Does it save any time in customs process to carry on bags from US to Calgary? Or do you have to wait in customs before you get your bags so that you might as well check?

Thanks.

There are two stages to going through Canadian Customs upon arrival - after you deplane but before retrieving baggage, you have to wait in line to present your passport and declaration card to a customs inspector and have the card stamped. After that, you go to retrieve baggage, and then finally present your stamped declaration card to another customs officer prior to departing the customs area.

If you do not check bag, you are only saving the time spent waiting for your bag at the carousel in between the two customs steps. The longer wait is usually for the first step, as the second step is usually just them taking the card and allowing you to exit, unless you get called into secondary for inspection or due to immigration issues.