Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative

[MidEngine]

When Mrs. ME and I flew to Montreal in June for a two week jaunt I didn't expect anything out of the ordinary re. flights. We drove to Vancouver BC, hopped on a direct flight to Montreal that arrived more or less on time.

Fast forward to the return flight and it was clear Air Canada was playing us; weeks before they started rescheduling the return leg (5 times). We shrugged it off and I checked us in 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Woke up on departure day to an email advising us the flight was canceled, we would end up getting home the next day. We got home 23 hours later than we should have.

The cancellation was due to Air Canada not having an aircraft (bullshit, they couldn't sell enough tickets for the flight), and under Canadian law they have to pay for their shenanigans. $1000 Canadian dollars per passenger. Landed to USD we both got $750, we should receive the cheques before too long.

Moral of the story, Air Canada can eat a bag of dicks.

[ClassicDatsunDebate]

@MidEngine said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

Air Canada can eat a bag of dicks

This is the least controversial suggested amendment to Oh Canada lyrics.

[CB]

@MidEngine I have a flight in October. I get weekly updates about flight changes that mean nothing.

I love Air Canada.

[ZHP Sparky - the 5th]

@MidEngine said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

Fast forward to the return flight and it was clear Air Canada was playing us; weeks before they started rescheduling the return leg (5 times).

Is this something airlines do to try get passengers to cancel a flight on their own (e.g. new time lands too late for connection/appointment), so they wouldn't have to pay out the $$ when they eventually cancel the flight? Sketchy, but not surprised at all.

[MidEngine]

@ZHP-Sparky-the-5th Jokes on them, Canadian law sez they gotta pay up. They're an awful airline, but WestJet is probably worse.

[MidEngine]

@CB oof, I feel for ya. We're flying Alaska Airlines to LAX early August, I think it'll go well. We're flying out of Paine field (Everett) rather than SEATAC.

[NKato]

@MidEngine At least you're getting paid. In the U.S. we do not have such laws requiring those sorts of reimbursements. Fascinating, innit?

[MidEngine]

@NKato yup, good luck in the U.S. and you'll likely have to lawyer up.

[NKato]

@MidEngine said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

@NKato yup, good luck in the U.S. and you'll likely have to lawyer up.

It's almost as if having some socialist mechanisms/philosophies in civil society makes for a better-functioning nation. Something the conservatives in Canada are seriously trying to tear down.

[ForSweden]

@MidEngine said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

Air Canada can eat a bag of dicks.

Is insulting a flag carrier treason

[ibRAD]

@NKato said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

@MidEngine said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

@NKato yup, good luck in the U.S. and you'll likely have to lawyer up.

It's almost as if having some socialist mechanisms/philosophies in civil society makes for a better-functioning nation. Something the conservatives in Canada are seriously trying to tear down.

There is a balance that has yet to be found.

[NKato]

@ibRAD said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

@NKato said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

@MidEngine said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

@NKato yup, good luck in the U.S. and you'll likely have to lawyer up.

It's almost as if having some socialist mechanisms/philosophies in civil society makes for a better-functioning nation. Something the conservatives in Canada are seriously trying to tear down.

There is a balance that has yet to be found.

I think my opinion on conservatism has been well established in Oppolitics.

[ibRAD]

@NKato I don't read that section all that much. I don't care much for the CPC, but my statement stands regardless!

[foghat1981]

good for you! AC fucked us royally on the way back from India a few months ago. But they ultimately claimed it was a safety issue therefore no dice on anything but a voucher.

Never. Again.

[ash78]

Back to stuff I like about Southwest, they're the only airline I know who voluntarily stops making changes 30 days before your flight, and if they do, they offer you a full reimbursement (not just a flight credit) if you decide to cancel.

I've had multiple others change my flights within 24 hours and not even notify me...

[AkioOhtori]

@MidEngine said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

The cancellation was due to Air Canada not having an aircraft (bullshit, they couldn't sell enough tickets for the flight), and under Canadian law they have to pay for their shenanigans.

This is good to know. IIRC we were on a Air Canada flight that did the same thing but we booked it as a Delta itinerary so we didn't get any compensation. We rebooked under a different airline and, weirdly, saw the "cancelled" flight also leave when we were at the airport...

[MidEngine]

@AkioOhtori I'd have to read the exact verbiage around the policy (and I'm lazy) but I believe the compensation law is for domestic flights only. Since we were flying Montreal-Vancouver, it's covered.

[AkioOhtori]

@MidEngine said in Flying sucks, but it can be lucrative:

@AkioOhtori I'd have to read the exact verbiage around the policy (and I'm lazy) but I believe the compensation law is for domestic flights only. Since we were flying Montreal-Vancouver, it's covered.

Hmm this was Vernon to Vancouver iirc... though it might have been Seattle now that I think about it.

[MidEngine]

@AkioOhtori https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/publication/flight-delays-and-cancellations-a-guide

"These apply to flights to, from and within Canada, including connecting flights. The airline operating the affected flight is responsible for meeting obligations to the passenger."

"Airlines should give passengers as much notice as possible that their flight will be delayed or cancelled. If an airline informs the passengers 14 days or less before their original departure time, they will have to compensate the passengers for the inconvenience of the disruption. The amount of compensation depends on how late the passenger arrives at their destination, compared to the arrival time indicated on their original ticket.

Large airlines must pay:

$400 if the passenger arrives three or more hours late, but less than six hours;
$700 if the passenger arrives six or more hours late, but less than nine hours; and
$1,000 if the passenger arrives nine or more hours late."