Just home from a weekend in the Canadian Rockies. And I must say that there is nowhere in the world as beautiful as them. Hands down. We went on a 10 km snowshoe to Chester Lake on Saturday, followed by cross-country skiing on Lake Louise on Sunday. The weather was just below zero, and while there is very little snow in Calgary, the mountains have a good amount. It was great to be outside, appreciating some of the most beautiful scenery in the country (I’ll post links to pictures when I get them up later today). All told, a brilliant weekend with great friends (who, hopefully, aren’t going to move back to Ontario at the end of June.. hint hint).
What disappoints me is how we travel in this country. Granted, the NEXUS system has now been expanded at Canadian airports. Since you’ve been pre-approved to travel, had your identity checked out and know what you’re doing, there are now special lines to by-pass the masses at security. Which is great. But the question remains: Why are their masses in the first place? On Friday, flying out from Pearson Airport in Toronto, it was over half an hour to get through security. Surely, by this point, the airport knows how many people will be traveling on a typical Friday. The airlines, I’d imagine, could confirm that yes, their planes will be partially filled. And you’d think they’d put it all together. Of the five security counters that they had available (i.e. equipment at the ready) only two were in operation. The security situation is really irrelevant though, once you arrive at your gate and have to make it through pre-boarding.
As I normally sit in the exit row (thank you long legs), I get to pre-board. This gives the flight attendants a chance to explain to me how the emergency exit works, and what I need to do (though yesterday, I gave the safety briefing to the flight attendant instead… I’ve heard it that many times). In front of me was an older couple who were pre-boarding because they needed more time. Fair enough. We all boarded the plane and again, they took their extra time as there were mobility issues. But landing back in Toronto, the couple in question, decided that they were agile enough to de-plane with the rest of us. The fact that it took them 10 minutes to get out of their seat, and another ten minutes up the aisle and jetway seems lost on them.
So to you airlines out there…. IF PEOPLE PRE-BOARD, TELL THEM THEY HAVE TO BE THE LAST ONES TO GET OFF THE PLANE! You can’t have it both ways.
Hopefully my trip to Quebec City next weekend will involves less hassles.
Pictures of our time in the Rockies can be found by clicking here.
