I was there a few weeks ago. It is hidden at the very end of the hall past the regular line. You need to know about it as there is no sign. It is reopened now. Was closed for covid.

Good to know thanks for the update that it is finally reopened.

Not only there is no sign for it, it's through a door that is not supposed to be opened. Went through it earlier today, line was short, but so was the regular line. However, the security process was very methodical and overly baroque, with each person taking quite a while to get through. The US pre-clearance hall was deserted, there was literally (and I mean literally) nobody there. I have GE, but it was just superfluous earlier today.

Sorry for delayed response... but responses below from Sydneyracquelle and others are true, although there is a small stand with NEXUS sign on it. The NEXUS/GE security screening access is to the right of the main security entrance. Walk about 200-300 feet and there's a door on your left to enter the security area. I'm flying back today (May 25) YYZ-DFW on AA1993, so will try and take a photo or two and post for future travelers.

Here's a few photos of the T3 NEXUS/GE entrance for security. Entrance is to the right of the main security entrance A. Only one sign for NEXUS/GE hanging from ceiling. Then long hallway with open door at end on left. Not the most elegant design, but it works.

For reference, took me today (May 25) 15 minutes from boarding pass to gate, after arriving at airport at 10am (carry on bags only). No lineup for NEXUS security. I would guess about 15-20 in main security. US Customs had 5 agents working and about 20 folks in line, so it seemed to be moving quickly. I was through immediately in NEXUS as no line.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5ec46a1b95.jpg
Outside main Pearson Airport T3 security A. Nexus entrance to right
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f42e6b2661.jpg
Hallway to NEXUS/GE door.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d3228d8a17.jpg
Not the most elegant design or signage, but that the door you enter and security just inside

Have an upcoming trip here and can either take the 9am YYZ - RDU direct or the 230pm YYZ - RDU direct (unfortunately there's no mid-day option unless I want to connect via IAD/EWR on UA which seems like questionable idea) because I would take a 12pm departure in a heartbeat

If I'm staying in downtown Toronto, how early would I need to leave for the 9am departure as someone with GE and carry-on luggage only (and *G if that matters at all but I suspect the GE/PC trumps *G anyway here)? I know the signage says 90 minutes at the latest (which means being at YYZ by 730am at the latest) but is that number real for GE and no checked bag?

If so, I might pass and just do the 230pm but if I can get away with leaving downtown Toronto at 730 (so arrival by 8am at YYZ accounting for any potential traffic), I can suck it up and just take the 9am.

Because the security lineups are so all-over-the-place these days, you might find 1 hour too little. It’s very possible you’d be fine, especially since 9 AM is after the worst of the morning rush, but it’s still quite a risk. Speaking personally, I would not risk 1 hour these days.

I like the 9am flight which gives you the day at your destination. A 2:30 flight kills the day. But I would leave downtown TO by 630ish as I hate the stress of rushing. Or can you stay at a YYZ hotel the night before to leave later in the morning?

IME, that’s pretty tight, even in the before days.

The UP takes, what, 30 minutes from union, then takes another 10 or so to do the inter-terminal train to T1 and walk through the parking garage to get up to departures. With GE, if you have a GE card, can get through the TT security, but even with a shorter line, I’ve always found CATSA pretty ‘thorough’ with checks, so add another 10 there at least, and GE is quick, but not that quick since you still have to wait to see an agent for a quick check - that line can take another few minutes. I’d honestly say to add 30 minutes post arriving on UP to get airside. That is on a relatively ‘normal’ day. So already, it’s 8:30, give or take. Then depending on gate, there’s more time to walk there (it’s another 10 minutes if you need to walk to the end of the ‘barn’ - I suspect RDU is an RJ, so definitely a possibility).

no way I’d do that personally (but then again, I err on the side of more time…can always sit in the lounge for a bit longer if needed). I’d be on the train closer to 6:30, latest 7. No thank you to 7:30 for a 9am flight - at least personally.

Sounds good -- RDU is on an RJ (technically on Jazz) and now that you mention the walk, it's coming back to me from pre-COVID trips about the amount of walking from security down to the gates at the end.

RDU is home so 230pm just means I get back home later as long as the flight isn't delayed/cancelled (the recent track record is mixed but not sure it's worth connecting at IAD/EWR instead because those two aren't going to be much better if it's an East Coast weather issue)

FWIW just cleared T1 security and pre-clearance Wednesday afternoon around 4PM. Minimal line in security including Nexus, and while immigration was reasonably busy, with Global Entry, the immigration inspector came out of their kiosk to grab us in front of everyone else in the general line-up, so all told, we were through in about 10 minutes.

Not sure if it's a change in policy, but was able to leave shoes on in the Nexus security line this time - or perhaps they didn't notice.

One thing to emphasize the security theater - my other half mistakenly loaded my boarding pass on their phone, so they scanned through security twice, then US immigration once, using MY boarding pass instead of theirs, and nobody noticed or said a word. It wasn't until they had a problem swiping into the MLL after I did that an issue popped up and we found and corrected the BP on their phone. I guess everyone at YYZ is still on top of the details as much as ever :rolleyes:

Another option, which I used last time when I left relatively early morning, is to just stay at a hotel.

Sheraton is quite expensive (the one that connects to T3), but there is the one at the long-term lot at the long term station of the inter-terminal train, but for me, I stayed at the Four Points across from T3. About 1/3 of the price of the Sheraton when I was there - nothing fancy, but definitely pleasant enough, especially for a 1 night stay. literally a 5 minute walk to T3, and then the one-stop on the train. If you just have carry-on, this is a pretty easy way to go. I have another trip in Sept., and might be on a early morning flight out, so may use this option again.,

Fwiw the Sheraton is not always expensive. The one time I missed a flight and needed a room that night it was surprisingly reasonable. I guess I'm just saying not to skip checking it as you might be pleasantly surprised.

fair enough. Last time, for me, Sheraton T3 was ~$350, FP (and the other one that shares the building) were both around $120. Easy to stay there instead.

I thought about doing this but it's a short trip and my only opportunity to actually enjoy Toronto and go out to dinner is the night before so I'd rather stay downtown and be able to do that vs. having to head out to the airport straight from dinner