FYI...2 Hours max in US customs....

[Nufy]

A FYI for those travelling to the US through YYC (Calgary Airport)

It seems that now you can only enter the customs area a maximum of two hours before your departure time.

Any more than that and you will be turned back to the main terminal.

Typically there are long delays at the "Border" so I like to come a bit early.

Once clearing customs I can get a bit of work done before flying.

Today I sat for 1-1/2 hours until I could enter the promised land.

There were only two border guards working when I entered.



I don't know if its permanent or not.

[Temporary_User]

I like it.

[Bigtime]

Good to know, I'm flying down to Phoenix next Wednesday.

[Buff]

Its been a while since I flew out of Calgary. Do you go through security and then customs, or the other way around? I think the latter but my memory is muddy (whats this river that I'm in?).

Now I only go to Vegas and I fly out of Great Falls.... super cheap to fly with Allegiant Air.

[itcrossedtheline]

Originally Posted by Buff

Its been a while since I flew out of Calgary. Do you go through security and then customs, or the other way around? I think the latter but my memory is muddy (whats this river that I'm in?).

Now I only go to Vegas and I fly out of Great Falls.... super cheap to fly with Allegiant Air.

Customs then Security.

This is a good thing...Customs is usually packed first thing in the morning for people flying out at 10am. I usually catch flights earlier than 8 am to the states and the lineups are crazy

[Winsor_Pilates]

Good idea. You always have people missing/ or almost missing flights because they're lined up behind people who aren't flying for 4 hours, so this should help.

[ernie]

It's been like in many airports in the States since 9/11. No security or customs until 2 hours before your flight.

I believe that 2 hour rule has been in effect in Calgary for awhile, though if you are trying to get a Visa as you cross the border they will usually let you through earlier as sometimes the paperwork can take some time.

[flamesflames444]

Where do they actually turn you away? The clowns that check to make sure your customs forum is filled out properly never checked timing on your boarding passes in the past..

I can understand this rule with respect to the customs line, but what happens if you get there early when flying domestic and just want to relax in the Air Canada lounge... I fly all the time and have never seen crazy long lineups through security like they have at other larger airports

[Nufy]

US terminal only.

Yes it is the $12/hr clowns that check your customs and boarding pass right behind the Check in counters.

There are 3 big ass banners announcing the 2 hr thing that weren't there when I flew down a few weeks back.

It may have been a policy for a while but now they're enforcing it.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by flamesflames444

Where do they actually turn you away? The clowns that check to make sure your customs forum is filled out properly never checked timing on your boarding passes in the past..

I can understand this rule with respect to the customs line, but what happens if you get there early when flying domestic and just want to relax in the Air Canada lounge... I fly all the time and have never seen crazy long lineups through security like they have at other larger airports

The security at US customs is different than the domestic security. I know you can't typically check your bags before 3 hours before your flight. I don't know what they would do if you only had carry on. I normally time it so I clear security and walk right on the plane. I feel trapped if I spend too much time behind security.

[mykalberta]

Probably a cost cutting method to save money - I hear the US is close to bankruptcy

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by ernie

I believe that 2 hour rule has been in effect in Calgary for awhile, though if you are trying to get a Visa as you cross the border they will usually let you through earlier as sometimes the paperwork can take some time.

Yeah, I had an 8 AM flight to Minneapolis in 2007, needed to get my TN Visa that morning as well.. missed my flight though I was there at 5:30 AM.

[Clever_Iggy]

For me, this is going to be bothersome. I like getting to the airport super early for international (US-CDN or vice versa) so if there's a line, I don't have to worry... I can be totally relaxed because I know that there's no way the majority of the plane is here before me and therefore, there's no way I can miss my flight.

I understand the logic behind the new rule, and I don't necessarily disagree with it, but I hope this isn't interpreted by those last-minute types to cut it even closer in the future.

[FurnaceFace]

Nexxus pass for the win. Greatest thing ever to bypass the lines.

[Flames in 07]

x2 on nexus, best money I've ever spent.