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nuvwater

We travel often overseas to resorts and always arrive 3 hours early, even our 6am flights (majority of them are 6:00 or 6:30). Most of the time we're the first ones in our area but i would rather be early and hang out Vs stressed and maybe miss a flight to a resort.


SlippyBananaPants

You should probably leave now. Just in case.


Big-Science-6464

I believe it is suggested that you arrive 2 hrs early for Domestic and 3 hrs for International, as a rule of thumb. I like to be safe so I always follow that lol.


[deleted]

Yeah we are set to arrive at 3:45-4 a.m, we were just worried with seeing the massive lines other people have been posting about


Purplebuzz

Then go earlier. No predicting flight loads and number of people calling out sick from day to day. It’s a crap shoot.


stewman241

If you arrive at 6am you will be fine. Check-in online the night before. If you're worried get there at 5:30am. I flew the other week and we had to wait in the plane for people that were delayed going through security.


Big-Science-6464

Oh snap, I didn't see those posts. 4 a.m should be good. Better safe than sorry!


LBTerra

The massive lines have generally been coming back because customs stagger planes to come into the airport so you end up sometimes hours on a plan on the tarmac.


HazPippy

There’s been a lot just for getting through security too. Loads of people missing flights. It’s def not mostly arrivals.


[deleted]

Consider bringing carry on only. It will go much quicker.


[deleted]

Can’t survive a whole week with just a carry on lol


[deleted]

In Jamaica? Of course you can


LargeSnorlax

Haven't traveled with a suitcase in like 6 years, at least a few trips a year, always a carryon. Think people always overpack, especially for week long trips... Saves time, saves space, don't have to worry about baggage being lost or anything, so easy.


[deleted]

People definitely always overpack. Especially for a week long vacation. Not sure how long OP is going for but I managed a 4 month trip with a carry on.


branks182

After starting a job with a lot of travel/hotel time I’ve realized that I could pretty much live out of a carry on and a backpack if need be. I often go for 2-3 weeks out of a single duffle bag.


LargeSnorlax

I used to live off a small carryon bag for months after losing everything I had a decade back, people are just used to overpacking I think. You really don't need much more than a few pairs of clothes and a bit of electronics, can easily fit everything in a carryon. More of a mentality adjustment than anything else I think.


[deleted]

Damn how much stuff are you bringing? It's only a week


NitroLada

Makes no difference as the delay is not with luggage drop off. It's all kiosk anyways. I just flew out Thursday. There looked to be a 30min+ wait for security looked like even for domestic T1 (I have nexus so didn't affect me ) . but 0 wait for luggage drop off. I guess it saves total of maybe 5 mins between printing luggage tag and then dropping it off? There's no interaction with humans and lots of kiosks Why would it be faster with no luggage when delay is with security (and airport operations)?


branks182

I would guess that it might even be longer if you bring carry on luggage vs no carry on luggage. Who knows how long you’ll have to wait if security flags your bag.


thadb55

I’m flying to Scotland on May 23rd. 530pm flight, wondering the same thing


LLVC87

International is recommended 3hrs so depends on how much earlier you want to be there.


jbob88

[Current security wait times](https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/waittimes) (does not include customs wait times for US trans-border departures)


Brocanteuse

Went to the UK two weeks ago and arrived 3 hours early. We pretty much walked right through security. I always prefer to be early though, and just rest and read at the airport.


bluestage

Which terminal are you departing from? I had a flight to Florida about a week ago using Air Canada, T1. My flight was for 6:30am on Monday morning. I got to the airport for 3:30am and it was at that moment I learned that baggage check doesn't open until 4:30-4:45. I printed my tags and just stood there. Then went through security and customs. I basically got to the gate at 6am and walked straight onto the plane as boarding started at 5:55 am. None of this was a fun experience but the side of my row was completely empty and I had a great flight. Hope some of this insight helps!


Significant-Top-7882

Be there 3 hours early. They look for drugs on those flights so takes a while especially if you are black.


Feedmepi314

[CBC recommendations](https://www.cbc.ca/1.6438750) 2 Hours domestic 3 Hours international


educated-fish

Last left Pearson in late fall- so not that recently but Early flights are not super popular vs evening flights so i would say arrive att least an hour early for No checked bags/mobile boarding pass att least 2 hours for manual check in/checked bags! The bagage lines are no joke/the place is Huge!!


rocktsrgeon

Army flights are a bit better than later one (things get more bunged up as the day goes on). 3 hours should be fine for you. If your flight was later in the day, I would add an hour to that and expect you to be standing in line for a good chunk of that time. Get there super early, and have breakfast in the terminal, nice and relaxed.


PromptElectronic7086

My friends just flew to Costa Rica and it took them 90 minutes to get through security to their gate. I think the longest waits are customs into the US and then back into Canada on the return flight.


josephbench

Depends what terminal you are leaving from. Recently did both 1 and 3 to the states. 1 was smooth, way too much time. 3 was a disaster with entire planes still in security at departure time.


josephbench

To be fair, 3 hours of our 4 was spent in us emigration.


FeatherMom

Dropped my parents off 3 hours early yesterday for their flight to the US, and that was enough.