Has anyone from southern Ontario flown on Southwest from Buffalo? In recent years I've been visiting my folks in Tampa less and less as the fares from YYZ keep rising.

I looked at Nov. 28 - Dec. 5:
AC: $495 return
WJ: $473 return
SW: $222 return

I used to be able to get a WJ return flight for about $330.

I know there is the hassle of the drive down to Buffalo, but I don't need to arrive as early as I do for YYZ security. The one concern I have is the boarding procedure for SW. Some of the reviews I've read make it seem like it's the most horrible thing ever.

Is it truly wretched, or just different?

The Southwest (WN) boarding procedure is generally more organized and less chaotic than flights on UA and DL, for example. For non-elites, the entire flight experience is typically better too. The one major thing to note is that for an early boarding position and best chance for decent seats, you want to do online-check in (OLCI) exactly 24 hours before your flight. You can also buy early check in, but I never have, and wouldn't unless you have schedule issues that prevent you from doing the OLCI.

Chris @ YYZDeals.com suggested $200-$250 of difference to be worthy of driving down to Buffalo

I'd say BUF in your case also, especially if there's > 1 person

It's a short flight, no worries on Southwest boarding even.
Like above said, OLCI at 24 hours to get at least group B (?)

November 28 ( thursdsy) is USA thanksgiving so it will be busy at the border crossing and at the airport if your flight is in the morning.

Wednesday is considered one of the busiest flying days of the year.

If you look at traveling on Tuesday night or Wednesday it will be likely more expensive.

If you have flexibility can you travel the following week?

The 5th return won't be as bad f an issue.

Buffalo is generally cheaper to fly out of than Toronto.

Is for how southwest operates.....it's different than other carriers in that it does not do assigned seatng.

It's best to do the prevheck extra fee of around $12.50 pp to assure yourself of a decent boarding group. The boarding group from check in determines who gets on first and who gets to choose seats.

Other airlines board back to front and others board window to aisle. In terms f crowd it isn't all that different when boardng. The big difference is if you are in group C you are looking at a middle seat.

I looked at the schedule...theadams 1-2 daily direct with no stops. Thursday November 28 the schedule is alot lighter because it's thanksgiving.

On thanksgiving the direct is just early am so you will likely need to drive down on Wednesday and the stay at a hotel.

What you want to avoid doing is booking a connection through MDW ( Chicago -midway). Do it through BWI. Shorter flight and less weather risks.

Looking now there isn't much cost difference in booking Wednesday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Tuesday. Book it now because fares will go up alot.

One thing with southwest...if you need to cancel or change it goes as credit. There isnt change fees and no rebooking fees-just have to pay the flight difference. As of now there isn't any check baggage fees like other airlines.

OP, have you looked at flying Allegient from Niagra Falls/Buffalo to St Petersburg, FL (PIE). It's just across the bay and is a smaller alternative airport to TPA. Depending on what day they actually fly the route, prices in Nov/December are as low as $80. Allegient also flies to Orlando - Stanford.

Just another thought, Sunwing also flies nonstop Toronto (YYZ) > PIE.

Allegiant is a good alternative - but by the time you pile on the fees, it would be hard to beat 220 R/T on WN, and would probably cost more if OP has bags to check. And their schedule (most places, 2 or 3x a week) doesn't always work either.

PIE is a great little airport - which becomes better if your final destination is south of TPA. Minor fender benders on the Frankenstein and/or issues at the Veterans Expwy/airport ramp can tie up traffic pretty badly at times.

Never have flown Allegient but their website tries to upsell you a hotel room, car, escort service, life insurance, etc.

You're right on about the HF! All the 275 construction isn't going to change by the time the OP comes down in the winter.