Sometimes, I feel what we need is a friendly, customer-centric airline.  Aside from the Bombardier regional jet, some of those trains we see in commercials would be nice.  Isn't it ironic and sad to have a Canadian point at a Bombardier train in a foreign city and says 'that's my train' - one that we never get to see in our own country.

1) they can't always land on a Helipad, which for the University Ave Hospital Campus is on the roof of Sick Kids, due to winds and other tall buildings nearby 2) not all of the Hospitals have helipads (e.g. Western which is the local destination of choice for head injuries) 3) The helicopters have limited range, so they can't be used to transport people in from more remote/rural locations 

Realistically most of the trauma stuff where minutes matter goes to Sunnybrook or Hamilton anyway so the main issue is pediatric trauma where the expertise is at Sick Kids and multiple cases of smoke inhalation where only TGH has a room sized hyperbaric chamber.

 But aren't these flights always by helicopter? And wouldn't it therefore be better to land them directly on helipads on hospital roofs?

 But aren't these flights always by helicopter? And wouldn't it therefore be better to land them directly on helipads on hospital roofs?

It's pretty astounding.

@aidan: seriously even if you assume an hour at the Montreal end crawling through the Turcot yards in rush hour traffic which is the worst case scenario, there's pretty much no way that flying on Porter can take 4 hours, seriously until you've actually done it you just won't beleive how little time really is needed for lineups/luggage/security 

 That said it's hard to argue with how easy it is. I've travelled to Ottawa and Montreal using everything but my feet or a bike and flying from the island is definitely the easiest option. You can't beat the bus for the cost, but the cramped seats and smelly confines make the trip less than pleasant. Driving sucks, it's a waste of fuel and traffic can add 2+ hours to the travel time (took over 7 hours from Montreal to Toronto on Monday). Taking the TTC to Pearson is gruelling at best.

VIA is still my preferred method of travel. I've always found it comfortable and simple. On our last VIA trip we were particularly excited to use the onboard wifi. You can share login between two people so we both had our laptops going. The reliability was a little sketchy sometimes, but was still nice to be able to get online and update Facebook (I mean, do work...).

My estimate is that it would take me four hours door to door on Porter, and almost five on Air Canada.  Don't forget getting to/from, lines, security and luggage.  Via is six to seven.   As for price, Adam, you said " $270 for a return flight on Porter. Via was asking for $240 in the cheapest seats available".  You must have looked for a Via seat on short notice.  I got $165 for a ticket several weeks in advance.  Nevertheless, I'd rent a car for a weekend at a similar cost to Via, esp. if I had someone to share the cost.

It would be interesting to see the actual environmental cost of traveling using train, plane, and car, but in reality there's an inumerable number of factors involved that you have to take into account when you look at something like this. 

I think you're right to say that it's likely one of the greenest options overall in getting to Montreal.

 @brokenengine: As Chester mentioned, there's cabs that go from PET International right to downtown Montreal for a flat rate of $15-$35, but most, if not all, charge the max $35 rate. It's about a 15-20 minute cab ride. That's the option I went with.

<i>I think it's naive to assume that if the TCCA was torn down, the real estate it occupies would be turned into parkland.</i> 

 Agreed, the city is on record that they want the site for the Expo bid.

 <i>That being said, give me a high-speed light rail link between Union and Pearson, and I'd have to agree that TCCA no longer has a real reason to exist.</i>

I disagree on two counts 1) TCCA is a critical link in the provincial medevac system that cannot be replaced with helipads or a more distant airport, as long as the General has the largest hyperbaric chamber in the province some small number of people will die without that airport 2) YYZ is still a green horror show with long taxis and circling etc. Change that to High Speed Rail from Windsor to Montreal and I'll agree that TCCA has not reason to be used as a passenger airport.

Clearly, city councillors prefer condos to parks, therefore the choice is not between a downtown airport and a park, but rarther between a downtown airport and an eyesore that only a moneybags developer could love.

That being said, give me a high-speed light rail link between Union and Pearson, and I'd have to agree that TCCA no longer has a real reason to exist.