can someone give me some tips on changing planes in toronto (with 2 small kiddies)

[newfiegirl]

Just trying to remember do I go downstairs to get my luggage and go through customs (im coming from canada and travelling to florida) or stay on the level i am on? i am very nervous about changing planes by myself...will there be anyone to help out with luggage and if so who do i ask? i only have a short amount of time.

[bavaria]

I suspect that both crashbb and I are most likely more familiar with that airport than most posters here based on our travel patterns and frequency.

No, you will not have someone to assist you with luggage unless you require assistance due to a medical condition or impairment ie require wheelchair assistance etc. Even then when flying domestic to domestic the transfer service drops you off and picks you up again on the other side, so even if it is applicable (which it sounds like it is not) then it really doesn't cover the luggage reclaim and drop off.

Transferring from a domestic flight and preclearing in YYZ requires quite a bit of time unless you belong to a trusted traveller preclearance program.

[bavaria]

AC's website makes it appear deceptively easy http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...yyz_ca_us.html

However reclaiming luggage and clearing takes quite some time, and if your gates are distant it takes of course even more. I avoid this airport whenever possible but if I have to do this change I give myself a minimum of 90 minutes, and that is with walking exceptionally fast, having full preclearance, priority tagged luggage, and using priority security lanes.

For a non-status, non-precleared passenger I would suggest a minimum of 2 hours, more if one has any limitations. But then again, I would strongly suggest flying via an alternate airport rather than doing the connection at this airport. In fact, I prefer the dom/intl airport switch in Delhi and Mumbai over the dom/intl switch at YYZ.

The good news is that while AC lists 1h10m as the legal connection at YYZ for domestic-transborder, if you are flying from YYT on AC, CO or WS they all appear to have connections of at least 2hrs and usually significantly more time than that.

[2infinityandbeyond]

Originally Posted by bavaria

I suspect that both crashbb and I are most likely more familiar with that airport than most posters here based on our travel patterns and frequency.

No, you will not have someone to assist you with luggage unless you require assistance due to a medical condition or impairment ie require wheelchair assistance etc.

Is carrying extra suitcases filled with water considered an impairment?

[OntFamily]

What airline are you traveling (so we can give you specific hints)? Also, what are your flight times (arrival in Toronto, and Toronto departure)? Finally, what day of the week?

Clearing customs in Toronto is not difficult. It's taken me (without using my trusted traveller pre-clearance) anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes.

Generically:

1) get off your flight in Toronto
2) walk through the airport, leaving the secure area to get your baggage (yes, your luggage was checked through to Florida at your originating airport, but all travellers must physically carry their own bags through US Customs). Follow the signs to the USA Customs clearance area (by memory, I think you'll see overhead signs that have an American flag).
3) near the US Customs area, they'll be a special luggage carousel for people who are connecting to a USA departure flight (do not go to the "normal" baggage carousel -- go to the carousel by USA customs).
4) get a luggage cart (easiest method is to pay by credit card), to assist in moving your luggage
5) take your luggage off the carousel (it'll probably take 20 - 30 minutes after the plane arrives, before your luggage will be available on this carousel).
6) walk to the US Customs area. Enroute to this area, you will need to fill out the US Customs forms (one per family) - forms are available outside the Customs area -- bring your own pen....
7) Enter the US Customs area - showing your completed Customs form and boarding pass to the agent monitoring the door.
8) stand in queue for customs.
9) talk to US Customs agent - he/she will apply a ink stamp to your passport and UC Customs form, and hand both back to you
10) leave Customs area, taking your forms and baggage, and hand the form to another US agent as you leave the area.
11) place your baggage on a conveyor belt that is immediately after the US Customs area (you won't miss seeing it)
12) walk down a hallway, and re-clear security
13) sit down at departure gate and relax (or relax as much as possible with 2 small children).

It's less complex than it seems. Most of the steps above are very quick.

Happy travelling.

[bavaria]

Originally Posted by 2infinityandbeyond

Is carrying extra suitcases filled with water considered an impairment?

Well the general rule when doing this sort of transfer is the lighter the better, and the fewer pieces of checked and carry on luggage the better. Managing carry on, checked bags, luggage trolley, strollers, and children will add to the transfer time, not to mention the aggravation.

I do the international to domestic transfer at SFO quite often for instance, and it is relatively easy/close with one suitcase. But it is far easier than the YYZ transfer.

[newfiegirl]

wow a step by step guide! thanks, i will print this off and carry it with me in toronto. if anyone has any other tidbits to add or missing steps, please do. thanks

[dancin Disney style]

Post this on the Canadian board and you will get a better response.

[bavaria]

I'm not really sure what additional response the OP requires. I posted a visual instruction, another poster posted a verbal instruction. We both indicated timing, and unless OP posts her connection time, day of week, time of day, and airline, there really isn't much else to say.

[dancin Disney style]

No need to get upset. Perhaps it was a poor choice of words. All I meant was that by posting on the other board the OP would get the perspective of those of us that have YYZ as a home airport. Also, those that have been in the same situation from the OP's home airport.

Getting advice from others that have done the same thing, with kids, is always helpful.

[bavaria]

I'M not upset - I'm happy to share factual information whenever possible. I posted a visual link and someone else verbalized it - that pretty much has it covered unless OP provides the specific details that OntFamily suggested.

Having YYZ as your home airport actually means that you DON'T do the domestic to transborder connection.

[crashbb]

Originally Posted by bavaria

Having YYZ as your home airport actually means that you DON'T do the domestic to transborder connection.

Unless you are special.

I've done domestic to transborder; transborder to transborder (and no, I was not trying to get around whatever that law is); and transborder to international. And YYZ is my home airport.

[bavaria]

Yes, but we already know that we are, er, 'unusual' here!

Our flight patterns and itineraries are not the norm, and certainly not the norm for this site.

[pooch]

on your snacks & water thread you say you have plenty of room and baggage to take water and here you're looking for help in getting yourself & 2 kiddies through what a PP has indicated is a time-consuming process of clearing US Customs in Toronto. The savings of bringing water from home cannot possibly be worth how much harder the extra weight (even if it isn't chargable weight) will make what looks to be a lot of lugging your luggage around. My guess is the kiddies aren't going to be a lot of help.

[newfiegirl]

dh is travellin on later flight with the water, pooch