Mississauga’s Pearson Airport “the worst place on earth” frustrated former NHLer says

I live at Toronto Pearson International airport. The worst place on earth. I smell so bad. pic.twitter.com/PfdnHcO7Ad

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) June 6, 2022

Frustrated and angry at the long delays at Pearson Airport in Mississauga, a former NHL player has lashed out on social media saying that traveling through the airport has been one of the worst experiences of his life.

“Pearson airport is hell on earth. The worst of the worst,” wrote American-born Ryan Whitney whose 12-year career in the NHL included stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers.

Whitney’s comments on Twitter were “liked” by 22,000 people and retweeted 4,500 times.

Documenting his experience beginning Sunday and continuing yesterday (June 6), Whitney says he had to wait for seven hours to clear customs and was then met with more long ling-ups, rescheduled flights and miscommunication as he tried to make his way home to Boston via Air Canada.

Whitney’s experience echo the concerns of thousands of passengers of have passed through Pearson in recent months. Complaints have ranged from being forced to wait on planes for hours once they have landed, long lines to go through customs and COVID health checks, not being able to find luggage and cancelled flights.

This is “the worst place on earth,” he said.

Pearson airport is hell on earth. The worst of the worst. This is customs line to re enter Canada after I went through US customs 7 hours ago. pic.twitter.com/xoH7fnbvQz

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) June 6, 2022

A statement released by Air Canada said long processing times and other restrictions resulted in flight delays and in some instances cancellations which has affected passenger service.

“These factors along with an issue with the airport’s baggage system Sunday are what caused Mr. Whitney’s original flight to be cancelled,” the statement reads. “We regret the inconvenience these issues are causing some customers are we are working hard with our third-party partners to improve the situation as quickly as possible.”

Still, the reasons for the delays did not resonate much to those who have experienced similar problems at Pearson as dozens used the opportunity to voice their own complaints about the airport.

Last week, Canada’s Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said the airport is working to increase staff at the airport to deal with delays but he said increased passenger traffic has also contributed to the problems at Pearson.