YVR is my most frequented hub by far, so I am very familiar with C-security. It reconfigures a number of times throughout the day, but I am unclear how well matched to the loads. A number or times I have seen FOTSG line snaking outside security and going down the hall (and the inside line is sizeable). While there is typically a person situated at the last corner before Nexus scanners, I have never seen them let anyone through to the Nexus line from basic line without appropriate status (which I only saw once when they let me). I believe the main reason for that person is to merge up Nexus and Priority lines, which I haven’t seen back up in a long time.

Edit: Once entering at the same time with a coleague without status, we went to our respective lines. His line looked modest (could have doubled the # of pax before reaching the doors, and I think 2 or 3 scanners open for him. My wait in Nexus was slightly above average, with 1 line open. I beat him through by maybe ~7min.

That doesn’t mean sending FOTSG pax to Priority scanners doesn’t happen though, especially late evening when crowds die down. 99 times out of a 100, I have no issue with the Nexus line, with maybe 5 pax in front of me, and even when things are slow (extra level searches etc), the pax tend to be on it for streamlining everything.

BUT, the 1/100 time in the YVR C-security Nexus I missed my flight because of it. I got caught behind a wonderful family with young kids and a bunch of their seemingly FOTSG relatives. I wasn’t stressed, as I figured I had tons of time - I had actually gone to the Priority desk just prior to try checking a bag <10 min after cutoff, as I had some liquid items in my bag. I donated it to the staff, who also weren’t concerned about time and even switched seats for me. (Yes, had I gone to security 5min sooner, I probably would have been ahead of the slow pokes.) I didn’t doodle, but didn’t rush either... just to arrive with the gate podium unmanned. I went to the nearby CS desk, and said “that’s my flight, can you radio them?” They turned around as we watched the door close. I don’t recall timing, but it couldn’t have been 10min after board time for a flight that typically boards 5min to departure. They happily accommodated me on the next flight a few hours later, so I killed some time. This time, I kept an eagle eye on the time, and made d.well sure that I was there for boarding time - the lounge agent said there was no reason to rush. Again, no GA at the podium, and no one milling about waiting to board. Back to the service desk, more frantic than last time - “I can see they’re still boarding my flight, can you help?” They did, but eesh!

I didn’t bother moaning to AC about it, as I figured there were a few things I could have done different at the beginning, to make my original flight. I was mostly relieved to make it to my destination after nearly missing it for a second time. (Feel free to chime in if I should have filed a complaint - maybe I would have gained one of the fabled discount codes that gives a hair of savings over seat sales!) Never before or since have I seen such “ahead of schedule” performance on the lower-C gates.