If our LMO is approved we will be off to Winnipeg. Looking at flight options we can either fly to Toronto or connect in the US which would make Winnipeg our p.o.e.
Toronto or Winnipeg as p.o.e.?
Would there be any reason to choose one over the other, or does it not really make any difference?
Thanks in advance.

I'd go straight to Toronto if I were you since flying through America, even if you don't leave the airport, means going through their often quite frankly outrageous immigration and customs checks.

I didn't realize we would have to go through US customs when connecting from one international flight to another.
Having been to New York 3 times in the last 18 months I find that US customs are a better experience than landing into Manchester airport at 7am on a Sunday morning.

What I will say for the Americans is that at least they give you an opt out when it comes to full body scanners which isn't an option at Manchester airport anymore sadly but yes, they are pretty much the only major western nation which has that policy. Everyone who lands at a US airport has to clear their immigration and customs even if they are only headed straight to the departure lounge to fly to a different country.

I purposefully avoided flights with US airlines when we were booking our flights last month for that reason alone.

i've been in a body scanner at toronto - it was quick and simple. I was given the option of being patted down instead but opted for the scanner.

It was fast. the official radioed to someone in another room who was looking at the image. They even picked up the fact that my back was covered in tape (to help fix my posture). all done and dusted in about 10 seconds

As long as I dont have to see the image of my naked body, I dont see the problem

What I'm trying to ascertain is out of Winnipeg or Toronto as P.O.E's, which would you choose and why? If it's a choice of 6 or 2 x 3's then I would like to know.
I know that custom's, body scanners etc can be an issue to some but they are neither here or there to me and my family.
There isn't a great difference in the price or duration of flight's routing through Toronto or the US, the only airline that stands out price wise is Canadian Affair and from what I have read about them they wouldn't be my first choice. (That should produce some rapid replies).
Again, thanks in advance.

Are you sure? If you're moving over with a lot of goods or belongings on you then going through US customs could be a bit of a pain.

there is nothing wrong with canadian affair if you are looking for a cheap flight. I use them approximately 8 times per year and have never had a problem with them.

Without derailing this thread to much - their are two problems with full body scanners (aside from the invasion of privacy).

1 - They don't actually make anyone safer - it's to fool you into thinking you are when you are not.

2 - They won't be used to catch terrorists, but people who are carrying the odd joint or wad of cash. you know, people that aren't actually a threat to anyone on the aircrafts safety.

+1

The UK is actually the worst for this though because if you're 'randomly' selected for the body scan and refuse then you aren't permitted to fly. At least passengers in the US are given the choice.

If one route requires a transfer and connection while the other doesn't, why would you want to change in the US when you can go straight to Toronto?

Because he's moving to Winnipeg.

Admittedly, there is a considerable distance between the two.

You may not think of Canada as a major western nation but one can select a pat-down at Canada's airports.

No I meant that the US is the only country which forces non-exiting transit passengers to go through local immigration and customs.

The UK is the only country with mandatory body scanner checks which is something which makes me quite ashamed to be British if I'm honest.

Ah - didn't realise that Winnipeg is the final destination.