Isn't the fact that OSS pax can intermingle with non-OSS pax prior to the latter being re-screened..... concerning?

Yes. Although none have access to their luggage but interesting thought...

That's exactly what I was saying in my previous post!

There are no mutual recognition requirements for our two screening processes, no matter how same or different.

That is because they are not permitted. The agreement between CA and U.S. is that the host country will perform PBS for the other country based on their requirements.

In other words, if Canada had Preclearance in the U.S., TSA would be doing our PBS on Canada's behalf using Canadian procedures.

The only officials from the other side permitted in the host country are border service agents performing immigration, customs, excise, and agriculture duties as needed. And they are posted with full CD rights.

My recent experience has left me confused as to how this process works. I recently checked in for my flight HEL-FRA-YUL-YHZ, and received OSS on my mobile BP. At check-in with LH in HEL, I was told to collect my baggage in YUL and recheck it. I thought that this seemed odd (as I though the process had changed), but decided to follow the instructions. At YUL, I went through Nexus, as I normally would, and then made my way downstairs to wait for my bags. After 20 minutes and no bags, there was an announcement that bags from FRA to onward domestic destinations did not need to be collected as they would be automatically sent on to the final Canadian destination.

When I left the baggage area, the CBSA agent told me that I should not have used Nexus at all, but should have followed the Connections signs.

I have tried to look up the actual process, but it is extremely hard to find any information online as to how the system is meant to work. The Air Canada website cryptically states that baggage from the US and "certain international destinations" no longer needs to be collected and cleared through Customs, but does not specify the countries involved. The YUL website does not mention baggage but indicates the need to clear Customs. None of the sources (CATSA/CBSA/AC/YUL) that I have looked at are able to actually state which originating airports do not require physical collection of baggage prior to checking them to other domestic destinations.

Obviously the LH agent in HEL was unaware of the process (which is apparently new) but I have a few questions:

1. Which originating airports or countries does the new process apply to - or is it the connecting airport/country? Is this specific to a flight originating in Europe, or would a connection in Europe be treated the same (e.g. NBO-ZRH-YUL-YHZ)?
2. Is it possible to use Nexus along with this process? Does using OSS preclude going to a Nexus booth, and would I need to now complete a paper landing card?
3. Does this process only apply if one has OSS on the BP? My phone BP had OSS, but not the paper one printed in HEL.

I am amazed at how little information there is about this process, and how poorly it has been clarified to the traveling public. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I'm flying tomorrow, SFO-YUL-BCN on AC and have OSS on the 2nd leg BP.

I've never been to YUL. Am I correct that I should stay to the left? Are there signs for OSS and what do they say? I could not find any OSS information on the AC website.

Thanks!

At the bottom of the stairs into the customs hall make a hard left and go there. There should be signs for connections.

Flying AMS-YYZ-SFO today and couldn't get OSS to show up on the YYZ-SFO mobile boarding pass.

Tried again at AMS and the agent couldn't get it to show up either.

The irregularities with OSS and Precheck showing up on AC boarding passes is genuinely annoying.

I flew DUB-YYZ-YOW yesterday. No OSS on the BP and the lane-watcher was asking anyone who tried to access the CBSA connections desk "Where are you coming from and where are you connecting to?" It is frustrating to have OSS on one return trip and not have it the next, especially when as a traveller you don't know why. What makes DUB different than FRA?
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I don’t know. But FWIW, the lack of OSS on my BP yesterday didn’t actually change the intl-to-US connection process vs. my last trip (FRA-YYZ-SFO). Had to go through security before US customs both times. Is that normal?

OSS relates only to international-to-domestic connections. Security first is the new normal (last couple years or so) in preclearance areas.

Ah gotcha.

Although OSS also simplifies US-to-Int'l connections.

It seems that Air Canada changed its directions for flights from the States.

They managed to get it solidly wrong too. If you could get to D20 by walking you wouldn't need to take a bus....

I was able to do an OSS Intl to Intl connection when I did VIE-ZRH-YYZ-FRA 4 weeks ago where I cleared security in VIE.