AC: DCA-YYZ-DCA
Dec 16, 2002 | 9:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Washington, DC USA
Posts: 31
AC: DCA-YYZ-DCA
Quick trip report -
Flew DCA-YYZ-DCA today - 7:30 am departure to Toronto; 7:45 pm departure back to DCA.
I am a Northwest regular - gold elite and until today, I really hadn't appreciated Northwest's services enough.
These flights are operated by CRJs. At DCA, there are no jetbridges, so you are required to walk out to the plane. I thought it was cold this morning in DC - when we arrived in Toronto, there was snow and it was -12C.
Second, the flight attendants were not extremely professional. I don't know what happened on the outbound flight this morning, but the flight attendants were only halfway through the safety demonstration when the pilot starting taking off down the runway. Both flight attendants were standing up as we lifted off (holding on for dear life). You would think that they would understand what "we are currently number one for departure" really means.
The lead flight attendant on the return was just plain rude to a few of the passengers. We also only received a small cup of the drink of our choice. No offer for refill and when I asked for a second bag of "mystery mix," the reaction was pretty reluctant. After the very quick service, the flight attendants just sat up front and drank their own drinks.
I don't understand why AC uses two FAs on these CRJs. Most American carriers only staff one - the service is usually pretty adequate with one. You would think with two, it would be superb. Both flights were less than half full - the word "adequate" didn't even come to mind when reflecting on the service.
Upon our arrival in Toronto, we taxied for over 35 minutes. We then had to wait 15 minutes for a bus to take us to immigration. Only two lines were open, so it took over 30 minutes to clear immigration. The return wasn't much better. That terminal in Toronto is terrible. There are actually signs that say you have a 10 minute walk to get to the gate. It also doesn't seem that they will be moving to reduced secondary screening anytime for DCA flights either. 100% of the DCA passengers were subject to the secondary search. The security agent at the gate practically put his hand down my pants (after I had undone my belt).
Overall, I though that Air Canada was a disappointing experience. I look forward to returning to the skies of Northwest/Continental on Thursday morning. I am sorry that I strayed - I promise, it won't happen again.
Flew DCA-YYZ-DCA today - 7:30 am departure to Toronto; 7:45 pm departure back to DCA.
I am a Northwest regular - gold elite and until today, I really hadn't appreciated Northwest's services enough.
These flights are operated by CRJs. At DCA, there are no jetbridges, so you are required to walk out to the plane. I thought it was cold this morning in DC - when we arrived in Toronto, there was snow and it was -12C.
Second, the flight attendants were not extremely professional. I don't know what happened on the outbound flight this morning, but the flight attendants were only halfway through the safety demonstration when the pilot starting taking off down the runway. Both flight attendants were standing up as we lifted off (holding on for dear life). You would think that they would understand what "we are currently number one for departure" really means.
The lead flight attendant on the return was just plain rude to a few of the passengers. We also only received a small cup of the drink of our choice. No offer for refill and when I asked for a second bag of "mystery mix," the reaction was pretty reluctant. After the very quick service, the flight attendants just sat up front and drank their own drinks.
I don't understand why AC uses two FAs on these CRJs. Most American carriers only staff one - the service is usually pretty adequate with one. You would think with two, it would be superb. Both flights were less than half full - the word "adequate" didn't even come to mind when reflecting on the service.
Upon our arrival in Toronto, we taxied for over 35 minutes. We then had to wait 15 minutes for a bus to take us to immigration. Only two lines were open, so it took over 30 minutes to clear immigration. The return wasn't much better. That terminal in Toronto is terrible. There are actually signs that say you have a 10 minute walk to get to the gate. It also doesn't seem that they will be moving to reduced secondary screening anytime for DCA flights either. 100% of the DCA passengers were subject to the secondary search. The security agent at the gate practically put his hand down my pants (after I had undone my belt).
Overall, I though that Air Canada was a disappointing experience. I look forward to returning to the skies of Northwest/Continental on Thursday morning. I am sorry that I strayed - I promise, it won't happen again.
Dec 31, 2002 | 2:34 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: RST
Programs: Delta Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Accor Gold
Posts: 4,844
I have done YYZ-DCA a number of times, and never had two FAs. How can they work in that small space.
The CRJs at YYZ have to go to a separate terminal (?south end of field) that is only reachable by bus. The return is always a very slow process. You will only go as fast as the slowest passanger/crew on board. Customs is always a nightmare. I usually schedule at least 1.5 hour to do the commute if I fly out of yyz (specially if I connect through terminal 1, which is another bus ride!).
The CRJs at YYZ have to go to a separate terminal (?south end of field) that is only reachable by bus. The return is always a very slow process. You will only go as fast as the slowest passanger/crew on board. Customs is always a nightmare. I usually schedule at least 1.5 hour to do the commute if I fly out of yyz (specially if I connect through terminal 1, which is another bus ride!).