1. Security. I was stuck in the line with two people putting their large carryons, knapsacks that counted as a personal item and their laptops. Taking off a belt and other items on their body. Yes several bins each as well as needing to be scanned for the jewellery. Really. What happened to checking some item? Air Canada does not charge for the first checked bag. That's where my bag went!! Just a small carryon and my purse with my camera in it.
2. Prebook your seat. Yes I am a Nana and very sympathetic to couples travelling with children. But if you want to sit with your spouse, pay for the seat. Coming back from my destination, the mother and baby was able to sit with her husband because another passenger changed seats. I did not offer mine. I had prepaid and wanted the window seat. Simple! Another couple with a baby and toddler were all together because they prepaid for their seats! So please do not play the baby card! If you can afford to fly and not drive to your destination, you can afford the prepaid seat.
3. One never knows what other passengers have in their lives. To sit in front of one man talking to a fellow passenger about his teaching career in Japan and his family was okay for a few minutes but after two and one half hours, it really wore a little thin. In other years when the airline had movies or sites for music, easy to plug in and ignore the talk. But not knowing the flight did not have music or movies, was a learning experience. I had my ear plugs from other flights. Maybe retrospectively, I should have put them in my ears! Next time I will pay for the I pad- $10.00 or bring one.
4. Don't travel with your seat fully back the whole time. The passenger behind has very little space as it is on those domestic cheap flights. I was three to a space that even my short little legs were wedged quite well.
5. On my return leg of the trip, in the airport waiting for a plane, one does not buy the seats beside you for your bag. I had gone for a washroom break and returning noticing there were three seats beside whom I thought was a gentleman. Well, getting closer to the seats he quickly gave me a dirty look and put his large carryon on one of the seats. I was choosing the third seat farthest from him anyway. Not impressed, I sat there a few minutes then moved to another seat I eyed in the lounge. Thankfully I did not sit beside him on the plane. It happened on the initial stage of my trip with the 60 something couple sneaking kisses in the airport sitting beside me. OMG! Then on my flight out to my destination, they sat beside me. Again how many kisses are needed! Of course, I ignored them because as a woman if I smiled at the guy it would be seen as my trying to hit on him by his lady friend! I did not even make light conversation.
So be polite, but not necessarily friendly. I never tell people what I do for a living as I really am not interested in hearing every problem.
Checking in online the night previously is a wonderful feature and does save time at the airport. Besides it is reassuring that the seat prepaid is right there on the boarding pass!
Food tip- for the prepaid $7.00 I actually received two items for more than the cost. If the flight runs out of food, prepaid customers are fed first. So an appetizer of choice and my chicken wrap one way and the deli sandwich on the way home, it was an easy way to have food. Yes the food was fresh! Sure you can take a sandwich from home or buy in the airport but nicely served on the plane without any fuss of having to store it in one's bags. Travelling with children, it is a different conversation. Snacks for little ones and even the bottles and baby food are needed.
Another tip. Put away that cellphone or laptop. People watch in the airport. Easy to do because basically one is watching people playing on their gadgets- cellphones, laptops or whatever! I like to connect to the world around me. No one even notices they are being watched!!!
Some photo ops too!
In conclusion- most Canadian travellers are polite and respectful of others around them. I understand there are many that are fearful of flying so the best behaviour may not prevail! Personally, I love flying and going places. It just took a family emergency for it to happen.
Yes, I travel Air Canada whenever I can.
Happy Flying Everyone! Happy Landings!
#travel#AirCanada#manners#privacy
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