Baby Trip Report (We Survived!) & Kudos to AC Y Class Service
Nov 15, 2000 | 5:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 431
Baby Trip Report (We Survived!) & Kudos to AC Y Class Service
Several weeks ago I elicited some excellent advice on surviving a plane trip with a 5 month old baby from YOW-PBI (mind you, the post about placing the litt'lun in the overhead bin didn't go over too well with the Mrs.).
Anecdotes from the trip (in no particular order):
1. We ditched the bulkhead in favour of a row of three all to ourselves. The gate agents were really nice about accommodating my last minute requests. With 3 carry-on bags (1 for diaper bag, 1 for baby toys, and 1 that my wife refused to let me see), the bulkhead was simply not practical. In all cases, we were granted the last row of the plane, which was fine except on the DC-9 where there is only 1 bathroom and therefore quite a line. The extra seat was great for the car seat. I recognize that this is not an option on busier routes/times, but I highly recommend this when available.
2. When boarding the plane, I poked fun at the situation by "apologizing in advance" to the neighbouring passengers for the screaming to come. In all cases, the fellow passengers were very gracious. Even the two obnoxious business travellers from YYZ-PBI in the row in front of us were nice (one of them didnt even recline his seat onto the baby's car seat - which he could have justifiably complained about but didn't).
3. I called AC's 1-888 reservation # from the USA twice and was answered both times on the first ring by a human agent. Once at 8 PM at night and once at 4 PM in the afternoon. This is an incredible level of service.
4. I have been monitoring the debate about AC's in-flight service. I make no comment about J class. However, I find it impossible to believe that any American carrier could surpass the quality and quantity of AC's hot meals (at least on cross-border flights). The YYZ-PBI and PBI-YYZ meals were hot, tasty, and more than ample. I have flown Y class on US carriers on several occasions recently (AA, US and UA) and in no case did the service come close to AC's Y class product. I even received a cold lunchbox on the YOW-YYZ leg at 11 AM!
5. The flight attendants were exceptionally attentive and friendly. However, I recognize this had nothing to with me, and was only because my baby is so gosh darn cute.
6. The flight was booked on Aeroplan points. The date of the outbound flight was my 1st choice, and the date of the inbound flight was my second choice. I did not wait on hold to book the flight. I only made the booking about a month ago.
7. 3 of the 4 legs arrived on time or early. 1 leg was 20 minutes late. No baggage was lost, and the gate-checked stroller was always waiting for us when we de-planed (I love that word and have been waiting for years to use it in a sentence...).
In conclusion, well done Air Canada!
Anecdotes from the trip (in no particular order):
1. We ditched the bulkhead in favour of a row of three all to ourselves. The gate agents were really nice about accommodating my last minute requests. With 3 carry-on bags (1 for diaper bag, 1 for baby toys, and 1 that my wife refused to let me see), the bulkhead was simply not practical. In all cases, we were granted the last row of the plane, which was fine except on the DC-9 where there is only 1 bathroom and therefore quite a line. The extra seat was great for the car seat. I recognize that this is not an option on busier routes/times, but I highly recommend this when available.
2. When boarding the plane, I poked fun at the situation by "apologizing in advance" to the neighbouring passengers for the screaming to come. In all cases, the fellow passengers were very gracious. Even the two obnoxious business travellers from YYZ-PBI in the row in front of us were nice (one of them didnt even recline his seat onto the baby's car seat - which he could have justifiably complained about but didn't).
3. I called AC's 1-888 reservation # from the USA twice and was answered both times on the first ring by a human agent. Once at 8 PM at night and once at 4 PM in the afternoon. This is an incredible level of service.
4. I have been monitoring the debate about AC's in-flight service. I make no comment about J class. However, I find it impossible to believe that any American carrier could surpass the quality and quantity of AC's hot meals (at least on cross-border flights). The YYZ-PBI and PBI-YYZ meals were hot, tasty, and more than ample. I have flown Y class on US carriers on several occasions recently (AA, US and UA) and in no case did the service come close to AC's Y class product. I even received a cold lunchbox on the YOW-YYZ leg at 11 AM!
5. The flight attendants were exceptionally attentive and friendly. However, I recognize this had nothing to with me, and was only because my baby is so gosh darn cute.
6. The flight was booked on Aeroplan points. The date of the outbound flight was my 1st choice, and the date of the inbound flight was my second choice. I did not wait on hold to book the flight. I only made the booking about a month ago.
7. 3 of the 4 legs arrived on time or early. 1 leg was 20 minutes late. No baggage was lost, and the gate-checked stroller was always waiting for us when we de-planed (I love that word and have been waiting for years to use it in a sentence...).
In conclusion, well done Air Canada!
Nov 16, 2000 | 9:01 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Winnipeg Canada, Cambridge England. CP - EP (R.I.P.) formerly AC-SE now lower than the lowest low.
Posts: 828
Glad you enjoyed your trip. We were always lucky with our kids as they all fell asleep as soon as the engines started 
.
I often think many people on this board complain about the quality of service we receive in the air from AC, and from what is left of CP, without realising how much superior the service we receive is when compared to the vast majority of US carriers.
Our biggest fear is that without the competition AC will sink to what it will consider to be a "normal" level of service, but we will consider it to be sub-normal.
Thanks for relating your experiances.
Stewart.
.I often think many people on this board complain about the quality of service we receive in the air from AC, and from what is left of CP, without realising how much superior the service we receive is when compared to the vast majority of US carriers.
Our biggest fear is that without the competition AC will sink to what it will consider to be a "normal" level of service, but we will consider it to be sub-normal.
Thanks for relating your experiances.
Stewart.
Nov 16, 2000 | 10:26 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Seattle, Cagayan de Oro
Programs: CebGo 5J, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Alaska Titanium
Posts: 4,778
My son often travels AC as an UM. I trust Air Canada and their excellent service on North American routes. My son has also travelled Air Tran, delta and United and they cannot even come close to the service level of Air Canada.
However my son often wonders why he does not get upgrade as an Air Canada Elite flyer. - Something to do with UM status I presume!!
Now- if only YYZ could allow transiting without the immigration hassles.
However my son often wonders why he does not get upgrade as an Air Canada Elite flyer. - Something to do with UM status I presume!!
Now- if only YYZ could allow transiting without the immigration hassles.
Nov 16, 2000 | 1:25 pm
#5
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,224
davistev.. I have seen UM being upgraded on flights between YYZ/YVR.. they have CP GLD luggage tags on their back packs and have UM pack hanging on their neck.. They got even better service than others sitting in J!
Nov 16, 2000 | 6:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Seattle, Cagayan de Oro
Programs: CebGo 5J, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Alaska Titanium
Posts: 4,778
It will be a great day indeed when Toronto allows "immigration free" transiting.
It will open up a market of 280 million potential people (USA) to Air Canada's international network to Europe and Asia. The current situation of arriving at the USA terminal, going through the smoke and booze cops (customs), catching the shuttle bus to international with luggage is no way to run an airport. It certainly turns me off when I do the Atlanta - YYZ - LHR run. (Which is why I am doing the Delta thing right now).
I would predict an increase in traffic directly as a result of this. Toronto has the potential to be a huge North American hub. Air Canada's RJ and A319 network into the USA will certainly pay off when the new terminal opens (assuming that USA and International will be in one terminal.)
It will open up a market of 280 million potential people (USA) to Air Canada's international network to Europe and Asia. The current situation of arriving at the USA terminal, going through the smoke and booze cops (customs), catching the shuttle bus to international with luggage is no way to run an airport. It certainly turns me off when I do the Atlanta - YYZ - LHR run. (Which is why I am doing the Delta thing right now).
I would predict an increase in traffic directly as a result of this. Toronto has the potential to be a huge North American hub. Air Canada's RJ and A319 network into the USA will certainly pay off when the new terminal opens (assuming that USA and International will be in one terminal.)