TN1 strategy

Hello, after lurking for quite some time, I now have finally become a forum member being as I now have a suitable question to ask.

I have successfully gone through the TN1 process (incl. extensions) more than a dozen times with a few different employers over the last 15 years. Even though each of these has gone smoothly (the only exception was my first time back in 1993, when I was unprepared), I nonetheless have found myself becoming increasingly concerned/worried with each subsequent experience.

My present situation has me rather concerned for the following reasons:

I have just accepted a generous offer for an engineering position in Michigan, which I am fully qualified for and have all the supporting documentation, and it is the same type of work/job description as my previous TN1s.

All of my previous engineering work has been in California, which is where I'm presently living.

My plan is to fly home to Calgary for a few days and then catch a return flight to California as I always have done. I'll be applying for a new TN1 at the port of entry at Calgary Intl Airport. Then once back in Cali, I'll immediately be driving across the country to make my move to MI and start work.

My concern is that the job is in MI yet I'm first flying to Cali and that this may be seen as a red flag of sorts. Due to the subjective nature of A TN1 approval I'm afraid that a red flag could easily evolve into a rejection.

Am I being unnecessarily paranoid, or would it behoove me to alter my plans and fly from Calgary to Michigan, and then go about flying back to California to fetch my vehicle and make the drive back to MI to start work?

Any input/advice/or sharing of similar experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Any thoughts at all?

Legally it doesn't matter. Can't see why USCIS would give a damn, if it comes up just tell you've got some personal belongings you left behind in California on a previous TN-1 that you want to fetch.

Honestly if you've had 12 TN-1s and renewals you are the expert here, no-one else has ever posted about having that many that I can recall.

The immigration guys at YYC always seem pretty good to me so I can't see what the problem would be, other than the usual showing that you have "non-immigrant intent".

Your other alternative is to move everything to Michigan first I would guess, and then do a return trip that way, although I know it's not as convenient to fly to Michigan from Calgary. Maybe you could say that - it's cheaper to go to LA and fly from there (but they might want to see the connecting ticket). Westjet quoted me $183 for a flight to LA yesterday, it probably would be cheaper to fly via LAX.

Do you have your flight from California Michigan booked? If so, just have proof of that on hand when you go across. I'm sure everything will be smooth sailing though!

Well, all original fears and worries aside, I bit the bullet and went ahead as planned (LAX to YYC and then back to LAX) and all went smooth as silk. The guys at the YYC POE were cool and I was in and out in less than ten minutes!
The drive from LA to MI went rather smooth (other than a $200 welcome to TX speeding ticket that a State Trooper so cordially presented me with as I crossed the state line!) I finally got to experience Historical Route 66 from start to finish and arrive in MI precisely 4 hours before having to start work at my new gig! woohoo!

On a side note. Steven, that's a great price you got quoted!

On another side note, It's almost like being at home here in MI, being as I can pick up several Canadian radio stations that keep me well informed to whats going on at home!

Thanks to all who advised on this thread!

-d0cg-