An extra star due to the free wifi! Free wifi is my standard for grading airports now. When I'm being good and accommodating, ensuring that I'm doing my part to ensure that flights leave on time and not inconveniencing my fellow passengers, I think I deserve to use the time waiting... and waiting... and waiting... to catch up on all the last minute emails and things that I inevitably leave to the end. Afterall, there is nothing super engaging to peak my interest anywhere in this particular airport. The shopping - I've seen better. The walk-ability is definitely not there. The airport is an endless walkway of grey and blahness. What they try to do to spruce the place up, like the dinosaur from the ROM at the arrivals area in Terminal One, or the bubble water art in the departure area, is almost lost in the cavernous space and soaring ceilings.
What I do appreciate besides the free wifi, is the general helpfulness of everyone who works at the airport. Maybe we're just Canadian and therefore 'nice'? Try asking people things at LaGuardia in New York. They might bite your head off. Cellphone lots. A long time in coming, it's free to park and wait for the arrival of a delayed flight. Pretty good for cheapos who don't want to greet their loved ones on arrival at gate. The same spaciousness that makes the place seem like a cave is appreciated in combination with the newness and general air of sterility in everything. In a public transportation hub where people from all degrees of regard for hygiene pass through, I like the clinically clean impression that this place leaves.