h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

As a Canadian (albeit living in the US) I feel that I must come to the defence of Air Canada. Once you are actually in the air on an Air Canada jet the flying experience is usually quite pleasant. Air Canada hasn't (yet, anyway) cut back on in flight amenities the same way that most of the major American carriers have. I personally received an actual sandwich on a flight lasting less than 5 hours, a virtual miracle in this day and age.

Unfortunately, I cannot be as kind when considering the hell-hole that is Lester J. Pearson International Airport. While not a globe trotter in any sense of the term I have probably flown through 25 odd airports in North America and Gatwick in England and I can say that, without a doubt, Pearson is the WORST airport I have ever experienced. It is designed in typical Canadian government style; assess the needs of a building now, build it over 5-10 years and act all surprised when it is woefully inadequate to handle the needs of present day.

The US Customs que is a disaster; you have to haul all of your luggage by hand back and forth a cavernous room only to find that you were expected to fill out your customs declaration with the only flat surface (other than the floor) available for writing legibly located right at the entry to the customs booths so that if you actually try and fill out the form at the table you'll miss your turn in line.

To put it all into perspective, the airport in Kingston, Jamaica is MUCH MORE EFFICIENT than Toronto.

Summary: Air Canada = good, Toronto Airport = Hell on Earth