Three Airport, Two Country Day

I made the decision to start this year's trip a bit early. The reasoning is three-fold:
1) Flying from St. John's to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with no time built in for delays or weather, is just asking for trouble.
2) I really like New York City.
3) Apparently Air Miles expire. Who knew? 

I have added in a couple of days on either side of my trip to prepare for the inevitable bullshit that comes with travelling from St. John's. Given that the main runway isn't fully opened and if there is a gust of wind stronger than a breeze they're still cancelling flights, I am very glad I did. I would rather be safe than sorry.

I think my camera was drunk, I have no idea.

Boarded the plane fine, despite the large amount of Bay Folk who have never left the bay ever. Ugh. These are the people who fly with carry on only because checking a bag is expensive (it is), their carry on is oversized, they put it in the overhead bins horizontally and then complain that there is no room in the bins! There is no room because you are idiots. Stop raging on the WestJet flight attendant.

Me? I checked my bag unexpectedly. I didn't think I could because I am a civilian with the CAF, but apparently all WestJet cares is that you work with them. Bonus!

The airplane pulled a U-turn on the runway, which was nifty.

I collected my bag quickly in Toronto and made my way to US customs.

The Toronto flight was a bit late in boarding. No big deal. Shit happens.
This one woman was losing her mind. She had plans in NYC, you see, time sensitive plans! And this wasn't fair!
The WestJet guest agent calmly replied that yelling at her wasn't gong to make the crew have the aircraft ready any sooner.

This is why I fly WestJet.

The US Passport Control is all automated now, which is quite strange. They even take a picture of you at the kiosk where you scan your passport. Here's the problem I have with that. You don't want to mess anything up so you're paying close attention to the screen and nothing else. It informs you that your picture will be taken, so you look up at where you think the camera is and wonder if there is some kind of countdown or light or other warning. There isn't, so you look back at the screen and it says, "taking your picture now". You're like OH SHIT!
The Americans must think we're perpetually startled.

Once through the automatic controls, you go to the regular customs area.
The lady asked me the usual questions and after asking where I work, she sent me to the NEXUS security line! I kept my jacket, scarf and shoes on! My passport and boarding pass are both stamped for US entry, despite that I'm still in Canada. (I hear you, Steve. And I posit this: if I wasn't technically in Canada, why was everything still in French? And why were people flying to other parts of the world and other parts of Canada in the same terminal?)

The flight to LaGuardia was mildly eventful.
Remnants of Hurricane Patricia had been travelling northeastward for days. They hit Toronto and the NY/NJ area bad enough that a travel advisory was put in to place for potential delays. I was lucky to hit none. Until, of course, we are on the plane. The winds are very high and we have to circle the area for about half an hour. Not a big deal; WestJet lands us safe and sound.

I have the best airbnb hosts. We spent hours talking about everything.

Tomorrow: NYC!