I planned to be back to my hotel before 3pm to catch the Aerobus to Montreal Dorval Airport. As I wandered and lost track of time, I realized that I wasn't close to my hotel and only had under a half hour to get back, collect my luggage and catch the bus. To make sure I kept on schedule I caught a cab to take me the semi-short distance.
Upon arriving at my hotel I collected my luggage and actually caught a bus which was 20 minutes earlier than anticipated. I wanted to be sure I was at the airport early because in Canada you actually clear U.S. Immigrations and customs in Canada (be prepared to fill out all the paperwork).
Since I was carrying legal packaged food products I had to check the "carrying food" box on the customs form. This can result in an argriculture check to be sure I don't have a live chicken or banana in my bag. As I passed through customs the nasty guard grunted at me and stamped my slip without even looking. Shoot! I could have brought back some sausage and livestock because he didn't even look.
The gate area of Montreal airport io pretty nice and modern. Sort of makes the United terminal at Newark look like a train station. I am here almost 2 hours early so I have time to take advantage of Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge. If the Montreal Airport makes Newark Airport look like a train station, then Air Canada's lounge makes United's look like a refuge camp. Air Canada lounge is modern, bright and airy. There is complimentary wine, coffee, hard liquor and potato chips. I can't remember if I ever saw free hard liquor in one of United's Red Carpet Lounges. I'm having a Perrier anyway.
After a short wait in the lounge, we are a half hour away from our departure to the "Paris of the east". Next stop, Newark, New Jersey.
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There are other reasons to avoid the carrying of livestock besides legality. Animals can be really messy.
Posted by: eric | Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 06:10 PM