Chicago XV – Tiers and Dreams
More Toronto Airport Omnishambles The Long Wait, BA Toronto Lounge-
Contents:
- Tiers? And Dreams? Huh?
- Off to Heathrow, American Airlines FlAAgship Lounge
- American Airlines AA99 London – Chicago
- Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Back to O’Hare, AA AAdmrials Club
- American Airlines AA1380 Chicago to St Louis, St Louis AAdmirals Club, AA1685 St Louis to Dallas Fort Worth
- DFW and AAn CEO encounter…
- American Airlines AA1180 – Dallas Fort Worth to San Juan
- The Intercontinental San Juan and #Rucksackgate
- San Juan International Airport
- American Airlines AA1591 San Juan to Dallas Forth Worth
- More messing around DFW
- American Airlines AA1618 Dallas Fort Worth to St Louis International, A quick STL Stop, American Airlines AA1186 St Louis to Chicago
- The Hyatt Regency O’Hare with a Rucksack gate update
- One Time Exception: A Chicago Photographic Interlude
- O’Hare Take 3, AA AAdmirals Club
- AA3360 Chicago O’Hare to Toronto Pearson
- Toronto Airport Omnishambles – The Long Wait, BA Toronto Lounge THIS SECTION
- BA96 Toronto to London Heathrow featuring the British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Homeward bound
- The long and winding road
A Toronto Airport Omnishambles
The Photos: http://www.photoblog.com/kevincm/2013/11/07/transiting-toronto-airport-ba-galleries-lounge-toronto.html
With a quick-step, I made my way towards immigration… when I could find it. Apparently, the lights were out and so were the directions, so everyone was getting lost round a secure part of an airport. Wonderful.
This way…
Eventually, I reached the upper levels, and headed towards immigration and transit zone (which in T1 as it was designed by a drunk monkey) requires you to follow signs, drop luggage off and enter the Canada, then exit the country. MAD.
Pay attention to this sign. Collect all Items before exiting the secure zone. This is important in a moment.
I entered immigration and head to transit immigration. After short questioning, my passport and immigration form was stamped, and i was sent on my way to baggage claim.
Thankfully my rucksack came out quickly.
Then I waited for the ski bag. And waited… and waited. Baggage delivery was completed, and it seems my bag didn’t make it.
Impolite curses were left out.
Baggage tracing was conducted, with the last scan of it in Chicago… with the conclusion that American Airlines in their infinite wisdom decided to split my bags up, and send the ski bag on the next flight.
WONDERFUL.
This meant I was stuck in the arrivals zone, unable to clear drop off area, as all bags have to be claimed before leaving the secure zone. And an hour of my life that I wanted to spend in the lounge would be spent instead in the luggage pickup zone.
I took the opportunity to track the next flight, and wait.
And wait. And wait.
Eventually, the latter flight landed, and the baggage agent went behind to see it had arrived – and it did.
Reunited at last.
The bag had rush tags on it, and those were cleared off so the normal travel tags were visible and could be scanned again. With that, I was on my way again.
I cleared baggage drop off – and to my horror… the DSLR had decided to spout legs. A random check of my bags indicated it wasn’t there.
New swear words used.
I was advised to head to the information desk as they might be able to help… so that’s what I did. Lo and behold the camera was there, and I was asked to describe the contents of the memory card. With that done and some administration complete, the 6D was released to me… and I was on my way again.
Landside transit. Nothing like a joined up system here.
Up, up and away!
Thankfully, my knowledge of T1 was enough that I knew which way to go – and where to head. So I headed to the security lane, and was cleared quickly… and it was a quick march to the International Departures section.
Safely in the International section, I made a bee-line for the BA lounge.
British Airways Galleries Lounge
There was short wait to enter the lounge, and I let a few people through as they had simpler needs than me – as the lounge attendant had spotted my AA boarding passes.
Also plugging the 787…
The agent exemplifies what I find best about BA – she was concerning where my luggage was and if it was re-checked, ensured I had the best possible seat (an offer was made to move from my seat of 12A to 10J, with the pair of seats to myself – I accepted), and a full reprint of boarding passes on BA Stock .
Charming, and understanding – this agent was representing British Airways at its best. I was also offered a food voucher to enjoy the buffet dinner too.
Simple things, a caring attitude. I put myself through the Toronto pain for this reason.
I grabbed a glass of bubbles, and headed for food.
Bubbles!
Menu
Lounge ambiance
Sprits and such
The food in the lounge was nice and flavoursome, with help yourself stations. Always helpful. In addition, there were bottles of water on hand (which would be more useful than I could think later).
Meanwhile, our 787 was outside… waiting.
This was a relaxing environment after the joy of transiting the airport, and it showed with the staff being attentive and helping passengers as need be.
The lounge receptionist was engaging to those who were going on BA98 and BA96, making boarding and final boarding calls as needed, treating passengers as people.
When the call was made for flight BA96, I packed up my bags and headed for the plane home, thinking I’d be home soon.
I thanked the lounge attendant for her excellent service, and headed for the gate
Dare I say it? Yes. I’m going to say it. Is this the best British Airways outstation in North America? Quite probably.
Heading to the gate, boarding was in full swing. I headed through FastTrack, with my boarding pass scanned, and being directed aboard.
I was looking forward to some quality time aboard this plane. Little did I know HOW long I’d be aboard this plane…
Next: BA096… Umm. Who banged this luggage-loading machine against the plane?
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