I have hesitated to jump in here but will.

It is no secret that AC is not my airline of choice; I pretty much only fly them when I have no other choice. That being said, I do believe Simpson was over the top with his complaints. It was personal and really should not have been printed as a column.

Like others I have had nightmare flights on AC, but I have also had them on CA, AA, UA... you get the idea. They happen.

If it was the in-air experience I would probably fly AC more, but to me it is the ground experience that keeps me away. So far this year I have interacted with AC at 5 different airports and only 1 was the agent polite, friendly - warm is the best way to describe.

One told me that as a *G I was not entitled to use the lounge and she would not tell me where it was (US gave me directions at least), another told me a backpack is not valid as a carry-on etc.

Still I think Simpson was ridiculous. AC clean up the ground interactions with folks and you will have a pretty good airline.

(anyhow back to lurking )