Canada to Newark, NJ
Holy crap, what a day! And it’s far from over.
First, my train from Windsor to Toronto stopped on the tracks because of problems with the signals and arrived 45 minutes late to Toronto! I knew this was a possibility but didn’t anticipate that long of a delay. I was expecting to get on a bus to get to the airport like gram & I took last year, however, the man sitting next to me mentioned the new UP tram, which got finished so quickly because Toronto held the Pan Am games this year. I did have a ticket for the tram that came with my train ticket and in about a half hour (this ride had a bit of delay for signal issues too) I arrived at the airport, so it’s now 1130 and my plane boards at 12, leaves at 1230.
I got told by two different employees that I would have to check my bag, I put up a fight and carried on to security with a warning, “they’re going to make you check it anyway.” At security I shoved my bag into one of the metal holders and it totally fits! I was in a hurry so that’s why there’s no photo. Anyway, I told the lady at the entrance to the security line and she let me through.. suck it other employees! Another lady letting people into the security area (managing the lines) was very nice and outgoing and so happy! Very positive and told us all to smile.
Started boarding a TINY ASS PLANE.. and clogged up the aisle because another man and myself couldn’t fit our luggage into the overhead bins. Those babies are small! I ended up shoving it halfway under the seat and the flight attendant put me on the opposite side of the plane in another empty window seat, she also put my backpack up in the overhead bin for me, she was so nice!
Because of the seat change I got to see Niagara Falls from the plane (no pics because phone was in bag, short flight) but I was on the wrong side to see NYC, although I did catch a glimpse of Lady Liberty from across the aisle.
When I got to Newark, NJ it was a shock. The Toronto airport is so nice and had ipads everywhere and free wifi. NOT the case here! I came in to terminal A, which I ended up finding out is the smallest of the 3 terminals. There was not much to eat or drink before leaving the security checkpoint and I hadn’t wanted to do that. I was SO hungry so I got a sub from Jersey Mike’s (since I’m in Jersey). That terminal was crazy! I paid like 12$ for a sandwich, chips, and a water.. and a slice of pizza from an Italian place across the way was over $5!!! THEN I looked up the airport and realized I needed to go to a different area. There was an awesome tram with great views and I got to terminal c really quickly! Terminal c is normal airport lol.. still no wifi unless you pay but it’s so much nicer and the security checkpoint is up front so you have free run of the airport after that (as you should!). I got a Starbucks Coffee which made me so happy and it was only a few cents more than at home, tax wasn’t much more than home also.
Then I fell asleep for an hour or two but got woken up by this crazy jersey boarding lady who was yelling at everyone to put their bags in the box to make sure they fit (and most of them did!) She’s got that attitude like you see on TV. It was nuts. In their defense they did announce ahead of time that the flight was full and they would have to end up checking people’s bags so if they wanted to check them in advance they could (i believe for no extra charge). Ad a consumer and customer, in our defense, several bags are marketed as carry ons even though they don’t follow the sizing guidelines of major airlines. I did my research and the Samsonite employee blatantly admitted to me the aforementioned fact. I then called the store directly about my luggage and was told that the online measurements DID include the wheels when they did NOT. Two flight attendants heard the commotion and came to stare, it was crazy! They said they’ve never seen such a thing.
This flying thing is crazy!
Just under two more hours until we start boarding for Edinburgh! The plane is huge so I shouldn’t get stuck checking my bag and I do have every intention of checking it on the way home.