March 21, 2012

Day 1

The countdown was finally over: After what seemed like two of the most rushed work days I've had in recent memory, and after finishing packing my bike and gear for the trip, I was finally away! This morning I got up at 4:20am to get ready to go, and by 5am we were on the road to the airport. We stopped in Windsor for coffee, and we planned on eating breakfast at the airport.

Linda dropped me and the luggage off at departures while she went to park. The departures area was busy, but not the Air Canada gates. I walked right up to a counter and was asked for my name and to show my passport. The attendant said "Oh wow, look where you're going." I told her that this was my first time flying business class as well. She said I would enjoy it a lot, and that there was a Maple Leaf lounge upstairs where I could wait before boarding. She checked in my suitcase and my bike case with priority tags, and said they were checked through to my final destination, and that I would need to drop off my bike over at the oversized luggage station, about 20 yards away. I rolled my bike over and had to wait for an attendant. In a few moments he arrived and asked where I was heading. When I told him Spain he got very interested and asked me more questions, as he had been to Spain some time ago. I helped him lift the bike case up onto the Xray machine but it wouldn't fit through. So he asked me if I had let the air out of the tires, which I had, and then he opened one of the outer compartments where one wheel was stowed. He quickly looked at it and then closed the zipper. I started to open the zipper for the main compartment and he said "don't bother with that." He said I just need to put this label on the case to indicate that I've checked it, and I need your help again to put this on the belt after the Xray machine, and we're all set!

By this time Linda had found me so we could go have breakfast. Linda asked how much I had to pay extra for the bike. I didn't even realize, no one had asked for any money for the extra luggage! When preparing for the trip I had worked my through the labyrinthian airline websites to try to figure out what the extra charges would be: Since I was flying Aeroplan Business/executive the waters were a little muddy on the subject of sports luggage.  And it seemed that the airlines were constantly changing their luggage policy but that charges were usually based on when you booked the flight. If you looked up sports luggage on the different sites you could find charges ranging from free to $250 per direction of travel. Some sites said you would be charged for extras according to the first flight in the leg, or the predominant flight in the leg, or according to the highest charge. It looks like I got the lucky decision this time; the first flight in this leg was a domestic Air Canada executive class, which has no charges for sports luggage! That happened to me last year with Westjet/domestic on an economy flight but I got dinged for $150 on the way back. It might work out that way again.

Linda and I had a quiet breakfast at the Chickenburger at the airport, with a growing number of travelers heading for tropical destinations - like Canadians do this time of year. Linda knew I was anxious to get through security, and she wanted me to check out the Maple Leaf lounge, so we had our goodbyes and I promised to take lots of pictures. I had about 30 minutes to boarding so I went up to the Maple Leaf lounge to sit quietly and take some pictures. There was more food up there so I could have skipped breakfast. It was nice and quiet there too.

My flight started boarding about 15 minutes late, but it didn't take long. I got into my seat (1A) and realized it wasn't the greatest: Lots of leg room (but I'm only 5'7") and the TV screen is on the bulkhead - a little too far away. When we took off I was served breakfast... again. 

And it was a pretty good flight for this first leg to Montreal. I have an 8 hour layover in Montreal so when I got off the plane I slowly made my way to the nearest Maple Leaf lounge. It was very close to my arrival gate. I took more pictures, lots of comfy chairs, more food(!) and all kinds of beverages. Three kinds of beer on tap from 11am including Guinness. The attendant told me that I should stay in this lounge until after 2pm, then I could make my way to the Lounge in the international departures area, it's not open until then. So I got comfortable and watched a movie (Real Steel with Hugh Jackman, which I found to be a fun movie to watch) on this tablet. Eventually I had a salad and soup for lunch, then some nachos with salsa, and a Guinness. I changed to a different comfy seat to get a different point of view and started writing this blog. 

I've moved to the international lounge and there was more food, beer and booze. Obviously I can't eat or drink whatever looks good. There's just too much food. I started watching another movie but it's too bright in here and I can't see the screen very well. Decided to save the movie for the flight.

 

 

Boarding went pretty quickly - priority! And I walked forward from the door! This business class section is pretty small, only 2 rows. I was in a middle aisle with no one next to me, very roomy. They served champagne as soon as I sat down. Just after take-off I retrieved my compression socks from my carry-on and put them on - hoping they'll help me later. Dinner was served after take-off; steak and vegetables with a glass of wine. 

Afterwards I just tried to settle down, watched "Margin Call" which did a pretty decent job of helping me get to sleep. Then I played with the bed, lied down flat, and grabbed some sleep. I had put in a breakfast order and they woke me to eat - just a continental breakfast but it was alright. 

 

Unfortunately since I had an inside row I didn't have a very good view, I just caught glimpses of mountains as we landed. They said that it was around freezing here, but I'm not going outside. I'm in Zurich now, end of day 1!