Thank you guys for the help.

I would just like to post an update for any future queries on this subject.

The United staff at MTY had absolutely no knowledge of any of these procedures and were suggested I just do a gate check even though my bag was oversize because of its expanded condition. I thought this was expectable and proceeded to the gate and did the gate check without problem. After arriving Houston ( 2 hours late for a 55 min flight, good job United scheduling) I collected my bag at the gate and off I went.

Since the flight was late I was not able to go to the United desk and get a clarification on this. I was able to ask the customs agent about it and he was not sure. He did direct me too the transit exit and I was on my way to make a 20 min international connection. Thank you again united. The transit exist is just merely shortcut around baggage claim. good but not that good.

Since I knew I was in 1A on a AC crj-705 I could ask the flight attendant to put my bag in the closet in the front and would not be harassed about the size. Also I was the last one to board so they just rushed me on.

Thank you all of the replies. I will post any updates on this that I come across since I do these flights weekly will book out with a longer connection and try it out for myself.