Question about connecting flight from Canada to US at Pearson

[damo]

My niece and her family will have a 5 hour layover at Pearson before heading to Orlando. Does anyone know if I will be able to visit them at the airport or will they not come out from behind security. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Peaseblossom]

As I recall when you connect to a US flight at Pearson, you actually have to leave the secure area - you get your luggage then recheck your bags at the US area. Honestly though, it's such a big airport, I may have been disoriented.

I think there's always the option of leaving the secure area, they'll just have to go back through security.

 

[ccudmore]

You do indeed leave the secure area, go through US pre clearance and reclear security. For detailed video walk throughs of the entire process go to http://www.airportwayfinder.com/wayfinders/yyz/ and select the appropriate terminal and then select Canada to the US.

But yes you can leave and go do some visiting. Only issue is your bags. You have to pick them up in Toronto and take them with you through to the pre clearance. They are not checked through to your final destination.

 

[damo]

Thanks! That's what I thought but wasn't exactly sure. I didn't want to plan to meet up with them there and then find out it wasn't possible. I guess the only issue is that they will have to hang onto their bags again until they go for the connecting flight.