Originally Posted by
RL106
So weird, the barriers were configured differently one day to the next. I was going through YOW at the approx same time (~7:20pm) but on Sunday and the VT line was open to walk down but directed to the same security check entry doors as every other line through a small opening in the railing at those doors.
When you say "open to walk down" does that mean there was someone at the start of the queue to scan your boarding card? Sounds like our experiences were very similar...except you merged right at the entry to the screening area (pink path), while we merged prior to that (blue path).
Originally Posted by
RL106
YYZ T1, I found nice since I was travelling domestic anyways (still not certain if I can go through security at D gates with an E gates boarding pass). Sounds like we both have a "wife was not impressed" story from YVR trying to use VT. (Mine cheered up when we cleared instantly instead of waiting 45 mins for 4 people...) But yes, the trick seems to be finding the specific security checkpoint that offers the full VT service. E gates at YYZ is just VT-Front of Line.
Other data points this trip:
YYZ/T1/Domestic
CATSA page says "Toronto Pearson International Airport - T1 Domestic Level 3" = VT experience
What we got: VERY short queue (able to bypass the general lineups). Electronics, liquids left packed.
YVR/Connection (from YYZ) to Transborder
CATSA Website makes no mention
What we got: Bypassed long line in the general queue (tho' that may have been more about the fact that we were coming via the Connection lane).
Yeah, I think that will be a weakness of the program as currently implemented.
And, the aformentioned:
YVR Domestic
CATSA page says "Vancouver International Airport - Security Point 3 – Canada"
What we got: Not knowing the airport, we followed the crowd to Checkpoint "ABC"...where the guard redirected us to Checkpoint 3...where we arrived with maybe 3 people in front of us and got the VT treatment (nothing needed to be removed).
And in August 2023, YYZ/T1/International: The VT signage was brand new, but the guard (at the start of the queue) suggested the VT line might not be much faster. He was right: At the time, they basically put you in the Special Services lane...so we were slowed by wheelchair inspections ahead of us. Hopefully it's changed now.
I get that CATSA probably doesn't want to offer VT lanes at all checkpoints, all the time...but thinking about my own experiences (and I'm a "travel nerd" that I comes to FT), compared to my wife, or Son #2 (who was in YYZ and YLW the week prior), people will just elect to follow the crowd, wait the extra 40 minutes but save steps (like Monday at YVR) and be disappointed we don't have "TSA Pre"-like experiences.
But then again, maybe it's by Design? CATSA gets to herald VT, but with minimal costs to deliver only incremental improvement/convenience.
</soapbox>
PS: Thanks for the links. A couple of new threads to peruse.