A question regarding Documents checking during stopover

[krazy_kh]

I am planning on travelling from Saudi Arabia via Qatar or Etihad airways. Port of entry will most likely be Toronto and then onward to Winnipeg.

Travelling by Qatar/Etihad Airways will include a stopover in Doha/Abu Dhabi. However, some family members are advising against it and saying that I should get a direct flight via Saudi Arabian Airlines. They are saying that since this is the 1st time I am travelling to Canada, I shall be asked a lot of questions, will have all my documents checked (and be harassed by immigration in general) at Doha/Abu Dhabi airport before being allowed to board the flight to Canada. Some people are even saying that it's not just these 2 airlines but that I will be given an unusually hard time with any airline that includes a stopover on my way to Canada .

I shall be most obliged if anyone can share some info or their experiences regarding these fears. Thank you

oh and on a side note, if I have a connecting flight from Toronto, will I make the connection in 2 hours ?

 

[krazy_kh]

No one here has traveled to Canada via Qatar or Abu Dhabi ??

 

[Lammawitch]

If your documents are in order, I don't see a problem. I don't see any reason for "harassment"; it is totally normal for any airline to inspect/verify your documents/visa at any stopover point, & yes this might or might not happen anywhere.

Personally, in the interests of simplicity and ease of travelling, I always try to get the most direct flights I can.

2 hours at Toronto airport *might* be ok, or *might* be tight, depending on what day/what time of day you land.

 

[Quink]

All of your personal scenarios aside, I'd never leave less than 2 hours for a connecting flight when traveling internationally. Even if your documents are fine and you get waived through with minimal checking, you might take longer than 2 hours just to get through the lineup. Plan for more time to connect to your next flight.