Greetings from The Bahamas! We spent Christmas in Toronto with my wife’s family. From there we needed to get to South Florida for a cruise I booked almost two years ago. I originally booked our flight back in March which had us departing on December 26 at 7 pm and spending the night in NYC before flying to Fort Lauderdale for two nights. I picked the 26th and that routing because it was relatively inexpensive, around 18,500 miles per person, plus Canada’s expensive departure tax (around $65 pp).
By booking so far in advance I had a good feeling the airline schedule would change which is a blessing when you book the cheapest ticket. Fortunately, American Airlines did change the schedule, and in the summer I received an email that the flight times changed. Because it was more than an hour, I was able to call and get put on a better flight, a nonstop from Toronto (YYZ) to Miami (MIA). Score!
However, when my wife found out we were now leaving even earlier (5 hours) she asked if I could find another flight for the following day because she wanted to spend more time with her family and not have to pack on Christmas Day. Like a good husband, I obliged. I ended up even finding a cheaper ticket a month later for 10,500 miles per person but we had to leave YYZ at 4:40 pm on the 27th and fly through Chicago (ORD) to get to West Palm Beach (PBI).
Not ideal but I made sure our layover was close to two hours so we had some wiggle room, which you always need but especially through ORD in the winter.
I ended up cancelling the original nonstop the day before since I used it as my backup flight (always book a backup with miles if you really need to be somewhere). I should write a tip about booking a backup for your backup because if our flight got cancelled we weren’t making the cruise. I checked everything and flights were either sold out or over a thousand dollars each.
The Toronto Pearson International Airport was packed. I haven’t seen it this packed in years. The unfriendly AA agent said it was nothing. But the line to check bags, after you check in with the airline you have to take your bag to these self-checking machines which is never fun. Fortunately, it moved quickly.
Same with security. Actually, the regular security line was shorter than the NEXUS line which I hadn’t seen before. But security does take a minute at YYZ as everyone has to put all of their belongings in trays including laptops and liquids.
What didn’t take long was customs and immigration. There were just a few people in both the Global Entry and regular immigration check lines and the government only had two agents working. Global Entry was quick since you just take a photo while walking up. You don’t need to show your passport or NEXUS card. And that’s it after the officer quickly checks your stuff on the monitor.
We went to the Admirals Club lounge which was packed. We couldn’t find a seat at first but eventually did. Had some food (rice and turkey meatballs) and a drink before walking to the gates which was a madhouse.
Our flight to ORD was delayed because of deicing (it was 21F out). Everyone around us and we were sweating a bit because we realized we were all cutting it close. Fortunately, flight time to Chicago was just 1:20 minutes in the air.
The flight attendants were really cool and so appreciative that we gave them chocolates they gave us a lovely note and a parting gift.
Thanks to the hour time change back and a 10-minute delay for our connection, we had an hour before the PBI flight departed. Which meant we had twenty minutes to stop in the Admirals Club in Chicago (by gate H6). This club is becoming a second home since we’ve been there so many times in the last two years.
We used the loo and had beef empanadas and rice with ginger. Before making our way to gate H14.
It was 41F degrees in Chicago so we didn’t need to deice. Flight time to Palm Beach was a quick 2:25 minutes and it really went by fast because my wife sat with my kids and I sat directly behind them. Fortunately, I was able to get us all seated together. The seats I wanted—the bulkhead—were initially blocked. I kept checking every few hours and had a seat alert set. Exactly 24 hours before departure, the seats opened up, and I pounced.
My wife gave me a pair of Belkin noise canceling earbuds which really make a difference. I connected to the in-flight WiFi and watched some live TV (football) for a few minutes then decided to watch a movie. I picked one I never heard of, Dear Santa with Jack Black. I didn’t finish it but it was a dark comedy.
I texted my sister Carol who lives in Delray Beach to let her know we just landed in Florida. She wrote back, “I’m at PBI right now picking up Amanda!” My niece.
What were the chances? We walked from our baggage claim (carousel 6) to Amanda’s carousel 2 (JetBlue). We found her on the curb waiting for Carol to pick her up. We went outside and surprised her and her boyfriend which was a hoot.
Carol pulled up a few minutes later and the kids were so happy to be reunited with their aunt.
Arrivals was packed with traffic. One thing is for sure, South Florida in the wintertime is a great place to spot license plates because there are so many rental cars. In just a few minutes my son spotted twenty different states including: Connecticut, Rhode Island and Alaska.
I’ll tell you about our great airport hotel tomorrow.
