A quick positive update for you, I refused to wait for my card to go on holiday, My eCOPR was issued on Jan 18th, picture still in review.
I went to Mexico via LA for 23 days on Holiday. Decided I didnt care about the airport PR Card nonsense.
I just got back to Vancouver YVR today.
I flew from Mexico City Direct back to Vancouver (Not via US), Aero Mexico on online check in asked for my visa document number, I just put my UCI number in.
No questions at the airport at all. They let me on the flight.
I do have an ETA and 2 years open work permit that have effectively been cancelled since my eCOPR but have the VISA doc as a backup with a 2025 valid date on it. Nobody asked for either.
I landed in Vancouver, used the machines and it flagged me, but I am not sure if its because I clicked the option I was Immigrating, perhaps I should have clicked Business/work and put some arbitrary days.
Spoke to the immigration guy at the desk, he asked me a bunch of general questions, I told him there was over a 40 day delay, he didnt seem to care much and waved me through.
I am going away in 2 weeks to the US again and still dont have my PR Card, I will update you again with how that goes when I get back.
As a backup I was willing to by a flight to seattle ot bellingham and have my girlfriend come pick me up so I could drive over in the worst case scenario.
Hope that helps some of you who are considering cancelling important travel plans