So we're home and finally all unpacked. Joey was a dream to travel with, and everyone was amazed how well he did. The trip did not start out smoothly, and due to a stupid change in Air Canada's baggage requirements I nearly ended up being charged 375.00 for additional luggage. When we flew down, we brought the stroller car seat for Joey as they are not considered luggage with West Jet and First Air. I stupidly assumed it would be the same for all airlines, since you need a carseat for a baby to travel. The agent at Air Canada told me these rules "had changed months ago", and the carseat and stroller were now considered baggage. This put me at 4 pieces of luggage, whereas when travelling you are only allowed 2 plus a carry on. And to make matters even worse, we were always able to keep the stroller until we boarded and check it at the gate. Because I had a jogging stroller and not an umbrella stroller, I had to check it in with the luggage. This means I had to CARRY Joey throughout the entire aiport, along with my carry on packpack. Needless to say I was PISSED and I'm sure the entire airport heard me ranting and raving about it. I flew with Air Canada from Halifax to Toronto, and then Toronto to Edmonton. We were 1/2 hour early in Toronto, so I carried him for an hour in the airport until we boarded again. We had a 4 hour layover in Edmonton, where I met up with my Aunt Linda. She was a dream to have there, as I had to collect all my luggage and then check it in again with First Air. By the time I boarded the plane to come to Yellowknife, it was 8:30 Edmonton time, or 11:30 PM Halifax time, which is what our internal clocks were running on. Poor Joey ended up falling asleep on my shoulder 30 minutes before we boarded. The staff at First Air were the only people in my entire day of travelling that offered me any assistance at all. The girl who was working the gate carried my packpack right on the plane for me and stowed in the overhead bin, and the pilot carried it off for me, as in the Yellowknife Airport you are not bridged to the terminal but have to get off the plane and walk inside. I have never been so happy to get off a plane as I was when we landed in Yellowknife.
There is a lot of snow here, and a lot more skidoos on the go now. The lake is completely frozen, and I just watched a skidoo with a sled behind it go across the lake in front of my house. Rob and I are insanely jealous, as now we both want a skidoo. The skidoos in front of my house have doubled from 3 to 6, and the keys are now here. Sounds like a test drive to me!
10 comments:
Air Canada is owned and operated by a pack of exceptionally evil and dense flying monkeys.
not all that dense though, or they wouldnt be able to fly. Dense enough that they nitpick about extra luggage though.
any pics of the snow?
I had heard they had made that change with air Canada on another blog linked off mine called footprints. She experienced the same luggage problems. So they have not only lost pet people, but now they are losing people with children. Who are they selling their tickets to, business men? I hope they go belly up! It bothers me that they are the only option other then west jet to get around down south. I love First Air!
I have already been out snowmobiling! :P
Use your brain - if everyone brought all the luggage they wanted, the plane would never get off the ground!
Fred
Wow- Fred here sounds really understanding. I guess you aren't a parent!
I agree Kara, Fred must not be a parent or has never been on a plane, or someone just trying to stir up a bit of trouble! :)
Air Canada planes were getting off the ground just fine a year ago with pets and car seat cargo alike. So what's changed recently? First Air also seems to get off the ground pretty well, and we'll us northerners do like to travel with extra luggage.
Exactly Jen. First Air is by far the best airline I have ever travelled on. They provide hot towels when you first get on to refresh with, provide a full meal INCLUDING a complimentary glass of wine, and the planes have the most legroom I have ever seen. And yes, living in the north requires you to have more luggage, and anyone travelling with a baby has to have a carseat with them for when they get off at their destination. Air Canada really needs to make some serious changes to accomodate all their travellers, not just cater to those in business class!
Tina, I'm so annoyed with Air Canada these days,and to find out you now have to class a stroller as one piece of luggage... omg. I can't imagine flying home to Canada with a baby! The expense. I'm amazed they still let you have two pieces of normal carry on though - this is the ONLY reason I even travel AC anymore -the charter flights are much better believe it or not, but one piece when travelling international is not good, esp. when you want to bring your fav Candadian goodies back!!!
I'm pleased you made it home safe and sound though.
AC seriously sucks when it comes to customer service. i have a love/hate r/ship with Calm Air but they are seriously way better than AC.
yes i had the same car seat issue with AC though since we had one of those chariot strollers, i didnt bother bringing it and brought the umbrella stroller. NO ONE and i mean NO ONE will help me though i am visibly pregnant and pushing my daughter in the stroller. i had to carry all that 24 lbs weight on her and being delayed in toronto for 6 hours. it was horrible.
we flew to iqaluit recently on canadian north and i went home alone with the little girl and they were SO HELPFUL! , helped me with my backpack and all.
arrgghh, talking about AC just makes me mad.sorry, dont mean to vent here.
Post a Comment