I am hearing that getting thru the new terminal for international flight/luggage check in and security thru to gate is slow and very unorganized despite the new technology. Can those of you who have done it verify? Travelling next week, just wondering if I should allow extra time. We have Nexus so usually breeze thru, but am wondering if it is as bad as I am being lead to believe.

Went to Mexico a few weeks ago and it was smooth and way faster

I few to Japan a few weeks ago. I was through in less than 10 minutes. No issues.

No issues. Been through twice now.

I flew to Mexico and it was a breeze. No problems.

We went to Ireland a month ago and came back last week- only snag was that my partner and I carry passports from different countries so we couldn't use the kiosks upon reentry, but otherwise all was well.

(To be safe we got to the airport just over 2 hrs before our international flight)

Went to hawaii at the end of November. Way faster. No issues.

Super fast last week

I found it quick. Even with nexus lines merge near security- but it's still fast.

Super fast! No issues at all.

Went to Mexico 3 weeks ago a day it was a cluster. Agent had to walk me and my surfboard all the way to oversize to have my board screened on site from catsa agent. 45 mins for a rep to come and security clearance my board with the west jet agent at my side the whole time (she had to leave her booth at counter). It was 5 am. Inefficient at its finest!

So if it is that fast, is there really a need to get to the airport 2 hours ahead? Thanks for all of the feedback everyone.

Murphy's law, if you don't go early you will run into a problem.
. Go early, relax, have a coffee or a tea and not have to worry about rushing or line ups.

I was there about an hour and a half ahead cause I was stuck in traffic for Japan. And I literally had a nap for over an hour on a couch waiting for my flight. Totally your call

I went through with nexus like two weeks ago and found that the part at security took a while, but the customs part was quick. I'm a US citizen, with CAD permanent residency, and it was the first time a US officer has asked me any questions in 2+ years. Not sure if that's the new normal or if he just felt like chatting.

Relatives went to UK 2 weeks ago and we're through everything from drop off in 10 mins.

I went through Dec 1 and had no issues at all.

I was through super fast both coming and going to the states, it sped up everything a ton. there are a lot of machines too.

Way faster. Too fast, even!!!!

No such thing....lol

Don't know where you're getting your info but new terminal is fast, easy and convenient. Also the reason for being early for international flights is because on occasion flights do leave early if they can. Happened once to me from yyc travelling to Germany. We left 45 minutes ahead of scheduled departure. PA announcements had us boarded in no time. I was glad I was early that day!

I went through there for the first time today. westjet was unorganized and didn't have enough staff working to help everyone. Lines were long and slow. I had prechecked in but the luggage tags wouldn't print. When we got through westjet the security/customs area was very fast and organized. Be careful if you sit down any further than 100' from your gate because you will not hear the boarding announcements. Happy travels. My advise, go early and relax in the beautiful terminal in the comfy chairs.

When I went through a couple weeks ago, I don't think I stopped moving until I got to the gates! Found it super fast and efficient. Only had carry on though.

3 weeks ago it was like a hot knife through butter, even though some things seem a bit out of efficient "flow" with air canada. Upon return, I was routed through Toronto so came into the old airport. But my travel buddy returned direct through Frankfurt and said it was a disaster because of things freezing up; even the doors to leave the terminal, once she'd made it through every other re-entry hurdle, were frozen shut.

Flew to US about 2 weeks ago. New terminal/customs was super efficient. Much improved.

Love the new terminal. My feeling is give yourself 3 hours. We travel a great deal & never know when there could be a delay...especially in the winter and during the Christmas season!

You can only enter up to 2 hours before.

We went through December 3rd and were super impressed!

It was very efficient in November

Nexus helps but there is no separate nexus once you are screening the bags. And even though you are nexus you have to remove shoes/belts Overall process is much faster.

Sorry.....I have to laugh. The new terminal is great. People can simply be impatient and at times there can be several flights leaving all around the same time. The new security system is three times as fast as four people at a time divest instead of one person at a time. As for Nexus....there is a line that gives you front on the line access up to the security point. From there you are screened just like every other passenger. If you check the fine print of your Nexus agreement you will find that is only to expediate you through Customs only....and it certainly does that in the new terminal.

When you get to the customs section, be aware that you need to use one of the machines before lining up to speak to the customs officer. Hurry your group over to one of the machines on the right hand side with a green light (which means it's available). When we went through this (early November) there was little to no guidance and the roping for the lines was nonsensical. People were wandering everywhere and some had to line up twice because they didn't use the machine first. Hopefully they system is better now.

No better now. Still confusing.

I didn't have any trouble getting through with Nexus. Problem is that there's absolutely no where to sit near the gates. So, be prepared to wait in the food/shopping area and keep a watch on your boarding time or else sit on the floor. #YYCdesignfail

Apparently they did this on purpose. It is supposedly the Euro style design. You can sit in comfort in the common area and watch the boards for your flight, then just head to the gate at boarding time.

I heard that too. I've travelled all over the world though and never seen a design like this. It's an obvious cash grab effort by the airport and given how poor the PA system is... you can barely hear the boarding announcements when you're standing at the gate... it's not surprising that some people chose to sit on the floor by the gate. Btw - a source at YYC told me this 'great design' had apparently been linked to a higher number of people missing flights than at the old airport.

I've seen this is a lot of airports. I think it's stupid. No where to sit and people are forced to stand around.

London Heathrow has been like this for years.

That'll be so great for disabled and elderly. Cripes.

It's just a different concept most folks are new to. They want you in the main area mingling where there are more than enough seats and enjoying the shopping and eating areas. They give you more than enough time to walk from this common area to your boarding area once your flight is announced and boarding.

Went through it Thursday was so disorganized. Glad I am not the only one. We have nexus they have the line but don't treat you like nexus. Still had to take off shoes belts etc. Hardly any people and still
Took over 30 minutes. You no longer bring bags through and check them after customs so that was nice.

Sorry.....I have to laugh. The new terminal is great. People can simply be impatient and at times there can be several flights leaving all around the same time. The new security system is three times as fast as four people at a time divest instead of one person at a time. As for Nexus....there is a line that gives you front on the line access up to the security point. From there you are screened just like every other passenger. If you check the fine print of your Nexus agreement you will find that is only to expediate you through Customs only....and it certainly does that in the new terminal.

Don't forget it's Christmas time..........

I flew a week ago. Lots of new technology and with that people don't know what to do. There is customer service people everywhere helping everyone out. The customs agent said they haven't seen a busy day yet. It's always quiet compared to the old terminal. It's quick to get through. The new tech is just confusing people a bit. We went when you regularly would go, very quick.

They could use better signage or something to get people through. Some of the features are ones I haven't seen elsewhere in my travels anywhere. Not even Asian or Europe.

make sure your bags are not overweight - no negotiation now - the baggage machine will not move! they sell you an extra bag though - cheaper than paying overweight!

But then don't you have to pay to check a second bag?

international not always. check ticket or really watch the weight. just put a group of 15 on a flight overseas and .5 kg over created havoc. they could take 2 bags each

Took it Nov 9 and 28th and both times the security lineup was 1 hr.

Went to Europe in November had no problems checking in and security. Quite fast actually. Getting our bags when we got back took forever though. We waited well over an hour.

What is Nexus?

It's a clearance document that gets you to go through their line. You have to apply for it.

Thanks

Allie Bryan and pay for it

If you travel to the usa alot it is WELL worth it

Yes the gal at security asked me if I had Nexus. She said it is so popular now that it offers no time saving benefit.

Nadine I can believe that. I always see people struggling with the retina scans.

How long does the nexus pass last?

5 years

Back and forth to Germany this month and it was a breeze!!! Very fast, very pleasant!!!

left for Mexico on Dec 15....took 45 minutes to get through at 4:15 am....assuming the people that walked by us and went straight thru were Nexus

Just for security? You don't go thru customs till mexico do you?

just for security...

Went through December 9. Very fast through security and customs. westjet employee told me to print my boarding pass at home to make it easier as sometimes customs doesn't like phone verification. I didn't have to check luggage so all automated and super fast. I gave myself 2 hrs and sat around for hr and a half. Better early than late!

Went to Mexico at the end of November and it was a breeze! On the way back luggage did take longer than expected.

Sorry.....I have to laugh. The new terminal is great. People can simply be impatient and at times there can be several flights leaving all around the same time. The new security system is three times as fast as four people at a time divest instead of one person at a time. As for Nexus....there is a line that gives you front on the line access up to the security point. From there you are screened just like every other passenger. If you check the fine print of your Nexus agreement you will find that is only to expediate you through Customs only....and it certainly does that in the new terminal.

It's truly just growing pains for the first bit as people Get used to the new technology and processing. Even thought people were confused when we went through, it was still very fast.

Went through Dec 10th evening flight from LHR and was fabulous. Electronic preparation of customs form scanned worked flawlessly. Didn't take me more than fifteen minutes. I travel extensively in NA and Europe.

If you have a Nexus card, do you need to go to the machine and have a custom declaration card done? Didn't have to have one before, wondering if you need one now?

no

When you travel internationally, you go through customs at the destination hence no customs card necessary. But now you also do not need a customs card filled out to travel to US as the machines in customs do it all. It's all a new experience but runs quite efficiently.

We went about 2 weeks ago and was smooth sailing. No lines anywhere. This was about 5/6am on a Sat.

We flew out international Wed evening, and it was very fast.

Dec 13 4pm 10 min

I went thru last month and found it extremely fast. I also used my Nexus card.

Flew out 2 weeks ago and came back on Tuesday and very quick both ways. A breeze! I have Nexus as well. A good experience. Very relaxed atmosphere.

It's fine! Actually very quick!!

I went on a Friday night and it was super quick; however, they didn't have the Nexus line operational. I'm hoping it will be open going forward because that's a paid for service ... we have it and were surprised that it wasn't running yet.

Sorry.....I have to laugh. The new terminal is great. People can simply be impatient and at times there can be several flights leaving all around the same time. The new security system is three times as fast as four people at a time divest instead of one person at a time. As for Nexus....there is a line that gives you front on the line access up to the security point. From there you are screened just like every other passenger. If you check the fine print of your Nexus agreement you will find that is only to expediate you through Customs only....and it certainly does that in the new terminal.

I don't understand what's funny..

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend at all...... I just wanted to politely inform that according to the actual Nexus agreement that the card is not for Security, only to expedite the process through customs. Yes there has been Nexus line through security but that is only a bonus. It's actually not part of the Nexus agreement. Everybody goes through the same security screening process. After all it is about everyone's safety. Also, it is a US Government mandate, not a Canadian one, that all passengers entering the US from foreign flights remove their shoes. This happened because of the "shoe bomber". So for everyone's safety it really shouldn't be a big deal at all to remove shoes.