US security and Customs Pearson Airport

[CeeCee59]

We have a flight coming from Calgary to Toronto arriving at 2200 hours with our connection to FLL the next morning at around 0700. Will we have to pick up luggage and crash for a few hours in arrivals or will we be able to go through US security and customs the evening we land. Doesn't seem worth getting a hotel for just a few hours since we would have to be back to the airport for 0400. Same airline if that makes a difference. 

[millybess]

37 minutes ago, CeeCee59 said:

We have a flight coming from Calgary to Toronto arriving at 2200 hours with our connection to FLL the next morning at around 0700. Will we have to pick up luggage and crash for a few hours in arrivals or will we be able to go through US security and customs the evening we land. Doesn't seem worth getting a hotel for just a few hours since we would have to be back to the airport for 0400. Same airline if that makes a difference. 

I think U.S. Customs at Pearson closes around 9pm and opens up around 4am.  

[CDNPolar]

If your bags are not checked through and you have to pick them up on arrival in Toronto, then you will have to stay in arrivals, because typically the baggage/checkin agents are only there 2'ish hours before the flight.  If your flight is 6am you might get lucky and have your airline checkin counter open at 4am, but you may be waiting for that to open if the first flight is later than 6am.

 

Typically an airline will only allow you to drop bags between 2 and 4 hours before a flight.

 

With US Customs closing at 9pm and not being able to check your bags until the morning, you are definitely relegated to crashing in arrivals, and these areas are not the most comfortable in the airport.