[NA-Discuss] Travel arrangements to SJ

[John L]

> Even when taking Air Canada ... transfers to/from its partners (ie, US
> Air, United) are fairly seamless, but connections with rivals
> (Continental, American, Delta) aren't always so smooth.

I fly out of Toronto all the time, most recently two days ago.*  For a 
transfer to the US where both planes are in Terminal 1, I would allow a 
minimum of 90 minutes unless you have a NEXUS card.  (If you don't know 
what it is, you don't have one.)  For transfers between T1 and T3, I'd add 
an extra half hour for the train.  I haven't been to the Ottawa airport in 
a while, but I'd allow 90 minutes there to preclear as well.

>From experience, I can assure you that travel agents in the US are 
uniformly clueless about anything outside the US, and have trouble 
imaginining that the situation outside the US is any different from the 
situation inside the US.  Now and then you run into an individual agent 
who knows about international travel, but they are rare gems, and even if 
you find one at a big agency like Amex, good like finding him or her the 
next time you call them.

By the way, did they mention the USDA baggage inspection at the San Juan 
airport?  It can take a while, too.

R's,
John

* - I'm in Dublin now.