Flying today … segment 1 on WS, segment 2 on DL. Both ticketed as WS.

Because of that, and as usual (!), check-in via the WestJet app resulted in a “can’t give you a boarding pass; you need to see an agent at the airport” error message.

When I arrived at YYC, the premium check-in line at the D/E concourse was massive — bigger than I’ve ever seen it. It was too big (and too long a wait) to even bother trying.

Knowing that the kiosk will at least give me a BP for my first (WS) flight segment, I printed one myself … and figured I’d just deal with Delta directly in DTW in order to get my second BP.

Then, walking past the main WestJet “customer assistance” line (ie people who need help, not people simply checking a bag) I saw it was hundreds of people long. Just massive. Yikes.

All of these people, waiting for “assistance” from a WestJet agent.

Which led me to wonder, now that WS is feeding Delta hubs where many, many people will connect to Delta flights … how many of those people waiting and waiting and waiting in either the premium or standard ‘assistance’ lines would not need to be there at all — if WS’ IT would actually function on “partner” itineraries.

(In fairness, CATSA at the E concourse was also a gong show this morning with huge lines and long waits for non-NEXUS pax, and CBP had long lines too. But, if WS could reduce their lines for what should be unnecessary “assistance” … what a better experience it would be for everyone. And the risk of missed flights or delayed departures would go down, too.)