Toronto Pearson Airport

Be prepared to wait for everything. I travel out of and back into Pearson T1 around 25 times a year and I cannot recall a time in recent memory where clearing US customs took less then 45 mins. The security screening process isn't too bad however its not as much a credit to Pearson as simply a by-product of the inefficient customs process before security. Once you have cleared that nightmare its generally not too bad an experience assuming you are traveling US Airways Air Canada or United however if you are one of the poor souls traveling Continental out of the 200 number gates then get those running shoes ready. From the end of the escalator at security to the 200 series gates is upwards of a 10-15 mins walk. Coming back into the airport from an international flight is terrible - the walk from your gate to the customs office could be upwards of 20 mins and once you get there there is no separate line for Canadian Citizens if a Jumbo Jet landed 5 mins before you - expect an hour wait. Even with the wait in CDN customs its still highly unlikely that your bags will have reached the carousal by the time you are done. T3 is a little better however the amenities are lacking. The one positive I can take away from Pearson is that the Air Canada Lounge in T1 is great aside from that generally unimpressive.

The wait for baggage was quite long as the carousel had 2 other internal flights baggage to get off first. Other carousels could have been used as they were free. Instead there was jostling for baggage which is something I hadn't experienced in Canada. Encountered an unhelpful convenience store clerk and looked in vain for a tourist information stand but the best I found was an information rack with maps. I reached downtown in around 90 mins by taking a TTC public bus and a subway. It is arduous but cheap but you need exact change. No complaints on departures as there was no queue at check-in or security.

Consistently bad experience flying in and out of this airport. Despite a beautiful building the staff don't seem to know how to run an effective organization. There are never enough security staff to make the screening process move quickly and efficiently ground staff work at a snails-pace. Almost every time the plane has to sit at the gate for 15-30 mins waiting for the jetway-bridge. Baggage handling is one of the worst I have experienced it takes on average 40-50 mins for baggage to come out. Customs hall in both T1 and T3 are painfully slow and always understaffed to handle the number of planes and passengers.

Arrived at YYZ Terminal 1 on US Airways Express from PHL. Truly shocking arrival experience - was able to walk from the gate pass through immigration bag claim (checked 1 bag) and customs in 14 mins. First time that I've arrived at T1 and it has taken less than 45 mins to do an international arrival. Surprised at the speed of baggage delivery - usually a slow process.

Clear signage easy customs procedure and modern terminal. However there are not a lot of facilities available for an airport it's size. Terminal is a little bland looking. Easy access around the airport to luggage claim area.

My flight out of Terminal 3 late at night the lack of amenities was shocking. All the shops were closed and even the bar closed at 11.00. There was one poor food counter open. The waiting areas reminded me of a bus station. It is astonishing a city the size of Toronto has no proper transport between the and city centre and airport.

I don't expect a friendly service from airport staff but expect at the very least professionalism. Customs officers are rude. I have to go through this airport at least 4 times a year and you are met with very long lines. Not a positive first impression for those visiting Canada.

The US Customs at Toronto Pearson Airport is ridiculous. Too many travelers and too few US customs agents. Plan to wait up to 2 hrs. While you wait you'll notice that most of the US Customs kiosks are empty. That's because the US government refuses to staff it properly. If the US refuses to staff their customs service properly get rid of it and we can check through customs in the US like every other country. Save money and time. Enough is enough.

Returning to Ohio through Toronto. Stood in line for US customers for over 2 hrs with hundreds of others we were moved to different lines with little apparent organization. No toilet facilities easily available. Half of the customs stations were not occupied. After spending about 30 seconds with a customs official we were passed on to security. The security check was reasonable for these days. Made a long run to our gate where thankfully the plane was being held. All together a very unpleasant experience.

Today at YYZ I waited in the customs line for over 1hr. It was out the door snaking around the departures terminal. More than half the customs counters were closed. When I arrived at the customs officer he took my fingerprints then said there was problem. The machine would not read my fingerprints. He gave a yellow card and told me to go to the secondary customs area. I waited for another hour and realized I was going to miss my flight. I complained until they finally agreed to review my case. The customs officer stamped my passport and I just made my flight. Had I not complained and refused to sit down I would have endured missing my flight and would have been forced through that customs line again. This is not the way passengers should be treated.