Adam Smith

I don't think it's just CATSA. AC could be more proactive in letting pax know - I've gotten used to not filling out the CBSA forms the past few months, so didn't do it on the plane, only to find out no NEXUS kiosks at OSS.

First time I've actually had a chance to use OSS. It was a bit disappointing. If there has been a NEXUS kiosk and secure corddior to walk down, it would have been a massive improvement. But between having to talk to a CBSA officer and the long wait for and on the Cobus, it was a bit underwhelming. Probably still a win, but less clear-cut.

tinchote

Flew ORD-YYZ-YQR today. At YYZ, the line was at least 30 persons, with only three CBSA officers. I just kept going through regular immigration (long line for the kiosks) and security, and 20 minutes later I was at the lounge. As it stands now, OSS at YYZ looks like a pointless exercise.

And the OSS area still is marked as "E gates"... At least there was an employee yelling at the entrance to guide passengers in.

RangerNS

Who blocks and confirms the BP of people who know how to airport. Bored CBSA agents. A pair of Pearson staff processing parties one at a time, conferencing between themselves to confirm access, right after the guys with guns, blocking access for people who know how to airport. And then a third airport goon, blocking access to the escelators, scanning boarding passes, while dressed less professionally then an undercover retail loss prevention guy, blocking access for people who know how to airport. And then the bus cosplaying as a sardine can.

This manages to be superior to the traditional process, however.

canadiancow

I know how to airport, and I support this message.

24left

@Adam Smith

Bolding mine. Right.

On recent multiple AC 4s, crew went around with Canadian and U.S. forms but asked if you had Nexus and if yes, they said you don't need a form.

On my recent AC 6, FA handing out forms was told by another pax that we don't need them. She disagreed....and then went and asked another crew member.

When she got to me and the person in front of me, we told her no need for the form and I mentioned I had not used them on other recent inbounds.

I know it was posted here

Canada to Dump the Paper CBSA Declaration Card for Passengers Arriving by Air ..

Canada to Dump the Paper CBSA Declaration Card for Passengers Arriving by Air

but I recall it also being mentioned on the AC forum.

It would be nice if AC cabin crew were all on the same page.
If we don't need the form, then crew should know.

vernonc

Crew handed out forms on SFO-YYZ Thur night red eye. I did not fill it as I know I do not need it it but the entire cabin was dutifully filling out.

canadiancow

I know that NEXUS holders do not need the paper in YYZ, but doesn't everyone else?

I saw a bunch of forms collected at the baggage hall exit.

OSSYULYYZ

Not in Terminal 3. Although that is kind of irrelevant since Air Canada uses T1 exclusively...

lcohen999

AFAIK, going form free is currently only for Nexus holders, except Ottawa and Vancouver where you can use the new e-app

I'm guessing when that starts in YYZ, no one will need the form anymore (thank g-d)

vernonc

I believe you fill the declaration at the newly installed machines and then print and hand to the CBSA officer who decides if you keep walking or if they have more questions. Not completely sure since I use Nexus. But I do know that on my previous flight from SFO-YYZ a couple of weeks prior, they did not hand out the forms.
I just googled it and for some airports incl YYZ, there is now primary inspection kiosks where you no longer need to fill out the paper declaration handed out on the plane.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-vo...k-bip-eng.html
The video on this link specifically says no paper declaration required. You can also complete the declaration on a beta app before arriving at customs.
EDIT : I know the link says YOW, YVR and YYZ Term 3 but I thought that I saw somewhere that they had installed in YYZ, Term 1 too but I could be wrong. Perhaps someone who used the regular line can comment

RangerNS

The kiosks are now installed in YYZ T1, upstairs, obviously with the intended use of connecting PAX. (I've not been downstairs since the mandraulic OSS started).

They are not turned on.

YEG_SE4Life

Adam, have you tried the Canada Customs eDeclaration app?

jasdou

Agreed with the above. With the infuriatingly slow bus ride in YYZ, I honestly doubt the new OSS process is quicker than the old process of going through the baggage hall, taking the elevator to D gates and going through security.

The only positive thing I see with the new process is the views of the apron during the bus ride.

californiadreamin'

​​​​​​​No, CATSA agents, individually, do not have to be bilingual (other than the courtesy BONJOUR/ HELLO). You mention YUL, however, what was the language capability of the YYZ CATSA agent in speaking (or pretending not to speak) French?

Plumber

I assume that your BP needs to have the OSS designation to use the OSS area for a cnx to domestic? Is that correct?

I recently flew HND-YYZ-YOW. My BP did not say OSS. A Concierge met me and escorted me through for a tight cnx, but we went through the regular immigration lines and back through Security.