cmich068

From what I've read on some other boards, first you need them to process the mailed in application (your credit card being charged is a good sign for that). Until that's done nobody can do anything - as your original documents are in application purgatory. Once that's done, you need to get through to the Passport Canada 800 number and ask them to transfer the file to a local passport office (by default they do not always send it to your closest one, so this is important). Once the file is transferred, you then get to play the game of either trying to get an appointment or lining up for expedited service. And might take a few days of trying for this.

I would definitely pick EWR over YUL for a connection - or just drive to YUL and skip the YOW leg completely (small planes on a short haul, first to be cancelled when something goes haywire). Throwing customs in the middle of things is a recipe for disaster.

Telus is currently 24 hours for easy roam but will be changing to calendar day as of July

Re the lack of pre-clearance at Billy Bishop - given how understaffed US pre-clearance is at Pearson these days, the question really is if you'd rather get to the airport in Toronto hours early to go through customs there, or get to Billy Bishop closer to your flight time but wait a bit after you land in Newark. Personally I'd still take Porter both ways.

New York does have a data sharing agreement with Ontario, so if you drive through a toll they will send you a bill. No big deal.

Keep in mind the New York Thruway has gone to electronic only tolling (like 407) if your drive will take you along that route. I recommend grabbing an EZ Pass if you drive across often, costs $25 to buy in store (often available at gas stations, duty free stores, grocery stores, etc) and once registered that entire amount is applied to your future tolls.

Three bridges in that general vicinity, actually! The enrollment centre is located on the US side of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge which can only be used by Nexus cardholders. Queenston-Lewiston Bridge (about 4 miles north) or Rainbow Bridge (about 2 miles south) can be used instead.

No test required to enter the US by land or board a domestic flight within the US.

I've used Azova multiple times to proctor tests to enter the United States by air, both with US acquired Flowflex brand tests and Canadian acquired Rapid Response tests. They have an affiliation with the manufacturers they proctor tests for, so it meets the CDC requirements for US entry and cruise lines. Haven't personally used them to board a cruise yet but I'm sure it would be fine.

Yeah, I did the same when I lived in Ottawa. If I was going south I would intentionally fly the US carriers to have my connection stateside instead of YYZ.

For all of the discussion here about tests, I don't think I've ever seen a single post here about someone being rejected, full stop.