6:45am flight from Montreal

[mtmbyck]

So not sure what time we need to be at airport given we have to clear customs. We are flying AirTransat I am guessing 5am will suffice the Thurs before March Break?

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

So not sure what time we need to be at airport given we have to clear customs. We are flying AirTransat I am guessing 5am will suffice the Thurs before March Break?

Nope ... all airlines suggest you check in at least 3 hours before your flight. This is directly from the AirTransat website:

CHECK-IN
If you are travelling between Canada and the United Kingdom or Florida, please read this Important notice.

Check-in opening times
All passengers are asked to check in at least 3 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure of their flight. Please note that all travellers must be present with their boarding documents, passport and visas necessary for the destination, tickets, and baggage in order to receive a boarding card.

Passengers can also check in online 24 hours prior to the departure of their flight, when leaving from major Canadian cities and Orlando (Florida). They will be able to choose their seats from the comfort of their own home, and simply deposit their luggage at the baggage drop-off counter at the airport.

Air Transat flights arrive at and depart from the main terminals at the various destinations (exceptions are listed in airport terminals).

Check-in closing times
All Air Transat check in counters will close (1) one hour prior to the time of departure. Passengers arriving for check in after that time may be denied boarding.

Passengers are encouraged to check in at least three hours prior to departure, and must present themselves with their baggage and all required travel documents in order to be processed.

 

[mommasita]

Absolutely agree with what is above.

However, CUSTOMS here does not open before 4:30am. I would be in line to check in for 4, and then proceed in line. It will be VERY busy at that time, more so than later in the day.

I have worked the counters from 3:30am, and the lineups were LONG. Keep in mind your flight is FULL, so you will have 200plus pax trying to check in with you. You must clear customs, security, etc, etc. You will be amazed how fast it goes.

We go as early as possible, get all that out of the way, and settle in at Burger King for breakfast.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

We had a 7 am flight after Christmas and the same one in March and when we called we were told 2 hours. It was kinda tight, but we made it through, ate breakfast at the gate and walked onto the plane.

 

[mtmbyck]

4am yikes! I will show DH this thread because he will say it's too early. Good thing we can veg around Stormalong Bay all afternoon! Thanks for the info.

 

[Gigi22]

OP, we were shocked that it took us a full 2 1/2 hours to check-in, go through customs and security at YUL in late Nov. 2010. As part of the security check, everyone was asked to step into the full body scanner, which also delayed things.

 

[mommasita]

4am yikes! I will show DH this thread because he will say it's too early. Good thing we can veg around Stormalong Bay all afternoon! Thanks for the info.

Yes, and show him the AT site.

As I mentioned, this is the BUSIEST time of the day at the airport for the US side, as customs has just opened. THe backlog of the other airlines makes for some very long waits. You 'may' whiz through, but I highly doubt it. Honestly.

 

[mtmbyck]

Mommasita, we are staying at the holiday inn express at the airport. Are we literally 5 minutes away?

 

[bankr63]

mtmbyck,

We have flown from YUL for ONTARIO March break the past two years. We stay overnight nearby (HI Express last year with a couple of free nights). We shoot to hit the airport 2 hours prior, and have made the flight with time to spare both times. The shuttle service is pretty good from HI - it is close by the airport. Remember to book shuttle when you arrive as the van is small and can fill quickly for the popular times (3 AM is not a popular time!) If other families are catching the shuttle at the same time, you may be delayed. HI paid for our taxi to the airport last year as they were busy. Also note that although extended parking is offered by HI, it is first come basis. It was so full last year, I parked on top of a snow bank for the week.

Remember that Quebec March break is a different week from Ontario most years. The rush is over for Montreal when we head down. We have hit longish lines at US Customs (worse in 09 than 10) but still cleared in under an hour. Both flights were around 7:00 am on the Saturday. We're flying direct from Ottawa this year, and are expecting much bigger crowds than we are used to

Take advantage of the online checkin if offered. If you don't have seat assignments yet, get them early or your family could get split up. You don't actually drop your bags at the counter however. They will tag your bags at the counter when you arrive, but you have to carry them to the customs area, and clear the first checkpoint before they are taken away on a conveyor.

I think if you do online check-in, and leave the hotel a bit more than 2 hours prior (get to the counter 2 hours prior), you will have plenty of time.

Have a great vacation!

 

[mommasita]

Mommasita, we are staying at the holiday inn express at the airport. Are we literally 5 minutes away?

Yes, most def 5 minutes.

Ask for the shuttle time want/need at check in, and if it fails a taxi would be under 10$.

The thing is that YES, our SB will be over, but we get a LOT of connections coming from the Maritimes, etc, so that adds to it.

I do agree if you choose your seats and check in on line prior, DO IT. We have a new system for the luggage which is a bit of a headache, and more time consuming, but it fast tracks any lost articles, and your luggage comes up on the screen of the border guy doing your entry.

Sadly, I have had to close my line at the 1hr prior to departure time. I have seen nearly 100 people left. Not my call to make, but still you feel awful about it. I mean if you choose to cut it so close, and 100 others do as well, which happens, then you might get stranded.

2 hrs "may' be enough, but in theory it is NEVER what we relay to our pax, we really a MINIMUM of 3 hrs prior to departure.

You may be the one the border guy decides to do a full search on in back, and then for sure you have missed your flight. This too happens so many times. And I know for fact, the first one through gets it, and the last one through gets it.

I don't mean to sound harsh. I guess it is because I have literally RAN with pax trying to get them through our line, and the Border hates it, and will only allow it once in a while. I will give a whole song and dance, and then I have 90 people FURIOUS at me, because I could not do the same for them.

I see it as this for me anyway
Arrival at 4am, expect to wait 45 min to 1hr checking in.
Almost 5 now, cross over to luggage, which takes 10 or so minutes now with new procedures, and lines.
Approx 5:15, security, those lines are the WORST. If you are chosen for further inspection, that can add on many minutes. Even if you are not, my best guess is you are out of there at 6.
So now 6. Custom line up. 30 minutes MINIMUM. Go through find your gate, and if you are lucky you can eat something, if not they are starting to board your flight at 6:15, because it is a FLorida flight which means 6 to 9 wheelchairs, and MANY families traveling with young children that need help.

Sorry this was long. I really am. I am also not meaning to preach at all. Of course this day there many be ZERO line up, and all may be a breeze, but to me it is much easier to do it this way, and be sitting having some breakfast with my family, KNOWING I am going to be ON THAT PLANE

I will get off my soap box.

 

[LadyKay]

Also keep in mind that most schools in and around Mtl have the first and/or second week of March off.


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