My responses to a bunch of points/questions, in no particular order:

Percentages of J class seats (approx):

747-400 10% Club Empress
DC-10 11% Club Empress
767-300er 14.25% Club Empress
A320 18%
737-200 12%
F28 18%

Bear in mind however, that smaller planes are more likely to be full as they have a lower absolute number of both coach and business seats. Therefore, you're probably more likely to get an upgrade on a 10% 747 than an 18% F28.

There is some question as to whether or not you can book CP7 from YYZ and de-plane at YVR. I have in fact done this several times, last on Nov 9/98, but lately I have been told by CP resv, CP Exec Plat Desk, and to her own surprise, even our company travel agent, that this is no longer possible. (CP claims it never was, but I have points statements showing I have flown this route.) I'm not sure what the real situation is. CP8, HKG-YVR-YYZ, is also prohibited, and while I have not taken this flight, my TA assures me that she has booked people on it before. I suppose they could have changed customs/immigration formalities, but up until now, you've had to change planes in Vancouver, in both directions, so I presume you have to clear customs at Vancouver on the way back to Toronto. If you *can* get on the flight, there is no reason to avoid it because it is going to HKG.

I'm not sure about the points/upgrade question. The only way to use points to upgrade on CP is to use points to buy stickers, but you are no better off than if you use the regular upgrade stickers. (Without stickers, I don't think there is anyway you'll get upgraded.) On the other hand, if you have enough points to buy an award ticket, by all means do so. You get much better $/point value on business class seats on CP, as well as most other airlines. I don't think I would ever use points to purchase a coach seat. (Your mileage may vary.)

If you have upgrade stickers, upgrading on AA is every bit as easy as upgrading on CP. They seem to have larger planes, with larger 1st class sections as well, which may make more upgrade seats available. (Don't let 1st class fool you, US carriers domestic 1st class is nowhere near as nice on CP's (or AC's) business class. I have *never* been denied an upgrade when flying AA.

My miles -- About 100K/yr on CP and AA (CP and AA's programs are so tightly and seamlessly integrated that I don't really differentiate any more. I think it's about 70K CP and 30K AA.) About 25K/yr on BA, and another 25K per year on others, mostly AC and NW. And the occaisional bush plane/float plane/ski plane/helicopter/STOL ride. The total is a little over 150K last year, and probably closer to 200K this year.

CP's 767s are great planes, especially if you "just want to be left alone." The "A" seats, 1A to 6A, are singles -- that is they are both window and aisle seats, and on some 767s, they have a big storage bin under the right armrest. Sitting by yourself gives a profound feeling of spaciousness. But 767s DO NOT have the inseat videos, which I really like. The nature of my work does not lend itself to working on the plane, and 5 hour flight can be pretty boring, even with reading materials. The 747 and DC10s both have inseat videos, with 6 channels. For sitting, I think CP's Club Empress seats are the most comfortable I've ever sat in, moreso than even BA's first class seats. ('Course, BA's are much better for sleeping in.)

As for upgrading on CP7, from YYZ-YVR, I've taken this flight 2 or 3 times in the last couple of years, always on a DC10, and have always been able to upgrade. I'm guessing that it is because they pick up a lot of passengers in Vancouver, where there is a very large Asian community.

The one time I flew CP7 from Vancouver to Hong Kong (and then on to Bangkok) I was not able to upgrade until I got to the airport. The reason was that while there were plenty of open seats from YVR-HKG, the business class was supposedly full from HKG-BKK. (This bugged me, as I was concerned that Golds and Clubs would be able to take all the upgrades to HKG, if that was as far as they were flying.) I was "biting my nails" for a couple of days before the flight, dreading the thought of a 14 hour flight in "steerage." However, at the airport, 7 people including myself were upgraded. On the second segment, HKG-BKK, business class was half empty, so I don't know what that deal was all about.

On the return flight, I as able to upgrade at BKK but only as far as HKG. At HKG, there were enough no shows that I, just barely, got upgraded. It was so distracting, I didn't enjoy the lounge at all. But it was a nice ride home.

Any more questions, please feel free to post. I'll answer as best I can.

Best Regards,

Ken Hamer