SEA/YVR/SEA Comments on customs in and out?

[phillyjoe]

Next week, i go to YVR for a funeral. I am SEA/YVR/SEA on Alaska/Horizon on one of the d400 (or is it d800) turboprops.

I arrive on 7/25 at around 7 PM and leave 7/27 at 6 AM.

What should I expect for clearing Canadian customs upon arrival and how much time should I allow to pre-clear US customs for departure.

Thanks.

[gglave]

Shouldn't be too busy at that time when you arrive, but it's a bit of a hike from the turboprop gates to Canada Customs. Figure 20-40 minutes between deplaning and exiting the terminal, depending on whether or not you're checking a bag.

As for heading back to the USA, a good rule of thumb is to arrive 90 minutes before your flight, however customs doesn't open until 5am, so you could probably push that to an hour fifteen so you're in the queue when customs opens. It's cruise ship season, so there may be a lot of Kettles departing, depending on whether or not a ship has arrived at the port the night before.

Of course, be sure to check in online before your flight.

[AA_EXP09]

I would invest in NEXUS/GE if I were you.
OTOH I would drive or take a bus to SEA.

[phillyjoe]

Originally Posted by gglave

Shouldn't be too busy at that time when you arrive, but it's a bit of a hike from the turboprop gates to Canada Customs. Figure 20-40 minutes between deplaning and exiting the terminal, depending on whether or not you're checking a bag.

As for heading back to the USA, a good rule of thumb is to arrive 90 minutes before your flight, however customs doesn't open until 5am, so you could probably push that to an hour fifteen so you're in the queue when customs opens. It's cruise ship season, so there may be a lot of Kettles departing, depending on whether or not a ship has arrived at the port the night before.

Of course, be sure to check in online before your flight.

Thanks for the tips. I was really concerned with 5 AM for a 6:15 flight. Glad to hear it is do-able.

[phillyjoe]

Originally Posted by AA_EXP09

I would invest in NEXUS/GE if I were you.
OTOH I would drive or take a bus to SEA.

NEXUS us is on my to do list for later this year. Thanks for the tips. I considered the drive to SEA, but there is still the border clearance and still the check-in hassle that goes with any flight these days.

[AA_EXP09]

Originally Posted by phillyjoe

NEXUS us is on my to do list for later this year. Thanks for the tips. I considered the drive to SEA, but there is still the border clearance and still the check-in hassle that goes with any flight these days.

Check in isn't so bad, although I have had SSSS 3x before.