Is this connection do-able?
 

YYZ - YUL Sat Jan-22 07:00, gets in 0813

YUL - MIA Sat Jan-22 10:00

Assume I have to claim a bag before checking in for US flight, US pre-clearance etc.

I can lop $100 off by routing through YUL on the way down.

Too tight?

That doesn't sound too crazy to me. I've made tighter connections at DEN and YYC where I've had to clear Customs.

Should be no problem at all. You do not have to claim your bag at YUL - US Customs will have a photo of your bag when you visit them.

Just remember to look for the "Connections" entrance on the right at US Customs to bypass the long queue of locals in the regular line.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the advice. Just after I posted this, I thought of the following question:

Would I get issued both boarding passes in YYZ or would I have to check in again at YUL?

You'll get both boarding passes at check-in (you should check in on-line 24 hours prior to departure; you can print your own boarding passes if you like).

When you get to Montreal you'll go through US Customs preclearance and then board your US-bound flight from the US area at the appropriate time. You'll deboard and collect baggage at MIA as if you were on a US domestic flight.

Thanks again.

Had a scheduled 55 minute connection in YUL recently and made it.
I was seated at the back of the inbound aircraft. The first 10 minutes were waiting to get off the plane.
10 minute walk to security. No lineup.
Short walk to US customs. About 5 minutes to get throug the line.
5 minute walk to the gate. Boarding had already started.
Again watch for the connections signs.

We assume this connection is offered by the airline; the question therefore seems odd as no airline would want to offer connections that do not normally work, given the financial responsibilities.

In this case, the good thing about connecting via YUL is that any bag checked at YYZ will not have to be retrieved for US customs during your connection. So, you get the convenience and speed of domestic check-in/security at YYZ and pre-clearance during your layover: Often, this alone is worth not flying YYZ-USA nonstop!