Damn and Blast

w.matilda - don't fret about T5 at Heathrow. Their baggage handling has beenn pretty well sorted out now and they don't lose more than a 'normal' terminal (which isn't saying much, I know - but still....)

I found some cheap jeans!! Hopefully they'll last until I get home ... worn them once and they've already "kneed" and the zipper is a bit dicey, but they are wearable. Got them at a Primark, a great place for budget clothes (of dubious quality, but what the hey) and if they fall apart, no big deal.

Yep, waltzingmatilda, it probably was because the ANZ staff member I dealt with was a friendly Samoan. Pity western personnel can't be as friendly, but obviously ANZ does/did have some kind of customer service policy in effect, something these other airlines decidedly lack.

LOL Liamh, I often carry duct tape but on the last tropical trip, when I actually needed it, the entire roll had melted into itself in the humidity and was fit only for the dust bin.

Had a great outing yesterday with go_2! Must do it again.

Good to hear you now have some 'sort of'' replacement jeans.
However, with the duct tape - mine couldn't possibly melt. Has been through lots of heat and humidity. I asked O - apparently there are many types thus I will bring some to share, next time I visit.

During our Christmas - storm mess here in Victoria last year, when I made 3 trips out to the airport until finally getting off, Westjet not only took care of the costs (times 2 in an airfare credit), but had the best trained personnel on the phone. They must train their staff, because every individual knew how to listen, commiserate, and resolve a problem. Can't ask for more than that, in my opinion.

Only tenuously on topic, but I would like to comment on a pair of Tilley trousers, that normally cost around $120, presumably because they are "guaranteed for life", although that would put the company out on a limb for very few years since only retirees buy them.

Mine I bought at The Salvation Army for $3, and wore them for all of last winter, walking 6 miles a day. The trouser leg-ends were noticeably frayed by winter's end, but otherwise they held up stoutly.

For $1.50, in a dollar store I also recently bought China's answer to the Tilley hat, which sells for about $95 (or did before the depression). The Chinese version is flimsier, no doubt, but as wide-brimmed and still quite nicely made, with all the metal vents of the original, and a sturdy adjustable under-chin strap against the wind. You can even use the side grommets to button up the brim sides, should the fancy take you to stylishly impersonate an Australian soldier of WWII.

Air Canada in Montreal is now involved in this ridiculous spat. They will compensate only up to $45 or $45 GBP - what the heck does that mean? It's either GBP or $$ but I bet it's open to interpretation and whatever one makes of it will probably be opposed by AC. They will not touch the telephone costs due to lost baggage. This isn't a case of lost baggage, as I've told them countless times, the telephone calls are due to their lack of customer service. I didn't really expect them to cover the calls but want it on record that I am right royally pissed off. I will probably have to wait and replace the pants when I get home and get the cost back from RBC. I keep having to write back to them to clarify an ambiguous point, which just about everything they've written/offer is - ambiguous, that is.

On the upside, AC Montreal is upset - or so they say - over the lack of customer service at AC in London and will be 'looking into it.' As well, they have no idea (figures) why the bags were sent on standy so will be looking into that as well. I don't expect to hear the outcome, if any.

Good thing I don't wear Tilley stuff, that would be irreplaceable and AC requires the signature of a notary whatchamacallit if an item is over $150. Anyway, Air Canada still sucks, IMO, and I will not replace good, new Levis with anything of lesser quality. I saw Levis at the Camden Lock market yesterday, black (but with button flies, which is not an option), and still way over ACs offer.

Weather has been glorious but is changing today.

I had a shirt thorned due to a pin in my airplane seat. The head stewardess saw it happening and made a report.I would be contacted but nothing happened. It was a KLM flight from Shanghai to Amsterdam and it took like 5 months to solve the problem. I didn't have the bill of the shirt, so wouldn't get any money, even in this situation due to lack of maintenance/control of their aircraft seats and with a report from the head stewardess. So the shop where I sometimes buy nice stuff predated a bill of a new shirt I bought there and I got the money back. This stupid rules obligate us to lie and look for people to help us lie....

Don't bother changing to another carrier if this one offers you the best ticket price, because at the end they all do the same.

My advice: do as if anything happened and proceed with your trip as planed or else next to loosing your stuff you will also loose your holiday and that would really be a waste.
good luck

If you are coming to the Netherlands, let me know I can meet you and show you around. Take care

Thanks anamore - I've always wanted to visit the Netherlands, and if time permits (I have obligations here I must attend to) I will certainly let you know. That would be fun!

Air Canada is on the brink of bankruptcy... Again.

This time we're hoping the feds WON'T bail them out and they'll be done. 34 million Canadians are praying for this every night.

So sorry about your clothes... That sucks.