Connecting in YYZ

So not only is this my first time flying alone with the kids and no DH, it's the first time we haven't done a direct flight from the US. I'm sure it's not a big deal but my anxiety is in overdrive and I'm getting conflicting info from the Pearson airport connections website so can someone walk me through the process?

Ticket is YXU-YYZ-MCO. From what I understand Westjet will tag our bags through to Orlando when we check in in London. YXU to YYZ is easy, no issues there. So after we land we follow the purple signs to connections, get screened by US customs agents, go through security again and then to the gate. Does that sound right? So what about the bags? Pearson website says pick them up to bring through screening and then drop them off on the other side. Flyertalk says there will be a screen before customs and when our bags show on that screen we're good to go through. Which one is right?

Second question, we're getting a notarized travel letter since I'm taking the kids by myself. Do I need to take their long form birth certificates too or will we be fine with just passports and the consent letter?

Are you talking about your return flight back to London? I asked a similar question. I'm flying from Fredericton NB to Montreal to MCO. When returning we have to pick up our bags in Montreal and go through customs and drop the bags off again before we board the plane to go to Fredericton. Going TO MCO we only see our bags in Fredericton and then again in Orlando when we go through US customs. I'm not sure if that answers your question or not.

I would bring any and all info with you. I got stuck myself one time by the TSA at MCO for conflicting info on my boarding pass vs my Passport and they gave me hell. Bring everything you can!

rharper1496 said:

Second question, we're getting a notarized travel letter since I'm taking the kids by myself. Do I need to take their long form birth certificates too or will we be fine with just passports and the consent letter?

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I can't answer your first question, but for your second, I can give you my personal experience: my wife and I have never had any issues with traveling internationally with our kids without the other parent. We always have the non-traveling parent fill out the template letter from the Government of Canada website, but we have never got it notarized, nor have we ever been asked for the letter at the border, nor have we been asked for a long-form birth certificate. Only the passport. That said, I guess it's always better to be safe than sorry.

With regard to YYZ, it depends on what terminal you are in - WestJet is in Terminal 3 (you pick up your bags) and Air Canada is in Terminal 1 (bags go right through) ...best bet is to use the Pearson Connection Guide...https://www.torontopearson.com/Connecting.aspx##

Punch in your flight info and it tells you what to do. There is also TONS of signage in the Terminal and you can always ask a gate or security agent if you are unsure.

I've travelled twice to Disney with my daughter without my husband and I've never had our letter notarized, nor was I asked for it on either trip. I didn't pack her birth certificate, just her passport and that was fine as well.

I'm not sure how much help I am on the luggage question as I've had both situations happen. We always fly Westjet and I just ask when I drop off my luggage if/when I have to pick it up. It seems like when we travel through Vancouver to Orange County to go to DLR we never pick it up but I'm pretty sure going through Toronto to Orlando to WDW we did have to pick it up. If I'm ever unsure while travelling I just ask a Westjet agent either before takeoff or upon landing and they haven't steered me wrong yet. Have a great trip!