I unexpectedly had to fly to Montreal today for a family-friend's funeral & given the last-minute $3000+ AC fare (or $1100+ Tango fare) I cashed in an AC AP 40K Biz Award last night. It was a last-minute booking obviously so routing choices & seat availabilities were extremely limited.

I was ticketed 05May02 YVR-YEG(W)-YYZ(D)-YUL(D) & had it changed successfully at the airport this morning by a very friendly Agent to YVR-YUL(D) on AC142, which is really a 1-stop YVR-YYZ-YUL on an A333. This aircraft is what I ultimately wanted 'cuz the A333 has in-seat notebook power ports (which allowed me to work) & the nice Sony video-on-demand systems.

I have never left my (self-employed) business unexpectedly for three days thus my being able to continue working on my notebook while in-flight was/is a blessing (requirement?). I am hoping to do the same thing on Wed morning YUL-YVR *but* there is no A300-series in the morning; there is, however, YYZ-YVR AC161 which is an A333.

I am presently ticketed Wed 08May02 YUL-YVR AC111 B767 (W; not D) so upon arrival in YUL a few hours ago I kindly asked the Ticket Counter Agent *if* she could confirm (i) AC111 D availability for me now (so I'm not stuck in W) ~ none, (ii) change my res now to YUL-YYZ-YVR so I could get on the AC161 A333 & be able to work in the air ~ no award space (but plenty of unsold J seats), & (iii) that I could stand-by for a crack-of-dawn YUL-YYZ connector so I could then stand-by in YYZ for AC161 to YVR ~ only if I get a "friendly" Agent or Supervisor to modify my YUL-YVR segment to YUL-YYZ-YVR split-segments (smile, nod, wink) on day of departure.

I have no problem getting to the airport at 5am to stand by & try to accomplish this feat ~ I really want the A333 vs. my present no-notebook-power B767 flight ~ & if, for nothing else, to confirm D from W.

Other than what I have mentioned can anyone offer any other advice? Any helpful AC Agents online right now?

Thank you. Dogstar.

PS. To all of the YUL FT'ers sorry for not giving you a heads-up I was coming to town. Given the unexpected nature of the trip there was no advance warning. Seeing as Montreal is my original hometown (proud to be a Habs fan at the Canucks games! ) it's unfortunate that my short visit probably won't allow enough time even for a Ben's smoked meat sandwich. Mmmmm.

PSS. If anyone will be in YUL Wed morning I'd be happy to meet up with you. If I end up passing through YYZ the same offer is there for anyone passing through YYZ. We'll just need to play it by ear but drop me a post or email just in case.


[Edited for minor typos & clarity]


[This message has been edited by Dogstar (edited 05-06-2002).]