One Stop Security
#196
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,402
Her fluency in anything other than IDGAF was minimal.
#197
Join Date: May 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: Aeroplan, NEXUS
Posts: 433
But CBSA Agents have to be able to understand either language, no? They are required to be bilingual at QC ports of entry, correct?
#198
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,139
But yeah, most officers in YUL (and certainly every officer in YQB) are native French speakers or have a good mastery of the French language.
#199
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,959
I went through the OSS area in YYZ yesterday, while doing US-YYZ-YOW flights.
There seems to be better signage now with a 'Connections' sign there. As other have mentioned, it is very close to the area where you proceed down the escalators to the Immigration Hall.
A couple of notes:
1) I did not fill out a declaration form as I have Nexus. I saw there was no line up at the OSS area, so I went in. I then had to fill out the declaration form because you must use a Nexus machine to be exempt from filling it it. There are no Nexus machines at OSS...though the Officer did say that they new regular machines will be operational soon.
2) The bus is a pain- they wait until it is pretty full before departing- I think I waited 15 minutes. I guess it could be longer or shorter depending on the number of people there.
Considering I have gotten from door to door (though Immigration/customs and back though security in as little as 15 minutes, the OSS option seems very slow to me. I may not use it again.
There seems to be better signage now with a 'Connections' sign there. As other have mentioned, it is very close to the area where you proceed down the escalators to the Immigration Hall.
A couple of notes:
1) I did not fill out a declaration form as I have Nexus. I saw there was no line up at the OSS area, so I went in. I then had to fill out the declaration form because you must use a Nexus machine to be exempt from filling it it. There are no Nexus machines at OSS...though the Officer did say that they new regular machines will be operational soon.
2) The bus is a pain- they wait until it is pretty full before departing- I think I waited 15 minutes. I guess it could be longer or shorter depending on the number of people there.
Considering I have gotten from door to door (though Immigration/customs and back though security in as little as 15 minutes, the OSS option seems very slow to me. I may not use it again.
#200
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,347
I went through the OSS area in YYZ yesterday, while doing US-YYZ-YOW flights.
There seems to be better signage now with a 'Connections' sign there. As other have mentioned, it is very close to the area where you proceed down the escalators to the Immigration Hall.
A couple of notes:
1) I did not fill out a declaration form as I have Nexus. I saw there was no line up at the OSS area, so I went in. I then had to fill out the declaration form because you must use a Nexus machine to be exempt from filling it it. There are no Nexus machines at OSS...though the Officer did say that they new regular machines will be operational soon.
2) The bus is a pain- they wait until it is pretty full before departing- I think I waited 15 minutes. I guess it could be longer or shorter depending on the number of people there.
Considering I have gotten from door to door (though Immigration/customs and back though security in as little as 15 minutes, the OSS option seems very slow to me. I may not use it again.
There seems to be better signage now with a 'Connections' sign there. As other have mentioned, it is very close to the area where you proceed down the escalators to the Immigration Hall.
A couple of notes:
1) I did not fill out a declaration form as I have Nexus. I saw there was no line up at the OSS area, so I went in. I then had to fill out the declaration form because you must use a Nexus machine to be exempt from filling it it. There are no Nexus machines at OSS...though the Officer did say that they new regular machines will be operational soon.
2) The bus is a pain- they wait until it is pretty full before departing- I think I waited 15 minutes. I guess it could be longer or shorter depending on the number of people there.
Considering I have gotten from door to door (though Immigration/customs and back though security in as little as 15 minutes, the OSS option seems very slow to me. I may not use it again.
#202
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,569
I've connected, from the US through YYZ, 19 times this year. I guess about half/half with OSS or not... to wit:
Sometimes it waits until its packed, sometimes popping basically first out of a 763 (presumably with a glut of CXing PAX), I'm 3rd on the bus and it move when there are 5 people on board. It isn't waiting for either a busload or a planeload to move. Could be on a schedule, I guess, or simply whenever a second bus pulls up behind it. I've never waited for more than a minute for a bus to arrive.
(I've also never gotten the sedan, even when I have -17 minutes to make a connection)
I dislike security more than I dislike OSS as it is now. I have no idea the schedule for the Primary Inspection Kiosks being turned on, but that should make things even faster. The really should glass off a walkway going back into Canada and nix the bus entirely, but I'm not holding my breath on that.
Does anyone know if they still need the bus when 36-59 are in Domestic mode, or if there is a shortcut down one floor?
(I've also never gotten the sedan, even when I have -17 minutes to make a connection)
Does anyone know if they still need the bus when 36-59 are in Domestic mode, or if there is a shortcut down one floor?
#203
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, Bonvoy Gold, HHonors Diamond, VIA Premier, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 816
+1. Totally agree. Connecting in YUL is a breeze now and it works from any origin, not only the US like in YYZ. Hopefully it will be the same in YYZ one day in the not too far future !
#204
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,402
Well YUL would work if it wasn't for the total crap signage and the agents that are either asleep, on break, only speak one language (hint: it is IDGAF not French nor English). If there is working OSS in YUL, it will be a mystery to the majority of pax that could potentially use it.
#205
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, Bonvoy Gold, HHonors Diamond, VIA Premier, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 816
Well YUL would work if it wasn't for the total crap signage and the agents that are either asleep, on break, only speak one language (hint: it is IDGAF not French nor English). If there is working OSS in YUL, it will be a mystery to the majority of pax that could potentially use it.
#206
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Celebrity Cruises Elite Plus
Posts: 1,259
Flying SJC-YVR-YUL in a few weeks w/90 min connection. What kind of transfer experience should I be expecting? And will checked bags go through YVR without my having to claim then re-check? We'll be in biz class on both flights if that helps at all through any of the processes?
#207
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,516
Flying SJC-YVR-YUL in a few weeks w/90 min connection. What kind of transfer experience should I be expecting? And will checked bags go through YVR without my having to claim then re-check? We'll be in biz class on both flights if that helps at all through any of the processes?
#208
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Celebrity Cruises Elite Plus
Posts: 1,259
#209
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Aeroplan, Delta, Starwood, Fairmount
Posts: 2,312
Wow - YUL to domestic connection is slick
First time I have used it - Took less than two minutes to go through special immigration/customs line and into domestic terminal 😀✈️😀!!!
#210
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: Super Elite 100K
Posts: 830
Something in Montreal that actually works
Amazing as it may sound, the one thing that has constantly improved here in Montreal over the past 10 years is the experience of flying from, into, or through PET/YUL. In a city where literally everything is broken or in the process of being rebuilt, the airport is actually ten times the joy to travel through as it was a scant few years ago.