Toronto: AC "temporary/trial" routine for USA arrival then transfer to Canada flight

We flew AC to Vancouver last week from the USA, with a connection in Toronto.

We've done this several times in the past few years (for Vancouver conferences and cruises leaving from Vancouver), and in the past, the transfer to the domestic AC Canadian flight was a bit of a circus, with several different "acts" :(

But last week... what a wonderful difference!

We never left "airside", and were transported on the tarmac side in a bus that hugged the edge of the terminal building.

It barely felt like we ever encountered "immigration/customs", and we obviously didn't need to go through Security again in Toronto.

Indeed, we are still sort of scratching our heads about "what happened to immigrations/customs?"

On the return flight yesterday, the AC reps didn't seem to know what we were talking about when we asked if it would be the same easy way (and they seemed to doubt that we knew what we were talking about...

Apparently, according to the guy who helped direct us last week, this has been an "on again/off again" trial. He was guessing that they tried it, worked out some kinks, tried it again, etc.

Is there a plan to do this permanently (or at other Canadian airports), or in both directions ("to" as well as "from" the USA)?

It was SUCH a pleasure vs. the old/regular way.

Interesting.

Where did you clear Canadian Customs on the way up?

Did you fly into Toronto on AC or a U.S. carrier?

Interesting.

Where did you clear Canadian Customs on the way up?

Did you fly into Toronto on AC or a U.S. carrier?

It was all Air Canada, each way.

Both directions, we connected from the USA to Vancouver via Toronto, and both directions it was a single ticket (for each of us) with two connecting flights.

But the outbound (TO Vancouver, via a connection in Toronto) was completely different than any other such trip we've taken.

And *SO* much easier. Unbelievable :)

Coming back (also through Toronto) seemed slightly different (we can't quite figure that out) but nothing "special".

And like I wrote in the original post, it hardly seemed that we dealt with "Immigrations/Customs" at all en route TO Vancouver.

We were scratching our heads about this during the entire trip. And still, here back at home, we can't quite figure it out, how those procedures "worked" on the outbound flights.

It was also quite interesting to be in a bus on the tarmac side of the terminal.

Sounds like someone messed up. You should still need to clear immigration and customs at YYZ somehow.

I've never connected in Canada but clearing security is normally done for connecting passengers arriving from other countries to ensure you're in compliance with that country's security regulations. Maybe the US and Canada are now reciprocating to some degree on that front but skipping immigration and customs is an almost certain mess up.

In recent years both DL and AA gate agents have messed up at JFK and passengers have walked straight off international flights as if they were domestics. Caused a lot of issues.

Did you go through customs in Vancouver, or were you domestic? That could be your "difference'. The bus was a "sealed" transfer to the connection.

Did you go through customs in Vancouver, or were you domestic? That could be your "difference'. The bus was a "sealed" transfer to the connection.

It's still the strangest thing...

No, it was a domestic flight from Toronto to Vancouver.

Everyone on that plane just got off in Vancouver and went straight to baggage claim. This was the same as on past trips, with identical itineraries but those other trips had obvious "immigrations/customs" plus another security check.

Yes, it was obvious the bus was a "sealed transfer" so there was no need to through security again as we never left the airside. And this part was really nice!

But that isn't a satisfactory explanation for "whatever happened" regarding immigrations/customs in Toronto on the trip *to* Vancouver.

On the return, everything seemed normal, the way it had been in the past.

(We've done this identical itinerary about 4 times now, trying to get the same connections so we could fly the Toronto/Vancouver leg both directions in AC's Dreamliner.)

For fbgd: Yup, one person mentioned that "perhaps" Canada "accepted" USA Security, but not the other way around. We obviously have no idea if that is correct.

But everyone else? They had no idea what we were talking about regarding the "new routine". :confused:

I believe there is construction going on at Pearson and it sounds like some screwed up and instead of taking you to Customs and Immigration, they dropped you off somewhere else in the terminal.

Count your blessings, Pearson is horrible especially when you add customs clearance to it. Probably won't happen again.

I believe there is construction going on at Pearson and it sounds like some screwed up and instead of taking you to Customs and Immigration, they dropped you off somewhere else in the terminal.

 

Count your blessings, Pearson is horrible especially when you add customs clearance to it. Probably won't happen again.

Yup, we certainly know about the circus there, with clearing Immigrations/Customs, and then back through Security again. We've "been there/done that" 3 other times in the past 2 years :(

Well, at least the "Security" part wasn't fouled up. We were all carefully escorted on and off the bus.

The one guy who showed us the way said it was an on-again/off-again test, but who knows.

DH and I just looked at each other when we found ourselves in the main departure area for domestic Canadian flights, looking for our gate.

We went to a lounge area, to spend the extra time we had allotted for the circus and had some snacks :D

Yup, we certainly know about the circus there, with clearing Immigrations/Customs, and then back through Security again. We've "been there/done that" 3 other times in the past 2 years :(

 

Well, at least the "Security" part wasn't fouled up. We were all carefully escorted on and off the bus.

The one guy who showed us the way said it was an on-again/off-again test, but who knows.

 

DH and I just looked at each other when we found ourselves in the main departure area for domestic Canadian flights, looking for our gate.

We went to a lounge area, to spend the extra time we had allotted for the circus and had some snacks :D

Did you go an buy a lotto ticket? It was your lucky day!:D

Air Canada concierges (who primary job are making certain International Business Class and Super Elite passengers are taken care of and make their connections) have been know to use some premium cars at their disposal to zip passengers with tight connections between gates airside).

On the odd occasion there have been reports of this service being used for non Elite passengers. Specifics on how and why have always been elusive.

Air Canada concierges (who primary job are making certain International Business Class and Super Elite passengers are taken care of and make their connections) have been know to use some premium cars at their disposal to zip passengers with tight connections between gates airside).

 

On the odd occasion there have been reports of this service being used for non Elite passengers. Specifics on how and why have always been elusive.

A few airlines have various types of "private transfers" (in varying degrees of luxury vehicles sometimes).

But how can they arrange to bypass Immigrations/Customs (for travelers on regular scheduled commercial flights, anyway)?

That's our question... what happened to *that* stop for us?

Oddest thing.

But it certainly added to the speed and ease :)

In October we'll be flying AC SJC-YVR-YUL with a 90 minute connection in YVR. Fortunately, we'll be in Business Class for both legs, so I'm hopeful an AC Concierge may be around to expedite the transfer and immigration process. We've originated and terminated at YVR many times, but never connected.

Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver are moving to a new transfer program. For arriving passengers from the US and certain European destinations that have security that meets Canadian standards they do a quick passport verification, automatically transfer your bags and you do not need to go through security again you are transferred directly to a domestic concourse.

Due to the way Toronto Terminal 1 is setup, that means the quick passport check, down the stairs onto a transfer bus that takes you directly over to the domestic concourse. Sounds complex but it is actually simple in practice and fast.

I think it is a positive move. You do this for passengers transferring from low risk areas and allocate more resources to the ones from other areas.

Went through the process about two weeks ago in Toronto and it was quite smooth.

Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver are moving to a new transfer program. For arriving passengers from the US and certain European destinations that have security that meets Canadian standards they do a quick passport verification, automatically transfer your bags and you do not need to go through security again you are transferred directly to a domestic concourse.

 

Due to the way Toronto Terminal 1 is setup, that means the quick passport check, down the stairs onto a transfer bus that takes you directly over to the domestic concourse. Sounds complex but it is actually simple in practice and fast.

 

I think it is a positive move. You do this for passengers transferring from low risk areas and allocate more resources to the ones from other areas.

 

Went through the process about two weeks ago in Toronto and it was quite smooth.

Yes, this sounds familiar :)

It would be terrific if this new protocol became standard for flights from the USA. It saved *SO* much time - and it saved a lot more aggravation!

Yes, this sounds familiar :)

 

It would be terrific if this new protocol became standard for flights from the USA. It saved *SO* much time - and it saved a lot more aggravation!

When I asked, I was told it is permanent. I agree it is a positive move.

Any idea if this new system is already in place in Vancouver as it is in Toronto?

Bumping this thread to see if anyone can confirm if this program is in effect connecting through YVR?

We'll be flying SFO-YVR-YUL, but the AC website still describes the YVR transfer as going through the usual Immigration inspection, claim bags, customs, re-check bags and then security.

Bumping this thread to see if anyone can confirm if this program is in effect connecting through YVR?

 

We'll be flying SFO-YVR-YUL, but the AC website still describes the YVR transfer as going through the usual Immigration inspection, claim bags, customs, re-check bags and then security.

Found my answer on Flyertalk. Connecting through YVR from U.S. still involves going through regular Immigration and security for onward flight, however bags are now transferred without the need to claim and re-check, bypassing the Customs process.

Found my answer on Flyertalk. Connecting through YVR from U.S. still involves going through regular Immigration and security for onward flight, however bags are now transferred without the need to claim and re-check, bypassing the Customs process.

Passed through Vancouver two days ago. This time around 9:00 pm. Bags are automatically transferred during most of the day. During late night arrivals (the very last flights of the day) around midnight you still have to manually transfer. They have digital signs and announcements.

Personally I would prefer consistency, i.e. do it the same way all the time, however I don't run the airport.