YYC (Calgary) preclearance times?
May 14, 2012, 4:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: *Alliance
Posts: 2
YYC (Calgary) preclearance times?
In mid July I have a 6 a.m. flight from YYC to ORD. How early should I get there? The hotel shuttle doesn't start until 4 a.m. Should I plan on a taxi? FWIW, I'm coming from Asia the night before, so I'm not very concerned about the early hours 
May 14, 2012, 4:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YYC
Posts: 215
It generally depends on how many flights are heading to the USA around that time, but without Nexus I would plan to be at the airport roughly 2 hours before the flight is scheduled to depart. Sometimes this leaves me with a decent chunk of time and I grab a coffee and a bagel, other times I've just had enough time to board.
May 19, 2012, 8:08 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Last time I flew from YYC (June 2011) the soonest you were permitted to enter pre clearance was two hours, which is a total PITA, because the early morning flights produce a clog. It takes at least 60 minutes early in the morning to clear. I have cleared immigration and customs and security and arrived at the gate while it is boarding after entering the pre clearance hall at exactly T minus two hours.
However, YEG used to be the same way. But like YVR, the order of U.S. pre clearance and security has reversed. So the two hour thing is history. My guess is the same thing is coming to YYC if not already.
Also OP, there is an on airport hotel which is an easy walk to the trans border area. Stay there. If not, yes take a taxi that gets you there at at 3:45 am. Good luck.
However, YEG used to be the same way. But like YVR, the order of U.S. pre clearance and security has reversed. So the two hour thing is history. My guess is the same thing is coming to YYC if not already.
Also OP, there is an on airport hotel which is an easy walk to the trans border area. Stay there. If not, yes take a taxi that gets you there at at 3:45 am. Good luck.
Jun 6, 2013, 7:48 am
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: DCA
Posts: 169
I have Global Entry, and I understand that YYC now has the GE kiosks. Is it safe to assume that means preclearance and security will be pretty quick (i.e., 20 minutes or less)?
My experience with GE at US airports is that it makes the customs and passport control incredibly quick, but this will be the first time I use GE for preclearance at a Canadian airport. My guess is it'll be essentially the same experience there, but I want to check to be sure.
My experience with GE at US airports is that it makes the customs and passport control incredibly quick, but this will be the first time I use GE for preclearance at a Canadian airport. My guess is it'll be essentially the same experience there, but I want to check to be sure.
Jun 6, 2013, 10:53 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
I have Global Entry, and I understand that YYC now has the GE kiosks. Is it safe to assume that means preclearance and security will be pretty quick (i.e., 20 minutes or less)?
My experience with GE at US airports is that it makes the customs and passport control incredibly quick, but this will be the first time I use GE for preclearance at a Canadian airport. My guess is it'll be essentially the same experience there, but I want to check to be sure.
My experience with GE at US airports is that it makes the customs and passport control incredibly quick, but this will be the first time I use GE for preclearance at a Canadian airport. My guess is it'll be essentially the same experience there, but I want to check to be sure.
GE did not change priority for passing through security.
Jun 11, 2013, 8:12 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YYC
Posts: 215
I have Global Entry, and I understand that YYC now has the GE kiosks. Is it safe to assume that means preclearance and security will be pretty quick (i.e., 20 minutes or less)?
My experience with GE at US airports is that it makes the customs and passport control incredibly quick, but this will be the first time I use GE for preclearance at a Canadian airport. My guess is it'll be essentially the same experience there, but I want to check to be sure.
My experience with GE at US airports is that it makes the customs and passport control incredibly quick, but this will be the first time I use GE for preclearance at a Canadian airport. My guess is it'll be essentially the same experience there, but I want to check to be sure.
Jun 11, 2013, 3:16 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 54
Just came back from YYC today on a 6:30am flight. Hopefully this information is useful!
Arrived at rental car return around 4:50am, checked in @ 5:00am (confirmed that you cannot go through preclearance more than 2 hours before flight time). There was about 5 officers without anyone in line at 5:15am, so we got through preclearance smoothly and was done with security at around 5:25am.
Arrived at rental car return around 4:50am, checked in @ 5:00am (confirmed that you cannot go through preclearance more than 2 hours before flight time). There was about 5 officers without anyone in line at 5:15am, so we got through preclearance smoothly and was done with security at around 5:25am.
