YUL US Preclearance time
#1
Original Poster

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,238
YUL US Preclearance time
Surprisingly can't find recent threads on this... I'm guessing search issues so apologies if there is an active thread I can't find
I'm a US Citizen with Global Entry traveling from YUL to the US (EWR on AC metal specifically). Carry on bags only. Traveling on a Sunday afternoon.
What time do we realistically need to arrive at YUL to allow for preclearance and security?
I'm a US Citizen with Global Entry traveling from YUL to the US (EWR on AC metal specifically). Carry on bags only. Traveling on a Sunday afternoon.
What time do we realistically need to arrive at YUL to allow for preclearance and security?
#2



Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 296
Couple hours ought to be fine. Maybe less, but I'd aim for 2 hours.
Also, (theoretically) real-time preclearance and security delays are published here: https://www.admtl.com/en/guide/estimated-wait-time
Also, (theoretically) real-time preclearance and security delays are published here: https://www.admtl.com/en/guide/estimated-wait-time
Last edited by yulscs; Aug 4, 2023 at 8:16 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 183
Surprisingly can't find recent threads on this... I'm guessing search issues so apologies if there is an active thread I can't find
I'm a US Citizen with Global Entry traveling from YUL to the US (EWR on AC metal specifically). Carry on bags only. Traveling on a Sunday afternoon.
What time do we realistically need to arrive at YUL to allow for preclearance and security?
I'm a US Citizen with Global Entry traveling from YUL to the US (EWR on AC metal specifically). Carry on bags only. Traveling on a Sunday afternoon.
What time do we realistically need to arrive at YUL to allow for preclearance and security?
If you dont need to check a bag or want a bp on cardstock, you dont need much time
#4
Original Poster

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,238
Thanks for the responses. I planned on 2 hours. FWIW the lines were empty ~1pm on Sunday and I breezed through faster then I typically do at US airports for domestic flights. I think 1hr would have been more then fine.
Canadian security had a verified traveler lane for GE. They do require to take out your laptop and scan boarding pass which slowed people down. GE line took about a minute longer then non GE (and by that I mean total of 1m30s) just because of how they were staffed.
The good news is I was able to use the extra time to do my GE renewal interview (Enrollment on Arrival).
Canadian security had a verified traveler lane for GE. They do require to take out your laptop and scan boarding pass which slowed people down. GE line took about a minute longer then non GE (and by that I mean total of 1m30s) just because of how they were staffed.
The good news is I was able to use the extra time to do my GE renewal interview (Enrollment on Arrival).
#5


Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,707
Last time I connected via YUL to US (July 2023)...
1) There was no priority security. AC staff were pulling people to the front of the security line based on upcoming departing flights.
2) The GE border line was a bit of a joke. Sure, it was not very long (maybe 5-6 people?), but ADM staff kept alternating between the GE line and 1-2 other regular lines to flow people to the supposedly GE-dedicated border control counters. Probably as a result of that the US CPB folks appeared to treat everybody the same, regardless of whether they previously interacted with the GE kiosk or not. A first time in a while for me where I actually had to show my passport at pre-clearance.
This really made me reconsider connecting through YUL on the way to US.
1) There was no priority security. AC staff were pulling people to the front of the security line based on upcoming departing flights.
2) The GE border line was a bit of a joke. Sure, it was not very long (maybe 5-6 people?), but ADM staff kept alternating between the GE line and 1-2 other regular lines to flow people to the supposedly GE-dedicated border control counters. Probably as a result of that the US CPB folks appeared to treat everybody the same, regardless of whether they previously interacted with the GE kiosk or not. A first time in a while for me where I actually had to show my passport at pre-clearance.
This really made me reconsider connecting through YUL on the way to US.
#6
Original Member




Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Gold
Posts: 15,009
Thanks for the responses. I planned on 2 hours. FWIW the lines were empty ~1pm on Sunday and I breezed through faster then I typically do at US airports for domestic flights. I think 1hr would have been more then fine.
Canadian security had a verified traveler lane for GE. They do require to take out your laptop and scan boarding pass which slowed people down. GE line took about a minute longer then non GE (and by that I mean total of 1m30s) just because of how they were staffed.
The good news is I was able to use the extra time to do my GE renewal interview (Enrollment on Arrival).
Canadian security had a verified traveler lane for GE. They do require to take out your laptop and scan boarding pass which slowed people down. GE line took about a minute longer then non GE (and by that I mean total of 1m30s) just because of how they were staffed.
The good news is I was able to use the extra time to do my GE renewal interview (Enrollment on Arrival).
Last time I connected via YUL to US (July 2023)...
1) There was no priority security. AC staff were pulling people to the front of the security line based on upcoming departing flights.
2) The GE border line was a bit of a joke. Sure, it was not very long (maybe 5-6 people?), but ADM staff kept alternating between the GE line and 1-2 other regular lines to flow people to the supposedly GE-dedicated border control counters. Probably as a result of that the US CPB folks appeared to treat everybody the same, regardless of whether they previously interacted with the GE kiosk or not. A first time in a while for me where I actually had to show my passport at pre-clearance.
This really made me reconsider connecting through YUL on the way to US.
1) There was no priority security. AC staff were pulling people to the front of the security line based on upcoming departing flights.
2) The GE border line was a bit of a joke. Sure, it was not very long (maybe 5-6 people?), but ADM staff kept alternating between the GE line and 1-2 other regular lines to flow people to the supposedly GE-dedicated border control counters. Probably as a result of that the US CPB folks appeared to treat everybody the same, regardless of whether they previously interacted with the GE kiosk or not. A first time in a while for me where I actually had to show my passport at pre-clearance.
This really made me reconsider connecting through YUL on the way to US.

