Flight from Vancouver back to U.S. is YVR still having delays?

[vermonter16]

We have an 8:40am flight tomorrow back to the States and I was just reading about backups and long security lines.  Has anyone flown recently and had an experience with this?  Was going to leave to be there 2 hours early but I am thinking now the normal 3...I guess better to be safe than sorry?  

[CruiserBruce]

Part of the "delay" is you need to clear US Immigration and Customs in Vancouver.  So definitely allow at least the two hours. More is smart.

[Coquitlam Cruiser]

Current wait times for US security inspection is 5 minutes. So it does appear normal.  Yet remember very busy first thing in the morning.  Many US flights depart from YVR In the early am.  US CBP opens at 0430.  If you have Nexus you have a separate screening as well as CBP. Good luck. 

[vermonter16]

Yes, I do know about U.S. customs and actually just downloaded the new app for that (CPB MPC).  Been through several times but not since 2019.  Then when I was doing a search today, they said delays have been unusually high.  I hate to be at the airport for so long when we have a 5 hour layover in Denver....but I guess we will stick with the 3 hours'ish'.

[vermonter16]

Just to report...went through U.S. customs at about 5:45am and took about 30 minutes.  The time on the board said 10 to 15.  Nothing crazy though.

[DEBCAT65]

We will be flying out of Vancouver for the first time next year.  I see we have to clear US Immigration and Customs in Vancouver.  Will the process take less time if we have the US Global Entry clearance?

[CruiserBruce]

39 minutes ago, DEBCAT65 said:

We will be flying out of Vancouver for the first time next year.  I see we have to clear US Immigration and Customs in Vancouver.  Will the process take less time if we have the US Global Entry clearance?

Yes.

[DEBCAT65]

6 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Yes.

Thank you!

[martincath]

On 1/6/2023 at 2:24 PM, DEBCAT65 said:

 Will the process take less time if we have the US Global Entry clearance?

Further to Bruce's reply - bring your physical cards! Most folks seem to rely on the passport linkage, which flags your Trusted Traveler status to TSA by printing it on the boarding passes... TSA do not operate here! CATSA, the Canadian equivalent, need to see your actual GE ID Card - there's a person stationed at the doorway who won't let you through without the cards as they only perform a visual check at that point, no passport swipe.

 

If you're on a RT cruise, you can also use GE to expedite your pier preclearance - as you are re-entering US jurisdiction. No benefit when flying in to YVR though, only NEXUS gets that benefit.