Originally Posted by
HappyCoachFlyer
Originally Posted by
PRWeezer
You'll clear US Customs at YVR. When we made the trip YVR-SLC-ATL our bags were checked through to ATL.
Both correct.
You "preclear" from most (if not all?) Canadian cities at the foreign airport when you fly nonstop to the US. I believe you also preclear from several other countries (Iceland?, for example).
Once you preclear, you've basically entered the USA, and your flight is basically considered domestic at that point... so you'll also then have a TSA style checkpoint (removal of shoes, etc) to go through.
Also, domestic luggage allowances apply to your ticket (so it costs $$ for checked bags...)
There are 8 cities in Canada that are USCBP pre-clearance. Ireland is also USCBP pre-clearance.
YVR does have long wait times for CBP so make sure you arrive early. You will take your bags through to be dropped off on the belt , picture taken of the luggage and then walk through security before US border control where you'll hand your passport and filled out customs cards to the immigration officer.
Once you clear immigration you are in the "United States"
There is an Alaska lounge after immigration.
LAX
There is a shuttle from AS terminal 3 to DL terminal 5. Wait time can be up to 15 mins and takes a few minutes to cross the Tarmac. But sometimes it's faster to walk straight Across from 3 to 5 and back through security. Easier if you haven't bought any duty free and fast through sky priority as DM. 1.5hrs is plenty of time to get to terminal 5 and have a drink in the Sky club
. Your bags will be checked through to ATL.
happy travels
