Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth America

[RooFlyer]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Status on Air Canada is great. The highest level (ahem) is "Super Elite". (awarded if you travel 100,000 km or 100 segments, with some % needed on Air Canada metal). If that doesn't pump up one's tyres, nothing will.

Haven't been to the Maple Leaf Lounge in DC, but generally they are a step up from regular USA type lounges. As in - there is free booze and half decent nibbles (but heavy on the soup and salad). The MLL in Toronto is very good.

Air Canada I found a bit like Qantas - very variable in service delivery. You can get wonderful flights and some where you really regret being on.

 

[bass_ke]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Awesome TR Amaroo!

I'm getting some great ideas for an upcoming trip to the us!

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

AC7353 DCA-YYZ whY

Seats 20 A/C/D/F

Fully expecting to watch just about everyone board before us (no status) we took the opportunity to jump the queue and accept the call for families to board with the AC elite

As mentioned above I selected AC because of $$ and direct flight as opposed to transiting via JFK or ORD.....the other reason - it's an Embraer E-175 which means a 2-2 configuration in whY



Our ride to Toronto.



Very nice cabin for a short haul whY sector



Not too shabby



Excellent IFE



Love a moving map

Excellent flight - I would be more than happy to board another AC flight.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Quickly through I&C and we pack another Suburban SUV and start our winter wonderland drive to the Hotel. Very different conditions here compared to NYC and DC.....Toronto is white and bloody COLD!

Four Seasons Toronto - Deluxe One Bedroom Suite, B&B package









That's the kids bed



The view

This is a good option for a family of 4......the suite has two bathrooms

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

I trust you got up to speed with the local lingo:

'Toronto' is pronounced 'Traana'

Customary greeting is 'What about those Leafs, eh?' #



# Translation: "The local (ice) hockey team, the Traana Maple Leafs ALMOST won again!"

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Yes it is the same knee !!!!

but back on topic .... the upgrade fairy really smiled on you in DC ! - great Trip Report Amaroo

Very happy with the work of the Upgrade fairies. Many thanks to QF, PH DC and AA Getting 4 x OpUp from AA was icing on an already delicious cake!

So which did you use? Front or back?

As you can imagine the security around the place was highly visible and provided by the uniformed Secret Service branch......the only thing crossing that fence line was this little fellow....

Great TR so far . You have opened my eyes to alot more places I need to try when I next get back to the US .

Thank you gwilli1 TR's are a terrific resource - we are very lucky to have so many AFF members take the time to write them up! I'm a big fan of reading as many TR as I can manage......I've decided to contribute to the collection as a way of giving back to the AFF community.

Status on Air Canada is great. The highest level (ahem) is "Super Elite". (awarded if you travel 100,000 km or 100 segments, with some % needed on Air Canada metal). If that doesn't pump up one's tyres, nothing will.

Haven't been to the Maple Leaf Lounge in DC, but generally they are a step up from regular USA type lounges. As in - there is free booze and half decent nibbles (but heavy on the soup and salad). The MLL in Toronto is very good.

Air Canada I found a bit like Qantas - very variable in service delivery. You can get wonderful flights and some where you really regret being on.

Great stuff RooFlyer We were impressed with AC and look forward to boarding again....status would be nice however, thats a long bow for me

Awesome TR Amaroo!

I'm getting some great ideas for an upcoming trip to the us!

Cheers bass_ke looking forward to your TR updates.

I trust you got up to speed with the local lingo:

'Toronto' is pronounced 'Traana'

Customary greeting is 'What about those Leafs, eh?' #

# Translation: "The local (ice) hockey team, the Traana Maple Leafs ALMOST won again!"

hahaha we had more time in Montreal......they really like their Canadiens. I see they got hammered on the weekend!

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Two reasons why we ventured to Toronto - it was on the way to Montreal and we wanted to see Niagara Falls.

The night we arrived was the night the Polar Vortex started to hammer a huge chunk of the US and Canada 2014 North American cold wave - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The week before we arrived - Toronto was hit by an Ice Storm Toronto ice storm 2013: Photos show city looking like crime scene with taped-off downed branches | National Post

We were very lucky!!

Niagara Falls is 130km from Toronto. There are a few transport options to get to the falls however, given the wild weather, state of the roads and the total lack of experience driving in harsh winter conditions - we hired a car/driver to take us. The drive to the falls took just over 2 hours each way - with intermittent heavy snowfall.

Geez, it was cold! IIRC around -25C











I was surprised how close you can get to the edge.....standing right at the drop face is quite an experience!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

On our first trip to Niagara Falls ( many many moons ago) I was upset that we couldn't go on the 'Maid of the Mist' boat trip - that was until I actually SAW the falls and the huge chunks of ice going over !

Niagara Falls is spectacular any season.

You were very wise to hire a driver. Next Sunshine Coast AFF dinner ask drron about his experience driving on icy roads :shock:

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame



Kids and snow..



Funny story! When we arrived at the falls we were super excited and jumped out of the car and started walking. About 30mins later it dawn on me that I hadn't told/arranged with the driver our intention. We just jumped out of the car and took off - didn't have his phone number, I didn't have my phone or wallet (still in the car) and it was bloody cold, very windy, raining with bouts of snowing.

We made our way back to the spot where we jumped out......no car! Had no choice but to wait. I figured he was doing laps trying to find us....the photo above is the family all standing alone wondering how I could be that stupid!

5 mins later he pulled up.



The trip back to Toronto - plenty of sliding cars causing traffic delays.



Random shot taken while the girls were trying on clothes in a Roots store.



One for the Canadians amongst us. This stuff makes the best Caesar Caesar (coughtail) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clamato = Clam and Tomato Clamato - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

As short as our visit to Toronto was (2 nights) we had a ball - great city!

Via Rail Train 62, Toronto-Montreal, Business Class .....the trip is around 5hrs. We were dropped off a fair way from the main entrance - the Station is currently under some major renovation. The mud, ice, snow and builders cough was a nice introduction to Canadian train travel.

Approached the RedCap "heavily signed" counter and encountered a man that had clearly made a poor career choice! He mumbled two things 1) RedCap service has ceased to exist, and, 2) Your luggage looks overweight.

I thanked him for his time and kept walking. Worked out where we needed to be and saw a huge queue...joined it. Another Via Rail man approached and looked at the bags. Long story short - we were way over the limit. This guy was very helpful and delivered poor news without attitude Options - pay around $150 or have the bags travel 2hrs after us....we selected the payment option. He looked shocked and moved Heaven and Earth to get our bags on the train for naught!

He called for a colleague to come over. Unfortunately, it was Mr Cranky Pants we met earlier - no joy. He went and found another bloke, had a discussion and then the new guy instructed us to follow him....he walked us ahead of the queue to a seating area next to the escalators that take you up to the platform. We were told to wait and hop on the escalators when they started to run.

These guys were a credit to their organisation. Not because I got something for nothing....because they were polite, engaging and explained things without attitude. I was clearly over the luggage limit and at no-time pressured anyone for a freebie.




Our train



Nice seats



The cabin



The Galley



Tasty meal

This was a full service operation. Trolley service, pre-lunch drinks, lunch, more drinks, tea/coffee. Free Wifi.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

The scenery was stunning...



Lake Ontario and Lake-Effect Snow NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Monitoring & Understanding Our Changing Planet



The wall of white went the full length of Lake Ontario - at a guess about 3 hours of the trip. It was a sight I've never seen before.







We stopped at Kingston and the train split in two - we continued to Montreal.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

We stayed at Hotel Gault which is located in Old Montreal.

Suite Deluxe connecting to Loft Corner.....



Loft Corner - the kids room



View from the kids room

We headed out to explore Old Montreal - very cold!










We ate at DOLCETTO // bar à vin italien - vieux port montreal the meal was lovely and the place had a great vibe.

 

[LadyC]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Loving the TR - not just for the Four Seasons tips! I caught the train from Toronto to Halifax back in Jan 1997. A great way to see some beautiful countryside and experience lots of snow! I didn't make it to Montreal as it was just TOO cold! I imagine it is a very pretty city - another one for the ever expanding list!

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Just interested - what was the weight limit for baggage ... on a train?? I guess its to protect the backs of the guys who have to tote them. But is it less than airline limits (ie abt 30 kg/bag)?

Montreal? Ta-ber-nac!

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Just interested - what was the weight limit for baggage ... on a train?? I guess its to protect the backs of the guys who have to tote them. But is it less than airline limits (ie abt 30 kg/bag)?

Montreal? Ta-ber-nac!

Significantly less than airlines.....class of ticket has no bearing.

Amtrak - we used the RedCap porters and they handled the luggage without issue.....gave him a $20 tip.

Via Rail - we handled the luggage (apparently, Red Cap porters were let go last Sept).....luggage is stored at the front of the cabin you're sitting.

Amtrak staff didn't seem to care about any luggage rules!

1 article
Maximum
18 kg (40 lb)
158 linear cm (62 linear in.) (length + width + height)
(example of dimensions:
69 × 53.5 × 35.5 cm [ 27 × 21 × 14 in. ])


and

1 personal article
(e.g. laptop or small backpack)
Maximum
11.5 kg (25 lb)
43 × 15 × 33 cm (17 × 6 × 13 in.)

For this option, an article between 41 and 50 lb is allowed on board, but is subject to a surcharge of $20 (taxes included, per one-way trip) for excess weight. An article weighing more than 50 lb is not allowed on board.

Lol French Canadians or just the ones that come from Montreal?

 

[Katie]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

LAX-LAS AA1014 - Y

Exciting times at check-in. Watched Gwyneth Paltrow and her kids (and the whole BS paparazzi rubbish) enter the terminal as we were checking in. Eventually caught up with them in the TSA queue where she was pulled up for extra treatment

Processed, we were on our way to the AA lounge. For some strange and unknown reason the AA system saw my wife as an OWE (she is QF Gold) - we were given the white key to the AA Flagship lounge. It was absolutely empty.....the airport was busy but no one was in the lounge

Very strange - we were there around midday on a Friday......good opportunity to take some photos!


The lounge has a nice view

Gwyneth and family weren't in there?

 

[Katie]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Dinner was at a another favourite - Texas De Brazil Las Vegas | Texas de Brazil I don't like buffet/smorgasbord set ups and avoid them like the plague.......but I make an exception for this one.

This is a meat lovers paradise.....don't come here if a) you don't eat meat b) you're not hungry

Unique service style - they serve the 16 or so different types/cuts of meat by walking around with large skewers and very large knives.....they carve the meat at your table straight onto your plate.

Each person gets a round coaster...one side is red and the other is green. When you want meat have the green side face up....when you want a rest flip it over and have the red face up. When the servers see green - you will not be disappointed.


The salad bar offers 50+ items including a whole wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano that you shave yourself.

I had dinner with a former boss who is vegetarian at a Churrascaria (sp??) in Palo Alto last year. Shes aid they're great for vegos (she's not offended by meat being eaten around her), as the salad bars are so extensive.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Enjoying Montreal....



Lovely breakfast..



Norte-Dame Basilica of Montreal

 

[kevrosmith]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Great stuff RooFlyer We were impressed with AC and look forward to boarding again....status would be nice however, thats a long bow for me

You may be able to get a Status match on Turkisk Airlines still, which, from QF WP / OWE, would give you *A Gold. Details over on this thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....sion/turkish-airlines-status-match-39599.html It's a little bit old, but apparently people are still getting matched.

 

[Magpie10]

Re: Planes, Trains & Automobiles.......& Helicopter....& Airboat - A month in Nth Ame

Thanks amaroo you have provided so much useful info for future trips to USA and Canada, how did you cope with the cold?