Flight/Origin-Destination: AC558 YVR-LAX
Date: 2011-09-30
Cabin: Y
Status: E

Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes.
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? yes. as expected.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes, yes.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? No delay.

Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? yes
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? No delay.
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes, Map function working.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? about one hour.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? Ate before boarding.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Yes.

Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Yes. Priority tagged luggage came out first.

Overall experience/any other comments
This was a weekend getaway with my son. He used the same backpack that he used the week before to Scouts camp which has a Leatherman utility knife (similar to Swiss army knife) in it as the carry on. CATSA agent at security check was very polite and ask me to take it back tot he airline to have to send back home by courier. The Leatherman costs $90. So I went to the AC check in agent with the Leatherman and do what the CATSA suggested. However, AC does not offer the courier service to send it back. She cannot give to to airport lost and found that I can come back to claim it 2 days later. She offered me to check it in but she cannot just check in the Leatherman. She suggested I go back to security to get the backpack and check that in with the Leatherman. She printed a luggage check and accompany me to the US luggage drop off area to wait for me to retrieve the back pack. Finally the $90 Leatherman is safely on the way. In the heat of the moment I forgot to ask for her name. She is an old lady at the Executive Class check in. Kudo to the AC check in agent. A million thanks from me and my son.^

The FA on this flight was great too. I was seated at 12D, first Y row. I am on diuretics and drank too much liquid on the ground, so I needed to go as the plane was taking off. I waited for the seat belt light to go off before I can go the washroom. However, the FA's drink cart was out blocking my way to the back washroom for Y pax. Since drink service has started, she offered me to use the front washroom instead. She even accompany me to the front making sure the FA in front would let me through. As I have missed the drink service while I went to the washroom, the FA actually came back to see if I want any drinks even she is already half way down the cabin. That is good service.^