What time does Customs open at Pearson

[mkmommy]

In my infinite wisdom I booked a 6:30 AM flight leaving Friday March 6, start of Spring Break one of the busiest days at Pearson Terminal 1.

What time does Customs open and what time does Air Canada open for luggage drop off, (if we don't succeed in going carry on)?

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Last time we flew Sunwing on the 6:35am flight (2012) US customs was open at 4:30am ..

Air Canada should have their counters staffed ahead of any flight, so you should find no problem checking your baggage before heading to US Customs.

 

[jennstew]

I have a 6:30am flight as well. I was told to be there 3hrs ahead of time but if customs doesn't open until 4:30 is there any point? Should I line up for customs at 4? Do you clear security before or after customs? If security is before customs when does it open or is it always open?

Thanks
Jenn

 

[OnceUponATime15]

This time we did online check in & bypassed the airline counter as we were traveling with carry on's only. We went straight to US Customs from our airline limo, It cut our time by about a half hour to 40 minutes.

In the past we usually arrived between two and a half hours & three hours. We scanned the line up to see if there was time to grab a coffee. Keep in mind that there will be line ups at the airline counter as people who didn't do online check in - check in or check baggage. Sometimes it's quick - other times all it takes is an issue with someone ahead of you to slow things right down. After the airline counter you go to US customs.

On our December trip we encountered the new kiosks for the first time. (things slow a bit as many need help with the system) After you enter your passport & info and get your print out you are directed to a customs line up by a staff member who reviews the print out. Some lines move faster then others... Then it's off to security, there is usually a bottle neck at this point. Depending on your travel date (March break, Easter, Weekend or weekday etc). 3 hours ahead may be needed.

I estimate it took us about an hour to 90 minutes in December from curb to departure lounge.. It was a mid morning on a Monday flight.

 

[alc571]

This time we did online check in & bypassed the airline counter as we were traveling with carry on's only. We went straight to US Customs from our airline limo, It cut our time by about a half hour to 40 minutes.

In the past we usually arrived between two and a half hours & three hours. We scanned the line up to see if there was time to grab a coffee. Keep in mind that there will be line ups at the airline counter as people who didn't do online check in - check in or check baggage. Sometimes it's quick - other times all it takes is an issue with someone ahead of you to slow things right down. After the airline counter you go to US customs.

On our December trip we encountered the new kiosks for the first time. (things slow a bit as many need help with the system) After you enter your passport & info and get your print out you are directed to a customs line up by a staff member who reviews the print out. Some lines move faster then others... Then it's off to security, there is usually a bottle neck at this point. Depending on your travel date (March break, Easter, Weekend or weekday etc). 3 hours ahead may be needed.

I estimate it took us about an hour to 90 minutes in December from curb to departure lounge.. It was a mid morning on a Monday flight.

This^^

We flew out last April on Air Canada at 6:30am. We did the online checkin the night before, and did carry-on only. From the time we parked our car, to the time we arrived at the gate, took only 25 minutes.

We also flew out last week and encountered the kiosks as noted above. These did slow things down a bit - as it seemed slightly chaotic! Also on the way back you have to do the same thing. We flew Sunwing, so there was no online checkin (at least ours didn't work). It took close to 90 minutes to get from our car to the gate this time. It was also a 6:30am flight.

 

[alc571]

I have a 6:30am flight as well. I was told to be there 3hrs ahead of time but if customs doesn't open until 4:30 is there any point? Should I line up for customs at 4? Do you clear security before or after customs? If security is before customs when does it open or is it always open?

Thanks
Jenn

Customs is before security. After you check in with your airline, you get in the line for customs (see PP re kiosks) and then you go to security. We have always flown on 6:30am flights, and never arrived more than 2 hours before departure - that being said, we've never flown at Christmas or March Break either.