For me it's not about what they nickle and dime you over... For me it's about the experience itself. Sometimes it feels like Air Canada employees go out of there way to make it a crappy experience.
For example, last year I was traveling to the US with Air Canada. Due to unforeseeable circumstances I was a bit late getting to the airport. Flight was at 7:30am and we were there by 6:25am.
I had boarding passes already and as I was hurrying to reach the baggage checkin counter the lady stops me and asks, "Have you weighed your cabin bags?"
I said, "They are all well under the limit." and continued walking.
She then say, "Excuse me, please come back here and weight your bags before you proceed."
I say, "I'm in a hurry, I assure you they are all under weight and I will come back once I have checked the checkin bags."
She rudely orders me then, "Sir, I won't ask you twice to come back and weigh the bags!"
Now i'm there with my wife and sister in law.... And her tone was not appropriate at all. I was getting a bit frustrated but Wife calms me down and I go out and weigh the bags and all three of our hang bags are WAY under the limit."
"You can go now...." She then rudely says.
I reach the counter, (there was no lineup that early in the morning). It's 6:31 now.
I give the desk lady the details...
Counter Attendant: "Sorry sir, you we can no longer put you on that flight, you are late."
Me: "Sorry? What?"
Counter Attendant: "You have to be here at least 60 minutes prior to the flight."
Me: "It's 6:30 and the flight's at 7:30"
Counter Attendant: "It's 6:31, well 6:32 now."
Me: "Are you serious?"
Counter Attendant: "Yes, that's the policy. You won't make it past customs and to the plane before it takes off."
Me: "1 minute would've made a difference? It was your employee that kept us from getting here anyways by repeatedly asking us to weigh bags that I assured here were under weight."
Counter Attendant: She just looks away
Me: "Can I please speak to a supervisor who may be able to help me?"
Counter Attendant: "I can call him for you but there isn't anything he can do you for. We can put you on the next flight if you would like?"
Me: "Okay"
Counter Attendant: "That will be $100 per person."
Me: "What?? That's unreasonable now."
Counter Attendant: She just doesn't say anything and calls the supervisor
Supervisor: "How can I help you?"
Me: I explain the situation.
Supervisor: "Either you leave the airport or pay the $100 per person."
Me: "Is there nothing you can do?"
Supervisor: "I can call security"
I paid the $300 to them.
It was 6:45 now.
I was inside, infront of the airplane at 6:55 after clearning customs and everything.
I even complained to Air Canada Customer Service online and they were even worse.
It's embarassing having "Canada" in there title. Tourists who come to Canada on an Air Canada flight start there trips with that sort of crap service... Really gives us Canadians a bad name!
Damn that was long....
Have to hustle..
