Trundling to the airport by transit, and Rouge to St. Lucia

Getting to Windsor airport is something to behold. I’m all an advocate of transit and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper to take the bus than to Uber or taxi. The problem is Transit Windsor doesn’t offer the most convenient way to get there, at least if you’re from Amherstburg. So, here’s my story. I caught the 605 bus one dreary overcast winter day at the corner of Sandwich and Alma streets, looking very strange toting a suitcase on my small-town streets. The bus was efficient and took me to the westside Hotel Dieu Grace health care terminal. There was a 1C bus right across the platform, which I transferred (free) to. The bus trundled thru Sandwich Towne and on to University Ave., gradually picking up passengers. This was a Sunday and I was surprised how many people used the bus – squeezed standing room only - virtually all of them apparently foreign students. I had researched the TW timetables and routes so knew I had to get off at the downtown “international” (i.e., for the tunnel bus to Detroit) terminal. There I cooled my heels for 15 minutes until a Walkerville 8 came. Again, the transfer was free. This journey appropriately took us through east side Walkerville’s residential streets, eventually winding up on Walker Road. The problem: for some reason the 8 doesn’t stop at the airport weekends or holidays. So, I had to get off at Walker & Provincial Rds. and walk two kilometres along Rte. 42 to said airport terminal. This was a slight challenge as there are no sidewalks and in winter the road’s shoulder can be muddy. I did try to walk on the road itself but two-lane 42 is, shall we say, rather busy. After 15-20 minutes I arrived – thank god! – and discovered that Windsor’s airport marketing name is “Your Quick Gateway” (airport code YQG) when all along I’d been calling it “Your Quick Getaway”…..On another occasion I took the bus during a weekday and the 8 serpentined well into burgeoning south Windsor suburban neighborhoods with the driver taking a break, before beginning the return journey downtown and only then making the pit stop at the airport. I also felt conspicuous since I was the lone passenger who got off at our international airport. As I say I like to support transit. But if flight schedules don’t align with bus (there are only four departures from A’burg) I’ll have to Uber/taxi, which last time cost around $75 one way with tip. If travelling only a week, I’ll simply drive, park in long term parking. Only $80 and, well, so convenient. 

We’re heading today to St. Lucia for a week, so obviously driving to the airport. I’ve never been that far south – or even to Caribbean – almost to South America. Why St L? During Covid it seemed to be the most open Carib island and had the best health protocols, so it stayed in my mind. Then I checked out the terrain and it has these Piton (volcanic) mountains. It’s a colonized island with French-English history. Towns have French names (the main language is Creole) yet governed by the English with driving on the left, etc. Flying first time Air Canada Rouge from Toronto (overnighting), AC’s discount/tourist brand with stripped down services. Have to grin and bear it, folks!

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

I'm of two minds about Air Canada's new carry-on fee

In one way I’m happy Air Canada will begin charging $35 for carry-on luggage - only on its Basic Economy fare - as well as nixing the ability to change seats at check-in. I didn’t even know you could do this til a couple of flights ago – it’s great to score an aisle seat! (Yesterday, flying back from London UK I has three seats to myself – whoopee.) I’d never been much of a carry-on person, usually having regular checked bags and just a small shoulder bag which I conveniently stowed under the seat. I would watch, sometimes smugly, as others boarded the plane – often delaying passengers behind them, a huge pet peeve – as they took time trying to load bags into the overhead and oblivious to everyone else. I also couldn’t believe the amount of carry-on some people brought and were permitted by the airline to bring. Some of those bags looked like they should have been checked. Anyway, it was only this fall that I bought my first wheeled carry-on so now I’ve joined the multitudes and cue up at the gate as soon as I can to make sure there'll be room in the bin above. One good thing is it forced me to pack lighter. Nevertheless, come Jan. 3 I’ll be dinged too unless I have a more upgraded fare. But $35 isn’t that much. One of the things I used to love about not having a carry-on was I could wait until all the rest of the passengers boarded before then slowly stroll up just before announcement, “all passengers should now be on board.” With no carry-on and a shoulder bag which could be stowed underneath I had no pressure to find an overhead spot. Now I don’t have that pleasure but let me tell you a roller bag is a hell of a lot easier to tote than a shoulder one. But the bulk of my flying involves transcontinental flights anyway which won’t be affected, just like being offered hot meals and free booze. (AC began serving free booze on flights in Canada and the US earlier this year, probably to complete with Porter Airlines’ new extended range flights; Porter has long offered free booze. AC never responded to my query about this). So, I’m of two minds. Just like everyone else I don’t like an extra fee. On the other if it cuts down on the amount of luggage people bring on board - and the delays to stow it – I’m happy. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller