3Shelaghs

^^ your correct, carry on according to this gal was at the gate, but her checked luggage was in belly of the plane. I posted this not to specifically to "rant", (was it cathartic? no I didn't need emotional support)but to ponder where we have gone wrong with the "youth". Why arent' they thinking and planning for themselves? Why do they expect others to fix their problems? Yes, I know it's centuries of youthful thinking, but honestly I think they are getting more flakey. I was shocked that Air Canada actually went to all the trouble to off load this gal. As a grandmother of all grand daughters, I'm glad they helped her, but as a crotchety old lady, I was miffed after preplanning to arrive days earlier than needed, arranged transportation to arrive early and be picked up at destination upon arrival, I do my due diligence, but somehow end up with the short end of the stick. Glad they dumped her off vs her going postal over the Atlantic. So don't get me wrong, I fully understand all kinds of delays with airlines and certainly not green to flying, but quite shocked they actually went to this extent to accommodate her issue, and was wondering if this is the norm nowadays.

On a recent flight (March) 777-300 full, Toronto -Amsterdam, they were delayed due to a snow storm previous day (all backed up), so flight was slightly delayed. Prior to boarding the gate was changed after they had asked for people to volunteer checking of carryon's. A 20ish something gal did. The gate was changed and she did not retrieve her carry on prior to moving to the new gate (3 down). All boarded plane, roughly 2 hrs late. Plane began taxi to runway, when this gal began crying, approached business class cabin crew stating her plight she did not retrieve carry on from previous assigned gate. Much ado, and she was settled back into her seat in economy. The closer we got to the runway, she once again came up to the business class crew crying, they seated her in an empty seat. Time passed plane sat where it had shoved off and stopped. Finally Captain came on speaker stating, they contacted Operations, and she was getting off plane, but ground crew would have to go into belly of plane to retrieve her checked bags as Cdn Law states anyone who boards a plane and gets off, much have a bag accompany them. Plane went back to gate. The "2155 take off" finally left from the gate at 0230. Belly was unscrewed, containers undone and her bag retrieved. Notes: as a diabetic, plan for no meal to arrive (be prepared)... as a business man, I would be ticked if my attendance depended on reasonable delay times, was this reasonable to allow people to get off? Couldn't they have sent her bag on another flight?. I had a driver waiting on the other end, thankfully. he checked flight times and did not charge us a surcharge. How much fuel was used for this caper? With all the technology, signage, apps, surely she should've known? I bet if she got a cute text or call, she would have been right onto that info on her phone. Was I angry? No, only uncomfortable. Am I disgusted air heads like this exist? Yes, but Air Canada seemed to accommodate this behaviour. Anyone else have scenarios like this happen? On a positive note.... the taxi was at lightening speed, bet the pilots enjoyed that rare event!

The Barbizon is the HO JO'S of hotels. Take an alternative if you are allowed. Rooms were clean, housekeeping very slow (most days room wasn't cleaned until 5pm, we started refusing it and just asked for towels). Breakfast mediocre. Service in Bottles and Jars slow, with limited menu. Main restaurant was closed Sunday, Monday & Tuesdays. Noise from back street ridiculously noisy, each and every stinking night until 3am. If a conference is on during your time spent, it is very noisy and you have to dodge all tons of people to get to elevator or breakfast room etc.Only plus for this spot is the closeness to train station.

Do the math, how much cheaper is it really? We factor in the anxiety, confusion, emails, phone calls etc etc = headache. We have rented cars all over (including Australia), and learned very fast.... ash coverage in Iceland is a must, UK doesn't cover tires, load the car up with necessary insurance, forget your insurance from back home (unless in the US), relax and enjoy the freedom of your own wheels. At the end of the day whenever we ran into rental issues, it was always easier to just add the car rental insurance and be done with it. Factor those nickels and dimes into the "overall experience".

My plan... all has been discussed. Funeral arrangements planned and paid for. Funeral directors card laminated and copies in wallet. Clear concise instructions printed out and in purse before leaving home. Remember to empty your safe, bring your medications with you, and have your luggage packed and delivered to hotel or take with you when you debark. Do not forget passports, credit cards and telephone numbers, travel insurance and ship information. Let the ship know where you will be staying. (they may arrange for you) Don't trust your memory, write it all down. (Our funeral director also stated that once they have all the info, they are able to deal directly with the foreign ones as much as possible). The deceased is usually debarked off lower deck prior to others debarking for day, directly to waiting coroner car, or ambulance. Family afterwards. Its all done discreetly (at least the ones I have witnessed) The following is dependant upon country rules that received the deceased body: autopsy, cremation of remains, embalming of body prior to repatriating deceased. Your travel medical may pay for hotels, repatriation, a companion to fly to you, medical bills if occurred, flights (know before you go). You will need to provide the service who accepted the deceased (usually a coroner office or funeral director) all your loved ones info, how to contact you in the city you debark in, and your funeral director telephone numbers and address back home, your flight numbers dates and times. You also need copies of death certificate, funeral home, coroner (if used) from abroad. And the flight dates and times the body is arriving at your local airport for your funeral home to pick up. They also need copies of death certificate so death can also be registered by them. Have a clean credit card prior to leaving home, and use for hotel abroad, incidentals, phone calls, photocopies etc. Worry about recouping the monies once you are at home. Your funeral home will attend airport and pick up body.Cremains are usually in specific marked boxes, and some airlines allow you to carry on flight and some go in cargo hold. You will be given specific paper work regarding this to bring on flight with you. Your airline may also give you a "compassionate flight", enquire when booking to come home. As creepy as all this is, it's so much better to be prepared (and then there are the unexpected deaths). Have I been through it.. no. But at this age we are prepared for the partner who is left behind to cope better. And once all this was done, it was a huge sense of relief. Of course we all know "the best laid plans of mice and men"....

Agree with gnome12. Try the Ama Facebook page for comments about travellers enjoyment.

Any news on contract negotiations???

You're correct. I always get the first one upon booking, but nothing afterwards even with changes made. You must call them and request a current one to be emailed. I enquired as to why there wasn't a magic button on their phone menu to request instead of having an employee being bothered with simple calls, and they stated "policy". Possibly due to privacy issues? who knows, but it is an inconvenience. I've never had a request refused and it has always been received before I hang up

It's a toughie staying on much needed caffeine free. Never knew it could be such a problem with the old ticker. Even caffeine free has a small amount. Ahh to be young again.....

^ well said

No problem with European water or pop, but some of us need diabetic caffeine free, thus usually have to resort to non stop water to stay hydrated. Its nice to have a variation to break up the boredom without landing in emerg.

Cancelled for this reason. But as someone said, there are many other cruise lines that do not operate with this heavy handed final payment burden 1-1/2 years out from cruise. Why would fiscally responsible people hand over thousands to an unknown to make your money work for them?? I would think as times get tougher, the company will need to rethink their rules. Cheap upfront deposit sales fill the beds, but how many of them actually take that cruise? When I enquired re booking close to sail date, I was told final payment is due at that time. No deposit, just full payment. They also do not offer cancellation insurance for Canadians. Strange since most other lines do. Nor do they offer prepurchase of transfers without land portion. Some one should draw up a spreadsheet of which lines offer what. On a snowy day, by the fire, dog at your feet, start the research!

Pax onboard Rotterdam at present, said no Visa needed two weeks ago in Cartagena.

Quattro Romeo... did you need an electronic visa for Columbia? Mixed info on "Cdn board" re this need.

Cosmo had some informative info for thong wearers, and I would think it's a two way street for other pool bathers. Like the Care Bears... Caring and Sharing 🫣 https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/news/a41974/are-thongs-unhygienic-facts-doctor/