Many of my trips each year are between Seattle and New Hampshire. I can continue taking those trips as I have on AA from SEA-BOS, or, I can fly Vancouver to Montreal. The total trip time (door-to-door) is about 6 hours more (11 hours vs. 17 hours) each way and the cost is probably somewhat higher through Canada. If you had the choice which would you chose? Would you feel any safer on an all-Canada route?

Short and sweet answer: NO.

I am truly at a loss at why you'd consider such a thing.

Canadians are just as fearful that what happend to the US could happen to them. I was in Toronto with one of their major broadcast-related companies when the whole thing happened last Tuesday -- they were every bit as shocked and upset and scared as Americans.

Will they handle security better than the US? Is this less likely to happen on a Canadian plane than an American plane? There are no easy answers, but methinks: NO.

RAD

Yeah your right I can't imagine why I would consider such a thing either. I must be crazy. In fact I can't imagine why anyone would think about doing anything different. I am being sarcastic. Your response included two questions which are part of the reason I am considering this.

Will they handle security better than the US? Is this less likely to happen on a Canadian plane than an American plane?

I don't know the answer to these questions either but they are the primary reasons I am considering flying through Canada.

I don't think flying through Canada is such a crazy idea. Statistically, I'm sure you could make the case that there have been fewer terrorist attacks both on Canadian carriers and on international carriers traveling through Canada.

I don't know if Canadian security is any better than the U.S., nor do I doubt that Canadians are equally as horrified of Tuesday's events. The point is that the U.S. and all it's assets are and will probably continue to be the prime target for terrorism simply because of what we represent (capitalism, oppression, hegemony -- however the terrorists choose to label us).

That said, I will not be going out of my way to travel through Canada simply because I still think flying in the U.S. is incredibly safe, and will become even safer in the weeks and months ahead.

You could try routing through MEX, that could save you some time.

honestly, I also encourage to stick with the 'old' criteria: better service, connections etc...

Just a few comments from the Canadian side..

I believe we are all affected by everything that has happened. There will be changes inplemented, but things will always be in the back of people's minds.

Prior to the events of last week I believe that there was more secuity at Canadian airports. The main reason being that passengers were only allowed to the gates after clearing security. There are times I would get the handheld metal detector scan in Canada, but not in other airports, with the same items in my pockets. I have not flown since, so I cannot comment on how it is today.

Service wise, I think service was a little more competitive before AC swallowed up CP. It probably has gone down a since that time. A few years back, service was really good. The airlines up here seem to have newer planes I believe.

Cost wise, it would be higher. There are probably more taxes and Airport Improvement surcharges.

A couple advantages may be since there are less routes in Canada, the chances of having ontime flights should be better. Also, smaller airports can mean shorter time spent from parking lot, to check-in, to the gate. How about Canadian beer!


These are just a few pros and cons for flying through Canada

BigKing,
Your post rings true for me. I have cancelled my United Airlines tickets to Detroit from LHR and bought tickets on Air Canada instead.

Reason is simple: Air Canada will probably not be targeted by anti-American terrorists.

In my experience late last week, security at YVR was MUCH more stringent than at SFO.

But keep in mind, using Canada to go from one US point to another means crossing 2 borders for a one way trip. This will raise suspicons and you may be thoroughly interrogated in Canada as I was. Haven't made the return into the US yet--so I can't comment on that.

Nobbi

I have no problem with interogation. In my case I would by driving across the border on both ends and this may or may not raise further suspicions, I don't know. My main purpose in doing this would be to reduce the chances of becoming a target and while Canada is a western nation they have certainly avoided the focus of terrorists pretty well to date. If the security is better (federal rather than $8/hr security guard) that only makes it better.