The following email was sent to all elites (and others?) who AC has email addresses for. Given Transport Canada only confirmed their procedures this afternoon, and nobody was totally sure how long or what the nature of changes would be yesterday, I'd say this is reasonable enough response from AC.

From: "Air Canada"<[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 21:56:29 -0400
To: [email protected]
Subject: Important information if you are travelling within the next 30 days

Dear MR SHAREHOLDER:

The Canadian Government has announced increased security measures at all Canadian airports. Following is important information that will help you prepare for travel on Air Canada and Jazz flights during the next 30 days
Check-in Security: Allow extra time for check-in and security clearance. Air Canada recommends that you check-in 90 minutes before departure for flights within Canada, 120 minutes before departure for flights to/from the USA, and 180 minutes before flights to/from other international destinations. It is also recommended that you reduce carry-on baggage as much as possible.
Liquids on board: Effective immediately, liquids or gels (i.e. shampoo, hair gel, all types of beverages) in containers of any size will not be permitted onboard any flight. The only exceptions will be for prescription medications (the name on the prescription must match that on the boarding card), essential non-prescription medicines and for passengers travelling with a baby or infant; baby milk or formula.
Flights to the USA and U.K.: Transport Canada will be performing random searches in the gate area for flights to the USA and to the U.K.
Go Discount: Customers travelling on a Tango fare with a Go discount who have opted out of their checked baggage allowance may check in their carry-on baggage free of charge until August 17, 2006. The bag must conform to Air Canada carry-on weight and size limitations.
For your convenience, check-in online 24 hours in advance http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...kin/index.html <http://links.email.aircanada.com/a/l.x?T=jimolflhclkipgcbimlllkom&M=1>

While we regret any inconvenience arising from these measures, your safety and security remains our primary concern. For detailed information please visit aircanada.com

We thank you for your understanding and patience, and for choosing Air Canada.

Yours sincerely,

David Tait
Senior Vice President ˜ Customer Service





In the meantime, one would have to be on another planet not to know what the immediate situation called for and the new restrictions on carry-on. This was carried on every media outlet in the world! What exactly did you expect AC to do until it was clear that these changes would remain in effect for more than a few days.

Also, I noticed before I left for dinner late this afternoon that there was a new link on AC's website detailing the same information as I posted above.

Can Negotiator please tell me what he would have done that AC has not done, and how he'd get it implemented in 2-hours?

Yesterday there were posts about how this would affect AC's own LHR flights. As it turned out, not very much. All its flights had arrived into LHR shortly after the alert was announced, and passengers processed normally through UK customs. All its flights back to Canada departed, perhaps and understandably, a few hours late. And all flights to the UK last night departed, again perhaps a few hours late. Understandable based on the late inbound arrivals. Today its sked is pretty much back to "normal".

So again, what more could AC -- or any other airline -- have done?