Hi all, I know this is basic stuff for most of you FT veterans here, but infrequent flyers like me always appreciate some guidance.

My family of 5 will be flying in Y on AC 833 BRU-YUL connecting to AC 1140 YUL-YHZ in late August. We have nearly two hours to clear customs, security, and make the connection. This seems ideal.

If we were flying the route today (Jun 17) we would miss the connection because AC833 took off 2.5 hours late due to a baggage handlers labour action at BRU.

If this sort of thing happens on my trip, what is the best way to deal with it? I guess these are my options:

(1) Try to call AC from the ground in BRU after the connection looks hopeless? If things look dicey I would have to get a Belgian SIM card. I was planning on just getting one for NL since that where we'll spend most of our trip.

(2) Ask for help from the Gate Agent in BRU before take-off? I imagine that they'll be swamped if an A330 full of PAX has to deal with a delay.

(3) Call once I land in YUL? This could work, assuming that I don't spend so much time on hold that I miss several connection options.

(4) Talk to an agent somewhere in YUL? This seems like the best option to me since I prefer face to face interactions, but where would the best place be? At the ticket counter after clearing the customs but before clearing security? Or is there someone to talk to before I clear customs. I imagine that I won't be able to clear security with a boarding pass for a flight that has already left.

(5) Something online/phone app? Would this work with 5 tickets booked together? I've read that checking in with the android app doesn't work for groups, would the flight delay/cancellation site have similar issues?

My other question is how they would handle it. It seems that many AC flights don't have enough empty seats for 5 extra Y passengers. Would they split us up across two flights? Would they put us in J? Would they bump folks with status (we have none) up to J to make room for us? The last option seems fairest.

Thanks for any advice.