Trip Reports - Air Canada and Westjet - Home for Spring Break

After heading home for Spring Break, I thought that this would be great chance to try my hand at one of these trip reports - here we go!

16 March GRR-YYZ
AC 1974 14:35-15:59 Seat 07B
I left school and headed out to the airport, arriving about 40 minutes before my scheduled departure time of 14:35. Its useless to get to GRR too much earlier, as there is basically nothing to do there. A pleasant United Airlines agent checked me in and directed me to the gate. I stopped by the newstand and picked up a magazine, and then headed through security. I noticed that my friends TWA flight to STL was delayed, so I strolled out to the end of the pier and chatted with him for a wee bit, before heading back to Gate B2. As I was glancing through my New York Times, the same agent made her way through the gate area and tagged all of the valet check pieces. About five minutes past the scheduled departure time of 14:35, boarding was announced and everyone (all nine of us) made our way to the Air Georgian operated Beechcraft 1900D. We had a long taxi in GRR and were in the air at 14:55. The flight went by fairly quickly; I finished my newspaper and filled out my immigration card. Before I knew, we were on final approach to YYZ. After landing and another long taxi, we waited a few more minutes for a bus and finally reached the terminal at 16:20. A quick hint for all of those flying a BEH1900D into YYZ would be to book a seat towards the back of the plane. It is not nearly as noisy in the back, not to mention the fact it is usually much less crowded - when you land, everyone has to get on the same bus anyway. Hoping to catch the 16:40 flight (AC 3823) to YQT, I raced through the terminal. Customs and immigration were a breeze (they put a R16 on my card) and I made my way to the old Air Ontario gates in T2, getting there at 16:35. Unfortunately they had just closed the flight (they told me it was full anyway) and I did a little shopping before settling down for dinner at Il Fornelli's (sp?). Anyway, I enjoyed a nice pasta dish (for an airport http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif) and then headed down to my gate.

16 March YYZ-YQT
AC 0509 19:30-21:20 Seat 19C
Boarding began promptly at 19:00 and I we seemed to be headed for an ontime departure. Everyone was onboard the full-to-the-gills DC-9 (no bumps, though. Being a needy college student, I checked http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif) by 19:20. Then, the waiting began. About ten minutes after our departure time, the first officer came on and informed us that we were waiting for connecting bags. Even though it was only the middle of March, it was **incredibly** hot on the plane. We finally pushed back at 20:00 and headed for YQT. The flight was smooth, and everyone (front cabin included) was only served preztels or cookies, plus drinks. We made up about ten minutes enroute, and arrived in YQT at 21:30. I headed off the plane and out to my grandparents place, where I spend the night before heading back home to YYC.

Sorry I'm kind of long-winded. I promise to shorten everything up when I post the next section later this weekend.

Edited for mistake.

[This message has been edited by makin'miles (edited 03-30-2001).]

Thanks makin' miles. Looking forward to the WestJet comparison for an econo traveler.

17 March YQT-YYC
WJ 084 13:05-13:50 Seat 02D
Just before I booked my ticket home, my parents told me that they had a credit on WestJet and I was welcome to use it to fly home from YQT (where my grandparents live) if I flew there first. It would save me almost $250, so I decided why not?

Anyway, I was originally scheduled to fly out of YQT and connect in YWG to YYC later in the day, but the thought of spending an hour and a half in Winnipeg really didn't turn me on; I think you all know what I mean. (My apologies to SCMM and other YWG FTers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif). So, on Saturday morning I called Westjet and after waiting on hold for a total of ZERO seconds, an agent told me that there was plenty of space and I should have no problem standing by at the airport. Much like AC and the other majors, there would be no fee for this. So, I headed to the airport around 12:15 and waited in line behind ZERO others. so far, I was extemely impressed, being a WestJet virgin and all. Trevor had a little bit of a problem waitlisting me for the earlier flight, even though he assured me I would get a seat. After almost fifteen minutes of trying to get his computer to work, he finally called tech support and they instructed him on the procedure. Even as a stand-by, he was able to book me a seat. As a matter of procedure, I was issues a stand-by BP (printed on thermal paper, like a reciept) and headed for the gate. After paying the ten dollar AIF (24 hour connection exemption is not valid in YQT - must be same-day connection) I cleared security and made my way to the gate. I was immediately issued a BP and was the last passenger to board the Boeing 737-200. I placed my rollaboard into the overhead and settled into 02D. The first thing I noticed is that the seat pitch was **extremely** tight. I am 6'1 and my knees were uncomfortably wedged against the seat in front of me. It was not such a big deal, though, because the jet only had a light load and I had three seats to myself. Anyway, we pushed back about five minutes before departure time and we airborne three minutes later. The cabin attendents came through and offered small bags of pretzels or cookies, and then drink service. On Westjet, drink orders are taken and then delivered straight from the galley - they do not use carts. I didn't have anything, though, because I had brought my own bottle of water and a persian (for those of you with roots in Thunder Bay, you know exactly what I'm talking about!) Anyway, the flight was uneventful. All of the passengers (maybe 40 people) were invited by the captain to visit the flight deck. The cabin attendants came through about 50 minutes prior to landing and again offered drinks. We made a circle around the city and landed at YYC more than five minutes early. I was the third one off the plane, met my mum, and was out of the airport in less than five minutes. I headed home and had a relaxing week, sleeping in, going out with friends, and visiting the dentist http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. Before I knew it, Sunday had come and it was time to return to school.

25 March YYC-YWG
WJ 088 08:00-10:50 Seat 12C
I got to the airport around 0710 and headed to the Westjet check-in. There was again no line-up. The agent, who was less then friendly, asked me to place my rollaboard onto the scale. 'Oh sh*t,' I thought. Sure enough, she informed me that it was fully one kilogram over the limit and it would have to be checked. Since it was well within acceptable size dimensions, I asked her if it would weigh more under the seat in front of me than in the hold. 'Sir..' she replied. So I pulled a few files and my passport and immigration papers out of my bag and handed it over with a glare. She handed back two BPs (again printed on thermal paper) and I headed for the gate in the D pier, where CPs short-haul flights used to depart from. It was kind of sad to see the old Empress Lounge door just shut, with the sign reading closed. I suppose that space will be incorporated into the new expansion. Anyway, the aircraft arrived and boarding was announced. Just like in YQT, there were free, local newspapers available at the gate. I grabbed a Calgary Herald and headed down the jetway. The flight was **packed** and I squeezed into my seat, 12C. I do not think that there was an empty seat on that entire plane and it was far from comfortable. Anyway, the cabin attendants came through and again offered snacks and two rounds of drinks. I went to the lav and actually spent more than ten minutes inside; there was much more legroom! We arrived in YWG about ten minutes late and as that flight continued on to YHM, only half of the passengers had to exit. Since I only had ten minutes until my next flight was scheduled to depart, I raced to the washroom and then back to the gate.

25 March YWG-YQT
WJ 133 11:10-13:15 Seat 12C
I was able to board immediately. About five minutes later, the door was closed. Thankfully, there was an empty seat between me and the man at the window, so this flight was a bit more comfortable. We had a short taxi and took off for our quick hop to YQT. The flight landed in YQT about ten minutes late. After a short taxi, we arrived at the gate and the seatbelt sign was switched off. Since the flight was continuing to YOW and YHM, not everyone needed to deplane. Just as we all stood up, one of the cabin attendants came on the P/A system and announced that one of the passengers had fallen ill. She asked us to be seated and inquired whether or not there was a doctor on board. Indeed there was, and a man raced forward. The rest of us sat down. Since this man was seated in row four or five, all those seated behind him were asked to remain on board to keep the aisle free, pending the imminent arrival of the paramedics. The man was laid out over three seats and the doctor did his best to help him. After more than ten minutes, the paramedics had still not arrived. So, one of the cabin attendants allowed those leaving the flight to exit the aircraft one or two at a time, as to keep the aisle free. As I exited the plane, I noticed that the younger man seemed unconscious and was breathing with the assistance of oxygen. Just as I transferred landside, I noticed the paramedics entering the terminal. I took the escalator downstairs and headed over to the transfer belt. Just as I walked up, it began rolling and my bag was the fourth one off. It was, thankfully, not damaged. (I would have been really upset if it had been damaged over one bloody kilogram).

Overall, I would say that WestJet is not a bad airline.
Their snack service is not outstanding, but really not much worse than ACs short haul service. And, honestly, travelling in Y, who wouldn't prefer to eat their own food anyway?
The employees were mostly helpful and good-natured, but also had the capacity to be extremely professional (as witnessed during the medical incident). Except for the check-in agent in YYC, I was impressed.
I was also pleased that, except for the boarding line, Westjet didn't seem to have lines (on the phone or at the airport).
In addition to this, the YQT-YYC route is extremely convenient. Although, if I was travelling to an eastern centre, I wouldn't be a fan of the stop in YWG or YQT. When you are flying for leisure (as most of the passengers seemed to be doing; do note I was flying in the weekend) AC almost always matches WJ apex fares. I don't know why these people wouldn't have opted for an AC nonstop.
Despite all of these positive attributes, I will continue to fly AC for one reason - seat pitch. I was totally uncomfortable on WJ. The few extra inches of room AC gives you makes a world of difference. If WJ would remove two or three rows of seats, I think that they would have a much better product.
For the FF, AC also has a loyalty program. I suspect that WJ may launch one within the next few years (much like Southwest) and that would also improve their product. Maybe WJ would also consider opening a pay-as-you go lounge system. I thought that Buzz or Go had done that in the UK a few years back. If WestJet would implement these changes, I really think that they would be able to pull a larger proportion of business travellers from AC. If you have to book a flight at short notice, their fares are far more attractive than ACs.

Anyway, here's the next installment. Again, I apologise for the length, but if you got this far it is my hope that you enjoyed it. The last section will follow later.

Great report so far. Space, space and more space--that's what I'm always looking for.

26 March YQT-YYZ
AC 508 16:30-18:09 Seat 20C
Okay, here's the rest. I got to YQT about 45 minutes prior to departure and was able to check-in without waiting in line. The efficient *and* friendly agent gave my bag an 'Approved Carry-on Baggage' tag, even though she too noticed that it was 1kg over the limit. What is this, rationality? Anyway, I headed upstairs and picked up a magazine before paying the AIF and clearing security. Boarding began promptly at 16:00 and the flight pushed back five minutes before departure. A few minutes later we were airborne and I pulled out a bunch of work. The inflight service was much better on the return. We were offered a hot meal (sweet and sour chicken on rice) and drinks. This kind of surprised me, owing to the fact that this was a 16:30 flight. Anyway, the friendly crew took care of everything and we landed in YYZ fifteen minutes early, rolling up to the gate on-time. I deplaned and headed into the terminal. Realising that I had a 3.5hr wait on my hands, I decided to stay airside for a while, knowing that there really isn't much to do once you clear US immigration. I again had dinner at Il Fornelli's. I wasn't so bad and I cleared US immigration at around 20:00. I settled myself into the waiting area and continued to hack at my homework. After my Camus book got old, I headed out to one of the internet terminals to check e-mail etc. Unfortunately, not all of the keyboard was functional, so I was not able to log into e-mail etc. I did however, get a laugh reading about the Flyertalk gathering in YVR. It sure would have been nice to meet some of you. Anyway, the wait didn't seem as bad as I thought that it would be, and before I knew, it was time to head back to GR.

16 March YYZ-GRR
AC 1974 21:15-22:43 Seat 07A
Boarding was called, so I headed onto the bus and out to the plane. Since it was another half-full load, there was plety of space. I switched over to seat 07B, reclined it, pushed 06B's seatback forward, and snoozed in comfort that rivaled the BA First sleeper, I'm sure. I woke up about ten minutes before landing, so I assume the flight was smooth. We had a fairly long taxi to the terminal. I got off the plane and was in a cab in three minutes, exactly why I always carry-on.

One thing that I did notice, however, is that AC usually puts bottles of water and snacks etc by departure gate D in YYZ, for all of the pax flying on the flights w/o service. However, whenever one is on a flight departing later in the evening, they have always been put away? I wonder why they do that; people don't need water in the evenings.

And this brings us to the conclusion of my first ever Flyertalk Trip Report. Sorry I took so long to conclude it, if you were waiting to see it. (Which you probably weren't, b/c it really is dry.) Anyway, if there is any suggestions for the next one, let me know. I'd love to make write something interesting for all of you. Take care and happy flyin'!

Thanks