The Squamidian Report – March 23 / 13
Issue #565
Including:
The Ontarion
Hi All,
You know, it might sound weird, I love to fly, but I hate flying on scheduled airlines. I never miss a chance to go up in a little tiny airplane. They are fun and exciting and educational. There is lots to see and do. They are fun. They are the opposite to the experience you get on the big commercial flights. I totally and absolutely hate the airlines and the flying experience one receives from them. As some of you know, I'm in KW right now visiting family and friends. That meant putting myself at the mercy of a non-caring, over-priced, crowded and callous Canadian air carrier. I won't bother to say which one because they are both the same. However, I flew in to Waterloo airport so that obviously means I was on Westjet but like I said, there really is no difference in attitude or service.
I actually think they go out of their way to make their customers miserable. Seating is getting tighter and tighter. Every time I ride in a passenger jet the amount of legroom is smaller. It is now so tight that even a fairly small person like me can barely squeeze into the seats. Once in you might just as well forget about getting out, Can't be done. Then there is their scheduling, that must be put in place by someone totally unaware of anything to do with reality. You book an early flight only to find that it is already running behind. Then it turns out that it doesn't matter because it has to wait for some passengers who need to connect from another flight that is also running late. Now, because this particular flight was Westjet, you can't actually fly directly to your destination. You have to fly somewhere else first. Air Canada gets around not being able to send you somewhere else first by not bothering to fly to your destination at all. So, your flight gets off the ground frustratingly late and therefore gets to the first stop late, but, that doesn't matter, because.....you need to wait for passengers who are connecting from another, even later running flight.
So, you can finally take off again as long as nothing unexpected happens but guess what, you need to make another connection in Calgary and there is no way on earth the flight you are on can get there on time. And it didn't, we got there later than that flight was supposed to depart. But, just like with the first plane, it had to wait for the passengers on the late flight. They rush you through the terminal to the departure gate where even though the whole pack of passengers is herded in a group to the desk, they insist on seeing ID as well as boarding passes. Oh well, not a problem for most but the poor family with 3 young, tired kids and way more luggage than seems right had put their ID's away and had to go digging though several bags before finding their stuff. Meanwhile, everyone waiting on board was continuing to enjoy this wonderful way we have all been treated by the very companies we pay to transport us to our destinations.
And, we had not had any chance to stretch, or use the washrooms, or grab something to eat in the food court. Therefore, at first opportunity there was a lineup for the washroom by everyone who could squeeze back out of their seats. Then, because we didn't have any time to purchase something to eat in the terminal, we were stuck with the things they pass off as sandwiches and charge for like it was some sort of top end fancy dinner. At least they still give out water for free, but even that is done in tiny little plastic cups so you can't actually quench your thirst without being forced to purchase a bottle at a price that is guaranteed to help some high ranking executive achieve his next big bonus.
Now, my next gripe is of my own doing, not the fault of the airline although if they were to think about it I'm sure they'd incorporate it into their general customer treatment policy. I sat on the wrong side of the plane. Yup, the wrong side. I never do that and never miss a chance to advise others to sit on the correct side. But, I got tricked, so perhaps they did think of it. I like window seats so I can look out at the world as it slides by beneath. However, the only seat available on the correct side of the plane was right over the wing where you can't see a thing. There was a nice window seat available ahead of the wing on the wrong side that would permit great viewing. So, I fell for it, should have known better but, I fell for it and took the seat on the wrong side of the plain. And boy, did I ever regret it right from the beginning of the first leg of the trip.
You see, my first and cardinal rule for flying is to ALWAYS sit on the shady (north) side of any east / west flight. That way you avoid the incredibly harsh, hot, bright sun blasting through your window. If you get stuck on the south exposed side of the plane you have a choice between being baked or blinded. It makes for a long uncomfortable ride. On the northerly exposed side, you can see out, you don't roast and you don't burn your eyeball out of your head. I won't get tricked again. I'll except a wing seat with limited to no visibility on the shaded side over an enticing full view sunny side every time from now on.
Finally, you get to your destination and the waiting is still not over. You wait to get off the plane. This actually has as much to do with passengers who have some how managed to smuggle huge amounts of luggage on as carry-on and then have to struggle with it to get it off the plane, as it has to do with the simple fact that the airlines enjoy making you wait for as long as possible before they open the only door to grudgingly let their customers escape. Then you wait for your luggage in an area that is so small that when it finally shows up on the conveyor belt, you can't get through the people crowding the conveyor and you watch your luggage go past 3 times before an opening opens up.
Now I get to enjoy the whole thing over again when I head home on Monday night, but this time, even though it will be dark out, I WILL sit on the shady side of the plane.
Here's one of the things I get to do when visiting KW that I almost never have to do at home....scrape ice and snow off of car windows. There are two reasons for that. Firstly, we have a two car garage in our house and we can park both the car and pickup truck plus a couple of motorcycles in it so nothing gets snowed on. Secondly, except for in late December and early January, any snow that might have fallen would probably melt off before we'd have a chance to scape it off.
One last thing, I'm not sending this out from my home computer, so, if you don't receive it, well, I tried my best.
doug
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THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello everyone!
Well, the left hand was completed yesterday and itÕs already given me a problem. After putting it in a sling for a couple of hrs after I got home, I realized that I had it lying parallel to my waist rather than in an elevated pose as the Dr had directed me to keep it for at least 48 hours! This caused my wrist to swell and turn black and two bumps called hemotomas (spelling?) (blood accumulating under the skin) to form on the back side if my wrist by my wrist bone. This bothered me a little so I called the doctor today. He told me just to keep it elevated and if it doesnÕt go down by tomorrow, to go to emerge and let the Dr there deal with them! Guess IÕll just see what happens by morning!
Anyway, IÕm not in any shape to keep typing so please forgive me for this week and IÕll try to do better for next week!
Looking forward to getting out with Doug for our usual ÒCountry BoyÓ breakfast one morning before he flies home Monday.
Thanks for tuning in and IÕll look forward to talking to you all again next week in The Ontarion Report!
Bye for now É Greg
Something To Think About>
Where the heck is SPRING?
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Have a good one..
the doug
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