New West Jet Connections in Toronto

[cpbjgc]

I know this subject has been discussed before, but the last threads seem to have been before Terminal 3 opened. It appears all the Westjet flights (domestic and to the U.S.) now go through Terminal 3, so I thought I would check on an update.

We are flying in a couple weeks on Westjet from Winnipeg (finally able to book an airmiles flight ), arriving in Toroto at 9:17 am to connect with our flight leaving at 10:35 am to Orlando woohoo: ). I know we are going to have to pick up our luggage, clear US Border Services there, and throw our luggage on a conveyor belt before dashing to the gate. If anyone has done this recently:

• Did you go through Terminal 3?
• Is there a special carousel for your luggage if doing a connecting flight?
• Do you need to clear security again, or just the U.S. Border Services?
• Are there gate agents actually able to help in making the connection (e.g. rush you through security or customs)?

Thanks!

 

[I Am Canadian Eh]

Yikes! That's going to be cozy. Assuming you do actually land (AND get to the gate, this is Pearson we're talking about here) at 9:17, your flight leaves at 10:35 - meaning you need to be on board by 10:15-10:20 or so, that leaves an hour or less to reclaim bag, clear customs and get to the gate. I'm sure it will be possible, but it'll be anything but comfortable & relaxing. Be sure to bring your runners & don't stop at the bathroom!

 

[tiggerrr]

We went to Orlando in May by flying Westjet from Edmonton through Toronto, so I'll share our experience with you.

The gate we landed in was just about as far away from the US gates in Terminal 3 as it could have been. You have to go all the way to the US check in area where there is a carousel with your checked baggage. Claim the baggage and then go through US Customs (which thankfully is close by). After clearing customs you will have to go through security again and then proceed to your gate. All together it took us about an hour. The gate agents when we got off the first plane were very good about giving us the right directions, but we had a 4 hour layover so we weren't in a rush.

 

[NashBridges]

I hope you have enough time to connect and go through customs. You've got the exact same amount of time at Toronto airport as we do for our flight, so I'm hoping it's lots of time.

 

[yxe dad]

If you feel your cutting it a little too close for time, ask a Westjet agent if they can help you get through the line quicker? BUT, they wouldn't make these connection times if they didn't feel people could make them!

 

[cpbjgc]

Thanks all for your encouragement!

I know it's going to be tight, but I am fairly confident its doable if our flight is on time (my experience on Winnipeg to Toronto flights is that we often arrive early, so we should be fine). I was just curious if anyone had run this particular guantlet recently and had any comments on it.

Thanks Tiggerrr for your detailed account - that's what I was wondering about!

I have made connections like this before, but I was flying carry on only and without the kids. My main concern is clearing customs on a timely basis and doing security again ), but at least its in the same terminal.

 

[grover]

we did this connection before--it wasn't pretty.

missed the connecting flight in toronto as the flight was delayed a bit landing-we had to wait 12 hours in the airport for the next available flight.

i think if your flight lands on time and you find where you are going quickly & easily you will be fine..but if you have any hold ups/delays it will be tough.

 

[purplepeg]

We are doing this exact flight tomorrow and we have done it once before and my sister has done it at least 3-4 other times. It's tight but doable. No dawdling. We have two kids 8 and 3 and last time they were 6 and 2. Ask the Westjet person for directions and hussle. It's all worth it when you arrive. I'll let you know how our experience goes tomorrow.

 

[NashBridges]

how you guys made out with the flight and connection in Toronto?

 

[OvertheRainbow]

We did the Winnipeg to Orlando thru Toronto flight a couple of years ago and it was a close call for us. We arrived at the airport on time but waited over 45 minutes after finding our way to the right luggage caroussel for our luggage before we could head towards the connecting flight. I spoke to a Westjet employee while we were waiting and told him our situation and how worried I was that we would miss our flight. He proceeded to have the plane held for us and literally ran us thru security, etc. Ended up the plane was about 15 minutes late taking off and we got quite a few "looks" when we finally did board the plane. All was well tho as our flight arrived on time and luckily with all our luggage. We were extremely grateful to the Westjet people for going out of their way for us. Oh yeah, make sure you fill out the necessary paperwork you will need for your connecting flight into the US (I assume it's still necessary) or that could slow you down as well. We're flying next friday Edmonton to Orlando thru Toronto but have a 4 hour window between flights Good luck on your flight!

 

[cpbjgc]

Well, we are back, and the connection went smoothly. When we checked bags in Winnipeg (four bags and a child booster seat), they put on a bright colored sticker that had "CNX" on it. I guess this was to identify luggage that needed to go to the special carousel.

When we got off the plane (which arrived about 10 minutes late) I asked the gate agent for directions. They old us where to exit and where to find the carousel for connecting flights. The carousel is very close to US customs and immigration. We waited maybe 5 minutes before our luggage came out, collected it, and went through immigration. There was no line up (everyone was already at the gate for Orlando as it turned out), so we cleared that in under five minutes, hefted our bags on the conveyor belt, and headed back to the gate (which turned out to be right beside the gate we arrived at ) where we waited another 10 minutes before boarding started.

The new terminal is a big improvement over the last time I did this where I had to collect bags and change terminals to make the connection.

So overall, it went smooth for us, and we had time to spare.

 

[purplepeg]

Glad to hear things went very smoothly. We had no problems as well and I wrote a fairly detailed description, similar to yours, in our trip report for anyone else who has questions. Now enough about connections...how was the trip?