Airline seat encroachment, and the joy of checked carry-ons

 

What happens when an oversized passenger takes up more than their allotted seat? Well, in my case, flying to London this month, that individual encroached on my seat for the entire seven-hour journey. I had been assigned to a middle group of seats – four abreast – with mine being second from the right facing the front of the aircraft. The individual seated to my right was not a problem as she had a “normal” body size. The passenger to my left was the problem. She wasn’t necessarily obese but was tall, large-boned and heavy set, certainly big enough that she required extra space beyond the 17 in. wide economy class seat on this Boeing 777-300ER (photo). Resultingly, this made for an uncomfortable journey as I could only maneuver in two-thirds of my seat and was almost comical when it came to eating dinner, with really only my right arm free to use my utensils and my left arm and hand acting more as stabilizing elements to hold the tray or even my right hand! There must be a way for airlines to handle this problem. Obviously being of normal size (5’ 6” and 170 lbs.) I’m not at fault yet I paid for full use of an economy class seat, not partial use. My larger fellow passenger took up more space than she paid for. So, should she have paid for two seats? Should airlines demand body sizes and weights like they do luggage and charge for one or two seats accordingly? Is this fat-shaming? Should I ask for a partial refund? I couldn’t find any Air Canada policy regarding this matter only one on “oversized luggage.” But I did see a website which suggested the five best airlines for overweight passengers, Air Canada being number three. “It’s a mixed bag for overweight passengers flying with Air Canada with seats ranging from 17-18 inches in width.” it said. “However, when it comes to Premium Economy, all this changes, with the airline delivering one of the best offerings for overweight passengers. You can enjoy a seat width of 24 inches, with 20 inches being the most common.”

And speaking of luggage, oversized or not. Passengers love their carry-ons and don’t want to part with them. That’s why they bring them on board in the first place - even for a charge - and on international flights such as mine it's free. But often at flight check-ins – just before boarding the aircraft – an airline clerk will make an announcement that the flight is full and there isn't enough space to accommodate all carry-ons. And so, for free, the airline will check the carry-on and the passenger reclaim at the luggage carousel upon arrival.  Such was the case with my flight from Toronto to London. The announcement was made but at first no one volunteered. The clerk, having a sense of humor, said “Seems no one wants to take me up on my request. I know why you want to hold on to your carry-on; you are afraid it will be lost, but I assure you it will be checked on the very same airplane you’re flying on.” I was reluctant too and then, after another passenger, decided to walk up to the gate and have the bag checked. What the hell, even if I must wait to reclaim my bag, I had time to kill before my hotel check-in. But after doing so I felt a sense of freedom from not having a bag to tote and compete with other passengers for storage space; I simply walked on without care. Now, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Returning home, the first thing I did when getting to the gate was ask the clerk if I could check it. She seemed more than pleased a passenger would offer to do this.

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Toronto, the bane of all travel

 

I’ve never been a particular fan of Toronto – too sprawling, congested and simply dull, from nondescript neighborhoods, flat topography and few standout attractions (I’ll skip Casa Loma and the CN Tower). Add to that my vote for world’s worst airport, or at least of the airports I’ve been to. Correction: Toronto used to be worse, it’s now London’s Stansted (Nov. 3/23 post). Dating from the early 2000s Toronto’s rebuilt Pearson airport was supposed to revolutionize the old Malton Airport with its (then) innovative round terminal and added rectangular box. Well, design wise, it was (somewhat) innovative and awesome with its shell-like canopies and serpentine halls. But that’s part of the problem. It takes forever to walk from one part of the airport to another. Inevitably I arrive from Windsor in the grounded tarmac short flight domestic northeast D-gates end of Terminal 1. Then up the escalator and where the hike to my international flight begins. Years ago, I would get lost trying to find the right hallway to take, the signage is so bad a couple of times I ended up in the parking garage. But now I’ve (kind of) learned the route, with a slog through seemingly endless hallways (three concourses) all the way to the high number E gates at the end of the south “Hammerhead” pier. Which are inevitably overcrowded with easy to mistake departure lines. One time I got in the wrong line for a flight to Santiago when I was heading to London. I’m thankfully not alone in my view. The Consumer Choice Center ranked Pearson among worst in the world. Criteria included location, number of airlines, connections, restaurants and shops. I could quibble with some of the data. Air Canada dominates with 52% of all flights. But the world’s largest airport, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, is controlled by Delta Air Lines with 75%. As for not being downtown – big deal! – as numerous airports are much further away from city centres. Try London’s Gatwick or even Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport. And it takes almost an hour to get to Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos airport. It used to be worse: there was no UP Union Pearson Express train to downtown prior to 2015. But it is what it is and this week I’ll be flying out again. The long – and only slightly easier to find expedition – awaits.

Meanwhile driving to Toronto Pearson from Windsor is a nightmare. Sure, Toronto traffic especially on Hwy 401 has always been bad – in Toronto. But now tie-ups begin as far as Cambridge, 75 km away. This past year I drove four round trips to catch flights out of Pearson based on cheaper fares. But I think never again. Even with a surcharge for flying from Windsor it’s worth it. No four-hour drive to begin with, and no aggravation from accidents and construction which can add on another hour. Especially when the flight from Windsor takes a scant hour and you can look down on the 401 and smugly smirk at those having to drive it.

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

My travel ban over but there are still hiccups

I thought I’d have no problem crossing the US border after my – disputed - five-year travel visa ban expired August 6. (see Aug 12/25 post). Sure, I can now cross but there are still hiccups. It’s not just like I can be waived through like any typical motorist after showing my passport and answering a few basic questions. My name still pops up on the primary inspection booth officer’s computer, and the same question is always asked: “have you ever had problems entering the US?” To which I refer to the five-year travel ban. The officer nods and sometimes will ask details and I run through a summary, always indicating I “dispute” it. On one occasion the officer wanted to engage me in a long conversation – verging on argument - of why I was banned (“Michigan auto insurance rules (law) don’t apply to federal crossings”). Frankly, this is all beside the point. The ban was over August 6 and I was given the understanding I would be able to cross hassle free back into the US. But because my name for some unknown reason remains in the system, more likely than not the primary officer will slap an orange sticker on my windshield and I’ll have to report to secondary, which means the office. Out of the car I get as two or three officers officiously direct where I must park and tell me to place my phone and car keys on the dashboard, and “take what documents you need” into secondary. There I must wait my turn as there are usually several people ahead that need to be processed for various reasons (most of us have gone to secondary one time or another, and it happens on Canadian side too). So, there I will sit anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour. I’m then called to the counter, hand over my passport and sometimes restate the reasons for the ban, then told to sit down and recalled, given back my passport and am free to go. There have been a few occasions where the primary officer just picks up the phone and calls a supervisor and then releases me on the spot; those are always gratifying. But my name should have been expunged when the ban was over. One officer even cursed when he saw my name was "still” there. I suggested it makes more work for his staff and he agreed. Further, no one can tell me when my name will be dropped – “could be six weeks, could be six months.” Meanwhile one officer gave me a card with a US government website to apply to expunge my name. I did so on Oct. 30. A resolution could take two or three months.

Meanwhile, the US government now requires travelers planning to spend more than 30 days stateside to fill out special documents – which might include fingerprinting at a Customs facility. I filled out the G-325R form Nov. 5 - which asks basic questions about residency and criminal record – and bizarrely requests a US address. (The Canadian Snowbird Association had answers at their fingertips and said just give an address of a friend, relative or business associate.) I still haven t heard back as I’m planning to spend Dec. 31 – Feb. 15 in the Sunshine State. What a contrast to applying to the UK’s new ETA two-year e-visa which I was issued almost immediately after applying online and is simply integrated into your passport. In the US everything is so officious and bureaucratic.

Whoever thought crossing the US border would ever be so hard. The G-325R (or alternative I-94) application apparently has always been on the books, but the Trump Administration is now enforcing it after a major border crackdown.

And as for all those stories about Canucks boycotting travel to the US it doesn’t appear so at the Windsor-Detroit border. I realize this border is not “discretionary” as many people commute to jobs. But even in non-commuting hours backups can easily last half an hour, not much different than "pre boycott” times. Last night, coming home from Detroit, I could see vehicles backed up almost on to the bridge deck itself. And the lines can be slower than molasses, making a trip to secondary inspection seem almost a breeze by comparison. (Photo shows back-up at Canadian border so you get an idea how many are still crossing the border, Canadians and Americans.)

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

I wanted to take a w--- on Wizz

This Hungarian discount airline’s name is somehow appropriate. Especially given our experience. And further reinforced the idea of never fly discount airlines. We flew Wizz from Prague to London Luton airport last month and the experience was underwhelming to say the least. The issue was my partner’s disability. Airlines send check-ins online 24 hours before departure. When travelling with her I never check in online as we’ve already booked seats by phone weeks ahead through accessibility assistance and I don’t want to screw it up since online bookings also ask for seats. Arriving at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport we were told that we’d be charged an extra $167.91 because of that. What?! The check in clerk was sympathetic but even a call to head office resulted in a no-go – discount airlines want/need to make money, so they have absolutely zero latitude. Then the fact her suitcase was about 20 lbs. overweight resulted in another $127.30 charge. We never chose Wizz as a discounter but only because it fit our schedule when booking through a third-party site……Another things about Wizz is that, as previously stated, this airline squeezes every last cent to make its bottom line. I’d never experienced entering an aircraft (by the rear right door from our accessible elevated bus) while passengers from the previous flight were still getting off the plane! That means extreme turnaround, folks. Get that aircraft in the air as much as possible to keep the revenue churning! Moreover, no need to spend money on terminal cleaning staff but use your own flight attendants – in hi-vis vests – to clean out the seat pockets and pickup floor trash before the flight. At least they still cross the seat belts.

It’s true you can fight the airlines! Most people find it difficult to get refunds from even the most mainstream airlines. I’ve had a couple of good experiences through. One when an Air Canada flight was cancelled back in 2022 as people began mass travelling again post-Covid and threw airline schedules into disarray; it paid for our Cape Breton hotel room for another night. And Colombioan airline Avianca recently credited me $638.94 for a missed flight to Bogota this summer. It initially was my fault (July 27 post), my mind playing tricks thinking an early morning flight was related to the previous night. But the airline had promised to reschedule my flight – despite my error – and sent me back to Toronto (a long return road trip from Windsor two days in a row) the next night to buy the ticket before departure. The clerk at check-in shook his head and said no go. He asked the name of the online agent who’d told me that and I gave it to him; guess she got a talk-to. Nevertheless, I appealed to the airline, and months later (through Booking.com) I receive the refund…..This on top of the refund I got from Big Bus Athens (Sept. 23 post) - $102.06 – for not having suitable/broken wheelchair facilities on board their double-deckers despite advertising they do.

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

The impracticality of hotel rooms

What is it about hotel rooms that they have to be so impractical? From time immemorial I’ve complained about the lack of shelf space and hooks in bathrooms to put toiletries on and hang towels. Baths and showers have limited corner shelves for soap bars and shampoo bottles. That’s bathrooms; there’s other irritable quirks that almost inevitably come with a hotel booking....Here’s my assessment of four hotel rooms on a recent trip on both sides of the pond. First in Liberec, Czechia, our Hotel Fabrica supplied a nice handicapped accessible bathroom (one of us is disabled) with proper toilet height, grab bars and a no-lip walk-in shower. Europeans tend to have better accessible washrooms than their North American counterparts. But there was limited desk or shelf space to place suitcases and absolutely no night tables – what’s with that?! Moreover, there was no heat despite early October temperatures seeming like early November. Complaints to the management brought nothing. And it was only because a friend in this town of 100,000 near the Poland and German borders (the heart of Sudetenland, the Nazi Czech stronghold during World War II) offered a space heater that we kept warm for five nights…..Second was the InterCity Hotel in Erfurt Germany (pop. 200,000). A great location next to the Hauptbanhof (central train station) but the rooms were surprisingly cramped for such a major hotel (though it is Europe where small-scale suites often rule the day). We’d booked a handicapped accessible room and had been informed online this would be accommodated but when showing were up told flatly “there are no accessible rooms” - period. And two light weight hand and shower towels required regular refreshing for the four night stay…..Next: The Ibis chain hotel in Blackfriars, South Bank, London. This is a modern and “very cutesy” hotel with rock and roll themes for hip gen guests – I guess that means Baby Boomers on down. Signs throughout play on musical titles - Staying Alive, Wake Me Up, Don’t Stop the Music, Everybody’s Gone Surfin'. And there were even body soap and shampoo dispensers labelled Rock Your Body and Put You Hands Up In Your Hair. The only problem? Absolutely no shelving but a small coat rack and some wall hooks (photo). However, the accessible bathroom was great (Britain leads the way).....Finally, Montreal’s Hotel Chrome is a 1980s-era property that has never been refreshed. On the one hand this is good: the rooms were large and yes there was “shelf space” because, alas, of the old heavy wooden furniture. But the “accessible” bathroom was typically North American – a grab bar or two in the wrong places and a low toilet. Why or why are toilets so low when people with disabilities would normally want a higher toilet? 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

When accessible buses aren't, and about "woke" Communauto

I hate anything touristy although sometimes things can’t be avoided. Obviously just being in central London or at the Eiffel Tower, Times Square or the Roman Colosseum makes – de facto – anyone including locals a tourist. (Locals tend to avoid them.) And one of the most touristy things is the ubiquitous hop on hop off buses that now populate virtually any major tourist locale, from New York to London, Berlin to Athens. Did I say Athens? Earlier this month my partner, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair, and I tried to access the Big Bus version of the hop-on-hop-offs. There are three companies in Athens offering the service. Big Bus is a brand ubiquitous around the world. The only reason we chose to use this very “touristy” service is because of my partner’s disability. She cannot travel far in a wheelchair and the streets in a city like Athens are deplorable, with cracked, decayed and uneven sidewalks, varying surfaces, narrow and often blocked by trees or grates, so bad even many locals walk on the street. Moreover, we use hop on services in cities where it simply is impractical for a disabled person to otherwise move around. They after all do offer visitors exposure to the city’s iconic sites. My partner wouldn’t have been able to see them, or get a feel for the city, otherwise. So, buy a three-day ticket (one of three routes each day) I did at a price of 64 euros ($104.45 CAD at today’s exchange). My complaint is about the buses’ so-called accessibility. They are supposed to be wheelchair friendly. The first bus on the first route we took was indeed that, with a door ramp and an open area for a wheelchair with a functioning strap which stretched across the wheelchair occupant though there were no floor tie downs. That’s okay – I stood and braced her for the hour-long trip around central Athens though technically I

shouldn’t have had to do that. The next day we tried for the second route along the so-called Athens Riviera, a long stretch of beaches along the Med coast south of the Classic City. Besides the fact the bus was 20 minutes late for the 3 pm departure (afternoon traffic we were told) the bus did indeed have a ramp but, alas, the belt strap was broken. BUZZ! So, we had to get off. Since the next bus on that route was an hour away, we thought we’d take the alternative bus route to Piraeus, the city’s port and largest on the Med. The bus arrives; the ramp came down but this time there was an interior “platform” for the wheelchair (pic). How on earth could a wheelchair possibly go up a platform; it defied logic. We didn’t even board and gave up taking a bus that day. The next day we tried once again. This time we just tried to get on the first accessible bus regardless of route and managed to get on one to Piraeus – a big yay! But again, I had to stand and brace my companion. We did complain fully, yet politely and in good humor, to Big Bus staff at the stop, who apologized and said these were “older” buses with only a couple in the fleet (we counted three). Upon arriving home in Canada after our two-week sojourn in Athens (a city that I love and seems like a second or third home), I contacted the company. They apologized and offered a credit for a Big Bus tour in another city. No dice: I wanted a full refund. They quickly sent a form to fill out and I’m awaiting credit to my Mastercard.

I’m a frequent visitor to Montreal and have always admired that city’s shared vehicle company Communauto (logo left), also available in some other cities. Sometimes I drive to Montreal and other times fly like I plan to do next month, leaving me without a car.  I thought I’d join Communauto since it provides a convenient way to get around without dealing with taxis. So, I applied. The very first question was how I wanted to be identified: he/him, she/her, they/them. I’ve never encountered such a “woke” gender identity question from a major company before but maybe I shouldn’t be surprised since the company has “commun” in the name (insert smile face). I called the company and asked if there was a way of getting around this since I couldn't join without answering it and told unfortunately, there isn’t but they would review it. I will not capitulate to woke nomenclature and besides even if I agreed why would I want anyone to know my identity? Ridiculous but they’re not getting my business.

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Athens, agapi mou (my love), a challenge for anyone not able-bodied

I love Athens and have been there three times, once for almost two months, almost making me feel like a regular citizen! I returned recently with my partner, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair. We knew that Athens is old (well, surprise!). And I thought I'd known the infrastructure better than it is. We also surveyed, online, our exquisite neighborhood immediately south of the Acropolis, thinking the sidewalks were in better shape than they actually are. Well, in reality, in many respects they are deplorable - uneven, crumbling, narrow and often obstructed by trees or drains, with no curb cuts on certain blocks and those that do exist often corroded with gaps between sidewalk and streets.  I'm not really complaining about this though there's no question the situation should be improved. We tried the best we could to handle the streetscapes. This included travelling on the streets themselves including our busy street, trying to walk against traffic and squeeze to the side of the road or ducking between cars to avoid large vehicles. We weren't unique; many Athenians routinely walk on the streets rather than the haphazard, decayed and uneven sidewalks. Moreover, because of the lack of curb cuts on our block we often relied on the kindness of strangers to help my partner get from the sidewalk on to the street and into her wheelchair. That aside, we were surprised, even shocked, by one glaring inaccessible tourist site. This of course was the iconic historical Parthenon atop the 2500 year old built Acropolis, considered, of course, the cradle of Western civilization. I'd been up there previously. My partner wanted to visit for the first time. We'd also read that the site had installed a spiffy new elevator on the hill's north side, courtesy in part of the,

yes, Onassis Foundation. Says one website, the elevator makes "one of Athens' most iconic landmarks accessible to visitors with limited mobility, people with disabilities, elderly tourists, and parents with small children." The only problem is that it doesn't. Sure, the elevator itself whisks people - room for two wheelchairs and two attendants - to the top in 32 seconds, offering a glassed-in panoramic view of the city as it rises. The problem is you have to get to it. I'd originally though the lift would be built from street level to the top. But it isn't. It's base is partly up the premonitory. Getting there is the nut to crack. One must traverse cobblestoned or uneven large stone walkways winding around the Acropolis rising continually until you get to the western side ticket office. Only then, and again slightly uphill, are there the turnstiles and a small fleet of golf carts to take the disabled person further on to the lift's base. I posted on an Athens facebook page about this and while most comments were supportive I was surprised by some who thought we wanted to visit something akin to "Disneyworld" or the site be like a "McDonald's drive-thru." It would be interesting what these people would say if they were in my partner's position, with almost no core strength and not able to walk one step without two canes and few steps beyond. My solution: there should be vehicles (golf carts, if you will, or the sturdier kind of three-row assist carts found in airports) taking the disabled from all the ground ticket offices - regardless of their location -  right up the hill to the elevator itself. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Gatineau Quebec: there is no there, there

It was my first time staying in Gatineau Quebec. This is a city of almost 300,000 directly across from Canada’s nation’s capital, Ottawa, population now more than one million. While I lived in Ottawa for a few years back in the 1970s, and have been a frequent visitor since, I have never really spent any time in what used to be known as Hull, a rather dreary name, identified back in the day with a smelly and unsightly pulp and paper mill. The region is predominantly French as it is obviously located in Quebec. But one of the things that struck me most is just how overwhelmingly French the area is, given the fact it is immediately across from Ottawa in predominantly English-speaking Ontario and that the entire region has numerous government workers in Canada’s officially bilingual civil service. Wikipedia, however, says Gatineau is the "most bilingual city in Canada.” Could have fooled me. I’d give that award to Ottawa, which I always say is Canada’s long hoped bilingual model and which doesn’t exist anywhere else on such a scale. I was expecting to find a more interesting and diverse city, in the sense of varying neighbourhoods. For example, a traditional downtown shopping district or a bars and restaurants niche. No such luck. An Ottawa friend suggested there isn’t any such area. Ottawa, by contrast, is choked full of vibrant neighbourhoods, teeming with restaurants, bars, coffee houses and boutiques. On a balmy Saturday night this month it seemed the entire city was out, filling patios and walking along the streets enjoying a fantastic summer evening. Gatineau not so much. Upon first entering Gatineau on the main thoroughfare, the Portage Bridge over the Ottawa River connecting Ontario and Quebec, you encounter a massive cluster of 1970s-era high rise buildings. They were put there on the directive of former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, who wanted to provide the French side of the Ottawa River an economic boost which also accorded with his official bilingualism policy of more equality between the French and the English. That wasn’t a bad idea. But physically it resulted in a concrete urban wasteland. Looming government office towers created an empty street canyon, only peopled on a Saturday night with a few waiting at bus stops along the tunnel-like Boulevard Maisonneuve. These brutalist masses of concrete, so last century, would hardly be built that way today. Mind you, I didn’t drive around a lot of the city. But what I did see was endless boulevards and sprawl, and I did take a drive through Gatineau’s east side and out on to the highway to Montreal. But to be fair, the city did seem to have a nice park system in and around the Ottawa and conjoining Gatineau rivers. However, overall, I was left thinking of the famous quote by US writer Gertrude Stein about her hometown Oakland, California. “There is no there, there.”

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

After five years, I can finally reenter the US

I waited more than five years, but last Thursday I crossed into the United States for the first time since August 6, 2020. That was the day I not only was turned around by US Customs at the Ambassador Bridge (photo) connecting Windsor and Detroit. But I was officially banned for five years from entering the country. The reason? Violation of employment visa rules. I was stunned by the decision and virtually everyone I tell the story to has been as well. And there are many ironies. Admittedly in August 2020 the border was closed because of Covid. However, “essential workers” were allowed through. And in Windsor-Detroit there are literally thousand of health care workers (i.e., nurses) who are Canadian and work in Detroit hospitals, a little known fact to the outside world. So, people like nurses, construction workers and truck drivers – even conveyors like taxis – were allowed to cross. My "significant other" lives in suburban Detroit and I live in Amherstburg Ontario, roughly an hour drive away in decent traffic. She was injured in a catastrophic auto accident in 2013. Under Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance benefits – some of the most generous in the US (though now modified) - not only could she obtain paid caregivers to look after her at home but family members and friends could also be compensated for the role. I was approved by Metropolitan Life for just this purpose. I’d emphasized to Met Life that I was Canadian and after some checking they assured this would be no problem. I was paid regardless of where I took care of her – in the US, Canada or abroad, and for those hours when I was actually with her (i.e., a day, weekend or week while travelling). On that fateful day of August 6, 2020, I ventured over the Ambassador Bridge, the first time since the border had been closed due to Covid. When I showed up at the “primary inspection” booth I explained that I was an “essential caregiver” and used a pay stub from Met Life to prove it. That is what got me into trouble. I was directed to “secondary inspection” and subjected to fingerprinting and a lengthy interrogation, leading to a five-year ban from travel to the US. The reason? I was working “illegally." How could this be? I wasn't taking "a job" from a factory or office worker. I was being paid by an insurance company no matter where I "worked" - in the US, Canada or abroad. However, after announcing the ban the Customs officer told me I could apply for a waiver. But this was the time of Covid, much of the US bureaucracy was closed down and there was already a lengthy backup in applications. Moreover, it would have cost me upwards of $2000 to hire a lawyer. I could have done it myself but the  application was lengthy, technical and a few errors could have deep-sixed it. Moreover, my girlfriend was able to cross into Canada either by taxi or with a friend though the red tape during Covid was cumbersome including using the faulty and scandal-plagued ArriveCAN border app. So, I decided to wait the five years out and crossed for the first time last Thursday, Aug. 7 …… As for the crossing itself it was exactly the same as in pre-Covid days! Despite all the talk of Canadians boycotting travel to the US due to President's Trump’s tariffs I waited 45 minutes in traffic before getting to US Customs. Vehicles were backed up perhaps 30 cars in a row in each of the five lanes that were open. When I finally arrived at primary inspection the officer, to my mind, seemed a bit surprised that I had been banned for five years; he directed me to secondary. Another officer also seemed surprised. Finally, the examining officer who reviewed my case was nonplussed but I inferred also seemed puzzled by the decision. Each of these officers automatically asked, “Why didn’t you apply for a waiver?”  After 15 minutes I was released, free and clear to enter the United States once again.

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Misreading a reservation - that's a first!

I am supposed to be in Bogota, Colombia. But, for the first time ever, I misread my ticket reservation! Yes, it said Friday July 25. And I showed up at the airport more than three hours ahead of departure at 1.55 am. I’d printed out the boarding pass a couple of days earlier, thinking this airline, Avianca, gives a lot of time to do so! When I got to Security the officer couldn’t read the QR Code. She was puzzled and called a colleague. Then it dawned. The ticket was the correct time, just the previous day! How could this have happened? I really can’t explain it except that since the departure was at 1.55 am I associated it with July 25 – as in arriving at the airport for that overnight flight. Rather than arriving at the airport on July 24 for the 1.55 departure on July 25. Get it? A cluster mind f--- admittedly. Then again, I’ve never left at such an ungodly hour. I immediately walked over to the Avianca (Colombia’s national airline) desk. Chuckling, the clerk couldn’t believe it either. But he eventually offered me a free one-way replacement ticket. That was generous. But as tonight’s other flight was full, he could only offer it for the next night’s flight. I started to walk away then turned and asked, “what about the return ticket?” He seemed to suggest I should “deal with that with the airline” as in phoning the call center. Mind you, I had just driven four hours from Windsor to Toronto and now had to drive all the way home, after two massive Hwy. 401 traffic snarls, arriving 4 am. I got four hours sleep. Waking, I wondered if it was still worth making the trip to Colombia since it would mean having to drive back to Toronto, a grueling task at the best of times. Then I thought: what the hell am I going to do the next five days at home – time I’d booked off anyway. So, I phoned the Avianca call center to try to claim the full ticket. After more than a half hour the agent said she couldn’t do it, saying the airport had made a mistake, and to return to the airport for the ticket. I got in the car and drove up the 401 once again. I parked, took the airport shuttle, arriving 8 pm, four hours before departure. Only to discover a massive line waiting for the desk to open. (Do all Colombians travel with checked baggage?) After more than an hour my turn came, I walked to the desk, explained my situation. The same dude who’d given me the free ticket the night before – the “supervisor” – was there and the desk clerk spoke to him. But they said the agent at the call center was wrong and a free return ticket couldn't be issued under any circumstances. But I could purchase one - for $791! That was more expensive than my original two way ticket - $785. I declined and walked away; I didn't want to go to Colombia that badly. Later it occurred to me that that “free” first ticket was nothing more than a coupon. The airline pretended it was being generous only to try to hook me into buying a needed return ticket. In other words, a way for the airline to make more money. 

Park 'N Fly: I tried Park 'N Fly for the first time. It’s a massive airport shuttle service from several neighboring Pearson airport lots. But when waiting for it at the terminal, the bus pulled up but the driver didn’t open the door. I waited and waited while he fiddled with his cell phone. What was he waiting for! After 10 minutes I finally caught his eye. I raised my voice and asked why he hadn’t opened the door? “Oh, you should have knocked on it,” he said, because some people mistake his bus for another shuttle and just walk on. He later apologized. But at least the gate attendant didn’t charge me for the five days I’d pre-booked. A small mercy.

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Learning a foreign language? Forget it!

Learning a language for travel or just learning a language. I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion: forget it! This is all in theory of course. I still practice languages – French, Spanish and German. Spanish I find the easiest. The reason I started learning them (via Duolingo) is because of travel. I spend a lot of time in Spain, I go to Montreal frequently and occasionally I head to Germany, where I have friends. I usually practice for an hour every day. I just finished my Spanish routine for the day, as I’m heading to Spanish-speaking Bogota Colombia next. But, I ask you, what good does it do me? Regardless of the country I’m in I hardly ever know enough of the local lingo to strike up a conversation, let alone keep one going, or even to string together a basic phrase -i.e., do you have ketchup? ("Tienes ketchup") Even that is wrong as it should be “tienes el ketchup” since some languages are more formal than English. That’s why you hear people from other countries use articles “the this” and “the that” because that’s how they speak in their native tongue. Often, when in Spain or Germany or Montreal, when confronted with a question from a native, or if I need to ask the most basic question or make a statement, I get flustered or “freeze.” Yet a minute later, if I think about it, I would have been able to string at least a few words together to maybe have gotten my point across. The problem is that I never spend enough time in any country. At most I’m two months somewhere. I think if I’d spend six months I’d start to be fluent…I think. It does please me that I can at least say a few things, like “mi maleta” (my suitcase), “un boleto para Barcelona” (a ticket for Barcelona), or my fave in grocery stores, “dos bolsas por favor” (two bags please) or “tengo una bolsa” (I have a bag). It’s not that I don’t like speaking another language, I prefer it. And I know it brings an inner smile to the native person when I do so. (I feel guilty that they always have to change.) Now I’ll be heading to Greece at the end of summer. After Hello (“ya”), Yes (“nay”) thank you (“esfratistow”) that’s about all I can handle. Okay, I’ll try to learn a few more words, please! ("parakalo") 

Meanwhile, I’m heading to Colombia this month, my first trip to South America. It appears very Spanish, as in hardly anyone speaks English. I’m not intimidated since I have some Spanish – some being relative – and it forces me to use that language. I chose Bogota for three reasons: it has a superb Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and I’m a transit freak. It also has a great cycling network through I’m less a bike enthusiast. Its airport looks sprawling and hosts myriad international flights, indicating the scale of the city. And famed local coffee sellers in Windsor and Amherstburg, Monteneros, are from Colombia. Hey, you’ve got to have some reason to go, right? From a few pictures the city is surrounded by mountains so there might be some enticing walks and hikes. The city also seems to have a lively arts and gay scene, though I’m not gay. But after having signed on to several online Colombian travel groups, virtually everyone is not going to Bogota but to myriad other places including Medellin or Cartagena, or doing remote weeks-long cross-country expeditions, and all seem more sophisticated in their plans than me. I.e., “Are there buses that go from La Pintada to Peñalisa or Bolombolo that not go via Medellin?” or “From Filandia to Jardin with public transport on a Sunday. What is the best option?” I’ll keep you updated. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Montreal's great, save the pavement

Montreal, my hometown (a native) is great. The neighbourhoods, downtown, the mountain, the food (bagels and smoked meat!) and the legacy of this ever-so-bilingual city, of writers, poets and yes, even politicians (a gas to see the intersection of Rene Levesque and Robert Bourassa boulevards) is great. Here are some observations after being away a couple of years. The city has increased bike lanes dramatically an the pioneering Bixi bike service - a huge local industry now delivering rental bikes to cities across N America - is incredibly popular. Despite the temptation to try one I prefer to walk, with fave routes along Rue Sherbrooke and the stairwell up the mountain to the "lookout" over downtown, and across to Mount Royal Cemetery, adjoining the Catholic Notre-Dames-Des Neiges, Canada's largest. Besides visiting relatives' graves I visited Leonard Cohen's (photo), rather commonplace and not surprisingly piled with stones. Then descending north into affluent Outremont and heading east to The Plateau, a fashionable district of bars and bistros, or west by Universite de Montreal (Ecole Polytechnique) and stumbling across College Jean-de-Brébeuf, the intellectually formative institution of former PM Pierre Elliot Trudeau. A new discovery was Little Italy in Mtl's northeast along the very pedestrian and vibrant Rue St Hubert and the Le Roi du Smoked Meat. It's always wonderful discovering a

new smoked meat place, this one opened in the year of my birth 1954! (For the record, I avoid the iconic Schwartz's, a tourist trap if ever there was one). I also noticed that the city's notorious law breaking traffic seems to be calming. Cars don't seem to speed like I remember and pedestrians actually obey Don't Walk signs. I put it down to changing generations. There are still problems. The city's roads are in terrible shape. Rue Sherbrooke and The Boulevard - two showpiece streets - have great swathes of uneven pavement, patched asphalt, and potholes big enough to hold cats. Where does all the tax money go? On a visit to Beaver Lake the curb ramp next to handicapped parking was disintegrating (photo), an obstacle for wheelchairs as my partner is disabled (I posted on a Mtl FB group and got numerous sympathetic comments, and yes I've complained to the city.) Moreover the city's great transit system could use a do-over in the fare dept. My 'Opus' smart card from two years ago still had four fares on it but they had expired! Mtl should join other cities and allow credit and debit cards. The airport is still an horrendous mess. I needed to pick up my partner last weekend and was glad I took the bus there and taxi returning. Traffic was so bad it took half an hour just to reach the terminal from the ring road let alone trying to find a parking spot. But a newcomer might be hard pressed to believe this is a French city. Yes, the signs are mostly 'en Francais' but the conversations on the street, especially downtown, often are more English than French. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

It took five months but finally an apology from airport security

On Jan. 16, I posted about the hassle we endured by airport security at Toronto Pearson. Our mobility chair (my partner is disabled) has to be shipped separately from the lithium battery (left), which we carried on board as per airline regulations (no batteries allowed for safety reasons in cargo hold). But an agent didn't recognize it and held it for several minutes despite the fact I told her what it was. Who knew what was going through the glum staffer's mind but she was obviously suspicious. She consulted with other security and finally a supervisor, who told her to release it. After arriving home I complained to CATSA Jan 9 and finally got a reply May 28. (I'd all but given up hearing from them.) Here it is: "Good day Ronald, On behalf of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), I wish to respond to the concerns you brought to our attention on January 9, 2025, regarding your pre-board screening experience at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Upon receipt of your complaint, a detailed review was initiated, including viewing the video footage and consulting with our regional management. Our regional management was able to identify the screening officers you dealt with on that day and review your screening experience. Our review resulted in actions and the necessary measures have been taken to prevent this type of situation in the future. We regret that your screening experience was unpleasant. We appreciate that security measures can sometimes be challenging and time consuming and we regret that this incident was upsetting to you. Please be assured that your feedback allows us to review our current services and improve the passenger experience at all airports across Canada. CATSA plays an integral role in the Government of Canada’s aviation security system and takes pride in serving the travelling public. While security is CATSA’s top priority, we also strive to maintain a high level of customer service and professionalism. We trust that your future travels will be pleasant. Sincerely, Patricia Gusta, Coordinator Client Satisfaction, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) 

This wasn't the first time my partner's disability triggered a false alarm. Three years ago, in Frankfurt, security detected something in her carry-on. Next thing we knew two guards with machine guns had been called over. I'm pleased to say that was resolved rather quickly. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller