September 4, 2022:

 

            The smoke detector at my airbnb started chirping at 5:00 am; an hour before I was to get up. The battery was almost dead. I tried to sleep until 5:46 when I got up. I had breakfast in the room then washed my breakfast dishes. I finished packing.

 

            My host Patrick was also awake. He brought his dog Skye to his car for the drive to the airport.

 

            The weather was cool, however it was still early. We headed out and hit the highway. Given how early it was there was little to no traffic.

 

            As we approached the airport, I could see my plane. I paid Patrick $40 which is cheaper than what a taxi would have cost and went in.

 

            The Porter desk wasn’t open yet. I went online and waited. When it opened up I checked in and went back to my computer. When the security line went in, I went though. I was selected for additional screening which didn’t take too long fortunately. Once past security, I photographed the plane.

 

 

            I bought a Pepsi from a vending machine past security. At one point, I saw a ship off in the distance. I attempted to photograph it.

 

 

No, that ship is NOT aground!

 

            After awhile it was time to board. I photographed the plane before I got on.

 

 

 

            I took my seat and waited. Like when I flew up to Sault Ste Marie, I didn’t have anyone sitting next to me. The plane left on time. I filmed the take off roll.

 

            The 79 minute flight was uneventful. We encountered clouds as we approached Toronto. We broke through the clouds and I could tell we were coming in from the west. My ears somewhat popped. However, I happened to have headphones in so that reduced how bad it was.

 

            I filmed the landing and we turned off the runway. The plane stopped for several minutes. While waiting, I photographed a two page spread of Porter’s existing and future fleet.

 

 

            After several minutes, we started taxiing again and were soon at the gate. I got off and photographed the plane.

 

 

 

            I then went to collect my suitcase. There was only one baggage carousel for domestic flights at Toronto Billy Bishop Airport. However it took several minutes for my suitcase to come.

 

            When the luggage started coming out, just like when I flew to Sault Ste Marie, my suitcase was the first one to come out. I then walked through the pedestrian tunnel and went to catch a shuttle bus to Union Station. A bus was already there. I photographed it before I got on.

 

 

            The bus soon departed. Traffic was a lot better than it was last Thursday. We soon arrived at Union Station. I got off and photographed the bus.

 

 

 

 

            I then phoned my mom and let her know I was back at Union Station. I then got on the subway and rode to Finch. Unlike my last trip, there was no closure on the Yonge Line. I rode to Finch and met up with my mom.

 

            We headed out and stopped at Taco Bell where I bought lunch. After lunch, we headed home. I was still exhausted but glad to be home.

 

Conclusions:

 

            Aside from the minor delays and missing my alarm on the third day, I’m glad I did this trip. I finally got to ride the Agawa Canyon Tour Train and an ex VIA Tempo coach as well! The only thing that would have made it better would be if I got to ride Sault Ste Marie Transit Orion 7 #162 one more time. At least I rode it and its retired sisters 161 and 163 last year. I can also ride come of 162’s sister buses which are still in service in Toronto!

 

            As for me, my next trip will be in a few weeks when I take my big trip of 2022. Until next time…

 

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