Gold Run 2: Blame Canada! It's Only A Mileage Run anyway! (To YVR with AC, CO, BD..)
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
Programs: Mucci, BMI*G, M&M SEN, FB Gold, PC Plat, Father of GhettoIFE
Posts: 3,972
Yes... a Travelodge
! A land without points, chargable everything, the works
Considering all I needed for the short while was a bed and a warm room - it did the job as needed. Which was for a grand total of... 8 hours. Anything more than 19 and I would had felt robbed....
Thanks sobore


Considering all I needed for the short while was a bed and a warm room - it did the job as needed. Which was for a grand total of... 8 hours. Anything more than 19 and I would had felt robbed....
Thanks sobore
#18
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,181
In my opinion the CO breakfast croissant is the best.
It's a lot better than their lousy dinners; green leaves, mediocre main dish and tiny cookies for desert.And no cheese.
And if you are lucky to leave Europe at 9.15AM you get your lousy lunch served at 10 AM.
It's a lot better than their lousy dinners; green leaves, mediocre main dish and tiny cookies for desert.And no cheese.
And if you are lucky to leave Europe at 9.15AM you get your lousy lunch served at 10 AM.
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
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Posts: 3,972
Although all TATL Y class breakfasts are near enough unfit for consumption, US Airways still wins the "What are you trying to serve me stakes", with United and Continental tying.
At least CO tries to make you a bit healthier with fresh fruit. UA tries this Bacterial fermentation of milk stuff I've never liked at all...
I flew CO last year in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...lar-ua-co.html and found the service from Newark to be very acceptable (which was why I was quite joyful initially that I was flying CO for 9 hours on one leg to see if the service would be better).
Like all flights, crew can make or break a flight. In my case, they did their job when it came to the medical emergency. Beyond that... In the words of a certain airline "We are here for primarily your safety...."
Put it like this: It's made me reconsider my March/April USA trip already and who I'm flying with.
Thanks Cheetah_SA
#22
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ, EY, QR, BA, ST Elite+, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat, Avis Pres.Club
Posts: 5,196
Another very entertaining read Kevin ^ It seems that you actually prefer it at the back of the bus, having read all of your reports
For me? Not in a million years 
I recently completed several AC flights within Canada on a mix of one class (
) & J class sectors (
) and it was all very ordinary on board & on the ground. Have never flown them longhaul although wouldn't mind giving them a try - in J 
Many thanks for posting.


I recently completed several AC flights within Canada on a mix of one class (



Many thanks for posting.
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
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Posts: 3,972
Considering the HIX/Hilton were vastly overpriced, and that I needed just a bed for a few hours, the Travelodge did it's job. Of course I could had done the ultimate and stayed in the airport all night....
... but even *I* have limits
Thanks carolinaaaflyer
Ahh. Alas NoY, when it out of my own pocket with no miles to spend on a qualification run, and a tightening wallet, Y Class it must be
(Although I'll never say no to an empty seat next to me for some legs - makes it a bit more bearable
Hopefully I'll be organising a C/F class trip sooner rather than later
I haven't tried AC on shorthaul (something that will be corrected in the future), but at least them seemed better that some of their North American Counterparts (For example little things like Ice Cream). The J Herringbone seat looks quite nice a Long Haul Flight - if only my budget could extend that far
.
The Transborder lounge wasn't that bad in comparison to say a UA RCC/CO PC, but I do wish some of these lounges would take a leaf out of even little BMI's Great British Lounge - and have some nice hot food in the morning (and no, toast is not qualified as hot food in my book!)
The CO lounge was alas typical of CO lounges I've ran into - busy, overcrowded and nothing of interest to graze on... The only thing they have going for them is the Vodka and Colas
Thanks NoY
... but even *I* have limits

Thanks carolinaaaflyer


Hopefully I'll be organising a C/F class trip sooner rather than later


The Transborder lounge wasn't that bad in comparison to say a UA RCC/CO PC, but I do wish some of these lounges would take a leaf out of even little BMI's Great British Lounge - and have some nice hot food in the morning (and no, toast is not qualified as hot food in my book!)
The CO lounge was alas typical of CO lounges I've ran into - busy, overcrowded and nothing of interest to graze on... The only thing they have going for them is the Vodka and Colas

Thanks NoY
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 39,903
As usual Kev your reports are like a breath of fresh air. I get fed up reading premium cabin reports with their fancy food and obligatory Champagne glass shots.
As you say airlines tend to make a hash of breakfast even up front...it's a bit of an afterthought in most cases. No picture taking in CO? Bloody world has gone mad if you ask me.
Thanks for the report Kev. ^
As you say airlines tend to make a hash of breakfast even up front...it's a bit of an afterthought in most cases. No picture taking in CO? Bloody world has gone mad if you ask me.

Thanks for the report Kev. ^
#25
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: AAdvantage Lifetime Platinum, Alaska MVP
Posts: 27
Just wanted to confirm your opinion of Immigration Canada. They are the rudest in the world. Worse than ORD, JFK, LAX, DEL, LHR, or MIA, IMHO. I've had unpleasant encounters with Agents in Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal. Somehow I've been spared in Toronto and Edmonton. The Agents in Calgary were the most hateful I've encountered.
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
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I suspect that crew were "There for our safety" and wanted a quiet flight.

Thanks HIDDY
Just wanted to confirm your opinion of Immigration Canada. They are the rudest in the world. Worse than ORD, JFK, LAX, DEL, LHR, or MIA, IMHO. I've had unpleasant encounters with Agents in Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal. Somehow I've been spared in Toronto and Edmonton. The Agents in Calgary were the most hateful I've encountered.
I've got Toronto coming up as a stopping point on a trip in the future. I'm really looking forward to being processed there...

Thanks ghillier.
#27
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: AAdvantage Lifetime Platinum, Alaska MVP
Posts: 27
FYI Canada Immigration
Hey Kev,
Since you mentioned that you will be going to Toronto, I thought that I would let you know that your Passport was probably "flagged" by Canada Immigration after you received "special handling" in Vancouver and they may do a secondary questioning on you. That has happened to me because I had a similar experience to your hassle when I was in Calgary in 2003 and I told the Immigration Officer to "Get a Life" among other things. Still, YYZ is such a busy Port of Entry and they may not bother to hassle you. Good luck !
Gregg
Since you mentioned that you will be going to Toronto, I thought that I would let you know that your Passport was probably "flagged" by Canada Immigration after you received "special handling" in Vancouver and they may do a secondary questioning on you. That has happened to me because I had a similar experience to your hassle when I was in Calgary in 2003 and I told the Immigration Officer to "Get a Life" among other things. Still, YYZ is such a busy Port of Entry and they may not bother to hassle you. Good luck !
Gregg
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
Programs: Mucci, BMI*G, M&M SEN, FB Gold, PC Plat, Father of GhettoIFE
Posts: 3,972
Hey Kev,
Since you mentioned that you will be going to Toronto, I thought that I would let you know that your Passport was probably "flagged" by Canada Immigration after you received "special handling" in Vancouver and they may do a secondary questioning on you. That has happened to me because I had a similar experience to your hassle when I was in Calgary in 2003 and I told the Immigration Officer to "Get a Life" among other things. Still, YYZ is such a busy Port of Entry and they may not bother to hassle you. Good luck !
Gregg
Since you mentioned that you will be going to Toronto, I thought that I would let you know that your Passport was probably "flagged" by Canada Immigration after you received "special handling" in Vancouver and they may do a secondary questioning on you. That has happened to me because I had a similar experience to your hassle when I was in Calgary in 2003 and I told the Immigration Officer to "Get a Life" among other things. Still, YYZ is such a busy Port of Entry and they may not bother to hassle you. Good luck !
Gregg

Sadly, Immigration Canada are living up to the sterotype if that's the case. Good thing the ticket has a 10 hour stopover in it!
Although 10 hours in a lounge is taking the peanut a bit - but doable.
I'll have my iTunes copy of South Park Bigger Longer and Uncut music soundtrack ready to play if they try that game.

Thanks ghillier
Thanks Rejuvenated. Glad you liked!
#30
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
Hey Kev,
Since you mentioned that you will be going to Toronto, I thought that I would let you know that your Passport was probably "flagged" by Canada Immigration after you received "special handling" in Vancouver and they may do a secondary questioning on you. That has happened to me because I had a similar experience to your hassle when I was in Calgary in 2003 and I told the Immigration Officer to "Get a Life" among other things. Still, YYZ is such a busy Port of Entry and they may not bother to hassle you. Good luck !
Gregg
Since you mentioned that you will be going to Toronto, I thought that I would let you know that your Passport was probably "flagged" by Canada Immigration after you received "special handling" in Vancouver and they may do a secondary questioning on you. That has happened to me because I had a similar experience to your hassle when I was in Calgary in 2003 and I told the Immigration Officer to "Get a Life" among other things. Still, YYZ is such a busy Port of Entry and they may not bother to hassle you. Good luck !
Gregg
as an aside, CBS has a great amount of authority..i would put them number 1 of people not to piss off....even ahead of Canada Revenue Agency....in fact, in some cases, CBS has an ability to detain you without reason and your rights under the Charter do not kick in....