2353
Junior Member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Posts
- 32
Sometime early this year (some would say in a fit of madness) we decided to take Mr & Mrs 2353 as well as our two children – aged 8 & 2 - to Canada to visit family who had relocated to Kitchener/Waterloo for the year. There wasn’t much leave to play with and we do have other things to do with money. We also had a bucket list of things we would love to do in Canada, so it was time to start exploring options. Some were easy to knock off such as the VIA Rail’s Trans-Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto which would have cost around CAD5600 once sleepers were included. Sleepers also included meals, kids entertainment and so on, but we couldn’t justify it. Others such as a tacky tour of Hollywood just fell off the plan at some stage – maybe next time.
The final trip was:
9 May Brisbane to Los Angeles – VAustralia
9 May Los Angeles to Calgary via Seattle – Alaska Air/Horizon Air
13 May Calgary to Kitchener (Ontario) – Westjet
17 May Kitchener to Montreal – VIA Rail
20 May Montreal to Kitchener – VIA Rail
25 May Toronto to Los Angeles via Cincinnati – Delta Air Lines
28 May Los Angeles to Brisbane – VAustralia.
Arrival at Brisbane International by Airtrain was fuss free. There was a small wait to be checked in and we were given three seats on one side of the plane and the aisle seat in the middle bank of seats. After screening we made our way as close as we could to Gate 86, which was blocked off until an hour or so before, the flight was to depart – some US Government requirement we were told. Taking advantage of the “Pre-boarding for those requiring extra assistance or have children travelling” saw us sitting in our seats and watching the plane fill up around us. The plane seems almost immaculate inside.
The 773 twin jets spooled up a couple of minutes late. We found clean toilets (that remained in good condition throughout the flight) and the excellent RED system where all members of the family found something that interested them. Meals were served from front of Y to the back for the “Dinner” and back of Y to the front for “Breakfast”. As we were towards the front of Y, we got our first choice for Dinner and the “savoury” option for Breakfast – the pancakes having run out by the time the Flight Attendants got to our seats. The kids meals looked good enough to eat and there were no complaints from the recipients.
Due to some favourable winds, the plane arrived at LAX around half an hour early. Progression through Customs was assisted by Mr 2 year old being asleep and the US Customs people directing us to the “special needs” queue – which seemed shorter than the other queues at that time of the morning with a number of long haul planes landing almost at the same time.
We had a few hours until the Alaska Air flight left for Seattle, so didn’t hurry across to Terminal 3. When we arrived, the self-check in tried to charge for baggage, something that was quickly and cheerfully waived by the person who was supposed to collect the money - we were on international tickets. I always get concerned when I see on-site advertising claiming that their staff are approachable and friendly. In my experience, they invariably aren’t, my experience being confirmed on this occasion with the TSA advertising. There is no need to shout orders to people who have to endure a process despite allegedly being innocent until proven otherwise.
We survived the “tender mercies” of the TSA and proceeded to the Gate for the Alaska Flight. Eventually we boarded the plane, again “pre-boarding for those with special needs” and found ourselves in a 734 that did have some gaffer tape holding two panels together, worn seats but without any form of TV screen. Once underway, a drink and small packet of “Snack Bites” was offered for the 2.5 hour flight.
At Seattle, we changed planes to a Horizon Air Dash 8-400 painted up in the livery of a local football team. Horizon Air is owned or managed by Alaska. Those that endue Qantaslink’s Dash 8’s would find nothing new here – except snow-covered mountains for scenery. Unfortunately the snow-covered mountains also were creating turbulence and the plane seemed to oscillate slightly most of the way to Calgary. The drink and “Snack Bites” run occurred soon after takeoff on the slightly over 1.5 hour flight.
Alaska’s product seemed to be similar to Qantas Domestic with elderly 737’s and Dash 8’s both of which needed some cleaning and maintenance. There were no entertainment options on either plane; in fact the “famed” Qantas muffin is probably more generous than Alaska’s small snack pack.
After a few days touring around Alberta, we fronted up at Calgary Airport for the once a day Westjet flight to Kitchener. Canadian security (like Australian airport security) is I would suggest just as efficient as the TSA however they do it with some humanity. Again we boarded during the period for those requiring extra assistance and found ourselves in an immaculately presented 737-700 with seatback TVs similar to the Virgin Australia product.. All but the movie channels are free (headsets cost $3 but the headsets from any MP3 player will connect to the system without an adaptor). Upon boarding the plane, a Flight Attendant suggested to me that at the end of the flight, our children would probably be able to able to go into the flight deck. Once we had taken off, drinks and snacks (biscuits) were served with the option of purchasing rolls from various bakeries/delis – depending on the origin of the plane. The rolls we purchased were from Calgary and reasonable value.
The plane landed in Kitchener as an electrical storm was brewing. The Pilot announced that the ground crew could not roll the stairs up to the plane due to the storm – and explained how the risk was calculated. After 15 minutes or so, the Flight Attendants started bringing water and biscuits through the plane on a regular basis while the flight crew managed to keep the air, lighting and some of the TV systems going for the comfort of passengers while allowing any child (including one or two that looked 80+) into the flight deck and to sit in the Pilots seat. After an hour the risk had passed.
Based on this flight, Virgin Australia would be the closest Australian airline to Westjet – although Westjet offer the majority of the satellite TV system for free. The staff are friendly and approachable, nothing seemed to be too much trouble – and a lot of the staff are shareholders, and use terminology such as “our airline”.
Part two – VIA Rail, Delta and the return to Australia on VAustralia will be added soon. Comments, questions and so on are more than welcome on this first attempt at a trip report. The lack of photos ,menus and so one is probably due to the need to help manage two children.
The final trip was:
9 May Brisbane to Los Angeles – VAustralia
9 May Los Angeles to Calgary via Seattle – Alaska Air/Horizon Air
13 May Calgary to Kitchener (Ontario) – Westjet
17 May Kitchener to Montreal – VIA Rail
20 May Montreal to Kitchener – VIA Rail
25 May Toronto to Los Angeles via Cincinnati – Delta Air Lines
28 May Los Angeles to Brisbane – VAustralia.
Arrival at Brisbane International by Airtrain was fuss free. There was a small wait to be checked in and we were given three seats on one side of the plane and the aisle seat in the middle bank of seats. After screening we made our way as close as we could to Gate 86, which was blocked off until an hour or so before, the flight was to depart – some US Government requirement we were told. Taking advantage of the “Pre-boarding for those requiring extra assistance or have children travelling” saw us sitting in our seats and watching the plane fill up around us. The plane seems almost immaculate inside.
The 773 twin jets spooled up a couple of minutes late. We found clean toilets (that remained in good condition throughout the flight) and the excellent RED system where all members of the family found something that interested them. Meals were served from front of Y to the back for the “Dinner” and back of Y to the front for “Breakfast”. As we were towards the front of Y, we got our first choice for Dinner and the “savoury” option for Breakfast – the pancakes having run out by the time the Flight Attendants got to our seats. The kids meals looked good enough to eat and there were no complaints from the recipients.
Due to some favourable winds, the plane arrived at LAX around half an hour early. Progression through Customs was assisted by Mr 2 year old being asleep and the US Customs people directing us to the “special needs” queue – which seemed shorter than the other queues at that time of the morning with a number of long haul planes landing almost at the same time.
We had a few hours until the Alaska Air flight left for Seattle, so didn’t hurry across to Terminal 3. When we arrived, the self-check in tried to charge for baggage, something that was quickly and cheerfully waived by the person who was supposed to collect the money - we were on international tickets. I always get concerned when I see on-site advertising claiming that their staff are approachable and friendly. In my experience, they invariably aren’t, my experience being confirmed on this occasion with the TSA advertising. There is no need to shout orders to people who have to endure a process despite allegedly being innocent until proven otherwise.
We survived the “tender mercies” of the TSA and proceeded to the Gate for the Alaska Flight. Eventually we boarded the plane, again “pre-boarding for those with special needs” and found ourselves in a 734 that did have some gaffer tape holding two panels together, worn seats but without any form of TV screen. Once underway, a drink and small packet of “Snack Bites” was offered for the 2.5 hour flight.
At Seattle, we changed planes to a Horizon Air Dash 8-400 painted up in the livery of a local football team. Horizon Air is owned or managed by Alaska. Those that endue Qantaslink’s Dash 8’s would find nothing new here – except snow-covered mountains for scenery. Unfortunately the snow-covered mountains also were creating turbulence and the plane seemed to oscillate slightly most of the way to Calgary. The drink and “Snack Bites” run occurred soon after takeoff on the slightly over 1.5 hour flight.
Alaska’s product seemed to be similar to Qantas Domestic with elderly 737’s and Dash 8’s both of which needed some cleaning and maintenance. There were no entertainment options on either plane; in fact the “famed” Qantas muffin is probably more generous than Alaska’s small snack pack.
After a few days touring around Alberta, we fronted up at Calgary Airport for the once a day Westjet flight to Kitchener. Canadian security (like Australian airport security) is I would suggest just as efficient as the TSA however they do it with some humanity. Again we boarded during the period for those requiring extra assistance and found ourselves in an immaculately presented 737-700 with seatback TVs similar to the Virgin Australia product.. All but the movie channels are free (headsets cost $3 but the headsets from any MP3 player will connect to the system without an adaptor). Upon boarding the plane, a Flight Attendant suggested to me that at the end of the flight, our children would probably be able to able to go into the flight deck. Once we had taken off, drinks and snacks (biscuits) were served with the option of purchasing rolls from various bakeries/delis – depending on the origin of the plane. The rolls we purchased were from Calgary and reasonable value.
The plane landed in Kitchener as an electrical storm was brewing. The Pilot announced that the ground crew could not roll the stairs up to the plane due to the storm – and explained how the risk was calculated. After 15 minutes or so, the Flight Attendants started bringing water and biscuits through the plane on a regular basis while the flight crew managed to keep the air, lighting and some of the TV systems going for the comfort of passengers while allowing any child (including one or two that looked 80+) into the flight deck and to sit in the Pilots seat. After an hour the risk had passed.
Based on this flight, Virgin Australia would be the closest Australian airline to Westjet – although Westjet offer the majority of the satellite TV system for free. The staff are friendly and approachable, nothing seemed to be too much trouble – and a lot of the staff are shareholders, and use terminology such as “our airline”.
Part two – VIA Rail, Delta and the return to Australia on VAustralia will be added soon. Comments, questions and so on are more than welcome on this first attempt at a trip report. The lack of photos ,menus and so one is probably due to the need to help manage two children.
Last edited: