What's going on at Toronto Pearson?
 

I haven't been keeping up with the renovations at Pearson, and didn't research this on FT, so I was in for quite a surprise today when I was connecting through YYZ.

My flight was delayed getting into YYZ, but my flight back to YVR was also delayed, so I thought I'd still make it. It turns out, my 80 minutes of connection time wasn't enough, and I missed my flight out.

No big deal. These things sometimes happen, right?

What I was really peeved about was that I was totally confused for a good hour of that 80 minutes. There are very few signs directing people, and the new terminals require you to walk very long distances (didn't see any moving sidewalks!). Also, I had no idea how to get from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1. At first I thought maybe I was just frustrated from the delays, but then I heard some American connecting passengers complaining to the GTA staff. That got me thinking maybe I'm not the only one who thinks the airport taxes have not be put to good uses...

Any other recent experiences?

American's complining, Surely not ;)

Only complaint I have heard from Americans is that there is no Krispy Kreme at Pearson :p

AC makes plenty of announcements about how to connect at YYZ so not sure how you missed these. Whenever I have arrived at T2, there are always AC staff directing people out of Immigration/Customs. There are moving sidewalks at T1 and lots of signage to get from one terminal to the next. What flight were you arriving on? And if you were confused, there are always agents in the upper Departures check-in area who can be asked if you got past the ones outside the I/C hall.

Avoid YYZ Canadians
 

Frayed_Yak If any advice comes from anyone in YYZ they have absolutely no idea what you aver to since they've never had to experience the disaster and National Embarrassment of connecting in YYZ.

Anyone who hasn't actually done it is in no position to pontificate. I've done it and it's as bad if not worse than described.

Don't worry Frayed_Yak, I agree with you, YYZ is actually a pretty poorly planned airport. Even more complicated airports like FRA and LHR are easier to navigate around.

What people fail to realize is that the new T-one is an ongoing project, and has just finished ONE phase of many. Of course there are going to be problems when you build and open a terminal that is not really complete. IMHO, I think it is amazing how they could build a completly new terminal in the same area as the others whil keeping traffic and the airplanes moving.

Of course -- but that still doesn't deny the fact that YYZ is not a very good airport.

If I may be allowed to pontificate for a moment even though I am from YYZ (or live here, anyway) -- YYZ is a horrible airport. Horribly designed. Horribly run. When one sees "new" airports in places like DEN and MUC and then go through this travesty of no services / monopolistic / bad queue management / etc. etc. "Taj Mahal", it's a crying shame.

MUC since T2 has opened is superb. When it just had T1 though the airport to me wasn't very good at all for a brand new facility. Hopefully YYZ will similiarly improve when it is finally completed.

There are signs in TI and T2 as to how to connect between these buildings - in terms of gate numbers - however, if a novice comes to Pearson Intl Airport, those signs do not display the terminal building (ie T1 or T2 or T3 or midfield terminal building) the gates belong to - so I can understand the basis of such confusion.

I was coming in from EWR on a CRJ.

I heard the announcements about connecting flights, but there was no mention of how to connect. All I remember hearing is, "Please check the monitors in the terminal, or ask our ground staff who would be happy to assist you." When I deplaned in T2, not many visible ground staff, no monitors, and no map.

I did end up asking the agents past the I/C hall. But the confusion started way before that...

Should I really be expected to have to ask for help? Isn't that the perogative of (good) signage?

The YYZ people just don't get it and never will. If you have to connect through YYZ, be prepared for the worst.

I agree with the others. It's bad enough to connect through YYZ when you know what you are supposed to do. I can't image how first time vistors unfamiliar with English or French manage to find their connecting flight. I realise there is an ongoing expansion project at the airport, but how much would it cost to put up some decent temporary signage? Perhaps they could sell some art if they are that short of cash.

I have little faith that the new airport, when finished, will be any better, but maybe I will be surprised. Right now, I avoid connecting in YYZ whenever possible.

Actually YYZ may be ugly and may have poor signage and be overheated etc but they basic layout is very good. The problems are mainly related to the phased construction. When AC's operations are all consolidated in the new T1 it will be very efficient.

The Ottawa Airport on the other hand, while being one of the nicest looking new air terminals in the country is one of worst designed.