Air Transat Halifax-Orlando-Halifax

[mousefan20]

A recap of our Air Transat charter: Halifax-Orlando-Halifax.


Halifax-Orlando- Ticket counter, security and customs were understaff to handle the number of passengers on this flight. This process took approx 2 1/2 hours to complete. Stroller pickup and claim was inaccurate, dispite previous information, there was no gate delivery for strollers.

Orlando-Halifax Ticket counter service was excellent, however they strictly enforce the baggage weight issue. Customs in Halifax was efficent and smooth. We based our timings on our original itenary, however we left 20 mins early without warning, something to be aware of when flying a charter.

 

[dennise]

Did you get charged for overweight luggage?

 

[mousefan20]

Did you get charged for overweight luggage?

Hi Dennise, actually they cut us a break. We were over by 22kilos, alot of outlet shopping..... Since we had the baby with us, they dropped it to 10 kilos. Bottom line we paid $100 US instead of 220 US. I guess we shouldnt complain, however the 20 kilos per person is extremely tight when your away for any length of time.

 

[dennise]

We were over by 12 kilos, but because our carry-ons were light they let us by. Next time we would consider mailing some of our clothes home and taking the new thinkgs in luggage, that way we wouldn't have to pay duty on what we mail, as they wouldn't be new. Depends on what it would cost to ship. I wouldd think we could ship 5-10 kilos for less than $100.

 

[MikeyNS]

I think that Halifax counter is ALWAYS understaffed for those flights. You have to get there super early to get through right away.. we thought it was just due to going through the US departure area, but when we did the Air Canada direct flight getting through was a breeze in comparison.

 

[mousefan20]

Shipping clothing back by mail is a great idea and should be less then the over weight charge by Air Transat. They were going to weigh our carry on as well, however when she lifted one she new we were over there too and felt bad for us. Some of the staff are so nice Next year I think we will just fly AC instead and enjoy my 23kilos *2 per person.

 

[mousefan20]

MikeyNS, that morning was a nightmare, it has never taken that long to get through with AC and then customs in TO. If we can fly direct with AC next year from Hfx we will try again. If not back to going through TO.

 

[MikeyNS]

I'd go direct with anyone rather than go through Toronto.. but now that I know that there is a huge wait I think it'd be easier to handle than come to a surprise of a long lineup.

 

[dennise]

Mousefan20 - AC is doing direct on Sunday next year, not sure about any other days. Our problem is that we like 10 days rather than 1 or 2 weeks. We were able to go direct on Wednesday(Air Transat) and home on a Saturday(Canjet). Really dislike going through customs in TO. If I can't go direct, I would go on one of the US carriers, at least you don't have to touch your luggage until you get there. I have already been looking at prices for next April, of course the charters don't have theirs out yet.

 

[MikeyNS]

Mousefan20 - AC is doing direct on Sunday next year, not sure about any other days. Our problem is that we like 10 days rather than 1 or 2 weeks. We were able to go direct on Wednesday(Air Transat) and home on a Saturday(Canjet). Really dislike going through customs in TO. If I can't go direct, I would go on one of the US carriers, at least you don't have to touch your luggage until you get there. I have already been looking at prices for next April, of course the charters don't have theirs out yet.

AC is flying direct Friday and Sunday... so you could leave Friday and come back Sunday on AC direct.

 

[coastgirl]

That's really interesting news about the AC direct run, thanks for sharing it. Another who would walk over hot coals rather than do customs in TO. (With two kids in tow, too much luggage and invariably flight delays...) We have mailed ourselves stuff from the US and it's CHEAP and FAST. Wowza, a revelation. Have considered mailing the new stuff, as there's a place on the customs form to declare "goods to follow by mail" which are part of your trip allowance, but we haven't actually done it.

 

[mousefan20]

We may try one of the AC direct flights next year I will have to look into it, thank you for the info. For us we have to spend the night in Hfx each way. I thought it might be better to stay at the Sheraton attached to Pearson maybe walk to it? Rather than the Hilton in Hfx and have to use the shuttle. Can I go through TO on the way down and come back direct into Hfx?

 

[MikeyNS]

We may try one of the AC direct flights next year I will have to look into it, thank you for the info. For us we have to spend the night in Hfx each way. I thought it might be better to stay at the Sheraton attached to Pearson maybe walk to it? Rather than the Hilton in Hfx and have to use the shuttle. Can I go through TO on the way down and come back direct into Hfx?

You can book whichever flights you like.. but the extra 10 minutes for a shuttle to one of the nearby airport hotels in Halifax would be better than at least a 1 hour layover and almost 3 extra hours of flight time going through Toronto!.. plus the hotels in Halifax, I would assume, would be a lot cheaper.

 

[mousefan20]

So many decisions at least I have some time to figure things out. I also had not considered the extra distance to Toronto. I had seen a special layover price for the Sheraton in TO for 115 that is what had given me the idea. We just paid 160 for the night at the Hilton in Hfx. However the extra time to TO will now play a factor for me.Thank you for the advice

 

[DisneyFreak06]

That's really interesting news about the AC direct run, thanks for sharing it. Another who would walk over hot coals rather than do customs in TO. (With two kids in tow, too much luggage and invariably flight delays...) We have mailed ourselves stuff from the US and it's CHEAP and FAST. Wowza, a revelation. Have considered mailing the new stuff, as there's a place on the customs form to declare "goods to follow by mail" which are part of your trip allowance, but we haven't actually done it.

Where do you go to mail your items? My biggest thing is I'm staying on site and relying on Disney transportation.

 

[coastgirl]

Sorry, I'm no help there. I think dh found a USPS outlet in a strip mall...we always rent a car. USPS was cheap and much better service than Canada Post. I wonder if there's a postal outlet in DTD?

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Sorry, I'm no help there. I think dh found a USPS outlet in a strip mall...we always rent a car. USPS was cheap and much better service than Canada Post. I wonder if there's a postal outlet in DTD?

Thanks... I don't rememeber seeing a postal outlet at DTD, but maybe there is. Even if there is one at the airport and I just pack it up in a box at the airport, that would be better than nothing. Although the only postal outlet I remember seeing at an airport was in Italy or Germany I think.

 

[MikeyNS]

So many decisions at least I have some time to figure things out. I also had not considered the extra distance to Toronto. I had seen a special layover price for the Sheraton in TO for 115 that is what had given me the idea. We just paid 160 for the night at the Hilton in Hfx. However the extra time to TO will now play a factor for me.Thank you for the advice

Don't forget there are other airport hotels. I always liked the original one (http://www.airporthotelhalifax.com/).. but I believe there's a Holiday Inn Express right beside the Hilton as well.

 

[mousefan20]

Thank you MikeyNS you have been very helpful, I will check them both out.

 

[coastgirl]

Thanks... I don't rememeber seeing a postal outlet at DTD, but maybe there is. Even if there is one at the airport and I just pack it up in a box at the airport, that would be better than nothing. Although the only postal outlet I remember seeing at an airport was in Italy or Germany I think.

Tina, I asked on another board and got this reply:

if they are on property, they can ship from their resort. the lobby concierge has everything they will need, no prepaid label required. I did make labels for our home address to put on the boxes but they weren't required. The man weighed the boxes etc and they arrived at home. We shipped UPS but there may have been other options.

(This particular poster was at CBR.)

Hope that's helpful. Sounds pretty easy to me. At the values I guess it'd be guest services. (I don't recall them calling anything concierge at Pop! )