FlyerTalk Forums - "Phantom" passengers costing CP/AC money/customers?

Well, it's finally happened to me. Trying to fly YVR-NYC, on Mar 4 or 5, and of course, I'd like to fly CP given the superior service.

But like many others, it seems that there is essentially no availability on several CP flights connecting through YYZ. These are the flights that business travellers would most likely take -- non-stop YVR-YYZ, departing up 'til about lunch time, that arrive in Toronto in early evening at the latest. The only choices I have are connecting (and 1 "direct" flight, with a stop,) that typically depart in the afternoon or evening (i.e. red-eye.)

Flight 984 in particular, always seems to be completely full. But this is the same flight that so often is cancelled. Clearly, something bizarre is going on, as they wouldn't be regularly cancelling a flight that so often sells out weeks in advance.

But for me, the solution is easy. Given that the service levels between US carriers and Canadian carriers seem to be converging (who knows, maybe they'll cross) I'll simply fly AA on the direct flight from YVR-JFK. The service won't be quite as good, but I'm much more likely to get my upgrade, and won't have to worry about being shuffled off to UA. Even if I don't get the upgrade, at least I'll have more legroom.

The AA FC seats have almost as much room as CP A320s BC, the meal service seems to have improved lately, my treatment as a top-tier by AA has been sterling, they've begun to upgrade their lounges (and build some new ones that are on par with BA/CP/AC,) and I'll still get status miles, at least for now.

While this arrangement is subject to change in the future, for now, AA will be getting my $$$. If it does change however, I'll have to seriously evaluate whether I'd be better off drifting towards AAdvantage, given the nonsense that MapleFlot has been pulling off lately.

Anyone else still experiencing these absurd booking situations?

P.S. I just noticed that this is my 666th post. Think it means anything?
P.P.S. I also just noticed that the date consists solely of only 2 different digits, both even. This couldn't have happened in the last millenium. Surely, an omen of things to come.

[This message has been edited by KenHamer (edited 02-20-2000).]