YYZ is definitely the most difficult airport to navigate where I have been, with the buses sometimes stopping twice for 20 minutes on the jetway it can take 45 minutes between terminals :td:

Why I still connect at YYZ? Guiness on tap at the MLL :D

I connect thru YYZ all the time (just because I live there doesn't mean I don't connect there) and although I agree connecting there sucks crap, I agree with SH in saying that "connection procedures" are well communicated, starting from the time you land (or prior to landing) at YYZ with the IC explaining these procedures.

My biggest headaches on navigating throught the airport has been at JFK, YYZ is paradise in comparisons with that regard. :)

Parnel: I invite you to VCE- let me tell you about a typical day there:
-Parking for frequent fliers is in a reserved lot 45 metres from the terminal
-You can check in for your flight in the lounge- which is far nicer than any MLL
-You have your own reserved security clearance with no line
-There are daily non-stop direct flights to New York, Philadelphia, Shanghai, and of course all the European centres
-92% of the flights are on-time
-Passport control is located directly before the gates- again, no queue
-Shopping includes Zegna, Prada, Gucci, and other mainline italian brands with street pricing
So...compare that to YYZ. No discussion. Period.

Lets talk about a real airport in a larger city like Roma and Milano and get apples to apples comparisions.

I cannot talk about transiting in FCO because that's always my end-station; however, in FCO:

1) gates are definitely faster to reach, even if you leave from the international satellite terminal;
2) shopping much more extensive;
3) passport control faster;
4) international luggage delivery faster;
5) check-in for many flights can also be done in the lounge;
6) direct trains every 20 minutes to downtown;
7) you can stop in front of the terminal for 5-10-15 minutes without being towed or ticketed;
8) you don't have to get naked at security;
9) small carts after security to bring carry-ons.

FCO : 28 MM passengers / year
"Airport taxes (security, luggage,improv)" Domestic : 12,64 Inter : 11,49
CAD20,72 Inter : 18,85
YYZ : 26 MM passengers / year
"Airport taxes (security, luggage,improv)" Domestic : 22,67 Inter : 32,00
(NAVCAN not included of course)

Avoiding T1 at all costs
 

As a YXU located FFer I used to connect in YYZ. Once T1 opened I now drive to YYZ to avoid the connection. I have a walking problem and YYZ must have the fewest moving sidewalks of any major airport I have seen.

Can't see it getting much better as it gets larger. :(

This is part of the National Embarrassment that is YYZ. If you have checked bags you have to go out into the Terminal, walk 100 yards to have your boarding passes and tags inspected (there's a line-up), then you have to walk the entire length of the Terminal to the 'flashing red light'.

I don't know what time of day you 'enjoyed' this but in the later evening the washrooms in T2 are filthy no matter whether in the Customs hall or out in the Terminal....

I then, after the usual nonsense that CATSA in YYZ perpetuates upon people in the one :rolleyes: x-ray screening device they have at the doorway to the Special AC bus, had to wait for nearly 20 minutes (actually 18) for the bus to come and then meander to T1.

Needless to say, I wasn't able to access the MLL and with the YEG departure gate at the end of the Terminal it was a brisk walk and boarding commenced just as I arrived.

I'd hate to be elderly or non-English/French speaking....like AC and YYZ care.

We're not! We're talking about YYZ.... :td:

Wasn't there a discussion a while ago that GTAA was considering organizing a pax forum to receive feedback on the airport?

Did I dream this...as wishful thinking? :)

In any case there is enough material here for them to ponder...;)

Unclear signage is inexcusable, however, this is not a simple expansion or addition but a unique rebuild within the footprint of the current airport.

Last summer, while travelling with my 4 month old baby, I had the "pleasure" of transiting through MIL and flying out from FCO. At both airports, I was stuck in HORRIFIC security lines --- the word lines is not appropriate---mobs is better--- where everyone was wedged into too small a place for more than an hour, with terrible air flow. I honestly thought that some of the older passengers would pass out. They were two of the worse airport experiences of my life....I've been to far too many developing country airports which were much better.

In spite of all this, I continue to visit Italy but will likely avoide transiting through an Italian airport if at all possible. I hope the Turin airport is a much better experience.

Having said that, I've never had problems in YYZ, but that's 'cos I seem to stick to infield terminal and/or T2.

Lorna

It's always fun hearing all the compaints about YYZ. When you are the biggest and get all the flights this is inevitably going to happen.

However, there are some constructions issues we have to deal with over the next couple of years and we have been dealing with them over the last several as well and have survived for the most part. Yes, connecting is a pain since you have to take a bus between the different AC terminals. This is going to change in 2007 for the infield from what I understand so be patient as the finished product is going to make life easier.

For those who can't navigate signs or listen to instructions I have no sympathy. I have connected in YYZ numerous times and have never had any problem. But, then again, I a pay attention and listen when I don't know where I am going. Maybe all the people who are getting lost and ending up in the wrong areas should do a little more listening and a little less *****ing and they might end up at the right gate.

I guess the FT's that hail from YYZ are just a little smarter than the others! ;)

I am sorry you had a bad experience, personally I have never waited more than 5-10 minutes to clear security. I have seen very long lines at Delta and El AL in FCO, but that's because they don't use the same security lines from Aeroporti di Roma. Air flow is acceptable normally, but during the summer we have strong heat waves that even at my hospital it is difficult to do anything. I never had big problems at YYZ either, it's just things are not optimals at all, considering all the investments and the possibilities they had to make things better.

About TRN : I lived there for 2 years and at the time the airport was SO small, about the size of YQB. I hope they have improved things.

I suspect the aiport authority (GTAA) knows something's up as I saw a young lady doing surveys on one of the inter-terminal buses a couple of weeks ago.

It's unconscionable that some simple signage isn't provided to make this whole inter-terminal thing more seamless.

For example, I can't understand why there isn't a little freestanding sign at the top of escalator coming up from Arrivals at the US end of T2 to tell you to make a U-turn to find the inter-terminal shuttle bus stop.

Another great source of confusion is the whole thing where you DON'T have to pick up your bags if you're connecting from a US flight to an International. Why can't they put some signs up about this in the baggage hall???

Now, for all the clumsiness of the current system, if you know what your doing (and you have a CANPASS), you can easily connect to a flight in T1 from T2 in 20 min. - security lineups notwithstanding. So kinda ironically, for FF'ers, it isn't such a bad system - sadly, we are the minority.