Hello,
My daughter who is 23 has never previously travelled alone as an adult will be changing planes at the Pearson airport, heading to the Minneapolis Airport. She looks very young for her age, is from a small town and I’m worried. She said she’ll have two hours between flights and her connecting flight is at terminal 1. Does anyone have any advice?
Yes. Definitely have advice.
1) she will be fine - my kids travelled alone since they were 14. Only get lost once and landed up in Thailand (kidding!!!)
2) tell her NOT to be afraid to ask someone for help. Lots of AC and Airport staff around to direct her.
3) look for purple signs for connections to USA (not to follow signs for baggage claim as that is to exit and not connect). She will be going through US immigration in Toronto. It is easy and NOTHING to be stressed out about.
4) download the AC app it has a great visual connection guide (like pictures of signs to look for).
5) two hours is fine (assuming inbound from Halifax is on time).
This is all on ONE booking on Air Canada (not separate tickets) then it is all in terminal 1.
Depending on the time and day of the week airport can get busy. I only mention that if she is not great with crowds she should just be prepared.
The one thing I will repeat - she just needs to ask for help. AC staff. Airport staff. Or even other passengers. This is one time the “don’t talk to strangers” is not the right advice :)
Happy holidays
I completely agree with u/Dense-Serve-4201 that your daughter will be fine. Pearson is very well signed. It's hard to get lost, especially in Terminal 1. I've found people working at most airports (including Pearson) very helpful. She'll be fine.
I hope so ❤️
Thank you so much for all this advice! You have really helped set my mind at ease. I was ready to buy a ticket and fly with her but she really doesn’t want me to do that and it won’t help her grow in independence. It’s wonderful that your kids got that travel experience at such a young age. Thank you again 🙏🙏🙏
Good for her and good for you. She’s likely more ready for this than you are 😉
If anything doesn’t go according to plan, taking a breath and remembering that the industry is prepared for speed bumps is a huge step to getting back on the right track.
Never forget Kevin ended up in New York while his family ended up in Florida! 🤪
Ask her to download the AC app, she will have all the info on her flights - seats, plane type, airport and transfer maps, etc.
Also, print off her itinerary so it's easy for her vs navigating the app. In case she needs to ask a stranger for directions, better show the itinerary papers than your phone.
I flew to china when I was 17 with multiple connections, time cut the umbilical cord.
A 23 y.o should be able to figure out what to do…
In a perfect world, yes.
I have been travelling completely alone across the world ever since I was 19 and gone through big and bigger airports. Pearson T1 is one of the best and easiest terminals to go through. Your daughter will land from Halifax and follow the signs for US connections. Have your passport and boarding pass on hand. Any checked baggage should go through automatically - if not, instructions will be given at Halifax by the check-in agent. Doesn't hurt to ask. She will clear security and clear US customs and passport control while in Toronto. Proceed to gate and wait there, or go shopping (though I don't think she'll have that much time for the latter). And continue to board the plane!
She will land in MN as a domestic flight, so she will be able to retrieve checked baggage (if any) and walk out through the door.
Highly recommend downloading the Air Canada app for any flight changes, exceptions, delays, cancellations, and also for checked baggage tracking.
Make sure your daughter can explain the reason(s) why she is traveling to the US and proof of when she is returning to Canada. Not sure on her reason for travel — but have a hotel booking available or contact numbers for where she is staying.