I've ditched the ferry idea and am now sending two people from YYJ to YVR on AC Jazz. How much time should a prudent person allow to transfer from the arrival at C38 to US checkin (Continental in this case) on a Friday morning. I know there is customs pre-clearance. The CO site suggests a generic 3 hours which seems excessive; NW (on whose ticket they are flying) suggests either 1:15 or 2 hours depending on how you interpret their guidance.

Would arriving @ 8:24 be sufficient for an 11:10 departure? Even with checked luggage? (The bags can't be checked through to the US departure area because the flights are on separate tix and AC can't tag for CO.)

There is a flight one hour earlier, although at about 50% more in $$.

For me I would definitely take this flight, but I have elite status which gives me a shorter queue most of the time.

Thanks again for your help.