How Early to Arrive at SFO for Sunday Morning International Flight
Oct 5, 2017, 12:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 40
How Early to Arrive at SFO for Sunday Morning International Flight
I'm trying to gage how early I need to be at SFO for an upcoming flight I have to Toronto next week. The flight leaves at 7:30 on a Sunday morning on Air Canada from the International Terminal. I also have precheck if applicable.
Last edited by landesb; Oct 5, 2017 at 2:26 pm Reason: correcting typo
Oct 5, 2017, 2:23 pm
#2
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
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I usually don't respond to these questions
I am not the typical flyer talker. I like to be at the airport at least two hours early for every flight in three hours for international flights. So for what it's worth I would get there around 530 if you're not checking luggage.
Oct 8, 2017, 12:09 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
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So for SFO to Canada, only pre is needed? Not GE?
I'm so confused about the rules. I'm also conservative and would prefer to arrive 2 hours before am flight or even 3 hours before an intl later flight.
I'm so confused about the rules. I'm also conservative and would prefer to arrive 2 hours before am flight or even 3 hours before an intl later flight.
Oct 8, 2017, 12:57 am
#7
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Global Entry expedites immigration and customs inspections when entering the US. There are no formal immigration exit controls when departing the US. Before boarding flights from the US to Canada, the airlines agents make sure that the passengers are in possession of the proper documentation to enter Canada (passports and, for some, visas).
Oct 9, 2017, 9:41 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,289
GE = getting you through CBP faster
When you sign up (and are approved) for GE, you get automatic Pre✓; but not vice versa.
Oct 9, 2017, 10:47 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
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I'll add to that how my recent SFO Pre✓ experiences in T1-C and T2 make me wonder if the days when Pre✓ was a quick breeze at SFO are coming to a close. I probably saved myself 10-15 minutes in T1-C last week by skipping the Pre✓ line and using the non-Pre✓ Premium line. Agent controlling Pre✓ line acted as if I was doing something odd, but I pointed out how there was barely anyone in the Premium line. The Pre✓ line was long and slow-moving. Yeah, I took my shoes off and put them on again. That didn't take long.
Oh well -- great while it lasted. T3-F (United) Pre✓ still looks very quick.
Oh well -- great while it lasted. T3-F (United) Pre✓ still looks very quick.
Oct 9, 2017, 10:49 am
#10
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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I'll add to that how my recent SFO Pre✓ experiences in T1-C and T2 make me wonder if the days when Pre✓ was a quick breeze at SFO are coming to a close. I probably saved myself 10-15 minutes in T1-C last week by skipping the Pre✓ line and using the non-Pre✓ Premium line. Agent controlling Pre✓ line acted as if I was doing something odd, but I pointed out how there was barely anyone in the Premium line. The Pre✓ line was long and slow-moving.
Oh well -- great while it lasted. T3-F Pre✓ still looks very quick.
Oh well -- great while it lasted. T3-F Pre✓ still looks very quick.
Oct 9, 2017, 12:05 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
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I've never seen the G Pre✓ line get really long. Sometimes it looks like maybe 10 minutes. I have had your same experience at A -- always very short.
Oct 10, 2017, 12:52 am
#13
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Although not many places are open early at the international terminal, there are usually a couple of coffee joints & restaurants, and plenty of seating near the gates.
+1 though I always use Clear - but can still take 5-10 min as you still get plenty of dolts in the pre-check lines.