Travelling with small kids at Pearson

[angelkk]

I guess we have to clear customs at Pearson (Terminal 3). Air Transat requires us to check-in at least 3-hours in advance (wow, that's 3:15pm for a 6:15pm flight).

What would you do after checked in? Go thru security and customs immediately? Shopping? Eat?

Conceptually speaking, I believe once we are thru security and customs, we are considered landed the US area. I would hope to bring some home-made food (e.g. pasta) and milk formula (and juice) for my little toddler to eat on board. Do you think it is possible?

I am asking becuase, I remembered a few years ago, I was on a bus tour to New York. I brought some fruit on the coach, and before crossing the border, the tour guide ask us to throw all fruit/meat etc away.

But you know, I am talking about a slightly different scenario - I just want some food for my child to eat on the flight, just in case he doesn't enjoy the Mr. Sub/Subway food

 

[tinkerbeth]

Hiya,

I *think* that you will go through customs when you arrive in Orlando. You should be able to take snacks on the plane in your carry-on; I've never had any problem with that.

There's a swiss chalet in the terminal we flew from last time which was reasonably priced (the same as non-airport ones) and we ate there which took up some time. Also, dh usually brings a small ball and we go to an empty gate and kick it around with ds which also helps to tire him out for the flight. We read a lot of books on the benches too.

Have fun!

Beth

 

[tmli]

You will go thru customs in Toronto. In my experience, it is always so packed that we had to get in line immediately for customs and security. There was one time that we almost missed the flight and we were at the airport the regular 3 hours prior. Bring something to occupy her while she is stuck in the line with you...you will also have your luggage with you for most of this journey. I assume you will also have a stroller. You are not supposed to bring fruit/meat products with you...I am sure if you are bringing what you have described you will fine.

 

[Scratch42]

You should be fine with what you intend to bring.

Yes bring something to keep the kiddies occupied! You will go thru customs at Pearson. Yes it will be a zoo at that time of the morning! Be Prepared! You will also be handling your own luggage until you get threw customs! Make sure you can handle it!

Bring with you whatever you may think that you will need for the kiddies 'cuase I don't think anything will be opened at that time. Plus you pay an arm and a leg for what they have!

Good Luck!

Safe Travels!

janet

 

[angelkk]

Thank you for everyone's input. Wow...I always thought that arriving airport 3 hours early is MORE than sufficient. What do they do in security and customs? Why it is taking so long? Do they check every single piece in your luggage, or it is because the queue is very long?

My flight is at 18:15 (I think). In this case, I will try arrive Airport (Terminal 3) before 2:45pm. I will bring some food for my kid, but I still need some time (say 20-30 min) to change diapers and buy some chicken nuggets (from restaurants besides the gate) before getting on the flight.

What is the normal procedure? I am assuming the following simple steps (pls correct me if I am wrong):

1). Check in at AirTransat Counter (request gate-delivery for baby-stroller)
2). Go straight to US Security (examine baggage, carry-on)
3). Drop off checked baggage
4). US customs (passport + citizenship card)
5). Boarding?

If it is too long in queue, I hope my kid can take a short nap (either on my arm, or in stroller), since he usually take 2 hours nap between 2-4pm.

I hope to feed him (infant forumla, bread/cracker) between 4 and 5, and some juice on board.

Final question (finally a question for me, not my kid): Any duty free shop after going thru customs? Or we won't have time for that at all?

 

[MaryannF]

Thank you for everyone's input. Wow...I always thought that arriving airport 3 hours early is MORE than sufficient. What do they do in security and customs? Why it is taking so long? Do they check every single piece in your luggage, or it is because the queue is very long?

My flight is at 18:15 (I think). In this case, I will try arrive Airport (Terminal 3) before 2:45pm. I will bring some food for my kid, but I still need some time (say 20-30 min) to change diapers and buy some chicken nuggets (from restaurants besides the gate) before getting on the flight.

What is the normal procedure? I am assuming the following simple steps (pls correct me if I am wrong):

1). Check in at AirTransat Counter (request gate-delivery for baby-stroller)
2). Go straight to US Security (examine baggage, carry-on)
3). Drop off checked baggage
4). US customs (passport + citizenship card)
5). Boarding?

If it is too long in queue, I hope my kid can take a short nap (either on my arm, or in stroller), since he usually take 2 hours nap between 2-4pm.

I hope to feed him (infant forumla, bread/cracker) between 4 and 5, and some juice on board.

Final question (finally a question for me, not my kid): Any duty free shop after going thru customs? Or we won't have time for that at all?

Your steps are out of order. Just went through terminal 3 on our way to WDW in Feb. We arrived 3 hours early and didn't feel that we were sitting around waiting for very long. Also the airline check-in staff told us that they couldn't check us in prior to 3 hours before flight time. We were about 10 minutes earlier than the 3 hours and they made us wait. No meat or fruit allowed.

1. Check in at AirTransat Counter (request gate-delivery for baby-stroller)They may ask for the exact address of where you are staying in U.S.
2. Follow signs and arrows on floor to Customs & Immigration area, dragging all checked and carry-on luggage with you. Your boarding pass will be checked by an officer before being allowed to enter this area. Before going through C&I check out Duty Free Shop. Fill out customs declaration form.
3. Go through C&I. The wait for this can sometimes be long. They try to keep it moving though. Show passport and other documents. Be prepared to give an exact address of where you will be staying. After speaking with the C&I agent hand in customs declaration form to another agent before depositing checked luggage.
4. Deposit checked luggage on conveyor belt.
5. Get in line for Security. This line can get very long depending on how many people set the alarms off causing a backlog while they are hand wanded. All purses, carry-ons, diaper bags, jackets, etc. go through the x-ray machine.
6. Proceed to boarding lounge. Wait for an announcement from Airline staff for pre-boarding of adults with small children.
I hope this helps.

 

[mbb]

MAryannF said...

Know the address - complete, zip code and phone number - of where you are staying...if it's not filled out on your form, they will ask.

We saw a number of passengers pulled aside for not:
a)having the information
b)incomplete information


...and on your way back through MCO - GET THERE EARLY!

We checked in 3 hours prior, and barely made the flight...just too many people, and not enough TSA screening agents....and wear easy on/off shoes - everyone has to remove them now

Good luck!

 

[angelkk]

Thanks MaryannF for the tips. I am glad to learn the steps such that I can be prepared. Not a easy job to travel with a 2-year-old and 2 elderly

Also thanks mbb for the suggestion. Our return flight is at 10:55pm, planning to arrive MCO before 7:00pm (first need to return rental car). I believe while returning to Canada, we will clear customs in Pearson upon arrival?

Can we go thru Customs & Immigration as a family (DH, myself, DS2, MIL, FIL)?

Another question about key locks. I got 2 "Travel Sentry Certified" key locks, wondering if I should lock the baggages first. If they will open my luggage in front of me, then I can lock them after they have fully examined.

1. Check in at AirTransat Counter (request gate-delivery for baby-stroller)They may ask for the exact address of where you are staying in U.S.
2. Follow signs and arrows on floor to Customs & Immigration area, dragging all checked and carry-on luggage with you. Your boarding pass will be checked by an officer before being allowed to enter this area. Before going through C&I check out Duty Free Shop. Fill out customs declaration form.
3. Go through C&I. The wait for this can sometimes be long. They try to keep it moving though. Show passport and other documents. Be prepared to give an exact address of where you will be staying. After speaking with the C&I agent hand in customs declaration form to another agent before depositing checked luggage.

Where do we get Declaration form? At Check-in counter? Thanks for the advice. I guess Passport + Canadian Citizenship card is good enough, since DS2, MIL, FIL does not have driver license.

4. Deposit checked luggage on conveyor belt.

I guess I can lock all my luggages at this point? The zippers of my baggage will easily go apart if it is not locked.

5. Get in line for Security. This line can get very long depending on how many people set the alarms off causing a backlog while they are hand wanded. All purses, carry-ons, diaper bags, jackets, etc. go through the x-ray machine.

I guess I will first report to the boarding gate, and pass the baby-stroller to them. If there is a food court after security, I will try to grab some food (dinner for DS2).

6. Proceed to boarding lounge. Wait for an announcement from Airline staff for pre-boarding of adults with small children.

I heard that since Air Transat is a charter flight, no pre-boarding available since 90% of family has small children let's see

 

[KerriMc]

Also a tip when going through the security. Send someone through the scanners ahead of you to get your stuff on the belt in case you set it off. As well send another adult ahead as your ds will have to walk through on his own. (They were very rude about this) My 18 mos old had to go through on her own last year The stroller has to go through the scanner folded up, so if he's sleeping, they may make you take him out? My stroller wouldn't fit, so they took it through the scanner and it set something off, so they were using the wand like crazy to see what I may have had hidden in there. Of course, we are trying frantically to grab our stuff (ie. purses, wallets) before someone else does and trying to chase my 18 mos old and contain my four year old who is totally curious about the whole process.
Man by the time you go through the whole shebang, I am pooped, I am sweaty and I am frustrated. I am just praying this year is better. Last year we were on a United flight run by Air Canada, so our seats got all screwed up! It was a nightmare. This year we are trying West Jet. Hopefully a better experience, or we will try Buffalo the next time!

Good luck ...
Kerrilee

p.s. I am packing cereal in those gladware bowls and I will buy us some milk at the airport. Then I will just add it and we have that plus some homemade muffins my mom will bring along. Plus some juice boxes. Last year we bought a container of Rice Krispies from the little store and it cost me more than a giant box ... so I am being cheap this year

 

[MaryannF]

Thanks MaryannF for the tips. I am glad to learn the steps such that I can be prepared. Not a easy job to travel with a 2-year-old and 2 elderly

Also thanks mbb for the suggestion. Our return flight is at 10:55pm, planning to arrive MCO before 7:00pm (first need to return rental car). I believe while returning to Canada, we will clear customs in Pearson upon arrival?

Can we go thru Customs & Immigration as a family (DH, myself, DS2, MIL, FIL)?

Another question about key locks. I got 2 "Travel Sentry Certified" key locks, wondering if I should lock the baggages first. If they will open my luggage in front of me, then I can lock them after they have fully examined.

Yes you clear customs in Toronto on the way back. You can go through C&I as a family travelling together. 1 declaration form for each address, so unless your in-laws live with you they will have to fill out their own.

Make sure you have everything you need out of your checked luggage and it is closed the way you choose to lock it as this is the last time you see it until you get to MCO. They will not open luggage in front of you and if they have to open your luggage they will cut off the lock if they are not able to open it. I use small zip ties to secure my luggage.

You get the declaration form at the check-in desk or there is an area outside of the Duty Free shop with forms, pens and tables where you can fill it out before going through C&I.

You have to go through the security checkpoint before getting to the boarding gate area. Everything you are taking on the plane goes through security, even the stroller.

There are some places to get food after security as well as a magazine/tuck shop.

There was a AirTransat flight boarding from the lounge next to ours when we flew in Feb. and they announced preboarding for children under 2 years.

Good luck.

 

[angelkk]

Thanks again to MaryannF and Kerrilee for the great advice!

I guess we will try to stay as a family (in-laws are living in same address) if possible, and have DH to go thru security first (such that he can grab DS2 if he has to walk thru the scanner alone).

 

[pxlbarrel]

Another question about key locks. I got 2 "Travel Sentry Certified" key locks, wondering if I should lock the baggages first. If they will open my luggage in front of me, then I can lock them after they have fully examined.

TSA is supposed to have a master key that can unlock those locks so you shouldn't have to be around if they choose to look inside your bags. They don't open every bag.

We locked our bags with those locks. Locked luggage is not usually a problem on the Canadian side. At MCO as we handed our luggage over to the TSA, I asked the guy whether or not the TSA certified locks were ok because if they weren't I could remove them. (All done with a big smile on my face.) He smiled back and said it was fine.

I also just travelled from NYC with the locks on and there was no problem.

That being said, one time on the way back from Los Angeles, I watched as the TSA guy was about to use bolt cutters on my certified lock because they had lost the master key. He stopped because he saw us watching and got the key from us. Keep the guarantee that comes with the lock. If TSA does cut it off, you're supposed to be able to get another lock or your money back from the lock company.