Canada - I will never...through...connect through YUL flying to YYZ

A chance for some venting but also to say a positive. I thought this idea would be better than just coming on here complaining about a recent trip...so here goes...

I will never connect through YUL again to YYZ though I did like that customs had a quick line for domestic connections.


I still don't understand the whole go through customs, pick up already tagged baggage, drop off already tagged baggage, go through security AGAIN, and find the gate. You don't have to do this in Europe. Why here? oops was that too negative?

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Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

What you are describing is in fact the norm the world over - including European countries that are not in the EU.

Your bag needs to clear customs before it can be transferred onto an internal flight - if you think about it this makes perfect sense.

The reason you can clear customs at your final destination in EU countries is that the EU has put a special system in place that involves separate exit lanes and different baggage tags. Baggage checked within the EU (and not subject to customs clearance) gets a label with a green border. On exiting the baggage hall those with a green tag go through the "EU arrivals" channel and those without a green baggage tag go through the non-EU arrivals channel.

When you fly into non-EU countries (such as Norway) the procedure is exactly the same as in Canada if you are continuing on an internal flight - collect bag, go through customs, re-check, re-clear security.

A chance for some venting but also to say a positive. I thought this idea would be better than just coming on here complaining about a recent trip...so here goes...

I will never connect through YUL again to YYZ though I did like that customs had a quick line for domestic connections.


I still don't understand the whole go through customs, pick up already tagged baggage, drop off already tagged baggage, go through security AGAIN, and find the gate. You don't have to do this in Europe. Why here? oops was that too negative?

You do understand that the procedure would have been exactly the same at any other airport in Canada?

Yes, but if I had booked straight to YTO instead of YUL I wouldn't have to jump through the hoops to get my connecting flight. I would just have to claim my bags and go home!

I sympathize for those who have to connect. You have to budget an extra 2 - 3 hours which is such a waste of time. There has to be a way to make it more seamless.

When you fly into non-EU countries (such as Norway) the procedure is exactly the same as in Canada if you are continuing on an internal flight - collect bag, go through customs, re-check, re-clear security.



It doesn't have to do with EU countries but rather the Schengen Agreement.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area

p.s. Norway is part of both Schengen and EU ;)

It doesn't have to do with EU countries but rather the Schengen Agreement.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area

Wrong. Schengen is about Immigration. The EU is about Customs. Baggage clears Customs. Baggage doesn't clear Immigration.

When I fly from the UK (EU, non-Schengen) I get a green label for my baggage. When I fly from Switzerland (Schengen, non-EU) I don't.

p.s. Norway is part of both Schengen and EU ;)

Wrong again. Norway is not part of the EU.

Which is why, when I flew from Copenhagen to Oslo to Trondheim recently, I had to collect my bag in Oslo and clear Customs before checking in for the internal flight.

Yes, but if I had booked straight to YTO instead of YUL I wouldn't have to jump through the hoops to get my connecting flight. I would just have to claim my bags and go home!

I sympathize for those who have to connect. You have to budget an extra 2 - 3 hours which is such a waste of time. There has to be a way to make it more seamless.

This thread make little sense. You should have titled it "i rather fly direct and not connect"

Nothing you have commented on has anything to do with the specific airports mentioned. Yes, most people find connecting more effort then flying direct. Sky is blue, water is wet. Nothing really new here...

Yes, but if I had booked straight to YTO instead of YUL I wouldn't have to jump through the hoops to get my connecting flight. I would just have to claim my bags and go home!

I sympathize for those who have to connect. You have to budget an extra 2 - 3 hours which is such a waste of time. There has to be a way to make it more seamless.

If you have a NEXUS card, you can use it for any arrival to Canada (not just US) at any airport that has NEXUS. You will still have to claim and recheck your bag, but it will cut your waiting time at immigration.

Yes, but if I had booked straight to YTO instead of YUL I wouldn't have to jump through the hoops to get my connecting flight. I would just have to claim my bags and go home!

I sympathize for those who have to connect. You have to budget an extra 2 - 3 hours which is such a waste of time. There has to be a way to make it more seamless.Yes there is. It's called having your own aircraft. Fly wherever, whenever you want. Knock yourself out. ;)
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