Just been through transorder area in YVR, but can't say I noticed any wildlife sounds or trees. etc. Did notice that Friday night it was deserted (I was only one in AC MLL and three agents had little to do: one stayed on the internet all evening!), but same thing when we went through immigration yesterday morning. They've got to do something about that long treck from the commuter section to the main terminal!

As for AA passengers trying to enter Empress Lounges -- and as I have already noted -- it might have been AAdvantage Plats trying to get in on the basis of their oneworld status, but since AA treats Canada and Mexico as domestic destinations for lounge access purposes, and if they were not Admiral Club members (it was a reciprocal arrangement, which means Admiral Club members would have access) entry would be refused unless they were flying on a CP flight number.

We definitely had the better end of that arrangement, particularly since one has to pay for alcohol in the Admiral Club lounges unless you were an Empress Club member.

As for using Cdn+ upgrades on AA flights, they will not likely be honoured after the agreement expires next month, even if the guide says otherwise. ("Reserve the to alter rules of the program...")

Interesting about J being offered instead of F out of YVR. Seems I read somewhere recently that one U.S. carrier was rebranding their domestic F-class a Business like up here. But it is a bummer given loss of that extra 25%. I guess AA figures they can do it out of YVR, but YYZ is too competitive a route and they want to maintain an advantage over AC on transborder flights from there.