Hi all,
I have an AC ticket (SEA-YVR-YYZ-xxx-YYZ-YVR-SEA). I understand about all the baggage pick up points (YVR on the outbound, YYZ on the return) as well as security.

What I'm not sure about is how/if I can use Global Entry at YVR on the return. I think because I'm arriving as a domestic passenger (YYZ-YVR) that I can "exit" the airport as if I'm a regular Canadian passenger and go to the US I&C area from the main terminal and use GE. is that correct?

I've connected in YVR many times and there are no Global Entry kiosks for connecting passengers from Intl to US flights. Last time they couldn't identify my bag so I had to wait in purgatory for 30 minutes until someone realized they hit something wrong in the computer and my bag was known all along (still missed my flight to SEA!).

I guess since I need to clear US Customs in YVR am I allowed to exit the terminal and then enter through GE at all? How will I/they identify my bag?

If it's too much hassle I'll just have to grin & bear it and go through the normal connections route at YVR and wait in line.

Thanks,
RM

That is correct.
You can exit the terminal.
You can use GE like an originating PAX if you exit the sterile area.

Thanks. But how will they identify my bag as it's connecting with me from YYZ-YVR to SEA? Does this force me through the USA Connections area instead of exiting the terminal and re-entering through Global Entry?

-RM

It will be scanned as it moves through the baggage handling system in the bowels of the airport and displayed on the CBP officer's monitor.

No. It's the same procedure you would have followed if you needed to exit the terminal to smoke a cigarette.

Thanks for the reply. I just get nervous when the last time I had to wait in the connections hall for them to identify my bag and then I still had to wait in line for CBP who further identified my bag (and it still never made my flight).

So I guess I don't really need that first bag verification after security and before CBP if the CBP officer is going to ask me about my bag anyway.

-RM

Just an update on this. Today was my day to travel back via YVR and YYZ. Upon landing at YVR I followed the signs to baggage claim instead of "US Connections", exited into the main ticketing lobby and walked down to the "E" gates for US Departures. After standing in a very long security line someone finally yelled out for anyone with GE and NEXUS to walk to the front.

The first person scanned my BP and my luggage hadn't yet been scanned coming off the flight from YYZ. He let me through anyway. Next checker asked for my GE card. I gave the dazed & confused look. He told me to use GE through YVR you have to have the GE card with you, not just your passport. This is the first time anyone has ever asked me for the GE card. Also the first time I tried using GE at a US pre-clearance airport. He swabbed my hands and then told me that he'd let me through the GE security line even though most other agents would make me go back and wait in the standard security line. Gee, thanks. After security I made it to the GE kiosk and the US CBP agent had a picture of my luggage on their screen by that time. No issues after that.

I really do not understand the comment about going back to the regular security line. I'm going to use the GE machine whether I go through the normal security line or the GE security line. Which, btw, goes to the SAME PLACE at YVR. So really there's no difference except the "privilege" of a shorter security line I suppose? Hell, I had more screening than anyone else going through there because he swabbed my hands. No one in the regular line was having their hands swabbed. I really hate stupid comments like this.

-RM

The request for the GE or Nexus card is not for CBP Pre-Clearance. It's for the expedited CATSA security line ahead of US CBP Pre-Clearance. Without the card, CATSA has no way of knowing whether or not you are a Trusted Traveller.

It's because without the card, CATSA Security has no way of proving that you're a trusted traveller.

Can't speak to your exact experience, but I've used the Trusted Traveller line at YVR transborder CATSA security dozens of times and in those cases it definitely doesn't go to 'the same place.'

You go to the same hall, but unlike everyone else you go to a queue where you can keep your shoes on, liquids in your bag etc. There is a large sign to that effect.

See above.

Depends on time of day. Sometimes it truly is just them letting you cut the line to the "normal" security lanes.

Reviving an old thread, my first time experiencing YVR-USA (connecting from domestic Canada, so starting airside). There was a long (15+ minute) security queue so we could take our shoes off. No separate lane for Nexus/Global Entry. Then the CBP machines. No line for either Nexus or regular travelers. Then they sent everyone (including Nexus/Global Entry) into a 15 minute line to show the exit card to CBP officer.

As the icing on the cake, the airport employees scanning hoarding passes between CBP machines and the queue to speak to a CBP AAgent accused people coming from the Nexus area of cutting in line and sent them to the back of the line for non-Nexus travelers. Only 2 or 3 people back, but annoying and stupid.

So all told, more than 30 minutes to clear security and Customs from starting airside with Global Entry.

Maybe I've been lucky, but it's always been quick for me, though IIRC most of my connections are middle of day.

Originating at YVR in October (IIRC) the line for 7 or 8 a.m. flight was horrible and wait was easily over half hour, possibly close to 45 minutes.

OK. This was 7:30 AM on a Wednesday.