I'm never really sure where I am when I look out the window of an airplane, but what we're most likely seeing is the East shore of Lake St. Clair on April 1, 2015. And yes, there is still ice on the Great Lakes. People in Arizona have been asking.
I'm on a four hour flight from Phoenix on Air Canada, which will arrive in Toronto 1 pm. We departed at 6 am, and this made for a 3:45 am wake-up call. Six and four gives you 10, but there is a three hour time difference at this time of year, given Arizona does not move their clocks for daylight savings time.
Since we've taken to flying back and forth to Phoenix, this is my first return trip on Air Canada. I left on March 4, and there were flight delays due to absolutely horrible winter weather. Giving AC credit, I arrived in Phoenix on the same day I left Kingston, Ontario. As you can see by the picture, the trip home was sunny and bright.
Living on the U.S. border gives us the option of flying from Syracuse, and this is the way we typically go. Problem is, the two hour plus run down Hwy. 81 through the snow belt in winter weather. As it turned out, on this trip, getting to Syracuse was not going to happen due to winter weather, so the AC alternative right from Kingston was a lucky choice, even with delays getting out. And, it was all about good luck, because the flights were booked 90 days out.
What AC did right, with a weather delayed departure from Kingston was call us on the phone, and help with rescheduling. The call came late at night, and thankfully I heard the call and answered. Score one for Air Canada, they were on it.
On Customs clearances and times spent in lineups. If you are clearing through Toronto, pack some patience. There are new streamlining systems in place, but it does take a little getting used to. Don't arrive at the last minute, there are also security clearance lineups to get through. In scheduling your connecting flights, I say, to minimize stress, allow for two hours if you can between connecting flights in Toronto.
Speaking of reducing stress. Have you heard about WestJet's new Smart Seats? Have a look, there is a short video that explains it all.