and....
....that client was me. Vancouver is absolutely lovely at this time of year. Name a time when it's not.
The sun was shining....Miss T's slave "Driver" was there holding up a sign with my name....my seatmate on the way out...very cool chick....wondered why I didn't have a camera to take a picture of anyone holding up that ubiquitous sign with my name on it....good point...but, I didn't. Anyway, was way cool to have been picked up by "Driver" and had a wonderful calming chat on the way from the scareport to Miss T's home.
I was still WAY nervous upon arrival and that was noticed...damn...I always thought I was such a stone wall. This review is going no further in this section other than to say...wow. My expectations were exceeded. I will review Miss T in the Vancouver section as that is, in fact, where she resides.
What I really want to talk about right now is the flight home. Miss T did exactly as promised...and then released me to catch my flight at 11:00 a.m. She even walked me down to the bus stop. I will try not to reveal the smile that resides on my face when I talk of her. This is, after all, a review of Air Canada.
I ride the transit back to the airport from downtown. I love the transit. I love Vangroovy. It's fascinating to see the collection of people that ride it...different stories for each and every one. In fact, I end up sitting beside some chick from Austria dropping off ski's to her German friend at the airport. That was kinda neat. Better than some slobbering drunk.
The bus ride goes well...I make all the transfers...(duh, 2)...and people are ever helpful when assistance requested. It's amazing what might happen when you have at least a hint of smile on your face when requesting said assistance.
We board AC 240 at 12:15 pm for departure at 12:45 pm and arrival Edmonton at 3:15 pm. All is good. I have almost the best seat in the house being two rows from the complete back of the bus in row 30 aisle. The people in the aisle across call it "executive backclass" or some such thing...kinda funny. My seatmate is some dude that just moved to Vancouver Island.
The power shuts down on the plane 15 minutes later...comes on intermittently. I turn to the seatmate..."we are going to need a new plane"...he laughs. Three further announcements in all good earnest about how they are attempting to "reboot" the controlling flight computer....the last one with a salient remark about how Windows Vista's woes are affecting things. Very comforting.
Two hours later....2:15 pm....the announcement comes...to deplane. Thank you. Fuck it was stuffy in there. Get off....the booking agents are issuing vouchers....$7.00....lol lol...go have a drink!...although...subsequent inspection of the fine print reveals they are invalid for "drinks"...whatever. I'm drinking.
Sit and drink with aformentioned seat mate. Very cool guy...we are getting on like paint. He's a decent man. At one point the waitress messes up our bill...and fails to charge us full tab...we both point out the error....she still fails to pick it up...we shrug...pay what she asked...and order another. We're currently going through hell after all. We tip well.
I'm nominated to go back to gate B11...our newly assigned gate...to check on status as we don't see our flight anywhere on the departure board...somewhat worrisome. I see a scattered departure lounge...two ticket agents slumped into the seats facing the main hall...so I ask..."ummm...what's happening with *look at ticket* AC 240?"....the one says...."just waiting for the new plane to be pushed up"...further prompting reveals..."well, as it turns out, the person that does plane pushing just had an emergency call from his wife and had to leave....AC is unable to find anyone willing to work overtime to perform this function"...
I am, at this point, mildly stunned. I come up with something really smart like..."oh, O.k."....
Anyway, long story shortened. The PEOPLE of Air Canada on the front lines were amazing. They had to have been frustrated. I got home 5 hours late. I had the most amazing travel day ever. The SYSTEMS of Air Canada seemed to fail. Anytime I see ticket agents slumped in frustration, that can't be good.
My seatmate and I exchanged emails...and, while I doubt that's a longterm friendship....I did meet some pretty cool people and watched them deal with adversity with the highest measure of grace. What more can be asked?
Miss T...I'm completely impressed.
Alan.