by John Lindsay

Created on: March 12, 2009   Last Updated: March 13, 2009

Fly Porter, its an experience you won't want to miss. Sound like the headline from a 1960's billboard? Perhaps. But Porter's experience offers passengers comfort and care that renews the golden feelings you had about how flying used to be decades ago.

Their modern state-of-the-art aircraft fleet has been teamed up with a totally seamless experience for passengers that delights and surprises every time you fly Porter. That's my experience and I am not alone. One day I sat next to the US Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins who logs many miles in the air every year.

Hundreds of professional and business people fly Porter's flights every day. This seems to be Porter's niche. They know that business people are already under too much stress so Porter makes an effort to make their flights stress free.

Porter's home base is at the Toronto Island Airport. (YYT) This location gives Porter a number of advantages. First, you get to the airport by taking a 5 minute ferry ride from the city centre. After disembarking from the upper deck, you go down an escalator directly to Porter's own terminal and check in counter. Porter is the only commercial passenger airline to flies from Toronto Island.

The staff (they smile at you) have been carefully selected and trained to know that business travelers are usually tired and have a lot on their minds. So check in is made easy, and fast. After passing yourself and luggage through the security systems, a treat awaits you in the Porter passenger lounge!

The decor is hues of brown and beige hues with comfortable chairs, free wi-fi, free use of Macintosh computers, and no loud annoying speakers with words that don't apply to you. Best of all, they offer a refreshment service (gratis) comprised of delicious snacks (the shortbread is not to be missed) cool drinks and even fresh decaf espresso coffee.

The lounge has a few video displays that give you up-to-the minute information about your flight. From time to time a cartoon featuring Mr. Porter pops up and attracts your attention. Mr. Porter, a cartoon character is a very urbane and sophisticated mascot masquerading in the guise of a raccoon. Mr. Porter seems to not know he is a raccoon but somehow it works.

For example, the flight magazine has a couple of suggestions about exercises while sitting in your seat during a flight. There is tongue in cheek advice about rotating your tail as you walk down the aisle. Mr. Porter has a very fluffy tail that serves his vanity well.

Mr. Porter's image is

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