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YYZ Transit on MR Question
I wasn't sure where on FT to post this, but thought this might be a good place.
An ORD-based friend is doing a MR to NRT to meet me for 24 hours in Tokyo in October. He bought a YYZ-ORD-NRT-ORD-YYZ RT fare and is planning to purchase a connecting flight ORD-YYZ to position (and then not take final connecting leg ORD-YYZ on the return). He can buy a ticket ORD-YYZ on the same flight that turns around and makes the first leg of the trip to NRT. "Transit" time in YYZ is 50 minutes. My question is -- is this a legal option? Assuming he has done online check-in for the YYZ-NRT trip, any reason he shouldn't be able to make this connection? If it looks like it would go south before leaving ORD (delayed flight), he should be able to make arrangements with AA to just start the trip at ORD instead. Or am I missing something? Advice welcome. |
I get what you are asking, and think he'd be cutting it to close. With that positioning flight being on another ticket he is one delay away from risking the whole MR - there is no guarantee that the same AC operates the return route to ORD (the start of his MR). I'd get to YYZ a little earlier just to be safe.
Also, there is lots of YYZ transit information here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/canada-462/ |
No way I'd want to transit 50 minutes at Pearson. In optimal conditions, you'd be landing just as pre-boarding was starting on the other flight. If you're a tiny bit delayed, that's one thing - but remember, you still have to clear customs.
If you were exceptionally lucky and had Nexus/Global entry, maybe. MAYBE. I don't think you need to do a full clearance with an international transfer (check the thread above) but it's still a long process at a big airport. Don't do it. |
Originally Posted by noah
(Post 25371212)
He can buy a ticket ORD-YYZ on the same flight that turns around and makes the first leg of the trip to NRT. "Transit" time in YYZ is 50 minutes.
There was a ex-YYZ fare deal last year and I did tons of those. It was a great learning experience regarding YYZ. Toronto Pearson "YYZ" Terminal 3 Connection Info Same Plane Connection – NOT POSSIBLE, all Pax must clear Canadian Immigration and Pre-Clear for US CBP at Toronto Pearson Terminal 3 Basic Process All Times given are suggested Brisk Walking speed, I take no responsibility should either immigrations want to put you in a holding cell 1) Get off at Gate A11-19 (Mainline), Gate A9 (Eagle) 2) Walk to Canadian Immigration “CBSA”, (Mainline Walk 7-10 Mins, Eagle Walk 5 Mins) 3) Canadian Immigration “CBSA”(Nexus 2 Mins, Non-Expedited 2-60 Mins) 4) Proceed through Canadian Immigration, through Baggage claim to Customs exit (4 mins) *Customs Officer will collect your declaration form here, if you’ve pissed off your Immigration Officer, you’ll get pulled over for a Secondary here 5) International Arrivals to US departure, go upstairs and all the way back down to the other end of the Terminal (5-7 Mins) 6) Check-In for your ex-YYZ American Flight if you haven’t done so upstream 7) US CBP (Nexus/Global Entry 2 mins, Non-Expedited 5 Mins - God Know's How Long) 8) Pass your US Customs officer your Declaration Form and drop off any check bag if required, walk to security (1-2 Mins) 9) Security, Priority AAccess Available (1-30 Mins) 10) The Admiral’s Club is to Your Right once passed Security Say Hello to Our Wonderful YYZ AAngels If you have Irrop, they can seriously save you’re a$$ Or Proceed To Gate (Eagle 3 Mins from Security, Mainline Gate A11 – A13 2-4 Minutes, Gate A14 – A19, 5 – 7 Mins) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...8-250ai-6.html read it. lots of info for YYZ. If you have Nexus card, you will save few mins and LOT of hassle. |
That's way too short
I've got good news and bad news for you.
First the bad news. You can't make it in 50 minutes. For US-US connections within Terminal 3 (what you're doing on AA ORD-YYZ-ORD) the MCT is 90 minutes. The (really) good news is that according to the wiki at: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...d-tickets.html When you're flying on 2 OneWorld tickets (including 2 AA tickets) you'll be protected as if you're flying on 1 ticket, so you can relax about a delay screwing up your whole itinerary. |
Originally Posted by BackSlash3
(Post 25374185)
When you're flying on 2 OneWorld tickets (including 2 AA tickets) you'll be protected as if you're flying on 1 ticket, so you can relax about a delay screwing up your whole itinerary.
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Another thing to note...most times when you have an international itinerary AA won't let you do OLCI, you must check in at the airport with an agent to confirm your passport/visa details. So AA at ORD could issue you all the boarding passes but then as noted, you'll have to clear both Canadian and American immigration/customs and without NEXUS for fast track Canada entry and GE or NEXUS for fast track US entry, 50-minutes won't cut it.
As for AA letting you drop the YYZ-ORD segment and board your ORD-NRT flight there, they'd supposedly have to reissue and recalculate the fare on the ticket. |
What would you consider safe for someone with global entry? Is two hours enough?
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No way. I've transited myself through YYZ twice recently on a similar type itinerary to get the cheap fare out of YYZ. You have to clear immigration, wait in a long security line and then customs. Even with a carry-on bag only you need an hour or more.
Global Entry doesn't get you anything in Canada. You can do it in 2. I did. But not 1. |
Originally Posted by dogloverjb
(Post 25376388)
No way. I've transited myself through YYZ twice recently on a similar type itinerary to get the cheap fare out of YYZ. You have to clear immigration, wait in a long security line and then customs. Even with a carry-on bag only you need an hour or more.
Global Entry doesn't get you anything in Canada. You can do it in 2. I did. But not 1. |
Thanks all for the feedback. If there were airside connections in Toronto it might have been possible but clearly it is completely impossible to clear immigration and customs twice, and security at least once, in 50 minutes. I'll tell him to spend the night instead.
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Originally Posted by ChicagoDave
(Post 25378022)
Thanks. I have a 2 hour turn with my only other option being an overnight in YYZ. Sounds like 2 hours "should" be enough, so I'll stick with my current plan. I hope the flight's not late.
Btw, I have done overnite stays in YYZ. It's not a bad idea if you want to explore the nightlife a bit. Easy shuttle to downtown and a friendly bar crowd. |
Originally Posted by carsnoceans
(Post 25378588)
GE will save time on pre-clearing US CBP. You only have to worry about CBSA. Two hours is fair amount of time.
Btw, I have done overnite stays in YYZ. It's not a bad idea if you want to explore the nightlife a bit. Easy shuttle to downtown and a friendly bar crowd. YYZ now has a rail link between it and the city centre. It runs from T1 (so you'd take the monorail from T3, get off and the Union/Pearson Express is just up the same platform) to the city centre (and would be three blocks from the club and restaurant district) in 25-minutes, runs every 20 minutes. Using the TTC express bus and subway is cheaper but takes about an hour from the airport to most city centre locations. If your connection at YYZ T1 was from the US to an international flight, the transfer is very easy, with just a quick check of your passport and boarding pass and then back into the international departures pier. Not quite as quick at T3 though. However, in both cases any checked bags would go right onto your international flight and need not be picked up at Canadian customs and rechecked. |
Originally Posted by Shareholder
(Post 25379123)
The real issue is how fast you an get through Canadian immigration/customs and unfortunately GE doesn't help here, just as noted, back through US CBP. Also, if you happen to be doing your flight to YYZ and it's on UA/AC and you're connecting to AA/DL, or vice versa, you'll also have to consider terminal changes.
Originally Posted by Shareholder
(Post 25379123)
YYZ now has a rail link between it and the city centre.
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Originally Posted by carsnoceans
(Post 25380073)
That's really cool! So, no need for the YYZ shuttle bus anymore? Hope it's cheaper and faster than the damn shuttle bus. It was pretty damn expensive IIRC. It makes YYZ trips lot more cost effective suddenly. :-) Completely asinine, if you ask me. But no one asked me. :P |
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