Macdod
 

I'm considering booking a return flight from eastern Canada on July 9 (Monday) that lands in Toronto at 7:07 PM and our connection to the US would leave at 8:20 PM (both in Terminal 1). My concern is whether that leaves us enough time between the flights to make our connection. I use a wheelchair so I'll need assistance from airport staff so the other 2 people in my party can pick up our bags to clear US Customs. Does anyone have similar experience to know if this is feasible?

Are you able to move yourself through the airport? Or will you be relying on an airport chair? I'm also a wheelchair user (para) and I would say this is enough time to make the connection because you get to skip to the front of the line at customs. Make sure the other people in your party know to wait for you (you'll be last off the plane) so you can all go though the crew/ diplomat line together.

I don't know too much about using an airport wheelchair or how fast the staff are with pushing, but the service in Canadian airports is pretty excellent.

It's a bit tight, but with no delays you should be fine. With delays....you might not make it. I make one hour connections to the USA pretty often and while they can be a bit stressful, I haven't missed one yet!

Actually, re-reading your post, keep one person in your party with you to push your chair (if needed), and send the other to start collecting bags. You'll meet up anyways, and this way you won't have to rely on staff who may or may not feel the same sense of urgency as you.

Do you have to pick up your bags in YYZ to clear US customs, or are they transferred directly? If you have to pick them up, forget about making the connection. Baggage delivery routinely takes upwards of 40 minutes in YYZ.

If your originating in Canada you have to claim your bags before going through US customs. I would avoid that connection as an able bodied person who could run if needed. Main problem is baggage delivery, it can take forever.

You don't say where your heading in the US, but an 8:20PM flight maybe the last one of the night. Are you prepared to arrive a day late at your destination?

... does the thread title mean?:o