Traveling to US, layover at Toronto

Conquistador wrote: ↑ ^Tell me more about this "registration" at US Customs on the outbound leg. I have never heard of that but haven't flown through YYZ to the US in quite some time.

Is the process different for Nexus holders? If not, is it at least expedited? I would rather spend quality time in the Amex or some other lounge than waiting for some bureaucrat.

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑ On the way back, you will arrive at Pearson, get of your aircraft and go pick up your bags and go through customs. Whatever happens there is also a mystery. Anyway, you then take your bags and put them on the carousel for connecting flights.
Then you arrive in Vancouver and get your bags.

McKinsey wrote: ↑ Don't believe you need to pick up your bags in Toronto, as they have implemented a OSS (one-stop-security) at YYZ for US to Canada travelers. At least that's my regular experience for US-YYZ-YOW/YUL, haven't done YVR in a while.

Dreamrider wrote: ↑ I'm going to Orlando next week, there is no direct flight from Vancouver to Orlando.

speedyforme wrote: ↑ Just ask the counter when you check-in. We just came back but this was international.

Going from Toronto to Taiwan to Bali, we only dropped off in Toronto and picked it up in Bali. This was using 2 different companies and flights (one was with Aeroplan points and one was purchased), no issue.

On the way back it was Bali to Taiwan to Vancouver to Toronto. Bags were taken from Bali all the way to Vancouver. But we had to pick up the luggage because it had to be transferred to domestic so we grabbed it and just dropped it off somewhere and it was never checked or anything. We just had to carry it and drop off. Our customs was done in Vancouver without our luggage in hand (I believe) so technically no one ever checked out luggage coming back home.

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑ Every time I have passed through YYZ from the US, I went through customs then to the carousel, I had to pick up my bag then handed the card to the customs guy on my way out and then dropped my bag off on the connecting bags carousel.
Last time I went through was back in the Spring though.

McKinsey wrote: ↑ I don't recall exactly when the OSS has been implemented, I feel like I lost the concept of time due to the constant travel More info can be found here: FlyerTalk

One thing that is rather recent (3-4 months maybe) is that at YYZ, you no longer need to go through the regular Customs hall if you are connecting from US to domestic. There is a small area (4 agents) on the top level where you clear, then catch a bus to the Domestic terminal, which means you get to skip CATSA in YYZ as well.

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑ I have never had to take a bus. All arrivals from my US destinations have always been at the main terminal.

McKinsey wrote: ↑ That's unfortunate. I've been saving more time with this OSS and able to standby earlier for my flight as opposed as going through the main custom halls and having to clear CATSA again.

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑ What flights have you been on. Coming from the US, mine have primarily been Air Canada or partners.

McKinsey wrote: ↑ Exclusively Air Canada and Air Canada Express (operated by Air Georgian). I wonder if it is because your final destination is YVR, while mine are YOW/YUL when I connect via YYZ. I'm not sure what the factors are that determine which passengers get the OSS stamped on their boarding pass, the folks at FlyerTalk have more info than I would.

When I used to travel from the US via YVR (2015 was the last time) , then I had to collect my baggage.

As One Stop Security will not be mandatory, its benefits to passengers and industry will depend on which airports and airlines apply the initiative.
...
Under this OSS arrangement, passengers and their belongings that have been screened at their point of departure may not have to go through additional screening at participating Canadian airports where they have connecting flights. Making airport connections simpler and faster allows travellers to reach their family and friends more quickly and allows business travellers to get their business done more swiftly.