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Old Aug 3, 2023 | 7:16 pm
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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?
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Old Aug 4, 2023 | 7:56 am
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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

Last edited by yulscs; Aug 4, 2023 at 8:16 am
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Old Aug 5, 2023 | 4:54 pm
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Originally Posted by doctor15
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?
GE Line shouldnt be long, you also have priority security if you show your GE card. 90 mins in theory should be fine but I would say 2 hours if you want to be safe

If you dont need to check a bag or want a bp on cardstock, you dont need much time
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Old Aug 7, 2023 | 2:37 pm
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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).
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Old Aug 9, 2023 | 9:10 am
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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.
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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 9:03 pm
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Originally Posted by doctor15
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).
I do 5-6 trips a year thru YUL as TTP and no checked bags and always arrive around 60 minutes prior on a Thursday/Friday afternoon; usually less than 5 ppl waiting after kiosk processing. General CBP lines ok but according to some of those at front of line 45 minutes.

Originally Posted by blue2002
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.
IMO still better than YYZ.
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