It appears that if you have Nexus this app isn't necessary as the lineup is already much shorter - can anyone confirm that this is only to speed up processing for non-Nexus travellers?

Global Entry will always have the highest priority and it's own separate line at all airports, unless the idiots who operate YYZ screw up the lane assignments and signage.

I used the new app at YYZ T1 today. There is a separate line for those who have the CBP MPC app. It is clearly marked. It was a winding pathway but eventually took me to the very front of the line for customs. I still got asked all the same questions so the real benefit was getting to the front of the line (not shortening the time once you get there).

The process is that you scan the QR code that the app generates for you on a little scanner at the kiosk. You scan this once no matter how many passengers you’ve added to the app (not once for each passenger). Then you scan your boarding passes one by one as usual. Super simple.

Thanks for this. When you say you scan the app's QR code "at the kiosk", you're saying that we all still use those US Customs kiosks, but the difference is that we just at the beginning of the session say "I'm using the MPC app" or something like that, scan the QR code, and off we go to the lineup?

Also, how long were the lineups for MPC and non-MPC? What time of day did you go through? I'm just trying to get data points, since we're considering checking a bag and trying to make our connection in YYZ in a week, with only 1:37 available.

No, not quite.

When you enter the customs hall, there is a separate lineup for people who have used the app. Enter that lineup. It winds around a little but then ends at the front of the general lineup. When you get called to the kiosk, you scan the QR code. It looks like there are 4 dedicated MPC kiosks, but when I got there they were all empty. Instead we got called to one of the general kiosks. But we got called right away, ahead of everyone in the general line.

There were perhaps 25 people in the Canadian line and another 25 in the US. I was the only one in the MPC line and was called to a kiosk right away, so skipped about 25 spots. This was Sunday at noon.

Ohhh, okay, I see now--so you weren't doing a transborder connection, you were just coming to the main customs hall for people departing from YYZ? Got it. I'm doing the transborder connection route...hoping it's as smooth an experience as you had! :) Thanks for the clarifications and the info, very helpful!

Today, Sept. 6. Arrived from YXU on 8252. The preclearance security was literally empty. At CBP there was one person in the regular line and about 7 in the Nexus line. Time from gate D11 to the transborder MLL was 30 minutes at very leisurely pace.

I posted in the Security thread, but also applicable here. The new MPC app allows you to cut the line at YYZ T3 transborder. We even got through faster than the half-dozen or so in the Nexus queue, although this won't happen once more people discover the app. Just a heads-up though if you wear glasses - take them off before taking your picture even though the app says it is not necessary. The US officer gave us a stern warning.

ive seen occasional reports, though I think mostly speculation, if MPC being faster than GE when it was first rolling out in the US. Haven’t seen them in a while though, and I’ve never actually noticed times when it necessarily would have been faster. While it might be in some specific instances, In general, I don’t think over several trips MPC would be faster.

This makes sense. There were literally 3 of us in the MPC line and about a half dozen waiting for Nexus. My wife and I actually wound up directed to the Nexus agent while the other person was first in line ahead of a large group of rather annoyed and puzzled other passengers. They were asking a lot of questions, which this person was attempting to answer before we all moved on. Once people figure this out and get the app there is no way it will be faster than Nexus/GE, but for those of us who can no longer justify Nexus it's a good compromise.

I have just managed to book my flight from YOW to LAX via YYZ on Thanksgiving long weekend Saturday (Oct 08) with a connection time of 1 hr 13 mins at 7am, just 3 mins above the MCT.
I'm definitely playing with fire here but would it be remotely possible? Unfortunately I don't have GE nor Nexus, and MPC would probably be common knowledge by then... but I do have access to priority security

It has been a long time since I had transit through YYZ to the US and it was pre-covid. I once made it though easily (1hr30mins connection) with time to spare in the lounge but I remember the horror of 6am YYZ US departure...
Is there a separate US Pre-Clearance hall for connecting passengers or you get mixed in with all the YYZ departing passengers?

If that's too ambitious, I should probably take the later flight to LA :rolleyes:

T1 (AC) or T3 (Westjet)???

Air Canada (T1)

Data point for MPC YYZ T3, Sept 18, ~1500h.
Walked through the "maze" to front of line. Cleared 3 minutes post CATSA including the BP scan for party of ,2.

is there any issue w/ 2 pax travelling together, one going through the nexus line and one going through the MPC line?