I’ve never been a keen traveller and a recent trip to Vancouver has confirmed that I will never become one. So many things went wrong, especially on the flight there and back. Air Canada, you suck big-time!
My son Brett had hounded me to go on a vacation with him for over a year. First it was a low-cost trip to China for a whirlwind tour of a few cities and much sightseeing. The 32-hour long flight triggered me to back out just one day before a final decision. He was furious. Then he tried to arrange passage to Alaska – much too cold and desolate for me. He persisted until I finally agreed to a three-night stint in downtown Vancouver. I would fly from Ottawa and him from Toronto, meeting up at the Vancouver Airport.
It was the flight there that began a string of problems. At 6 a.m. on a Thursday morning while checking in at the Ottawa airport, I was denied entry and abruptly told that I was bumped – ‘they had overbooked’. Cursing Air Canada and recounting how important it was to make that flight didn’t raise an eyebrow. The best option for me they recommended, was to take a 7 a.m. plane to Winnipeg and then transfer to another one.
I was so frustrated. On the plane before lifting off I couldn’t get my seat belt buckled and had to ask for help. After the plane started moving, I commented to the guy beside me, “Man that was a smooth lift-off.” He replied, “We’re actually still on the runway.” The last embarrassment was when standing to exit, I banged my head on the overhead luggage rack. I noticed then that passengers were storing suitcases in that rack that were bigger than mine. I had paid $30 plus taxes to send it as cargo. What a chump to follow the rules that others didn’t!
I needed a coffee in the relatively smaller airport of Winnipeg but virtually everyone in the place were lined up for a coffee too. I didn’t have the patience to get in such a long line. I should have as the flight from there turned into a two-hour wait instead of 30 minutes. This burdensome route meant I lost three hours by the time I set down in Vancouver (really no time at all with the time difference). That’s easy to swallow!
The return trip to Ottawa had us all seated on the runway for nearly two hours before getting airborne. The first excuse was that the pilot’s seat had to be adjusted. I thought to myself, “Just eject the guy and get another pilot that’s co-operative!” The next reason was the fuel gauge was malfunctioning and this message was repeated every 15 minutes or so. Finally in the air, I imagined an engine failure and all us were hurtling toward unknown terrain. I was hungry which distracted that thought. Sandwiches came around and I selected an $8.50 one. I had cash or debit. Only a credit card would do but mine had been compromised the week before. I offered a woman $20 if she would put it on her card. She did so reluctantly.
We had a hotel at the West Georgia and Howe intersection with all the trimmings (two bathrooms and two TV’s etc.). It had so many staff fumbling to help at every turn (naturally looking for a tip), it became bothersome until I began pointing to Brett and saying, “He’s floating all expenses.” I didn’t feel guilty at all as I supported him for many years – now it was his turn.
The downtown core was populated with so many high-rises, it was almost claustrophobic. Most buildings were modern in architecture with diverse heights, slopes and angles, their glass and chrome all blending in with original ones, a peek into the future. We could walk to most places; the waterfront station, Canada Placeway, the football and soccer stadium, Gastown, etc. There were a series of Terry Fox statues as the ‘man in motion’, small to large, signifying the beginning of his quest but not able to finish. We also explored Chinatown, so colourful and active with its many concentration of shops.
We did the Flyover experience, a discovery of the country, climbing and diving as in a helicopter. Capilano suspension bridge, 700 feet long and 300 feet above the canyon and rainforest below, was awesome — until some girls began playing around causing the flexible bridge to sway haphazardly. I don’t know about others but I grabbed the handrail with two hands. Afterwards, I had a hot shave – first one ever.
Many times I have been asked where I would prefer to take a vacation. As always I say, “Right at home.” I’ve been to Florida, the Islands and now Vancouver among others. Dealing with all the hassles of travel can be avoided. Stay put!
