Hunnybear
Nov 4, 99, 3:59 pm
It started this morning with snow. Yes, despite the fact that two days ago in Toronto it was sunny, high 60’s… in fact, the whole weekend was the kind of fall weather that we live for. Then yesterday – well, it was kind of reminiscent of last winter in Seattle. Driving rain (huge, heavy raindrops, the kind that soak you to the skin running from your car to the front door), gale-force winds, and cccccold! So cold, in fact, that it snowed all day today. Nothing accumulating, just wet enough to make drivers forget they live in Toronto and frequently experience weather.
So, naturally, I was glad that I booked my YYZ – ORD flight an hour earlier than usual. The last few times, my plane has been delayed for some reason or another, always leaving me tense about missing my connection to SEA, once actually missing the connection (ick, having to fly American), and at least three times sprinting like a madwoman through Chicago’s rather large airport.
This earlier flight, however, was operated by AC. Now, I am Canadian and like to support Canada’s airlines, but I prefer the other one, because I usually find everyone wearing an AC uniform to be rude and indifferent. But this flight, I have to say, was actually enjoyable! Firstly, I was greeted at United’s FC check-in by my fave agent, Corey, who now recognizes me by name, makes sure I get into the lounge, etc. I then caught the immigration officer off guard by calling him “smiley” and got my I-94 card for my shiny new passport renewed sans problemes (that’s French for “without a problem”).
The flight was boarding just as I got to the gate (no MLLounge for me today. Aww!) I’m not a big fan of Airbuses (or should I say Airbi? Airbice?) but AC’s A319’s are configured very comfortably. Did you know that you can’t use a cell phone at all on AC? I was promptly and curtly reminded by the flight attendant of this – I was invited to go onto the bridge to use it! At least UA lets you chat until the door closes. Although the flight was on time, we had some little mechanical thing and then had to get de-iced, so we actually took off 50 minutes late. Again I patted myself on the back for taking the earlier flight.
Although I was in “Classe D’Affaires” (that’s French for Biz Class), I was not expecting a meal. Not even a snack, really. There was no pre-flight beverage service, but to my pleasant surprise, a beautiful meal was set in front of me! Three choices – I chose the cold shrimp and chicken plate. Yummy, with a surprisingly good chocolate thing with raspberry sauce that I only tasted.
But this isn’t the funny part. We roll into the usual gate, but just before the bridge gets to the airplane door, it stops. The captain announces that he's looking out the window and it appears that our guy is getting help with the bridge. Help comes – it’s a blown fuse! Oh no. Maintenance on the way, maintenance on the way, maintenance on the way…..ok, Captain again, maybe we’ll get some stairs? Yes! We’ll get some stairs. The Captain announced that we were going to be pushed back about 15 feet, and he asked them to do it gently but could everybody just make sure they are holding on to something? A seat? Your companion? Finally, the stairs drive up, we wobble and bounce down them, and into the terminal after about a 20 minute wait.
On the way out, Captain and flight attendants are apologizing, and I couldn’t resist saying “it’s not your fault. Don’t be sorry. Unless it IS your fault…(turning to the Captain) did you RIG this?”
I make my own fun.
So, naturally, I was glad that I booked my YYZ – ORD flight an hour earlier than usual. The last few times, my plane has been delayed for some reason or another, always leaving me tense about missing my connection to SEA, once actually missing the connection (ick, having to fly American), and at least three times sprinting like a madwoman through Chicago’s rather large airport.
This earlier flight, however, was operated by AC. Now, I am Canadian and like to support Canada’s airlines, but I prefer the other one, because I usually find everyone wearing an AC uniform to be rude and indifferent. But this flight, I have to say, was actually enjoyable! Firstly, I was greeted at United’s FC check-in by my fave agent, Corey, who now recognizes me by name, makes sure I get into the lounge, etc. I then caught the immigration officer off guard by calling him “smiley” and got my I-94 card for my shiny new passport renewed sans problemes (that’s French for “without a problem”).
The flight was boarding just as I got to the gate (no MLLounge for me today. Aww!) I’m not a big fan of Airbuses (or should I say Airbi? Airbice?) but AC’s A319’s are configured very comfortably. Did you know that you can’t use a cell phone at all on AC? I was promptly and curtly reminded by the flight attendant of this – I was invited to go onto the bridge to use it! At least UA lets you chat until the door closes. Although the flight was on time, we had some little mechanical thing and then had to get de-iced, so we actually took off 50 minutes late. Again I patted myself on the back for taking the earlier flight.
Although I was in “Classe D’Affaires” (that’s French for Biz Class), I was not expecting a meal. Not even a snack, really. There was no pre-flight beverage service, but to my pleasant surprise, a beautiful meal was set in front of me! Three choices – I chose the cold shrimp and chicken plate. Yummy, with a surprisingly good chocolate thing with raspberry sauce that I only tasted.
But this isn’t the funny part. We roll into the usual gate, but just before the bridge gets to the airplane door, it stops. The captain announces that he's looking out the window and it appears that our guy is getting help with the bridge. Help comes – it’s a blown fuse! Oh no. Maintenance on the way, maintenance on the way, maintenance on the way…..ok, Captain again, maybe we’ll get some stairs? Yes! We’ll get some stairs. The Captain announced that we were going to be pushed back about 15 feet, and he asked them to do it gently but could everybody just make sure they are holding on to something? A seat? Your companion? Finally, the stairs drive up, we wobble and bounce down them, and into the terminal after about a 20 minute wait.
On the way out, Captain and flight attendants are apologizing, and I couldn’t resist saying “it’s not your fault. Don’t be sorry. Unless it IS your fault…(turning to the Captain) did you RIG this?”
I make my own fun.