Back Home....Finally

[CdnMN 0]

Well, my wife and I made it to Toronto just before Christmas. We had moved up our departure date from the 25th to the 23rd due to the storm that was due to hit MN. Even with that, NWA still cancelled our flight. In order to make a long story short, we ended up flying into Detroit, staying overnight and then flying into Toronto the next day.

Then there was the fligh home. Increased security at Toronto was unbeleivable. First, we always fly with carry-on luggage only. The flight is always on a small plane so we don't even carry on the luggage, it gets checked plane side. Now the rule is that there is NO carry on luggage allowed at all, even on flights where luggage is checked plane side. So, NWA was happy to ding us for baggae fees since we had to check out luggage on the way home. Arrrggghh. You think they would have a grace period for those who got stuck out of country. Oh well.

Next was the added security checks. After going through the initial check point and having the shoes, coat etc x-rayed, we ended up in another line. Men on one side, women on the other. This was for a pat down search and a general emptying of pockets, purses etc.

The additional security really wasn't that bad and I can understand it...but the baggage fees still have me smoldering. This turned out to be a cash cow for the airlines who can now collect even more on baggage fees.

The time back home was great. My family background is European (Dutch) so it was a 9 days of overeating, but it was all my favorites. I even got so stuffed on peameal bacon that I don't want to see more until next year.

Hope everyone here had a great holiday and Happy New year to everyone.

Cdnmn

[SapphireDreams 71]

Well, my wife and I made it to Toronto just before Christmas. We had moved up our departure date from the 25th to the 23rd due to the storm that was due to hit MN. Even with that, NWA still cancelled our flight. In order to make a long story short, we ended up flying into Detroit, staying overnight and then flying into Toronto the next day.

Then there was the fligh home. Increased security at Toronto was unbeleivable. First, we always fly with carry-on luggage only. The flight is always on a small plane so we don't even carry on the luggage, it gets checked plane side. Now the rule is that there is NO carry on luggage allowed at all, even on flights where luggage is checked plane side. So, NWA was happy to ding us for baggae fees since we had to check out luggage on the way home. Arrrggghh. You think they would have a grace period for those who got stuck out of country. Oh well.

Next was the added security checks. After going through the initial check point and having the shoes, coat etc x-rayed, we ended up in another line. Men on one side, women on the other. This was for a pat down search and a general emptying of pockets, purses etc.

The additional security really wasn't that bad and I can understand it...but the baggage fees still have me smoldering. This turned out to be a cash cow for the airlines who can now collect even more on baggage fees.

The time back home was great. My family background is European (Dutch) so it was a 9 days of overeating, but it was all my favorites. I even got so stuffed on peameal bacon that I don't want to see more until next year.

Hope everyone here had a great holiday and Happy New year to everyone.

Cdnmn

That sucks about the fee. I don't even fly airlines that have a fee for checked baggage anymore if I can help it just in case I end up needing to check a bag. I've completely boycotted American Airlines for that very reason. We only fly Air Canada since checked bags are free.

We flew back on the 29th and we were expecting the airport to be crazy so we gave ourselves 4 hours... but we got through both security checks and customs in about 45 minutes. I felt that the news made it out to be a lot worse than it was.

[darkchilde794 5]

CdnMn, I totally agree that there should be a grace period for the checked baggage thing. Before the new security policy, NWA will check your luggage free from say YYZ to Detroit, but charge you to your local connection from Detroit @_@

Ugh that makes me really mad! Glad you had a great time with your family for the holidays.

[yogib37 3]

Personaly I hate NWA.. They suck. Your right this is a cash cow for the airlines. what a joke. Southwest is bags fly free all the time. I think international should have some free bags.

when my wife went back to Philippines and flew to Hong Kong United did not charge for bags. the first 2 were free then if you check a third one they charge.

AMERICAN AIRLINES was the company to come up with this. Just make more money.

Yogi

[Wis-Can 0]

I think any airline that "makes" you check your bags should not even be alllowed to charge for baggage.

[redmen99 1]

I flew into Newark from Montreal yesterday and read all the guidelines, but when I checked in online, there was no changes to the rules on Carry-on luggage on Continental's website. So when I got to the airport, I got in the check in line and asked if I could bring this bag with me. She said usually you can, but not right now. So I said, well, is there a charge for checking in my bag, she said normally, yes, but I'm not going to charge you.

Continental gets one star for the day. They would have gotten more had my flight not been delayed 2 hours and I didn't get into Newark until 11 pm and by the time I got off my first train, I missed the last train out of Trenton, NJ and had to pay $70 for a cab to drive me to my car at my sister's house. What should have been a short travel day (1 hour flight) turned into 9 long hours. Lesson learned in this: don't ever fly Continental airlines again and most definitely don't fly into or out of Newark airport!

Edited January 5, 2010 by redmen99

[Carlawarla 1]

I just read the news...about Southwest flying bags for free! Wow, now I can fly anywhere for FREE! Wonderful news!

[ValerieA 350]

I just read the news...about Southwest flying bags for free! Wow, now I can fly anywhere for FREE! Wonderful news!

[Krikit 1,164]

Continental gets one star for the day. They would have gotten more had my flight not been delayed 2 hours and I didn't get into Newark until 11 pm and by the time I got off my first train, I missed the last train out of Trenton, NJ and had to pay $70 for a cab to drive me to my car at my sister's house. What should have been a short travel day (1 hour flight) turned into 9 long hours. Lesson learned in this: don't ever fly Continental airlines again and most definitely don't fly into or out of Newark airport!

I wouldn't blame Continental for Newark's delays. They're probably still recovering from the security breach.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I wouldn't blame Continental for Newark's delays. They're probably still recovering from the security breach.

All of the airports in the NYC area have delays all of the time because of air traffic control. It's not abnormal at all! It's probably not Newark or Continental's fault, it's the air traffic.

[Krikit 1,164]

Yeah. It's pretty much worldwide.

[lgg 2]

I flew back on Air Canada on Sunday night, I NEVER check a bag as I only travel with a laptop sized bag and a very small backpack. I had to check the backpack this trip. I waited for over an hour (more, actually) for my bag as they'd only opened up one carousel for 5 flights! It was a little nutty. I didn't get charged for the bag but what I was really miffed about was that they made me check my teeny bag but when I was on the flight, over half the passengers had 2 or more bags, most significantly larger than the one I'd checked, that they either brought on or were allowed to sky check.

Obviously they are just muddling around with the new protocols and stuff but i was really p1ssed off that they were so inconsistent on such a small flight. The flight to BWI is on a dash 8, it holds about 35 people -- they could have either ensured we were all allowed to sky check or that we all had to check our bags.

Anyway... it was a bit of a cluster ** but in the grand scheme of things -- it could've been a heck of a lot worse...

Just sharing my post Underwear Bomber story with you all...

[OBX 51]

Continental and Newark are not a good combination. As Sapphire noted all of the NYC area airports are typically backed up. However after over 10 years of the BUF to EWR route (Buffalo to Newark ) I can say that I had flights delayed or outright cancelled more often than not. I can't count the number of Friday nights I arrived at least 2 hours late (and that would be a good night!) Flying Continental was always a gamble so I finally gave up and started to fly JetBLue to JFK. Still experienced delays but they rarely cancelled their flights. Boy I do NOT miss those days!