BNE to YQM and return - VA, Alaska, Westjet, VIA Rail, Delta

[2353]

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.

 

[straitman]

Keep going.

A great report IMHO.

 

[drron]

A great start and interesting read.Looking forward to the rest of the TR.

 

[docjames]

Great TR, keep it going! Looking forward to hearing the rest, especially the train trip.

 

[2353]

Part 2.

The original plan was to drive the hire car the 600 or so ks each way between Kitchener/Waterloo and Montreal. The majority of the trip would be on the “infamous” 401, which runs from the US/Canadian border somewhere near Sudbury Ontario, through Toronto and on to Montreal. The road is up to 16 lanes wide in places and one of the main commuter routes into Toronto. Given that we had done 900k over the past few days around Alberta with two young kids, we decided to spend the extra money and as VIA Rail’s advertising slogan suggests, enjoy “a more human way to travel”.

We were dropped off at Kitchener Station, which like railway stations everywhere seems to be in the older and seeder part of town. VIA Rail allow purchases over the internet but you have to exchange the voucher for a ticket at the Station. There is also no reserved seating in Economy, although they don’t seem to overbook the train either. Around 15 minutes late, a F40PH loco pulling a number of 50’s vintage Stainless Steel cars appeared. On climbing up into the carriage pointed out by the on-train staff, it was immediately noticeable that the car interior had been refurbished and was actually a rather nice place to be, air conditioned, individual reading lights, well padded and reasonably ergonomic seating that reclined with clean and serviceable amenities at one end of the car. We found some seats and only to be advised by the train crew that we were entitled to use the group seating area in the car (there were two or three seats in each car we travelled in where groups of three or four could sit facing each other). To reinforce the point he asks us to follow him up to one of the group seating area and asks the two unrelated individuals in the group of seats to move! There is signage above the seats advising groups of 3 or 4 have priority. Being Canadian – they did without complaint.

The scheduled time to Toronto (where the Kitchener train terminates) was just over an hour and a half. Soon after we made ourselves comfortable, the same staff member that politely insisted we use the group seat re-appears with a trolley that looked like it belongs on a plane and sells us some drinks and snacks for a not overly inflated price. We only had a 30 minute connection in Toronto (where the 15 minute late Kitchener train terminates) and so we arrive with 15 minutes to spare. The train from Kitchener pulls up in Toronto immediately behind the train that was going to take us to Montreal – we walk forward the length of a 5 or 6 car train and make the connection with time to spare and little stress.

The train to Montreal was similar to the first train (HEP2 equipment – according to the Safety Card on each seat). Before long we were underway and left Toronto Union Station. After a couple of suburban stops, we were parallel to the 401 for a while and I had a great deal of satisfaction in sitting in the airconditioned train car, drinking a coffee and watching us passing traffic on the 401. There were a number of stops in small towns enroute and the train arrived in Montreal on time. We were directed to the nearest platform exit and up escalators into Montreal’s Gard Centrale (Central Station) around 5 hours after leaving Toronto.

The platforms at heavy rail stations in Canada seem to be generally at or close to ground level, while subway platforms are elevated similar to Australian practice. VIA Rail seems to want to get their passengers onto and off trains as quickly as possible – no walking up to the front of the train to get a photo here. It’s probably a health and safety thing, as the platforms only seem to be a couple of metres wide. On our return to Kitchener on the 20th, the train was loaded in a similar method to a plane – with Business Class and people with children or requiring assistance boarding first. The difference was instead of walking onto the aerobridge, we descended the escalator to the platform and requested to board the train. The train on the way back to Toronto was announced as being full. comprising LRC equipment hauled by a P42DC Loco. Internally the car was pretty similar to the HEP cars, the biggest difference being the seats and carpet were green rather than the maroon/red scheme and the windows seemed a bit bigger. The train also was scheduled to arrive in Toronto in a tad over four hours – a lesser number of stops being the main reason. Trolley service occurred approximately hourly.

We arrived at Toronto on time and were escorted off the platform into a waiting area where the peculiar Canadian custom of lining up to access the platform to board the train was again exhibited. The train of HEP equipment hauled by a F40PH left on time and returned us to Kitchener Station after another trolley service was performed.

VIA Rail have a good product. It is generally cheaper than flying and four hours for the 500km distance (Montreal City centre to Toronto City centre) is competitive with air. We were amused that the Quebec based crew added up the cost of purchases from the trolley service in French, Ontario based crew used English. Apart from that the service was identical – with French announcements first as soon as the train crossed into Quebec.

The following Wednesday we drove the “dreaded” 401 into Pearson Airport at Toronto. After clearing US Customs and Canadian Security we were left waiting for our flight to Los Angeles via Cincinnati on Delta Air Lines. We boarded a Delta Connections “operated by Atlantic Southern Airlines” CRJ200 and departed on time. Highlight of the trip was the only Flight Attendant reading the safety script and then asking everyone to watch her perform it! While Ejets are probably nicer to fly on, the plane did the job and got us to Cincinnati in reasonable comfort.

At Cincinnati we were to transfer to a Delta Air Lines A320. While waiting in the gate lounge the “breaking news” of the tornado that flattened Joplin was being broadcast on the terminals TVs. I wasn’t particularly concerned until they started showing areas that may also be subject to tornados the same day – and the graphics were showing around Cincinnati as a possible area of concern. The flight was called for boarding and the Flight Attendants were urging people to place small articles under the seat to leave room for larger articles in the overhead lockers as the flight was full. The seat belt lights stayed on for a long period as the pilot advised we were flying south rather than west to avoid tornadoes. It ended up the plane was flown south to Louisiana and then west, rather than on a direct line to Los Angeles, the consequence being a 40 odd minute late arrival into LAX. The Flight Attendants advised prior to the plane landing that some passengers were now on a very short connection time for other flights, so their bags would be retrieved first. While it seemed a reasonable proposition at the time, I suspect the response would have been a bit different if it was known that the first bag from the flight would then take around 45 minutes to arrive on the carousel.

Despite Delta’s reputation, with one exception everyone we dealt with on both flights was pleasant, the planes were clean and seemed to be well maintained and in reality I would prefer to fly Delta over Alaska/Horizon Air. To give the benefit of the doubt, the exception to the pleasant Delta staff member was attempting to complete the paperwork for a delayed earlier flight when I walked up to the counter to ask a question.

Thursday through to Saturday saw us doing the usual double of Disneyland and Universal Studios. Well we did have to go to LA anyway!!! On Saturday night we again braved the hell that is Terminal 3 of LAX. VAustralia’s check in area is hidden in a corner of the Virgin America area of the terminal and once checked in, it’s time to suffer the indignity of the TSA again. Once TSA decide you’re nothing for them to worry about, we found Gate 34 in the same area as airlines such as Air Transact and JetBlue, who were boarding their “red eye” flights to the east coast of the USA. The pre-ordered duty free for the flight to Brisbane was brought to the gate in two shopping trolleys, dumped on the floor and it was suspected the unintelligible PA system was requesting people to come forward and collect their purchases. While we did our normal “pre-boarding” it would have been difficult if not impossible to for a queue to board the plane, there wasn’t enough room in the terminal to do so.

The sooner VAustralia get out of this terminal (and preferably out of LAX), the better for their credibility. The flight back to Australia was similar to the flight over (albeit about 14.5 hours due to headwinds over the Pacific) so I won’t repeat myself.

We had a discussion about things we would do differently should we ever do a similar trip. Top of the list was to avoid LAX which leaves us flying Air Canada or Air New Zealand. VAustralia lists Seattle as a destination on their website – it would be interesting to see if they ever fly there direct to give access to Northern America. Personally I reckon it would go gangbusters if marketed correctly. Everyone I’ve spoken to since our return that has been in LAX literally can’t stand the place. Seattle seemed to be a much nicer airport with quicker connections to Canada and other northern areas of the USA.

Hope you enjoyed the report, there won’t be another travel for pleasure report for a while – the bank balance needs to recover.