Definitive rules for priority security lines at YYZ for AC status flyers
Mar 4, 2010, 1:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Definitive rules for priority security lines at YYZ for AC status flyers
So this was the press release on the topic:
Introducing the Pearson Priority Security Lane
Sponsored by American Express and Air Canada, the Priority Security Lanes are now available at most pre-board security screening points in Terminal 1. The lanes can be accessed by American Express Platinum and Aeroplan Plus cardholders, and Air Canada’s Executive, Executive First, Super Elite and Elite customers travelling in any class of service.
In addition to Air Canada, Lufthansa, Alitalia, and United Airlines have joined the program and will begin offering the service to their passengers. The GTAA is working with other airlines in Terminals 1 and 3 to expand the program.
Though the screening process will remain the same, the new priority lanes will offer passengers expedited access to the post-security area.
The next to last paragraph suggests that Star Alliance airlines were also planning to be a part of this program. Did this ever happen? Should be be able to use this line as a *G?
Introducing the Pearson Priority Security Lane
Sponsored by American Express and Air Canada, the Priority Security Lanes are now available at most pre-board security screening points in Terminal 1. The lanes can be accessed by American Express Platinum and Aeroplan Plus cardholders, and Air Canada’s Executive, Executive First, Super Elite and Elite customers travelling in any class of service.
In addition to Air Canada, Lufthansa, Alitalia, and United Airlines have joined the program and will begin offering the service to their passengers. The GTAA is working with other airlines in Terminals 1 and 3 to expand the program.
Though the screening process will remain the same, the new priority lanes will offer passengers expedited access to the post-security area.
The next to last paragraph suggests that Star Alliance airlines were also planning to be a part of this program. Did this ever happen? Should be be able to use this line as a *G?
Mar 4, 2010, 2:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AC E50, National Exec
Posts: 516
Here's a thread from last year but it seems that pretty much anyone can walk up haha. Or it's rarely ever really faster than the regular line.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...unced-yyz.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...unced-yyz.html
Mar 4, 2010, 2:10 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Here's a thread from last year but it seems that pretty much anyone can walk up haha. Or it's rarely ever really faster than the regular line.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...unced-yyz.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...unced-yyz.html
Does anyone know the status of *G access to the Pearson Priority Lanes?
Mar 4, 2010, 2:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 1,014
The priority line is often slower than the regular line, because that's where YYZ also sends those with special needs (wheelchairs, elderly, etc... ) to clear security. If there's no line visible in the regular line, I'll usually take that instead.
Mar 4, 2010, 4:03 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,647
Dropped daughter Lev off at YYZ T1 last night and she had two choices:
- Priority Line
- Handicapped line
Since she was neither, we figured she would not be allowed to pass through but she somehow managed.
- Priority Line
- Handicapped line
Since she was neither, we figured she would not be allowed to pass through but she somehow managed.
Mar 4, 2010, 4:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YVR
Posts: 9,999
Mar 4, 2010, 7:05 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,409
Mar 4, 2010, 7:09 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Mar 5, 2010, 6:53 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: YXU, ON Canada
Programs: AC LT E50K; AC*MM; SPG LT Gold
Posts: 4,665
May 21, 2010, 7:10 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, Marriott Platinum, Avis First
Posts: 1
I just went through the lane this morning - I'm a United 1k flying First class to Chicago, and was informed by a very rude lady manning the lane, that ONLY Air Canada elite/first-class and American Express holders were allowed through.
She went on to say that they do not recognize the Star Alliance for this program and there is no priority lane for them in US departures, T1
She went on to say that they do not recognize the Star Alliance for this program and there is no priority lane for them in US departures, T1
May 21, 2010, 7:21 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,409
I just went through the lane this morning - I'm a United 1k flying First class to Chicago, and was informed by a very rude lady manning the lane, that ONLY Air Canada elite/first-class and American Express holders were allowed through.
She went on to say that they do not recognize the Star Alliance for this program and there is no priority lane for them in US departures, T1
She went on to say that they do not recognize the Star Alliance for this program and there is no priority lane for them in US departures, T1
May 21, 2010, 11:12 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: yyz
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 424
I just went through the lane this morning - I'm a United 1k flying First class to Chicago, and was informed by a very rude lady manning the lane, that ONLY Air Canada elite/first-class and American Express holders were allowed through.
She went on to say that they do not recognize the Star Alliance for this program and there is no priority lane for them in US departures, T1
She went on to say that they do not recognize the Star Alliance for this program and there is no priority lane for them in US departures, T1
May 21, 2010, 2:05 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: AS 100K, UA*S, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond | Formerly: AC Super Elite
Posts: 2,476
I just went through the lane this morning - I'm a United 1k flying First class to Chicago, and was informed by a very rude lady manning the lane, that ONLY Air Canada elite/first-class and American Express holders were allowed through.
She went on to say that they do not recognize the Star Alliance for this program and there is no priority lane for them in US departures, T1
She went on to say that they do not recognize the Star Alliance for this program and there is no priority lane for them in US departures, T1
She said only AC elites and Amex are allowed, so ugggggggh had to open my bag to get my wallet to open it to pull out my AC*E card.
...
Considering that the Pearson Priority line is an initiative by AC and Amex, it would make sense that the line should be limited only to members of these two programs.
Plus, "Priority Airport Security" isn't a *G benefit yet. Now if UA would adhere to the Star Alliance rules that say *G get priority boarding with the biz class people and let us use the red carpet to board ....
May 21, 2010, 4:54 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC- SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,304
Last week when I went through they were looking for AP*E & SE and were saying Elite/Super Elite. So it was for Air Canada only. I am OK with this as UA restricts stuff to us including priority boarding!
May 21, 2010, 7:14 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Consider yourself lucky. I used the priority line this afternoon and it led directly into those damn new body scanners which took an additional 10 minutes. Line moved very slowly. This was my first transborder experience since January at YYZ and I plan to fly from BUF rather than go through this annoy and insulting security procedure again!