Would Like Advice For Flying Out Of Buf

[wee-haggis]

We have just booked (for the first time) a flight out of BUF.
1)Coming from TO area, best bridge to cross over (late afternoon)?
2)Suggested arrival time at airport (using SWA and staying overnight at close to airport hotel)?
3)Recommend having hotel print boarding passes?
4)If "A" group b/pass,recommend lining up?
5)If snowed in,would SWA attempt to automatically book you on next available?
Thanks

 

[dsneygirl]

1) We always cross at Ft Erie. The airport is easily marked off the highway
2) About 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time
3)You can now print them 24 hours in advance so do it before you leave home
4)I think you would have to do it yourself but I've never had them cancel a flight on me so I don't know.

 

[misslissa]

Hi there,

I fly frequently out of Buffalo and second the motion that Fort Erie/Peace Bridge is the way to go. Less travel time in the US.

Get there about an hour and a half before you have to leave, Buffalo isn't nearly as pricey for snacks as Pearson Airport

I would print out everything yourself!

I didn't understand your fourth question.


And, I haven't ever had the experience of a flight being cancelled or snowed up so I don't have any good advice for your final question!

Have a great time!

 

[wee-haggis]

Hi there,

I fly frequently out of Buffalo and second the motion that Fort Erie/Peace Bridge is the way to go. Less travel time in the US.

Get there about an hour and a half before you have to leave, Buffalo isn't nearly as pricey for snacks as Pearson Airport

I would print out everything yourself!

I didn't understand your fourth question.


And, I haven't ever had the experience of a flight being cancelled or snowed up so I don't have any good advice for your final question!

Have a great time!

Thanks!..
My 4th question was...If I had "A" boarding passes, does it make sense to stand in the A lineup ?....or ,with all the pre-boarding group (with kids) going on first,is it best just to sit and relax with a coffee while everyone else filters in from the A group.

 

[usetheforceluke]

1) Lewiston. Shortest between here and there.
2) 90 minutes.
3) SWA allows you to print passes 24 hours prior to departure. Do it at home before you leave. If not, get the hotel to print them. If not, do it at the airport.
4) Yes, unless you have some sort of physical disability (then you should be doing the pre-boarding). People will start lining up quite a bit before the boarding time anyways, and if you want a 'good choice' set of seats, it's worth standing for a bit at the front of the line... no different than lining up for an attraction. The longer the line, the less 'good choice' the seats become towards the end.
5) No, but I believe they'd make an effort to get you where you're going.

Jim.

 

[misslissa]

I don't mean to contradict someone here but definitely don't cross at Lewiston. It IS the closest border to Toronto but not easy to get through on the American side. You have to drive through lots of country, Niagara Falls, Grand Island... it just isn't a fun drive at all.

Staying on the QEW Fort Erie after you hit Niagara and then crossing right into the city of Buffalo will keep you on the best path. With decent speed limits. Less confusion. Quickest drive.

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

Staying on the QEW Fort Erie after you hit Niagara and then crossing right into the city of Buffalo will keep you on the best path. With decent speed limits. Less confusion. Quickest drive.

Like MissLissa said, don't even consider crossing anywhere but at the Peace Bridge. You avoid the awfully kept roads and the tolls. By crossing there you are 15-20 minutes to the airport. Besides, why wouldn't you want to stay on Canada highways as long as possible in the event of a breakdown.

JMHO,
CDN Prince Charming

 

[tricia]

I am seriously considering flying SWA out of Buffalo also. I don't quite understand everything though.

1. There are not seating assignments? If you travel with small children (I will be) do you get pre-boarding so the kids can sit with parents?

2. Do you get a boarding pass? Or is it only printed 24 hours before flight time?

3. If I book online, is there anything else I should know.

I've only ever travelled Air Canada before and am not sure what to expect.

 

[Rubbertops]

bump

 

[cdnmickeylover]

On Southwest you don't get seating assignments but rather get grouped A,B or C for boarding. There are pre-boards if you are traveling with a wheelchair or a child under 4.

You can checkin and print your boarding passes 24 hours before your flight. If you do this you are pretty much guaranteed an A boarding pass. You still have to checkin at the airport to check your bags though. At the gate there are lineups for A, B and C and the preboards. Once on the airplane you just pick your seat anywhere. It's actually really simple.

If you are going to book online download their DING software so that you'll be notified of the great deals. Also sign up for their Rapid Rewards.

We've flown twice now on Southwest with another trip coming in December and have found them to be really great.

Hope this helps.

 

[Polynesianfan]

Well timed out question....Flying out of Buffalo on Dec. 31st (my 40th b-day) for the 1st time and will take the advice about Ft. Erie. Great to know about the "A" boarding passes too.
As always, this board is a wealth of info !

FYI - Disney will be announcing a new deal in the next 2 weeks for Canadians...I recently attended an Orlando seminar in TO, and was "teased" by Disney CM's about it. Will let you all now as soon as I find out !

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Happy Birthday! We are going down in December to celebrate my 40th. 1965 was a great year.

Will it be a package deal???

 

[maryliz]

Hi Sandra ... I'm going to WDW in Dec to celebrate my 40th too! Cdnmickeylover is correct ... December 1965 was a great month/year !

Don't tell me there's a deal coming out ... I've finally accepted the fact that after DH's and my quick weekend in December, we're not going to WDW again for a while. I'm going 4 times this year, and my kids have been waayyy too often in their little lives! I think my bank account needs a break, but I have never been able to resist a good deal. We just got back on Sat night and I told the kids yesterday, no Disney in 2006. Maybe I just should refuse to read about the deal when it comes out.

MaryLiz

 

[Polynesianfan]

Happy Birthday! We are going down in December to celebrate my 40th. 1965 was a great year.

Will it be a package deal???

1. What are your birthdates, cdnmickeylover and maryliz? mine is Dec. 31st
2. Not sure what deal they are going to offer...they just said there was going to be a special offer/announcement.
3. when will you be down?

 

[cdnmickeylover]

1. Mine is the 7th which makes me the oldest. Big sigh but I'll blame that on my parents!
3. We will be at Pop from Dec 3rd til the 8th.

Shouldn't admit it but we are looking at going down Feb 2-7 too.

Only went 3 times in 2005 so want to start early for 2006!!

 

[Polynesianfan]

Only went 3 times in 2005 so want to start early for 2006!!

I thought I was bad ! I've only gone twice...3 times if you consider the Dec 31st trip this year. I'm also considering going in March !
Are you from Toronto, or Thornhill ?

 

[Scratch42]

Have not read the entire thread but as we just returned using SWA out of Buffalo, all I can say is..................

FANTASTIC!

It is so easy! Best to go thru Peace Bridge that way less tolls!

Can't say how they handle luggage as we only did carry on!

Two Thumbs Up!

Don' expect anything fancy! Bring your own snacks and drinks or even a meal! Bring stuff for the kids to do 'cause they don't show a movie or anything!

I would not hesitate to use them again! Especially having one of their DING fares!LOL

janet

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Are you from Toronto, or Thornhill ?

Toronto if I'm speaking to someone who's not from around the GTA but Thornhill to those who know where it is.

The 3 trips in 2005 was a fluke and mostly because of the great airfare from Southwest and having an AP. Couldn't resist the free dining plan offer either.

2006 will probably be twice (at least) since we have the cruise booked for October 2006 but more than twice and we'll see. Do have to work to pay for all these trips!

 

[Polynesianfan]

Toronto if I'm speaking to someone who's not from around the GTA but Thornhill to those who know where it is.

Just wondering if we went to high school together...I went to Newtonbrook at Yonge & Steeles...it's kinda the Thornhill/TO border ! I know people who went to Thornlea too...

 

[Polynesianfan]

I would not hesitate to use them again! Especially having one of their DING fares!LOL

janet

Ding is how we got our really cheap fares...thanks to tone.def for that tip !