checked baggage service on eastern cross-border trains (e.g. Adirondack, Maple Leaf, along with potential future routes like the Montrealer and/or a Chicago-Toronto through train) if preclearance is not established in Montreal and/or Toronto?

 

[jiml]

There was also checked baggage on the VIA train that ran through Maine and the Amtrak train that ran through Ontario. All predate current security protocols. Between the risk of drug smuggling southbound, gun smuggling northbound and explosives hidden in checked bags in either direction, neither country's border services are likely to ever allow it again without some comprehensive agreement between the respective governments.

 

[Mailliw]

There's zero chance checked baggage would be allowed without preclearance. Even with preclearance it's a long shot.

 

[MARC Rider]

There's zero chance checked baggage would be allowed without preclearance. Even with preclearance it's a long shot.

The Cascades train to/from Vancouver BC has checked baggage. Leaving Vancouver you take your bags to trainside where you can check them. I guess you pick them up at trainside if you're arriving an Vancouver. This route has preclearance and no intermediate stops in Canada.

The Maple Leaf is actually a VIA train in Canada with several Canadian stops. They could do preclearance and baggage checking to Montreal on the Adirondack if they eliminated the stop at St. Lambert.

 

[zephyr17]

The Maple Leaf is actually a VIA train in Canada with several Canadian stops. They could do preclearance and baggage checking to Montreal on the Adirondack if they eliminated the stop at St. Lambert.

And added a joint Port of Entry facility at Gare Central, which seems to be entirely stalled from all reports.

I guess you pick them up at trainside if you're arriving an Vancouver.

Yes, they unload all bags and place them on the side of the platform before they start releasing passengers from the train. Passengers pick them up before proceeding to CBSA inspection.

 

[zephyr17]

Many years ago, the Adirondack train had checked baggage service, including to/from Montreal. Did checked bags have to be offloaded and reloaded at the border crossing back then?

Also, under current conditions (assuming that sufficient baggage cars/crews exist), how feasible would it be to establish checked baggage service on eastern cross-border trains (e.g. Adirondack, Maple Leaf, along with potential future routes like the Montrealer and/or a Chicago-Toronto through train) if preclearance is not established in Montreal and/or Toronto?

One nuance of the Cascades operation in Vancouver is that the CBP inspection in Vancouver is not full Preclearance. It is US Immigration inspection only, not Customs. US Customs inspection takes place onboard on US soil at the border in Blaine, WA with officers from the adjacent Peace Arch Port of Entry.

Originally, this was because the treaty that allowed Preclearance did not include rail, but air only, so the US did not have the extraterritorial rights to enforce US Customs law. Apparently they managed to work out a loophole for US Immigration because the only penalty there was was just turning people around, not admitting them so they just stayed in Canada, and possible future denial of US admittance.

The treaty has since been amended, fairly recently, to include rail, so legally they could now do full Preclearance at Vancouver. They don't, though, the reason I've heard that the current facility is inadequate and needs remodeling and enlargement in order to do US Customs, too. Although Canadian Customs is done in there.

In any case, my main point is the checked bags have not undergone US Customs inspection in Vancouver, at least not officially. And checked bags are allowed anyway.