So - I have been traveling a lot for the past 6 years and had all of the classic frequent traveller stories that the rest of us have had (well, most anyway). But my AC flight from Seattle to Toronto 2 Friday's ago takes the cake. I was surprised that for an almost trans-con flight from the west to Toronto they were using an ERJ aircraft. I love the plane but for a 4 hour + flight I thought it was a bit small.

Anyway - I was seated on the left side of the aircraft and their was a couple seated on the right side of the aircraft same row as me. I would say they were in their early 50's and they looked pretty normal to me Since overhead space is somewhat limited on that plane the FA asked if she could move their duty free to another bin so they could fit in a roller case. The lady freaked out saying that when she paid for the ticket it included the whole overhead space over their seats. I looked back with a "We got a bit of crazy going on here" and kind of giggled to myself. 4+ hours goes by and the flight was very uneventful. Landed at YYZ and the seatbelt sign went off. I stood up and pulled my roller bag out of the overhead and pulled my laptop case out from under my seat. The lady to my right says to her partner "Oh, look at this guy - he's special because he has two bags". I didn't say anything but then the guy in front of me had 2 items also. She says to her partner "Oh, we've got another special guy - TWO BAGS AGAIN!". I turned to her - in a totally "Canadian" nice way and said "Oh, you are allowed to bring on 1 carry on PLUS 1 personal items being a purse, laptop case, briefcase, etc" and smiled in a nice "Canadian Smile". She proceeded to say "WAS I TALKING TO YOU?!?!". I apologized and turned back around. Then she said to her guy "HE MAKES ME SICK!" along with a lot of swearing. I turned around and said "I can hear you!!" where so told me where to go in a not so nice way. To make a very long story short - it ended with police, an assault on me from the guy and stunned Air Canada employees. All this because I had 2 carry on items. I can't wait to see how things pan out in the US now that more of these guys are charging for the 1st bag. I just flew on AA to NY and a lot of people had large carry on bags that would never fit. I saw 3 guys ask "Can I gate check this?". They didn't have valet so the GA said they would have to pick it up at baggage claim. But that meant those 3 guys all saved the $15/$25 since the GA does not collect money. Interesting tactic...

Anyway - just had to vent. People have no patience anymore... every year I fly it just gets worse. Not just airline staff... but the people who fly. No wonder the airline staff are sometimes so jaded. I have been flying Virgin America... I have yet to experience one mean agent, FA, GA, etc. But just wait - after dealing with all these crazy people... they will be jaded in less than 6 months from now. It's a shame. It's like the chicken and the egg... who came first. The angry airline people or the angry flying public