fastflyer

Just a public service FYI -- on November 7, the afternoon security line at YUL transborder was over 120 minutes long. There were no alternative lines open (no priority, no Nexus) except for cabin crew in uniform. It was a real cluster, and I suspect many people missed their flights. We had allotted 3 hours and barely made it -- just as the door was being closed to AC904 (FLL).

The CATSA blamed the Montreal mayoral election, though I still don't understand how that was relevant.

lcohen999

The Nexus lane at YYZ USA is now re opened (the one around back)
Edit: I skipped it because the priority line was empty

So always check around front, first

fastflyer

Curious what the transborder queue at YUL looks like this Sunday. The 150-minute "standing line" last week was the worst I have ever experienced in 40 years of air travel worldwide.

capedreamer

Flying AC880 YYZ-ZRH and LX332 ZRH-LHR on an AC codeshare on Nov 14.

Onboard AC880, we were told every passenger had to either complete a Swiss passenger locator form online or fill out a paper form. But the paper form was clearly a Canadian government contact tracing form for entry into Canada so a bunch of passengers questioned the instructions. (As an aside, I’ve never encountered this form on my flights to Canada so was extra confused.)

Eventually, the flight crew just gave up trying to convince people and we landed. But then the ZRH airport agent wouldn’t let anyone off the plane without a Swiss passenger locator form completed, even though transit passengers not entering the Schengen Area shouldn’t need it. But this lady wouldn’t hear it so everyone scrambles to complete the form last minute on their phones, making deplaning a total mess.

Once off the plane, an AC Concierge agent found me and told me to come with her. I would have expected the LHR flight to also depart from the E gates where the YYZ flight landed (for some reason, it wasn’t showing the gate when I quickly googled before deplaning). But the Concierge agent just took me on the underground train and told me to head to D53. Right before entering the passport control for the D gates, I decided to double check the departure screens and realized the LHR flight was leaving from E53. So back on the train I go.

It was past 11:00am by the time I got off AC880 and LX332 started boarding at 11:05am. So this whole circus was rather exhausting but thankfully now seated onboard LX332.

24left

Posting this article here as it includes reviews of all manner of things like issues at check-in with document checks and onboard experiences including Y meals. Pricing as the reason he chose AC on his SEA-YVR-LHR routing that was part of his destination to DXB. Seriously sad breakfast for an international flight. Not sure if this is the norm. Some other interesting comments. (P.S. I often read articles in this publication and was reading one about new long-haul PY seats when I noticed the AC review.)

Air Canada: uneventful and reliable on Seattle-Vancouver-London

Nov 14 2021

https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2021/1...oronto-london/
.

canadiancow

Transit passengers do require the form, and that's pretty obvious if you do any checking before travel, which is generally a good idea these days.

capedreamer

I did check and it's not obvious from this guidance what constitutes "normal entry and transit requirements":


And this page also suggests the PLF should not be required for transit passengers (bolding mine):

Hoping for more confirmation, I actually asked posted this question on FT and received a couple responses suggesting no additional entry requirements to be aware of.

Plus, the Concierge agent at ZRH also stated that no PLF should be required for transit passengers not entering Switzerland.

So I'm fairly certain I'm right on this one.

RDP

I'm reading in horror some of the recent postings on security line wait times in Canada. I'm flying NRT-YVR-YYZ tomorrow, Nov 17. I have three hours scheduled layover in YVR. Should I delay my check-in until 24 hours out (would that apply to my 2nd YVR-YYZ segment) to try and obtain a LMU for YVR-YYZ which would let me use priority screening line, or is this not worth the effort/time/money? Would be happy to hear thoughts on this.

Note: My bid upgrade is closed for the upcoming 17th flight.
Note: I assume I need to take the regular security check line in YVR upon arrival, there is no "transit" security, however JAL suggest maybe there is?

Passengers connecting to Air Canada (AC) should first collect their baggage and go through Customs at the booth for transit passengers (on the right), and then go from the Customs Hall to Level 4, using the dedicated walkway to reach the Air Canada Transfers Counter.


thanks,
RDP

canadiancow

Here's a first for me

RDP

Well, I can answer my own question now: No need to upgrade, as:

Arrived YVR from international flight.
Went through immigration and security; a few doors and BP checks later I was thrown out into the secure/air side of the terminal, and at no point at all did I encounter a line. No problem at all. Note: My bags were checked through to YYZ.

thanks,
RDP

SKYEG

YVR domestic this morning was the busiest I’ve ever seen post pandemic. 15 people at super elite checkin and 40+ at priority with the line looping all the way out. Used self serve kiosk instead. Madness. Lounge had one attendant only and line went out the door. 15 min to even get in.

Krydakai

Now I'm worried about my upcoming YUL-YVR-ICN trip on 24th...

I doubt the domestic will have a long line up, as it's early morning flight... but still concerned a little bit.

WesternCDN

Flew YOW-YUL-LIS earlier this week. 2nd segment was on TP. Ottawa was quiet that late in the afternoon, only 1 other person in the whole MLL. Delay caused my connection time to only be 30 mins and had to speed walk my way from the “satellite” terminal at YUL to the furthest gate away in the INTL side. Reminded me of the random gate assignments at YYC earlier this year.

On a related note, my bags never got loaded onto the TP flight to LIS and trying to track anyone down who can assist has been difficult. Anyone have a # for the AC office at YUL or someone local that can look into it a bit more than just waiting for the World Tracer ticket to be actioned?

24left

So exciting…just won the standby lottery and got a middle row Y Lie-flat on the 77W. Was tempted to test row 62. 😂

Flight is packed but this is comfy fun, even with the cranky toddler a couple of rows away.

✈️😃🍫

Bohemian1

From flying in International J with bubbles and Kit Kats to Dom standby in Y, with wailing children even. Your definition of excitement and mine are very different.