Originally Posted by
Bohemian1
Well, you can follow the herd and do as
canadiancow sometimes does, and wait until you get the boarding text for your flight. That at least (in theory) means that the flight is boarding.
Not 100% foolproof, and still doesn't necessarily mean that you will depart on time though.
Not at all foolproof. My last trip, first leg I had no text so wandered down to the gate about T-20. There was nobody waiting in the gate area, and the outstation agent was nervously waiting for me (and a couple of other PAX). Then on the second leg, I did get the text. I slowly made my way down to the gate and it was easily another 20-30 minutes before anyone was boarded.
Staying on topic, that first leg departed on time and arrived early. (I had a similar early arrival about a week ago. Both international, one to YYZ and one from YYZ.)