Ok, I'm looking to do a training flight from Vancouver to San Fran. Is there a system in place in the States to reserve slot times for practice approaches? We're looking at doing a few approaches on the way, but don't want to land or go through the hassle of multiple flight plans.

When I went out to Sacramento I just filled the approaches, they had no problems with them. Now I did not file a practice into SFO mind you...

Of course I also managed to sit on the runway with a twin idling for 20min at the hold short line cause some new controller was clearing 172s on five mile finals... by the time I left there was 12 planes behind me and my wallet was over $100 lighter... least I got to log it

Like the major centers in canada you need to call for a slot time and a discreet squak code. there should be number in the Jep Guide for the controling agency. The thing about it is there are limited number of slot times and a limited amount of time before you can file. If your heart is set on going to california then look at doing an approach on a municipal airport in the vicinity.... every little airport in california has an ILS or something of that nature.