P E Troudeau Airport

[dennise]

Has anayone gone through Montreal? Any problems? Do you clear customs there before going on to Orlando? Not sure about the layout of the airport, but will look up a map.

 

[Ham Ham]

Has anayone gone through Montreal? Any problems? Do you clear customs there before going on to Orlando? Not sure about the layout of the airport, but will look up a map.

You'll clear customs in Montreal. The terminal is small so getting around won't be an issue.

 

[SplashMom]

We have gone through Montreal a few times with no problems. We did clear customs there as well. We are flying back through Montreal this time and I'm sure it will be quick and easy!!

 

[iluvwesties]

You probably won't have a problem in Montreal, but I did

I flew Air Canada from YYZ to Orlando and had to do the connection via Montreal. My son and I had already gone through security in YYZ.

Our flight was late getting off and when we arrived in Montreal we only had 15 mins to get to the gate and join the flight going to Orlando.

As we were in a hurry, I asked which gate I had to get to and was told gate 74

My son and I had to collect our luggage and believe it or not, go through security again we ran to gate 74 and was told that the flight boarding there was going to another destination, luckily a person at the desk radioed and found out that our flight was boarding at gate 75.

My son and I ran and only just made it. They were holding the plane for us.

I couldn't understand why we had to get our luggage and go through security a second time and why our luggage wasn't transferred from the first flight to the second.

I hope you don't have a problem, but for me, I prefer to take a direct flight from now on

 

[disneymath]

I couldn't understand why we had to get our luggage and go through security a second time and why our luggage wasn't transferred from the first flight to the second.

I hope you don't have a problem, but for me, I prefer to take a direct flight from now on

I "think" this is because you just cleared domestic security in Toronto ... you have to clear US Customs/Security with your luggage just before you board the leg of your flight that departs Canada and enters the US.

My family clears security in Timmins, flies to Toronto, then has to pick up our luggage and clear US Customs/Security before boarding the Toronto-Orlando flight. (I'm guessing you normally just fly straight to Orlando from Toronto so only have one security check to deal with.)

 

[dennise]

Splashmom: When are you going? My daughter and Iare going In Novermber, she has a conference and I am just tagging along. Our anual trip is booked for April. I have nver been twice in one year, and never did all of the driving around myself. We have to drive to Tampa for the conference.

 

[iluvwesties]

Thanks for posting Disneymath

Your explanation makes sense

Yes, I normally do fly directly to Orlando, the reason I had to do the connection in Montreal was because I had used Airmiles to purchase the flight and this was the only one they offered for my dates

 

[daver]

We have flown both and would MUCH RATHER fly out of Montreal. TR-RAUMA always allows too little time between flights. When we fly Hfx - T.O., they normally allow 1.5 hrs max between arrival and departure. Mtl. flights allow normally 1.75-2.5 hrs .... so if a flight is late or if there are baggage delays (hello T.O.) then you are faced with the RUN to customs.

 

[VIRsix]

A website that helped me when planning our trip to Orlando via Montreal was the airport wayfinder. I do not have enough posts to put the address here but google "airport wayfinder" and it should be the first site.

Select experience, Montreal is one of the listed airports. Then select US Trans-Border Information. It has videos!. Hope it helps you!

 

[crashbb]

Thanks for posting Disneymath

Your explanation makes sense

Yes, I normally do fly directly to Orlando, the reason I had to do the connection in Montreal was because I had used Airmiles to purchase the flight and this was the only one they offered for my dates

If I have to make a connecting flight, I generally prefer to connect through a US city for just this reason. When you connect in Canada, you have to get your baggage and go through customs/immigration and security in both direction (though, technically, we only go through pre-clearance for US customs/immigration in Canada). On the other hand, with a US connecting city, you pre-clear US customs/immigration in your home city and your luggage can be checked through to MCO (or wherever) and there is nothing to pick up in your connecting city and on the way home, you clear Canadian customs/immigration once you arrive in your home city, so your luggage can be checked through from MCO (or wherever) all the way home. Of course, if you need to change terminals, you may still have to go through security in the connecting city.

 

[SplashMom]

Hey Dennise. We are going April 29-May 10 and we haven't yet decided which resort to book. We have been to Tampa a few times and it is an easy drive--you will be fine. How lucky to go twice in one year! I would love to go in the fall but my work schedule doesn't allow for it. I do love April/May as well. Let's hope the winter goes quickly!!

 

[MikeyNS]

LOVE Montreal compared to Toronto. A lot less hectic in both directions. Never have had a problem and will always book through Montreal if we can't go direct.

 

[xipetotec]

We always fly out ( and back into ) of Montreal and have never had a problem.

 

[ericsgm]

I am frankly a little nervous about our upcoming flight thru Trudeau. No historical problems, have been there before but never with so little time to spare. With good luck and a tailwind, we will arrive in Mtl from Halifax 7:04 am, and have about 85 minutes before our flight leaves for Orlando. Now, 85 min. is plenty, provided there are no delays from Hfx, and assuming the customs line moves quickly and everyone moves briskly with their own baggage. However, our party of 10 runs from 3 to 89 yrs of age, and the logistics start to get challenging!

"Pack LIGHT" has become our mantra but with 3 car seats in tow, 3little people and a slower-mover or 2, 85 min is not such a lot of time. When we originally booked, our stopover was over 2 hrs, but our YHZ plane has been changed, resulting in longer flying time.

Any tips would be appreciated! Oh yes, and if you can do a little something about the weather that day, we'd be very grateful.

 

[MikeyNS]

I am frankly a little nervous about our upcoming flight thru Trudeau. No historical problems, have been there before but never with so little time to spare. With good luck and a tailwind, we will arrive in Mtl from Halifax 7:04 am, and have about 85 minutes before our flight leaves for Orlando. Now, 85 min. is plenty, provided there are no delays from Hfx, and assuming the customs line moves quickly and everyone moves briskly with their own baggage. However, our party of 10 runs from 3 to 89 yrs of age, and the logistics start to get challenging!

"Pack LIGHT" has become our mantra but with 3 car seats in tow, 3little people and a slower-mover or 2, 85 min is not such a lot of time. When we originally booked, our stopover was over 2 hrs, but our YHZ plane has been changed, resulting in longer flying time.

Any tips would be appreciated! Oh yes, and if you can do a little something about the weather that day, we'd be very grateful.

Last year through Montreal the customs line had a special "connecting passengers" line so you didn't have to wait in the general queue. Took us MAYBE 10 minutes to get through customs. You'll have plenty of time!

 

[ericsgm]

Thanks, Mikey!

That's good news indeed. We certainly get plenty of warning about arriving early, and to have a line for connecting flights is a great service. Us connecters are at the mercy of our previous flight!

 

[dennise]

A line for connecting passengers is great news. I have been through this airport before, but with longer time between flights. I think we have about 85 min as well.

 

[dmbtransport]

Thanks for suggestions.

 

[Gigi22]

DH and I have made Trudeau airport our airport of choice when flying to Florida. Leaving from To. (our only other non-stop flight option) is too traumatic and stressful to bear considering. Trudeau, while not as small as it once was, is a good size to get around. I particularly like the colour-coded directional lines on the floor that lead to the exits and transportation for arriving passengers. Also, the fixed price cab fare to downtown.