URGENT Only 1hr layover between POE and final destination!

[aparna.bhardwaj]

Hello people,
I think Im gonna learn from all the little mistakes. I booked a flight without taking into account the immigration process time at the POE(Montreal). I just have an hour's time after landing in Montreal and boarding for Calgary. I would like honest opinions if this last part of journey seems feasible!
I have a strong feeling that I will miss the connecting flight.
Anyone aware of the Immigration time at Montreal?

 

[koolbnda]

Hello people,
I think Im gonna learn from all the little mistakes. I booked a flight without taking into account the immigration process time at the POE(Montreal). I just have an hour's time after landing in Montreal and boarding for Calgary. I would like honest opinions if this last part of journey seems feasible!
I have a strong feeling that I will miss the connecting flight.
Anyone aware of the Immigration time at Montreal?

Its very tight call. You may or may not be. If your are ahead in a queue then it may be possible but don't take chance. Book next flight from montreal to Calgary that would not be much costlier.

 

[aparna.bhardwaj]

Its very tight call. You may or may not be. If your are ahead in a queue then it may be possible but don't take chance. Book next flight from montreal to Calgary that would not be much costlier.

Phew!! I guess this would be my only option left but if I am able to hear something regarding a faster immigration process at POE, I'll take the risk!! :-(

 

[scylla]

I agree that's pretty tight - especially since you will have to pick up all of your checked luggage and then re-check it before boarding your flight to Calgary. You'll also have to pass through security all over again.

I transitted through Montreal two weeks ago coming home from Europe and it took me a full hour between getting off the plane and boarding my next flight (security was slow). And keep in mind that I am Canadian and didn't have to go through the additional process you're going to have to go through of having a study permit issued.

You should take the next flight to Calgary and give yourself more time on the ground in Montreal.

 

[luneves]

If it's the same company and if they have a booth at the airport, you could ask them to change your flight if it's not too late. I had a similar problem with Air Canada. My flight landed at the Toronto international airport and the connection to Montreal was at Billy Bishops (different airport), I went to their booth and talked to the lady, she was very helpful and put me on the next flight to Montreal

 

[aparna.bhardwaj]

If it's the same company and if they have a booth at the airport, you could ask them to change your flight if it's not too late. I had a similar problem with Air Canada. My flight landed at the Toronto international airport and the connection to Montreal was at Billy Bishops (different airport), I went to their booth and talked to the lady, she was very helpful and put me on the next flight to Montreal

@ Luneves,
My flight is Air Canada too but I booked through Lufthansa. From BOM to Frankfurt I'll be in it and then Air Canada. I land and take off from the same airport in Montreal.By asking them to book if its not too late do you mean even before departing from Indi? Unless they dont see that I have actually missed it, they wont change my itinerary. Ill still call up Lufthansa and ask.

I agree that's pretty tight - especially since you will have to pick up all of your checked luggage and then re-check it before boarding your flight to Calgary. You'll also have to pass through security all over again.

I transitted through Montreal two weeks ago coming home from Europe and it took me a full hour between getting off the plane and boarding my next flight (security was slow). And keep in mind that I am Canadian and didn't have to go through the additional process you're going to have to go through of having a study permit issued.

You should take the next flight to Calgary and give yourself more time on the ground in Montreal.

@ Scylla,
This info is quite useful!! I am curious to know if your one hour included collecting your checked in luggage too. I will ask if for me itll be released in Calgary because in that case I'll save that much time. If not, then probably another flight after 3-4 hours!!

 

[Josh21]

I've landed in Montreal about 4 times since I go to school there. I have never left the airport before one hour. It will take ever longer if your study permit has to be issued since they will call you aside and do it there.

If you land at some sort of peak time, the line to reach the customs officer alone will take you 20 minutes.

If you declare anything on the customs form like food etc or they choose to check your luggage randomly, then you're screwed as well.

 

[mead]

I recently landed in montreal and it was afternoon and got lucky was out in less than 45 min its going to be tight for u since u have to get a study permit too. But if u miss ur flight go to the airline counter they will most probably put u on the next flight......just hope that next flight is not the next day. If its next day enjoy montreal its a nice city.

 

[aparna.bhardwaj]

I've landed in Montreal about 4 times since I go to school there. I have never left the airport before one hour. It will take ever longer if your study permit has to be issued since they will call you aside and do it there.

If you land at some sort of peak time, the line to reach the customs officer alone will take you 20 minutes.

If you declare anything on the customs form like food etc or they choose to check your luggage randomly, then you're screwed as well.

As far as the luggage checking goes in case I declared anything for customs, it's only done for cabin baggage I suppose and check-in luggage is anyway scanned. What I am hoping is, since it's a connecting flight, they expedite the process for me!!

I recently landed in montreal and it was afternoon and got lucky was out in less than 45 min its going to be tight for u since u have to get a study permit too. But if u miss ur flight go to the airline counter they will most probably put u on the next flight......just hope that next flight is not the next day. If its next day enjoy montreal its a nice city.

I will land at 12:25. Well I hope the airline is friendly and puts me in the next connecting flight. Yea, in the worst case I am ready to enjoy Montreal! But, I am not too comfortable booking an alternative flight now because local flights have no free second baggage allowance. Another expense on that!!

 

[scylla]

@ Scylla,
This info is quite useful!! I am curious to know if your one hour included collecting your checked in luggage too. I will ask if for me itll be released in Calgary because in that case I'll save that much time. If not, then probably another flight after 3-4 hours!!

Yes - this includes picking up my luggage.

You do not have the option of asking for your luggage to be released in Calgary. As part of your entry into Canada in Montreal, it is mandatory that you pick up your luggage and then re-check it. This is mandatory for all passengers on international flights. It will be impossible for you to skip this step so don't even bother asking.

 

[aparna.bhardwaj]

Yes - this includes picking up my luggage.

You do not have the option of asking for your luggage to be released in Calgary. As part of your entry into Canada in Montreal, it is mandatory that you pick up your luggage and then re-check it. This is mandatory for all passengers on international flights. It will be impossible for you to skip this step so don't even bother asking.

No, by asking I meant from where I will be collecting it, Montreal or Calgary! It's surprising that Lufthansa gave me different answers every time I asked them. Yes, Montreal it is!!
Thanks a ton for replying.

Btw, the issue is sorted now! Lufthansa has been a great help, they adjusted my itinerary charging a fee of 122 CAD $(rebooking fee+tax difference), which is good enough especially if I were to purchase another ticket(no less than 350 CAD). So, now a 6 hours layover after I land and no run-run situation for me!! :
Rightly said, one learns from the experience!!