If I want to use Aeroplan or Airmiles points to travel into the United States, or around the world for that matter, am I able to use them on other airlines from Winnipeg?

 

The two companies operate somewhat differently but the answer is still yes.

 

Airmiles Reward Miles utilizes a variety of carriers. Some routes may not be available but essentially they act like any other travel agency when you book with them.

 

Aeroplan, on the other hand, uses Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners. United Airlines is one of those partners, so you can book almost anywhere in the U.S. through their wide network.

 

It is an unknown fact that reward points from around the globe amount to the one of the largest currencies in the world. If they were all redeemed at the same time, airlines would have new reasons to declare bankruptcy.

 

As a result, these points are parcelled out in fairly small amounts, frustrating many who have tried to find travel options.

 

But with a tough economy, things have changed. With more seats going unsold, airlines, particularly south of the border, have been adding extra seats on a regular basis. United Airlines, Air Canada's partner, reports a 12 per cent increase in uptake from their own program members this past year.

 

Many collectors, it seems, were saving their travel miles as though they were money in the bank for some future special reward. The recession changed that saving mentality into a spending one. Members who still wanted to travel despite the economy chose not to spend dollars, but rather cash in points instead.

 

Even corporate travellers, hemmed in by new company policy restrictions against business class travel, have been using their points for upgrades.

 

Coincidentally, I have not heard as many complaints from readers as in the past. Perhaps Air Canada, who does not always choose to report these figures, has loosened up extra seats as well.
June 27, 2009
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What do I need to do to ensure I can travel with my pets under Air Canada's new regulations?

 

The issue of pet transportation had been a thorny one for a long time for Air Canada. The most recent announcement represents a big step for them in allowing small pets to travel with their owners in the cabin section.

 

However, you need to know there are restrictions. Air Canada will only allow one pet per owner in the cabin. They will also allow no more than four pets on any flight at one time.

 

You need to pre-register your pet and there is a charge. Go to their website at www.aircanada.com for a full set of guidelines.

 

It is early in the season and changes may be announced later but at this stage, the airline will still not allow pets to be sent in the baggage compartment during the holiday season. Many other restrictive policies are also in place for owners of larger dogs and cats who want to have their animals travelling on the same flight they are on.

 

For those who may be thinking of transporting more exotic creatures, like snakes or rabbits, snakes on a plane are definitely a no-go. To take it to the extreme, one could surmise that if a rabbit were allowed in the cabin, it could become a tender morsel for the snake, so neither is allowed on board.

 

Beyond this thawing of policy for dogs and cats in the cabin, with the recent appointment of Calin Rovinescu on April 1 as president and chief executive officer, there have been a number of other subtle and not-so-subtle changes. Rovinescu is a former senior executive with the airline. He started his tenure with the statement that he wanted to listen to what people were saying, and then act accordingly.

 

Shortly after, while somewhat of a marketing ploy, a lowest-fare guarantee was introduced in May. It was a small step but a good one.

 

Then, surprise of all surprises, the airline that seemed not to like travel agencies at all, did an absolute about-face, and put commission dollars back into the hands of agents to encourage them to sell Air Canada product.

 

The strangest words for travel agents to hear from an AC executive were how Air Canada was now committed to a renewed strong relationship with the industry.

 

Perhaps as Air Canada seeks survival dollars, they are recognizing that the best dollars are the ones from passengers that don't leave in anger and frustration.
June 27, 2009
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Has the case which the young man who took Air Canada to court and won changed the operating responsibilities of all airlines relating to luggage?

I believe Air Canada can still appeal the case, so until that appeal I think we should hold our collective breaths.

Air Canada has suggested costs will have to go up for tickets if the decision is upheld, implying that the decision was a bad one in the long run for the consumer. Most travellers, on the other hand, will never understand why an airline would not want to support paying clients who have had their luggage lost or damaged as fairly as possible.

Most of us recognize that it is impossible to avoid wear and tear by today’s automated systems. At the same time, bags that arrive appearing like they have been dropped from 10,000 meters, or which are sent all over the country leaving the owner with nothing until they are finally returned should not require a court case to receive appropriate compensation.

Notwithstanding all that, let me repeat some advice I have given in this column in the past. Even though most luggage is returned to the owner by the airline quite quickly, always have a change of clothes in your carry-on.

Similarly, if you are travelling with a spouse, pack half of the belongings of each in separate bags. In this way if one is lost you still can handle a couple of days without going into panic mode.
May 30, 2009
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Is it true we will be having another non-stop carrier to London, England this summer replacing the Zoom Airlines flights we had last year?

 

The Airports Authority has been trying to attract a new company to come in to our market to satisfy the demand that the now bankrupt Zoom succeeded in creating. I believe it will happen soon.

 

An airline recently had its hands slapped by the government for not following protocol in establishing itself as the legitimate carrier from a number of Canadian gateways. The belief is that once this airline comes back with the appropriate documentation and follows the required process, that approval will be given for them to serve a number of Canadian markets, which I believe Winnipeg will be one.

 

There are some tremendous bargains to be had in the United Kingdom now as both the pound loses value and hotels lower rates to attract customers
February 7, 2009

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I am an extremely overweight person who always needs an extender for my seat belt when I travel. I thought that the government had imposed a policy that allowed people like me to get an extra seat for free. However, I was told that would not be the case when I go to Mexico next month. Why is that?

 

It was the Canadian Transportation Agency that first ruled that functionally disabled people could and should fly with a free seat on Canadian airlines. Then the ruling was expanded to define functionally disabled to include obesity. While obesity is often defined medically as any person whose body mass index is 30 or higher, the ruling only suggested that the measurement could be considerably more arbitrary in how obesity would be determined.

 

At first it seemed to be dependent on whether the armrest can go down, whatever that means. This week both Air Canada and Westjet announced that these passengers will have to jump through a few hoops to gain a free seat. For both airlines, a doctor's certificate of their disability, or need for an attendant when travelling, will be required. In addition, the doctor will have to give his or her medical approval for travel.

 

When the transportation agency first announced the policy, Canadian carriers appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court, arguing that such a policy would impose an unfair financial hardship on them.

 

The airlines argument held no sway with the Supreme Court, which countered that the extra cost to Air Canada, at 77 cents a ticket, or the 44 cents a ticket to Westjet, would not pose an undue financial burden.

 

In regards to your specific question, however, the policy seems to apply only to domestic flights. Tour operators who are transporting people internationally, seem to not to fall under these provisions.

 

While obesity has been one of the arguable areas for a number of years, the term 'functional disability' is crying out for its own more precise definition. Is a person who has had a serious back operation functionally disabled? What about a person returning home after an accident in a second jurisdiction? Or someone with any other number of serious medical conditions?

 

The judgment may be in from the Supreme Court, but the jury is still out on how broad the definition needs to be extended. And for those looking for relief from our charter carriers, the battle may be just beginning.
January 17, 2009

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Next year will be our fourth trip to the Acores Islands since 2002. I believe there are only two airlines flying this route -- Sata International and Air Transat. Over the years we have heard, and still hear, many passengers complaining about the high fare for this flight. Is it possible that these two companies are keeping their fares almost the same on purpose? Could this be a decision between them i.e. a type of fare collusion?

 

I would doubt very much whether there is a formal collusion taking place in the pricing of fares. Any time you have limited competition on any route it is almost guaranteed you will have high prices, which is why sometimes you can fly overseas cheaper than you can in North America.

 

Going to northern Manitoba is also very high because of a lack of competition on the routes. Transat is a big company, and it would not be worth jeopardizing its reputation with a fine from the competition bureau for what, for them, is an extremely small percentage of their route revenues.

 

What is more likely is that they watch each other's pricing and follow with fare changes up or down. In cases like this, during the high season you will only find high prices, and during the low season you will see more effective competition to fill seats. You will see this in a number of Canadian destinations where competition is limited, in addition to Manitoba's north.
January 3, 2009

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I have been reading and hearing a lot about cancellations by tour operators this year. Do I have reason to be worried about my departure for my destination?

 

To my recollection, there has never been a year when there haven't been one or two cancellations. Often, they happen at the beginning of the year, even before sales really get going, as tour operators make early adjustments.

 

Such was the case early this year when Sunquest Holidays decided not to proceed with its Friday departures to Cancun. This has happened more than once in the past, when tour operators have added new destinations to a region which, for any number of reasons, do not catch on.

 

And as happened this year, everyone in the supply side of the business seemed to be adding more seats out of the Winnipeg market, bringing on an early price war until a couple of suppliers blinked, choosing to retreat instead of losing a lot of money on a highly competitive route.

 

When this does happen, under normal circumstances, we will see only one tour operator decide to give up a flight. Another might do so later with little public fanfare, as travel agents work to put their displaced clients on alternative options.

 

With multiple announcements occurring within a few days of each other, it seemed like the travel sky was falling. But in fact, it was bringing the number of seats available back into a manageable level considering the year's somewhat slower booking levels, caused not just by economic fears but by a warm fall.

 

Nothing makes Manitobans race to the travel agent like a prolonged period of freezing temperatures and cold winds.

 

It is noteworthy that as some suppliers exited markets, WestJet Vacations announced Thursday that it was not only adding a weekly flight to Puerto Vallarta, but replacing the Mazatlan flight that Sunwing cancelled as well.

 

Not only did they pick up the slack for that destination, but the Sunwing Mazatlan flight was via Calgary, and WestJet's new one is non-stop from Winnipeg.

 

No one can predict if a tour operator will choose to cancel a flight. However, we hope the recent route eliminations will be the last for the season.
November 29, 2008

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Now that Air Canada no longer charges for a second bag at the check-in counter, and with lower average prices for oil, do you think we will see some of the services we used to look forward to at no cost come back again?

 

Air Canada was one of the first airlines to start what has come to be called "unbundling." Air Canada reasoned that not all travellers should pay for benefits only a few take advantage of on any given flight.

 

So the nickel-and-dime á la carte charges made their appearance for blankets, food and beverages, and entertainment. We are now seeing U.S. airlines follow that philosophy.

 

In January, American Airlines will pare down its costs for base airfare and enter the world of what many travellers view as irritating charges for simple items as well as for checked baggage. One of the options may be to allow ticket buyers to forego frequent-flyer points in favour of saving a few dollars. The future of oil pricing is still unknown, with some projecting a return to previous high levels again.

 

The world's airlines are still suffering and a number have gone into bankruptcy or some form of protection by governing bodies or near bailouts by governments themselves. Routes have been cut and airplanes sold or mothballed. It will be some time before we will see many of them coming forward with freebees to attract customer loyalty.
November 8, 2008

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With fewer people travelling in the U.S. these days I thought it would be easy to book a flight on Air Canada's partner airline with my Aeroplan, but I could not get the flights I wanted even though I booked well in advance. Why is that?

 

While United is one of the airlines that has announced substantive service cuts in its route system, they are not alone. Including our own Air Canada, airlines are suggesting route cuts of three to 10 percent.

 

This does not suggest that the numbers of points seats on each flight has changed, but the cumulative total terminated flights could mean thousands of available redemption seats are gone with them.

 

This will mean we are going to have to pony up more points to get the flights we really need or keep accumulating until good times return. That may be a long time from now.

 

Many of the seats for this category are entered into the system as much as a year ahead of time. Notwithstanding the difficulty in committing our schedules to specific departures so far in advance, it may be the consumers' only choice. Imagine the dilemma of those who woke up one morning to read that their city will no longer be served by their favourite airline.
August 2, 2008

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I bought what I thought was a cheap ticket the other day and found my end price was double the advertised price. I know the fuel surcharge is a big part of it but what are all the extra charges about?

 

I can't think of another consumer-based industry that would get away with masking price the way the travel industry does. It seems that everyone along the chain finds a way to ding the consumer.

 

If you are flying overseas your fuel surcharge could be more than $400 dollars easily. Guess who has to pay for the lovely new airports being built or refurbished across the country?

 

AIF stands for Airport Improvement Fee. If you like the $1-million artwork or fancy waterfall in some of the airports you visit, feel proud that you helped to build it.

 

Air Navigation systems are expensive it seems. Nav Canada makes you pay for them with fees up to $20.

 

Remember Sept. 11, 2001? We pay for the privilege of having security closely monitor potential bad guys. For that we pay between $5 and $20.

 

That terrible day also brought about dramatically increased insurance premiums airlines were forced to pay. In turn they passed these increases on to us outside the base fare. Air Canada has deemed that fee to be $3 each way.

 

These are just the charges on the ticket. Now if you travel with certain airlines you'll pay for either the second bag you check or even the first in some cases.

 

You'll have to buy your own meal onboard if you want one. You may have to buy a pillow or blanket. And forbid you have to make a change to your itinerary. Charges have increased here as well.

 

Remember with all of this, airlines in North America for the most part are still anticipated to lose millions of dollars.

 

Perhaps the extreme of what many consider to be false advertising is taking place now in Malaysia. The two warring major airlines, Air Asia and Malaysia Air, compete so strongly for consumer's attention that the most recent approach being taken in advertisements offers zero fares. They fail to mention all the above referenced extra charges. The government, while expressing distaste, will not implement advertising disclosure legislation. Since Canada has no legislation preventing the same approach from taking place here, will we soon see ads offering free seats? Europe, New Zealand, and Australia all have rules which demand the real end price be communicated in airline sales campaigns.
August 2, 2008

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What is your viewpoint on the new optional insurance being offered by Air Canada to ensure that customers who buy it get helped first?

 

Air Canada calls it an "On My Way" fee. From the day it was announced I saw it as an almost useless insurance to buy unless you really have a lot of money that you don't know what to do with.

 

The reality is, it's not that often that storms hit that force us to require the so-called service provided by this coverage. And what is that service? To accommodate those who put up the money for this extra fee to go to the front of the line in the rerouting process.

 

I have called this an unfair fee before, but apparently bigger voices are taking up the cause in a complaint to the Canadian Transportation Agency. A consumer group suggests that the fee contravenes the Canada Transportation Act which demands that fares must be fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory.

Air Canada spokespeople say they cannot be held responsible for putting people up in hotels and feeding them as a result of weather delays.

 

What that also means is that if I don't purchase the insurance, not only will I pay my own way when things go wrong, but I will pay for a longer and longer time as Air Canada allows those who have purchased the insurance to stand at the front of line as we line up for a taxi to the nearest hotel.

 

While the airline buckled on the issue relating to transporting pets, I believe they may win this one. For those of us who think travel already appears too expensive, we will just have to reluctantly accommodate ourselves to yet one more service gap in an industry that once led the way in customer satisfaction.
May 17, 2008
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How much are the higher airline ticket costs, with new and increasing surcharges, hurting our travel bookings if at all?

On the surface it would appear not at all in Canada. Both Air Canada and Westjet reported high load factors for April. But behind that rosy picture there is serious concern in airline boardrooms.

 

Westjet, for the first time in 15 months, did not have load factors higher than the previous year. While U.S. airlines are really suffering with their economy, complicated by the recent housing meltdown as well as fuel costs that they are afraid to pass on to the consumer, experts are predicting a significant slowdown, which is the reason you are reading about mergers of giant airline brands to try to weather the storm ahead.

 

A recent analysis pointed out that with the cutback in routes and frequency of service announced already by airline companies, the sum total of these cutbacks is greater than the total of all of the routes of American Airlines, one of the world's biggest, if they grounded their entire fleet. In a business where profits are measured on nickels and dimes and based on full loads as well, this once again does not portend well for that industry sector.

May 10, 2008

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Can I carry liquids onboard aircrafts?

Yes and no. Liquids and gels can be carried on but it is unlikely they can be transported in their original containers. The rules specify that the containers must be 90ml/90g (3 oz.) or less. For most of us this will mean transferring our liquids to different plastic containers. Additionally the containers have to fit comfortably into one only clear, closed and re-sealable plastic bag no larger than 1 litre. The US Transportation Security Administration calls this the 3-1-1 rule – no item larger than 3oz, fitting into 1 Ziploc/freezer-type bag, no larger than 1 quart. Interestingly the TSA and UK’s Department for Transport still recommend you carry liquids in your checked luggage even though they allow them to be carried onboard. Note, there is only one bag allowed per person and it must be presented separately at security for examination.
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Aeroplan has recently announced changes to its program that seems to have the effect of stealing our hard earned points. How do you feel about their recent announcements?

I couldn't agree more. While I have some sympathy for their concerns about what would appear to be seven year dormant accounts, they have some responsibility to do their part to hold these points on behalf of the person who collected them in good faith. I can report to you for a fact that Air Miles Reward Miles has on more than one occasion passed on points to the rightful heirs after a points holder has passed away. This may be the case with some of the dormant accounts. Air Miles Reward Miles need to see a will and a death certificate, but they will honor the dictates of the will and transfer the points accordingly. Why Aeroplan has chosen a different route is puzzling. What is even more frustrating is their announcement to take points away from people who don't accumulate or use points for a year. In other words if you don't add or use points to your account, Aeroplan will deem it expired. What should be expired is the kind of thinking that actually motivated the original Aeroplan announcement suggesting in its release that somehow this was all a good thing for Aeroplan members.
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We never seem to hear about the safety records of the airlines of the world. Why are these records not more public?

While many safety violations are minor, if there is such a thing relating to safety, most countries' airline regulators warn the airline and demand immediate rectification of the problems. Other countries are more lax. Perhaps the negative financial situations which have faced many of the worlds air carriers over the past several years have persuaded some government institutions to be more lenient on air safety, but thankfully, not the Aviation regulators of the European Union. Only recently they introduced a complete ban on over 90 airlines they consider unsafe. In the past individual countries of the EU had imposed air bans on their own blacklisted airlines. However, in January of 2004 a passenger jet filled with Europeans crashed in Egypt. The airline in question had already been on the Switzerland banned list. This tragedy brought the Member States of the EU together, and they coordinated their lists. Today these banned airlines cannot fly into the airspace of any of the EU countries. This move is expected to have a major impact. It will force many airlines to improve their safety standards and could see the economic demise of others. Some of the airlines banned at the outset are Sierra Leone's Star Air, Cameroon Airlines, Albanian Airlines, as well as airlines from Nigeria, Egypt, and Ghana. For a complete list of banned carriers go to www.euobserver.com or www.europa.eu.
(Clicking the links will open new windows).
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Since we can still cross the U.S. border by automobile without having a valid passport, if we take a flight from Grand Forks, as example, to any other United States destination, will we require passports to board the aircraft either going or returning to that initial departure city in the States?

Mary Speer, Consul at the United States Consulate office in Winnipeg, provided definitive clarification for me upon her return from a recently completed tour of land ports between North Dakota and Manitoba. She informs me that this is, at present, perfectly permissible. Customs and Border Protection officers mention that many people from Manitoba are in fact doing just that…travelling to Grand Forks and flying without passports. With the usual technological assets in most agencies, travel agents in Manitoba can book these trips for you, giving you the sense of security you have someone to call if later flight changes or difficulties emerge. While it is a jaunt many would choose to avoid, Minneapolis is a major hub for Northwest Airlines. From there they can easily put you in almost any U.S. destination you could want.
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If I find something missing, specifically my camera from my luggage, can I claim payment from the airline?

Recent cases seem to make this highly improbable. There is provision for theft under airline passenger agreements. However, the passenger agreements, which no traveller ever agreed to but accepts when he or she determines to fly, provide for very narrow compensation terms. Firstly you likely have to know at the baggage carousel that something was missing, and report it before you leave the airport. Additionally, airline tariff regulations preclude any liability for loss of articles such as jewelry, cameras and an extended series of other similar items. Since it is hard to pinpoint where the theft took place, it is equally hard to find someone else with whom you are insured to cover it, unless you have listed it as an endorsement on your policy. Your homeowner's insurance will likely end up being your best bet, but with deductibles and the hassles you have to go through to claim, unless it truly is an expensive item, many will just give up trying. Baggage insurance can be purchased, along with other travel insurance, at the time of booking your trip.
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It seems there is no end to the cutbacks that airlines are prepared to make in service as they remove blankets and pillows, charge for meals, and reduce baggage allowances. Do they really save big dollars by these moves?

There are pencil pushers who will calculate the savings in fuel on each reduced pound of baggage and airline spokespeople insist the savings are not only substantive, but required in today's price conscious competitive environment. A few years ago, American Airlines announced it saved $40,000 US by eliminating one olive from each salad served to customers in the first class section. At the same time at a recent meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airline presidents became clear that it might be time for airlines to change their thinking, especially as it relates to their business customers who foot the biggest part of the airline bills when tourists are not the mainstay. There is some sense that we are close to bottom in terms of airline savings, which affect customer service. Finally we may be able to look forward to a period where once again customer service becomes the dominant Mantra.
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Why are airlines so uptight about check-in weight restrictions and carry-on size restrictions?

As you add people on board, you are also adding significant number of checked-in bags in the hold. The weight factor can add up. Today passengers who don't heed the weight restrictions, especially on the return journey, find out the hard way there is a price to pay. Vacationers should plan in advance for out-of-country purchases and think about ways to travel lighter going out. Other than for their wallets, they likely will not be travelling as lightly on their return with souvenirs they found irresistible on their holiday. Similarly, more passengers mean some overhead space is required for each passenger. This can result in those overhead bins filling up pretty quickly. From a retail perspective, the shift to lighter weight luggage purchases was almost overnight. Retailers found themselves selling off high quality brands with high ballistic nylon denier counts, and the best but heaviest frames at seventy percent or more off the original price. This made for some great deals for those whose travel it only by automobile.
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I have often wondered how much airlines drive up the price of fuel because of their massive consumption on each trip they take. Would our gas prices be reduced dramatically if they were not in the picture?

IATA, the International Air Transportation Association, reports tells us that fuel efficiency has improved 20% in the last decade. Today's modern aircraft, they report, consumes on average 3.5 litres per 100 passenger kilometers. This is similar to a small compact car, but with 6 times the speed. The next generation aircraft are targeting fuel efficiencies below 3.0 litres per 100 passengers. They also argue that it is air transport that has, in no small part, driven world economies and helped create the global village with business, product deliveries, notwithstanding the impact of visitors opening up tourism in previous remote destinations of the world.
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I heard there are new carry-on restrictions for Europe. Is that true?

It would appear that the European Union (EU), has followed many of the North American requirements as related to liquid quantities. You now can take on small amounts of liquids in your hand luggage. All liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each. These, like in Canada, must be packed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of not more that one litre capacity per passenger. travellers are required to actually present this package to the screeners at the security checkpoints for examination. They have also created special sealed bags for duty free purchases, which must remain sealed when going through screening.
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Can I still travel to the United States with just a driver's license along with one other form of picture identification?

Not if you plan to fly, you can't. My son, who traveled with me on this trip, misplaced his passport and tried to gain entry to the United States with just his drivers' license and a second piece of picture ID. Without a passport or birth certificate, he was denied boarding. I left for our planned father-son golf vacation alone. Proof of Citizenship means what it suggests. But this story has a happy ending. Kudos to the people at Vital Statistics Saskatchewan, who for the reasonable fee of $55, had his birth certificate sent overnight from Regina where he was born. It was in his hands the next morning. Aeroplan was able to reschedule him for two days later while United Airlines, feeling sorry for him, honoured his ticket the same day he received his new ID. With only one day lost we were reunited for six great days of golf at the Tapatio Springs Golf Resort, just outside of San Antonio.
November 2006
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I understand airlines are not offering pillows any more. Is that correct?

Airlines around the world seem to be jumping on board every money saving exercise they can concoct. Although Air Canada no longer hand out pillows, they are available to grab in the upper compartments. Other airlines offer to sell you a blow up pillow, which I have looked at and really have nothing good to say about. There are couple of options. There are many soft blow up pillows on the market that are very good. An important word of caution to all. Do not blow up these pillows until you have reached your cruising altitude. There are reports of these pillows blowing up because of the effects of changing air pressure. Two of the better comfort pillows on the market are the Obusforme Comfort pillow and the Lewis and Clarke React grouping. On a cross country trip a pillow really does become a necessity.
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I get frustrated by the confined seating area allotted to passengers on charter airlines like Skyservice. Why don't they create more spacious seating?

Most airlines devoted exclusively to charter service keep their prices down for the tour operators they serve, and subsequently for clients like you, by flying with more capacity then scheduled carriers, who usually must charge more per passenger mile. A couple of years ago Skyservice, after consumer complaints, removed three rows of seating to make the space between seats more acceptable. While this added only inches between rows, the complaint levels went down considerably. Those who find the seating still unacceptable will fly on Air Canada whose planes are called into Charter service winter weekends, when flight demand is not as high. From my reading of the emails and comments I receive, the level of dissatisfaction around charter flights increases with the number of hours of flight time to the holiday destination.
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With the new weight restrictions for luggage announced by airlines, how strict are they if you are only a couple of pounds over?

I frequently tell people to pack lightly, taking into account that they will likely return with souvenirs and other purchases from their holiday destination. On our return from San Antonio my suitcase was 5.5 pounds over the fifty pound limit. That minor average cost me $50 U.S. It proved to be an expensive lesson, and since another passenger only two or three check-ins ahead of me was also forced to shell out the same amount, it became obvious to me that this has become a new revenue source for cash strapped airlines. What is perhaps most frustrating is that I, like many readers, have really good luggage that is still in excellent condition. The problem is that each piece weighs about 18 pounds. By investing in new technology, high quality Travelpro or Victorinox, bags, which are about half the weight, I could have saved all that money.
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I recently was denied boarding because my name on my ticket reservation was spelled differently than my identification. This became quite a hassle and I finally got on the plane but it was not a pleasant experience. Was I singled out or is this common?

You were not singled out at all. Proper identification is no laughing matter these days, and when your travel agent tells you to check the travel documents carefully, it should not be taken lightly. A simple misspelling as you have learned is enough to deny you boarding and on packaged vacations you may find yourself paying a hefty re-ticketing fee, which is no way to start a vacation. If you're divorced and planning to take along children, you must have a notarized legal letter authorizing you to travel with them. If you're planning to get married in a foreign country and will be changing your name after you marry, make sure you have all that paperwork with you as well. Some foreign countries have dramatically different policies than we do and you should make sure you know them in advance.
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We purchased duty free liquor in Toronto on our way to Nurnburg in Germany through Frankfort. After going through German Customs and Immigration, we had to pass through another security check to board our domestic flight to Nurnberg. There, we were prevented from taking our duty free liquor on board. Why is that?

In this era of fear and apprehension, everyone is subjected to some degree of suspicion. Theoretically at least, you could have changed the liquid in the bottles to something more lethal after you left the first secured area, and before you entered the second. The duty free program is for product purchased after you have entered the secured area of your departure airport. You, unfortunately, were forced to leave that area. In most instances, even in a terminal change in big airports, you do not have to pass through security a second time to board a connecting flight.
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I traveled to Victoria to visit my parents this winter and wanted to go again this summer, but the prices seem really sky high now. Is that because of the fuel costs?

Only partially. For many airlines their most profitable period is the summer quarter when it is common for families to fly across the country to visit relatives, or see our great country. Unlike other countries, Canada does not have as many well developed tours for us to buy into that. Including, air and accommodation at reasonable prices. And tour operators who have tried have not always met with great success. So we are left to book our own flights on an individual basis without the benefit of group discounts. On top of that, because current demand is so high, airlines have no need to go to their lowest price levels offered during off peak months. The profit statements of the two major airlines at least reflect these price adjustments. Many experts will still tell you that Canadian fares are not that high considering the vast distances and limited population bases airlines draw from. And yes, the new realities of jet fuel costs are also playing a major role in the end fuel surcharge added invoice we must pay to travel.
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Why can I fly to Europe and back for just about the same price or less that it costs me to fly within Canada?

This really is a very good question which relates to charter class airlines who offer limited, usually on weekly, schedules to limited number of destinations. These charter airline carriers will almost always only have one or two aircraft types to control parts inventories and repair costs when required. Because of their limited schedules they usually must fly full in order to deliver on the price they offer. Scheduled airlines are in a world of their own with staffing, scheduling, servicing and inventory control. We pay the price for the convenience of daily travel options.
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I keep hearing how airlines have rebounded since 9/11 and are doing well. I am worried that the current fuel situation may drive airlines into economic difficulties and once again we get stuck with unusable tickets. Is that likely to happen?

While in general world airlines have turned the profitability corner, the same cannot be said of most of the air carriers in the United States. The International Air Transport Association has admitted that the various U.S. airlines have really not recovered and have also stated that fuel prices which lead to increased ticket costs are the major concern of the future. For some strange reason though, there never seems to be a shortage of investment dollars to start new airlines. Will we see a bankruptcy? I don't believe it will happen here or in Europe or Asia, but America will languish in the critical care list for quite some time yet.
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I was on an Air Canada flight that got cancelled and it took me forever to get looked after. The line up was long and the other flights all seemed to be overbooked. I could not get another flight for almost 24 hours. Is there no solution to this?

Yes and no. The best advice I can give is to avoid the line up completely by phoning directly to Air Canada reservations. The call center has great numbers of people who can help you while the line up only has one or two agents. While you are in the line-up those who have called the airline directly are booked and have taken the seats you coveted. Also, call your travel agent who has a direct connection to the airline availability on their monitors. The line up may be more personal but in most cases it is the slowest and least efficient process.
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I recently traveled overseas to an African country only to find out there was political unrest there at the time. I was very insecure about travelling. Shouldn't there be someway the airline keeps you informed?

There is an answer and it is not through the airline. Go to the Government of Canada's Foreign Affairs website. It is www.voyage.gc.ca. They provide updates on most world conflicts and will issue official warnings to Canadians at times. Make sure you have travel insurance because these warnings insure you are covered and are forced to cancel your travel. They have already issued statements regarding the upcoming hurricane season which extends from June 1 to November 30 in many of the Southern U.S. states, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Even on this site, they strongly recommend cancellation and trip interruption insurance. It is a constant amazement in this day and age that people are willing to travel without appropriate coverage. Along with this, they ask that you leave the following important information with family or friends in Canada…Detailed information-including the name of the tour operator, flight details, hotel name, location, room number and telephone numbers, including cruise ship details and itineraries.
(Clicking the link will open a new window).
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