Newbie
Posts: 2 
March 16th, 2007, 10:30 AM
I would like to thank all for their time on writting back. Well, some they didn't got my message, some did, some they have an interest in defending Air Canada some don't, and one ex-girlfriend just got opportunist after 6 years of separation.
I got some refund from Air Canada after all; a letter and first class flight back to Montreal from Peru.
Thanks again to all.
I would like to thank all for their time on writting back. Well, some they didn't got my message, some did, some they have an interest in defending Air Canada some don't, and one ex-girlfriend just got opportunist after 6 years of separation.
I got some refund from Air Canada after all; a letter and first class flight back to Montreal from Peru.
Thanks again to all.
A modern nomad
Posts: 1,118 
Location: Berlin, Germany
Location: Berlin, Germany
March 16th, 2007, 11:54 AM
I boarded a flight one time with a walking staff, basically a giant shillelagh. It was shortly after the trade center attacks. I got some pretty perverse looks from some other flyers, but the security staff and attendants were really nice with me. Even asking why I didn't ask for extra assistance in boarding.
A few times, Air Canada offered $200 for people to rebook their flights so that they would be able to book standby people. I almost took them up on it. In the international flights they serve free alcohol, and I have been witness to a few parties during my transatlantic journeys.
I haven't flown Westjet in over a year, since everytime I check, they are systematically more expensive than AirCanada.
I boarded a flight one time with a walking staff, basically a giant shillelagh. It was shortly after the trade center attacks. I got some pretty perverse looks from some other flyers, but the security staff and attendants were really nice with me. Even asking why I didn't ask for extra assistance in boarding.
A few times, Air Canada offered $200 for people to rebook their flights so that they would be able to book standby people. I almost took them up on it. In the international flights they serve free alcohol, and I have been witness to a few parties during my transatlantic journeys.
I haven't flown Westjet in over a year, since everytime I check, they are systematically more expensive than AirCanada.
March 16th, 2007, 12:00 PM
My last flight on WestJet, there was a young girl behind me returning to school. She had allergies to all sorts of nut products, carried an epi pin for emergencies. She had apparently phoned WestJet head office before she booked her ticket, where they told her to inform the flight attendants and they would comply with her needs. When she told the flight attendants before take-off of this they refused to accomodate her wish that they not serve the cashews or nut products, saying it wouldn't be fair to customers who wanted to purchase the cashews. I noticed that one of the free snacks they hand out don't contain peanuts, but they do contain cashews. Just seemed kinda wrong for them to continue to serve those products.
My last flight on WestJet, there was a young girl behind me returning to school. She had allergies to all sorts of nut products, carried an epi pin for emergencies. She had apparently phoned WestJet head office before she booked her ticket, where they told her to inform the flight attendants and they would comply with her needs. When she told the flight attendants before take-off of this they refused to accomodate her wish that they not serve the cashews or nut products, saying it wouldn't be fair to customers who wanted to purchase the cashews. I noticed that one of the free snacks they hand out don't contain peanuts, but they do contain cashews. Just seemed kinda wrong for them to continue to serve those products.
Newbie
Posts: 31
April 7th, 2007, 10:50 PM
Overall, I’d have to say that Air Canada is comparable with most of the other North American airlines. Once you are seated and in the air, you really couldn’t tell what airline you are on.
However, what turned me off them years ago are their flight routes: I dislike the way they seem to route everything through Toronto.
When I was with my previous employer, a couple co-workers and I would attend five to ten tradeshows per year to promote the company’s products. The first flight I booked (to an American destination), I thought I would give some business to a Canadian company, so I booked the flight with Air Canada. That decision turned out to be a big mistake. We landed in Toronto at Terminal 1 and then had to gather our luggage, go to Terminal 2, and go through US Customs and security. We were about ten minutes late getting to the departure gate, but fortunately the flight was late leaving so we didn’t miss our connection. However, since then, we always flew within North America on American Airlines or United. That way, we could check through US Customs right in the Vancouver airport and eliminate the stress of rushing between terminals.
Since then, hearing from former co-workers, etc. I have learned that many other people avoid booking their business flights to America with Air Canada too.
I would be curious to know how many business flight bookings Air Canada loses because business people don’t want to deal with the hassle of transferring through Toronto (not just people flying out of Vancouver, but other cities too). It also makes me wonder: if airlines, including Air Canada, are always suffering from financial problems, why would they turn away a large chunk of business because of this routing decision?
David
Overall, I’d have to say that Air Canada is comparable with most of the other North American airlines. Once you are seated and in the air, you really couldn’t tell what airline you are on.
However, what turned me off them years ago are their flight routes: I dislike the way they seem to route everything through Toronto.
When I was with my previous employer, a couple co-workers and I would attend five to ten tradeshows per year to promote the company’s products. The first flight I booked (to an American destination), I thought I would give some business to a Canadian company, so I booked the flight with Air Canada. That decision turned out to be a big mistake. We landed in Toronto at Terminal 1 and then had to gather our luggage, go to Terminal 2, and go through US Customs and security. We were about ten minutes late getting to the departure gate, but fortunately the flight was late leaving so we didn’t miss our connection. However, since then, we always flew within North America on American Airlines or United. That way, we could check through US Customs right in the Vancouver airport and eliminate the stress of rushing between terminals.
Since then, hearing from former co-workers, etc. I have learned that many other people avoid booking their business flights to America with Air Canada too.
I would be curious to know how many business flight bookings Air Canada loses because business people don’t want to deal with the hassle of transferring through Toronto (not just people flying out of Vancouver, but other cities too). It also makes me wonder: if airlines, including Air Canada, are always suffering from financial problems, why would they turn away a large chunk of business because of this routing decision?
David
Time Out
Posts: 1,651
April 8th, 2007, 12:10 AM
I have a CIBC Visa, which I collect Aeroplan miles from.
I HATE AEROPLAN!!!!
Its like your a second class citizen with them.
I have booked Air Canada all the time because of my Aeroplan miles I like to use.
I think their US sister company is United... that was awful having to fly in this one plane from Winnipeg to Denver, it was a small cramped plane.
And then from Denver to LA, we had to make a stop in Las Vegas for 3 hours.
Ick, Air Canada is not that great, but they are constantly cheaper, and because of Aeroplan...
I like hearing airplane horror stories! Keep 'em coming!
I have a CIBC Visa, which I collect Aeroplan miles from.
I HATE AEROPLAN!!!!
Its like your a second class citizen with them.
I have booked Air Canada all the time because of my Aeroplan miles I like to use.
I think their US sister company is United... that was awful having to fly in this one plane from Winnipeg to Denver, it was a small cramped plane.
And then from Denver to LA, we had to make a stop in Las Vegas for 3 hours.
Ick, Air Canada is not that great, but they are constantly cheaper, and because of Aeroplan...
I like hearing airplane horror stories! Keep 'em coming!
The Padre
Posts: 4,558
Location: Ontario
Location: Ontario
April 8th, 2007, 07:00 AM
Quoting westmanguy
Interesting. I have always found Air Canada way too expensive. But I have the luxury of living across from Detroit, and like most Windsorites, I booked out of Detroit Metro. At least I did before 9/11. Now I pay the higher price and stay with Canadian airlines
I have a CIBC Visa, which I collect Aeroplan miles from.
I HATE AEROPLAN!!!!
Its like your a second class citizen with them.
I have booked Air Canada all the time because of my Aeroplan miles I like to use.
I think their US sister company is United... that was awful having to fly in this one plane from Winnipeg to Denver, it was a small cramped plane.
And then from Denver to LA, we had to make a stop in Las Vegas for 3 hours.
Ick, Air Canada is not that great, but they are constantly cheaper, and because of Aeroplan...
I like hearing airplane horror stories! Keep 'em coming!
I HATE AEROPLAN!!!!
Its like your a second class citizen with them.
I have booked Air Canada all the time because of my Aeroplan miles I like to use.
I think their US sister company is United... that was awful having to fly in this one plane from Winnipeg to Denver, it was a small cramped plane.
And then from Denver to LA, we had to make a stop in Las Vegas for 3 hours.
Ick, Air Canada is not that great, but they are constantly cheaper, and because of Aeroplan...
I like hearing airplane horror stories! Keep 'em coming!
The Padre
Posts: 4,558
Location: Ontario
Location: Ontario
April 8th, 2007, 02:14 PM
Quoting westmanguy
No. Years ago when I was younger, for a few short years, some people did. It isn't worth it now, once you do the exchange you're often paying more.
Hey, do people from Windsor go buy their groceries, and do everything in the USA?
