Dec 31, 2017, 6:09 am
Last edit by: jc94
This new annual thread has been carved out of the previous thread in an effort to reduce the number of megathreads on the AC forum. For those interested previous versions are the original 2004 - 2014 thread , 2015 edition, 2016 edition and 2017 edition
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. More Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs should be posted elsewhere on FT as should topics better suited to other forums such as Travel Products for questions about luggage or Travel Photography for discussion about cameras.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply here as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. More Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs should be posted elsewhere on FT as should topics better suited to other forums such as Travel Products for questions about luggage or Travel Photography for discussion about cameras.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply here as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
The Forum Lounge Thread (2018)
Aug 1, 2018, 1:14 pm
#1877
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC e75K, *G, SPG/MR PPE
Posts: 315
I used to think like you. Then I started making more money. I used to buy Flex FPs. Then I got sick of sitting in Y and paying change fees. I used to be content with Subway for dinner. Now I like to check off a Michelin Star every now and then.
There's a lot that can be said for never having to worry if you can afford a night out.
There's a lot that can be said for never having to worry if you can afford a night out.
Aug 1, 2018, 1:37 pm
#1878
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
I am sure very few people can afford, or more accurately, willing to pay out of their own pocket for the average J ticket within Canada. However from time to time there have been discount P fare to Europe and Asia at reasonably low price (around $3000).
Aug 1, 2018, 4:59 pm
#1879
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC e75K, *G, SPG/MR PPE
Posts: 315
But when Y is $1000-1500... it can be hard to justify. Though, to be honest, I'm getting to the point now where I'd probably be able to do it. I've started keeping an eye out for those P fares...
Aug 1, 2018, 5:49 pm
#1881
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Regarding the heights thing, tried to post earlier but it crashed. Similar to what posted above, I’m not great on heights but have never had issues in planes - including light aircraft (4 seaters), helicopters or hot air balloons. Yet still not happy on the side of cliffs etc.
This matches others I know. I also know someone who is terrified of flying, yet is fine with heights. At least in my experience the two are not related.
In regards to J it’s not just about affordability, for me it’s also about what else I could spend the cash on. Flying PY TPAC means I can afford other things sooner. Can I afford J, sure but it’s be at the expense of other goals I have that take priority at this stage of life.
Thats not to say I wouldn’t be more likely to fly J if my salary were to double mind. And I do tend to buy J/F domestically because it’s easy to justify an extra few hundred $ (okay so this tends me be trans border and not trans continental) than $5k.
Each to their own.
This matches others I know. I also know someone who is terrified of flying, yet is fine with heights. At least in my experience the two are not related.
In regards to J it’s not just about affordability, for me it’s also about what else I could spend the cash on. Flying PY TPAC means I can afford other things sooner. Can I afford J, sure but it’s be at the expense of other goals I have that take priority at this stage of life.
Thats not to say I wouldn’t be more likely to fly J if my salary were to double mind. And I do tend to buy J/F domestically because it’s easy to justify an extra few hundred $ (okay so this tends me be trans border and not trans continental) than $5k.
Each to their own.
Aug 2, 2018, 1:24 am
#1882
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 5
Fear of heights can be very different for different people:
I start shaking and sweating if I get to the third rung of a ladder, but I have no problem standing on the top of a cliff or riding in a glass elevator. I guess subconsciously I trust those structures but I don't trust a ladder. I love flying.
My daughter freaks out if she needs to stand on a raised platform or a cliff top. But she has no trouble flying.
My wife's grandmother wouldn't ride in a car going up a big hill. She would make her husband let her off at the bottom so she could walk up and get back in the car at the top of the hill. Good thing she lived in the Netherlands, so it didn't come up very often.
She never flew, but that may have been partly economic. Flying was still very expensive when she died nearly 40 years ago.
You may find that flying doesn't even feel like being up high. The views are so different that it might not trigger your fear at all. Just to be safe, I would avoid window seats. If you are flying a widebody, you may prefer the middle section where you'll not really see anything.
If you are really scared you may want to talk to your Doctor about an anti-anxiety drug like Ativan.
Hope this helps
I start shaking and sweating if I get to the third rung of a ladder, but I have no problem standing on the top of a cliff or riding in a glass elevator. I guess subconsciously I trust those structures but I don't trust a ladder. I love flying.
My daughter freaks out if she needs to stand on a raised platform or a cliff top. But she has no trouble flying.
My wife's grandmother wouldn't ride in a car going up a big hill. She would make her husband let her off at the bottom so she could walk up and get back in the car at the top of the hill. Good thing she lived in the Netherlands, so it didn't come up very often.
She never flew, but that may have been partly economic. Flying was still very expensive when she died nearly 40 years ago.You may find that flying doesn't even feel like being up high. The views are so different that it might not trigger your fear at all. Just to be safe, I would avoid window seats. If you are flying a widebody, you may prefer the middle section where you'll not really see anything.
If you are really scared you may want to talk to your Doctor about an anti-anxiety drug like Ativan.
Hope this helps
Aug 2, 2018, 6:32 am
#1883
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Air Canada - Aeroplan Black, AC - E50K, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 225
Aug 2, 2018, 4:42 pm
#1884
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,254
I disagree with every part of that.
Over the past 5 years, I've gone from "I'll go home a few times a year" to "I'll go to any North American AC FT do on a Saturday night". And I'm sure my starting salary was at a level most people would consider high enough that doubling it wouldn't make a difference. But it has.
Also, any company that won't let you take off unpaid time once you've exhausted your paid time off is not worth working for.
Over the past 5 years, I've gone from "I'll go home a few times a year" to "I'll go to any North American AC FT do on a Saturday night". And I'm sure my starting salary was at a level most people would consider high enough that doubling it wouldn't make a difference. But it has.
Also, any company that won't let you take off unpaid time once you've exhausted your paid time off is not worth working for.
Aug 5, 2018, 3:00 pm
#1886
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,949
Aug 5, 2018, 6:15 pm
#1888
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
On the other hand, he had to make a 700 km round trip to get it which is an issue of its own. If you didn't have a car or were unable to drive for medical reasons that would be a hotel stay and two days off work out of your own pocket.
Aug 6, 2018, 2:05 am
#1889
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,296
How do you find and book day rates for hotels?
Is it just a matter of calling every property?
Is it just a matter of calling every property?
Aug 6, 2018, 3:11 am
#1890
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
