I've got two stories about my experience with Air Canada in Winnipeg. The first occurred when I moved to the city a while back. The other is my recent experience returning to the city after a nearly eight-year absence.
Years ago, I had just completed my undergraduate degree. I picked up and moved to Winnipeg in preparation for graduate studies. I had shipped some of my belongings through Air Canada cargo. One of them was my Sony stereo system.
I love music. This stereo system was a cube. CD player. Two cassette decks. AM-FM radio. Two speakers. My dad bought it for me during my first year of undergraduate studies.
I packed it up in a cardboard box and carefully wrapped it in bubble wrap. I'm not sure what happened. When I picked up it up from the Air Canada cargo building in Winnipeg and brought it back to my new home, the buttons on one of the cassette decks were completely bashed in.
The box was in pristine condition. Perhaps it was dropped along the way.
I called Air Canada to file a damages report. I got the nicest person at Air Canada who felt bad and said that she'd rectify this situation "as soon as quickly," a phrase that I have never forgotten.
I got my stereo fixed at a local Sony-certified store. I then billed Air Canada. I got my refund two weeks later, which was its version of as soon as quickly.
This music enthusiast was elated. My stereo continues to endure. I have since attached a record player to it.
Last week, I flew in to Winnipeg after 7.5 years. I had no problem retrieving my luggage at the baggage carousel.
On Tuesday, I checked in at a kiosk. I had printed out both my baggage tag and boarding pass. A nice male Air Canada agent came over and helped me attach my baggage tag to my one piece of luggage. He also printed out another boarding pass and stuck the baggage receipt to it.
It was the nicest gesture. He didn't have to. He just did it like Nike. I thanked him and proceeded to place my luggage on the conveyor belt.
Boarding the plane was straightforward. The staff at the gate made sure that you boarded according to your zone number. They were super friendly saying hi, having you scan your boarding pass, and then making sure that your ID matched your face.
Air Canada staff on the flight were competent and equally as friendly. Sure, you don't get any free snacks these days, but the man was great getting me a Diet Coke on the rocks.
It was a full flight. I was comfortable. We boarded on time. We got to Toronto early. We deplaned efficiently. No complaints.
I am likely the oddball who doesn't mind flying or using Air Canada services. It's not a perfect airline, but it does try to make things right, especially when it's at fault.
(73) read more