Hour and Ten Minutes YYZ to Transfer
Jan 5, 2012, 2:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
Hour and Ten Minutes YYZ to Transfer
I have been sent a change of itinerary from Aeroplan to travel through Toronto that provides 70 minutes to land, get luggage, go through US customs, and board our new flight. Any chance I can do this connection with a wife and two kids in tow?
Even if I do not check any luggage (tough on an 11 day vacation), can I expect to make this connection?
My flights are YSJ - YYZ - LAX
Thanks in advance.
Even if I do not check any luggage (tough on an 11 day vacation), can I expect to make this connection?
My flights are YSJ - YYZ - LAX
Thanks in advance.
Jan 5, 2012, 2:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE 1MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 917
not impossible, but very dependent on time of day and luggage... I've waited close to 70 minutes for bags on a bad day before... 
NEXUS helps if you have it, as would time of departure - early morning or late afternoon (especially Thurs/Fri) can be painful.
I would be confident with NEXUS and no bags, but a lot of variables (weather not withstanding).
NEXUS helps if you have it, as would time of departure - early morning or late afternoon (especially Thurs/Fri) can be painful.
I would be confident with NEXUS and no bags, but a lot of variables (weather not withstanding).
Jan 5, 2012, 3:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,400
not impossible, but very dependent on time of day and luggage... I've waited close to 70 minutes for bags on a bad day before...
NEXUS helps if you have it, as would time of departure - early morning or late afternoon (especially Thurs/Fri) can be painful.
I would be confident with NEXUS and no bags, but a lot of variables (weather not withstanding).
NEXUS helps if you have it, as would time of departure - early morning or late afternoon (especially Thurs/Fri) can be painful.
I would be confident with NEXUS and no bags, but a lot of variables (weather not withstanding).
Jan 5, 2012, 3:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*E, NEXUS
Posts: 25
I did YVR-YYZ-LGA a year or so ago.
I don't recall the exact amount of time I had for a connection. I remember it being around 60 minutes or so.
Baggage took forever (even with a priority tag). I got to my gate just as they were boarding.
I should also note that I have Nexus and therefore didn't have to deal with any lines or custom agents. If I did, chances are I would have missed my flight.
I'm thinking it would be tight and you're really hoping that everything goes smooth adn there are no delays through the process.
I don't recall the exact amount of time I had for a connection. I remember it being around 60 minutes or so.
Baggage took forever (even with a priority tag). I got to my gate just as they were boarding.
I should also note that I have Nexus and therefore didn't have to deal with any lines or custom agents. If I did, chances are I would have missed my flight.
I'm thinking it would be tight and you're really hoping that everything goes smooth adn there are no delays through the process.
Jan 5, 2012, 3:54 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,237
my last one was YEG-YYZ-MCO red eye so early morning went fast
before that YEG-YYZ-LGA, Bags were the longest but only 10-15 mins waiting for them, mid afternoon
bag pickup and transfer seems to always be the hold up for any transborder flight.
I find customs moves pretty good unless you get a lot of vacation charters as they tend to be in big groups. mid morning, mid afternoon seems to be lightest
before that YEG-YYZ-LGA, Bags were the longest but only 10-15 mins waiting for them, mid afternoon
bag pickup and transfer seems to always be the hold up for any transborder flight.
I find customs moves pretty good unless you get a lot of vacation charters as they tend to be in big groups. mid morning, mid afternoon seems to be lightest
Jan 5, 2012, 4:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: AC S100K
Posts: 978
Smile and ask for help at check-in and at customs.
Check-in agents can give you priority luggage tags if they like you.
Customs line wranglers are usually very sympathetic to families. A stroller has often had me ushered to the VIP queue.
Check-in agents can give you priority luggage tags if they like you.
Customs line wranglers are usually very sympathetic to families. A stroller has often had me ushered to the VIP queue.
Jan 5, 2012, 4:32 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
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I think that the YYZ TB MLL is better than the one in YUL/YYC though, so I would rebook just so I could have more time there.
Jan 5, 2012, 4:47 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 24
Luggage will kill you on this one, I did same at YYZ on Dec 23 with carry-ons only and it was very fast, connecting passengers have their own section at US customs and there was no line. Other side of customs (non-connecting) was way backed up.
Jan 5, 2012, 4:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,604
+1. I missed a connection by 5 minutes once because I had to recheck in luggage. Given the short connection (+ kids) and that Aeroplan sent you the notice, they should let you change your itinerary without fees.
Jan 5, 2012, 5:15 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: Hilton Gold Mariott Gold Aeroplan E25K SAS Gold NEXUS
Posts: 1,308
If you're on a through ticket you'll be fine because they'll put you on the next flight, assuming you're not on the last one of the day.
On the other hand you might want to call and make a longer connection. I hate rushing with the kids. It ruins things.
On the other hand you might want to call and make a longer connection. I hate rushing with the kids. It ruins things.
Jan 5, 2012, 5:56 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
Thanks for all the great replies. AE would not change the flight, I may try again in a couple days to see if I get a different answer.
Looks like no checked luggage may be the answer. Could be a tight fit for everyone though ...
Looks like no checked luggage may be the answer. Could be a tight fit for everyone though ...
Jan 5, 2012, 8:17 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: West
Posts: 3,357
11 days vacation, with kids, NO checked luggage? How is that possible?