Were you a apart of the unfortunate few that got caught in Air Canada's delays this holiday season?

Well, just so you know, you weren't the only one! Bad weather and mechanical failures were the reason behind numerous Air Canada delays this holiday season. This accounted for thousands of passengers being delayed and stranded - many missing the holidays all together.

I was one of those people. So far over 200 complaints were logged at the Consumer Association of Canada, against the airline, and it appears as though more complaints will be filtering in - mine included.

After being yelled at by an Air Canada employee on December 20th, to being stranded at Ft. Lauderdale airport for over 12 hours with little more than a $10 voucher for food and no news on when the airplane would board. We were on a flight that was being routed to Montreal in order to get to Toronto and it was soon discovered that fellow travelers heading to Calgary were rerouted a direct flight to Toronto, in order to spend the night on their way back to Calgary?

How did that brilliant move work out?
Not so well!
Apparently, because when we asked if there was no room on the direct flight. Then when the aircraft size was increased, we weren't kept in mind and some other family were given our seats.
However, I did get a AC customer service rep telling me, "Air Canada, just doesn't care. So good luck." They don't care because every delay costs them millions! HAHAHAHA! I DON'T CARE! I paid for a ticket to go from A to B at the times written. My inconvenience will result in me NEVER flying with that airline again. Simple as that.

Consumers' deserve to have their rights protected. Every flight taken by someone in my family over the past month has been delayed or canceled by Air Canada. This inability to provide a reliable service is an inexcusable coup d'etat! Compounded with Air Canada's inability to provide service to their delayed clients that is both decent and humane. Having elderly sleep on the floor, families ration $10 allowances, providing hotel accommodations discounted (not free), and an emergency reservation line that tells clients that they cannot reserve seats, they MUST stand in line waiting for a representative to show (so much for that hotel stay. Now we wait 3hrs at 1am for an agent to show at no particular time.) - there is no respect for their clients at all! Especially, when you're on hold, waiting for a rep, and a voice over comes on notifying you that if you paid an extra service charge you can get the customer service you would want to get from Air Canada.

WHAT?!?! I HAVE TO PAY FOR GOOD SERVICE NOW!?!
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING!
GO FUCK YOURSELF AIR CANADA!!!

You want to take action, like me? Then let's complain!!!
First off, remember, there are alternative airlines to Air Canada - YOU NEVER HAVE TO FLY WITH THEM AGAIN! British Airways, West Jet, Sunquest, American Airlines, etc.

You can complain!

Consumers' Association of Canada:
http://www.consumer.ca/1506

Canadian Transportation Agency:
http://www.cta-otc.gc.ca/plaint/index_e.html

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT:
http://www.cta-otc.gc.ca/cta-otc2000/faqs/filing_e.html

Air Canada (You can try, but admittedly their customer service reps say that Air Canada just doesn't care about their consumers.)
http://www.aircanada.com/en/customercare/

Want to read more about the delays and action being taken against Air Canada?

http://www.theprovince.com/story.html?id=1125014

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/more.jsp?content=20081228_224103_25780

http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/293438708884288.php

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081229/air_travel_081229/20081229?hub=Canada

http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=1125638