Comments for Sol Algranti Photography http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:29:44 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 Comment on DON’T FLY AIR CANADA IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO… by Mike http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2009/01/09/don%e2%80%99t-fly-air-canada-if-you-don%e2%80%99t-have-to%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1390 Mike Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:29:44 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=18#comment-1390 Hey! I just had a similar, miserable experience with Air Canada, and found this blog by googling "Blog Air Canada Baggage Delay". We left Ottawa on Dec 26th, using Aeroplan redemption, and were originally routed through Montreal, to Toronto, and on to our final destination of Raleigh, NC. Due to ice here in Ottawa, our flights were cancelled and rescheduled for Dec 27th. Not wanting to shorten our vacation, we called and were rebooked for 2:00 direct to Toronto to make a 4:40 connection. We arrived before 12:00 at Ottawa Airport and asked if we could be flown down on either the 12:00 or 1:00 flight; NO. Of course, delays due to the weather meant we didn't arrive in Toronto until 4:45; thereby missing the one and only available flight that day to Raleigh. We were forced to stay in Toronto overnight and were re-booked on; not the morning flight, but the 4:40 flight the following day! NO offer of hotel, or meals. We were told to arrive at 12:00 due to the new restrictions put in place. We arrived to a nightmare; Pearson looked like a temporary shelter during a storm; people EVERYWHERE and NO ONE knew what was going on. We found out our flight (along with about 150 others to the USA) were cancelled yet again. This time we went to the special agent and were re-booked for the following day at 8:00, and were given a hotel voucher. We were flown out on time the following day; a full 48+ hours after our original flight was to have left Ottawa. Our return trip was a bit less eventful, but due to the close connection times that Air Canada made, we arrived in Toronto, and after clearing customs, had barely enough time to make the connection to Montreal. We asked an Air Canada agent at "Connections" if we couldn't be put on a direct flight to Ottawa...again, NO. So, like lambs to the slaughter, we boarded the Montreal flight. In-flight, we were told that we would miss our 12:00 connection in Montreal, and were rebooked for; not 1:00, 2:00, etc., but 5:25! We arrived in Montreal and checked with an agent. The 12:00 flight was delayed, and we could make the flight if we rushed to the gate. We asked about our luggage, and were told it would follow us to the flight....right! We arrived at the gate, and the flight was delayed another 20 minutes or so, as the aircraft had just arrived at the gate about 12:25. We saw the crew and passengers leave the plane. A full 20-25 minutes later, we were allowed to board. When we walked out on the tarmac, we noticed the baggage handlers UNLOADING the plane! (25 minutes or more after it landed!). After the entire plane was loaded with passengers, etc., and we sat there for several minutes, I noticed that the baggage carts were STILL SITTING ON THE TARMAC; hadn't moved! It was then that I knew we were in trouble. Sure enough, we arrived in Ottawa at 2:30 or so, and NO LUGGAGE. We went to the baggage claim office, and filed a claim. We were given a card with a claim number and a toll-free number to call, but the Air Canada agent said that was a call-centre in India; to use the Baggage Tracker system on the internet. Both were fairly useless, and we came to find out that the number to India rang constantly busy over the next 48 hours (yes, 48 hours!). The website gave useless info. Our luggage arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday morning. I called the delivery company (Dynamex) here in Ottawa. I was told that over 950 orders for luggage delivery had been received from Air Canada over the previous three days alone, and they were extremely backlogged due to this! So, we finally received our baggage at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday evening; a full 48+ after landing in Ottawa. The whole system is broken. Aeroplan customers, who are clearly committed to flying Air Canada, are treated like third-class passengers; routed all over hells half acre instead of direct to their destinations. That would be too much like the right thing for Air Canada to do. The baggage issue is clearly a union thing as far as I'm concerned, and it's no surprise with the mess that is the Air Canada HR situation. I've written a letter to Mr. Dee; VP and COO of Air Canada asking for answers to this situation, and challenging him to support their Core Values in light of my, and literally thousands of other customers who have been so poorly treated by this airline. My wife and I have been Aeorplan members for several years, but are switching to RBC Avion. We are no longer willing to be subjected to the torture of flying with Air Canada! Hey! I just had a similar, miserable experience with Air Canada, and found this blog by googling “Blog Air Canada Baggage Delay”. We left Ottawa on Dec 26th, using Aeroplan redemption, and were originally routed through Montreal, to Toronto, and on to our final destination of Raleigh, NC. Due to ice here in Ottawa, our flights were cancelled and rescheduled for Dec 27th. Not wanting to shorten our vacation, we called and were rebooked for 2:00 direct to Toronto to make a 4:40 connection. We arrived before 12:00 at Ottawa Airport and asked if we could be flown down on either the 12:00 or 1:00 flight; NO. Of course, delays due to the weather meant we didn’t arrive in Toronto until 4:45; thereby missing the one and only available flight that day to Raleigh. We were forced to stay in Toronto overnight and were re-booked on; not the morning flight, but the 4:40 flight the following day! NO offer of hotel, or meals. We were told to arrive at 12:00 due to the new restrictions put in place. We arrived to a nightmare; Pearson looked like a temporary shelter during a storm; people EVERYWHERE and NO ONE knew what was going on. We found out our flight (along with about 150 others to the USA) were cancelled yet again. This time we went to the special agent and were re-booked for the following day at 8:00, and were given a hotel voucher. We were flown out on time the following day; a full 48+ hours after our original flight was to have left Ottawa. Our return trip was a bit less eventful, but due to the close connection times that Air Canada made, we arrived in Toronto, and after clearing customs, had barely enough time to make the connection to Montreal. We asked an Air Canada agent at “Connections” if we couldn’t be put on a direct flight to Ottawa…again, NO. So, like lambs to the slaughter, we boarded the Montreal flight. In-flight, we were told that we would miss our 12:00 connection in Montreal, and were rebooked for; not 1:00, 2:00, etc., but 5:25! We arrived in Montreal and checked with an agent. The 12:00 flight was delayed, and we could make the flight if we rushed to the gate. We asked about our luggage, and were told it would follow us to the flight….right! We arrived at the gate, and the flight was delayed another 20 minutes or so, as the aircraft had just arrived at the gate about 12:25. We saw the crew and passengers leave the plane. A full 20-25 minutes later, we were allowed to board. When we walked out on the tarmac, we noticed the baggage handlers UNLOADING the plane! (25 minutes or more after it landed!). After the entire plane was loaded with passengers, etc., and we sat there for several minutes, I noticed that the baggage carts were STILL SITTING ON THE TARMAC; hadn’t moved! It was then that I knew we were in trouble. Sure enough, we arrived in Ottawa at 2:30 or so, and NO LUGGAGE. We went to the baggage claim office, and filed a claim. We were given a card with a claim number and a toll-free number to call, but the Air Canada agent said that was a call-centre in India; to use the Baggage Tracker system on the internet. Both were fairly useless, and we came to find out that the number to India rang constantly busy over the next 48 hours (yes, 48 hours!). The website gave useless info. Our luggage arrived in Ottawa on Wednesday morning. I called the delivery company (Dynamex) here in Ottawa. I was told that over 950 orders for luggage delivery had been received from Air Canada over the previous three days alone, and they were extremely backlogged due to this! So, we finally received our baggage at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday evening; a full 48+ after landing in Ottawa. The whole system is broken. Aeroplan customers, who are clearly committed to flying Air Canada, are treated like third-class passengers; routed all over hells half acre instead of direct to their destinations. That would be too much like the right thing for Air Canada to do. The baggage issue is clearly a union thing as far as I’m concerned, and it’s no surprise with the mess that is the Air Canada HR situation. I’ve written a letter to Mr. Dee; VP and COO of Air Canada asking for answers to this situation, and challenging him to support their Core Values in light of my, and literally thousands of other customers who have been so poorly treated by this airline. My wife and I have been Aeorplan members for several years, but are switching to RBC Avion. We are no longer willing to be subjected to the torture of flying with Air Canada!

]]> Comment on DON’T FLY AIR CANADA IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO… by Dustin http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2009/01/09/don%e2%80%99t-fly-air-canada-if-you-don%e2%80%99t-have-to%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-1099 Dustin Wed, 27 May 2009 16:33:18 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=18#comment-1099 What The Heck does this have to do with the questiojn i searched What The Heck does this have to do with the questiojn i searched

]]> Comment on DON’T FLY AIR CANADA IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO… by Deciding on the Right Paper Bags for Your Carryout Business — Hobby Cash: Make Cash Blogging About the Things You Love http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2009/01/09/don%e2%80%99t-fly-air-canada-if-you-don%e2%80%99t-have-to%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Deciding on the Right Paper Bags for Your Carryout Business — Hobby Cash: Make Cash Blogging About the Things You Love Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:31:58 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=18#comment-163 [...] DON’T FLY AIR CANADA IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO… [...] [...] DON’T FLY AIR CANADA IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO… [...]

]]> Comment on DON’T FLY AIR CANADA IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO… by Ajay Sinha http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2009/01/09/don%e2%80%99t-fly-air-canada-if-you-don%e2%80%99t-have-to%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Ajay Sinha Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:08:04 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=18#comment-44 Hello Sol: I am very sorry for the nightmare experience that you and your family faced during your travel to Mexico. It's really sad to hear how one unfriendly and incompetant employee can either make or break a long awaited and well deserved trip. I too have had several bad experiences with both Air Canada and Air Transat. I went on a business trip to India in August 2006 and Air Canada lost my luggage, which was found by Air Canada towards the end of the week. They claimed it was not their problem but a glitch in the baggage handling system at Pearson International. My wife and I tried many times to speak to the authorities in Montreal but to no avail. Also wrote numerous complaint letters but simply went unnoticed. On a second experience, went on vacation to Cuba with my family and took Air Transat in December 2007. They re-routed our luggage (5 in all) to Mexico (yes, to Mexico of all places). Had to wait 5 days to receive our luggage. Attempted to buy additional clothes in Cuba. Very annoying and time consuming. No one was impressed with this ordeal. Air Transat rep in Cuba took no responsibility and suggested we take up the matter in Canada with air Transat. Attempted to contact Air Transat via phone and e-mail. Spoke with their communications director who was kind enough to listen to my complaint. No action taken to this day! Went to Vancouver in October 2007 with Air Canada. On our arrival at Pearson International at the luggage pick-up area, we waiting from 8pm until 2:30am to pick up our luggage. Air Canada brought us to at least 4 different carousels before we picked-up our luggage. Complete incompetency and mismanagement by Air Canada and its employees! Received no apologies nor acknowledgement of delay. Air Canada luggage operators near the carousel appeared as if this is part of standard practise. Although, my wife and I recently travelled (November 2008) with Air Canada to Vancouver again (no choice - used Air Miles) and had somewhat better experience than in the past, I would still not recommend this airline to anyone. Be warned! Ajay Sinha Northbridge Consultants Mobile: +1 416 854 3762 Hello Sol:

I am very sorry for the nightmare experience that you and your family faced during your travel to Mexico. It’s really sad to hear how one unfriendly and incompetant employee can either make or break a long awaited and well deserved trip.

I too have had several bad experiences with both Air Canada and Air Transat. I went on a business trip to India in August 2006 and Air Canada lost my luggage, which was found by Air Canada towards the end of the week. They claimed it was not their problem but a glitch in the baggage handling system at Pearson International. My wife and I tried many times to speak to the authorities in Montreal but to no avail. Also wrote numerous complaint letters but simply went unnoticed.

On a second experience, went on vacation to Cuba with my family and took Air Transat in December 2007. They re-routed our luggage (5 in all) to Mexico (yes, to Mexico of all places). Had to wait 5 days to receive our luggage. Attempted to buy additional clothes in Cuba. Very annoying and time consuming. No one was impressed with this ordeal. Air Transat rep in Cuba took no responsibility and suggested we take up the matter in Canada with air Transat. Attempted to contact Air Transat via phone and e-mail. Spoke with their communications director who was kind enough to listen to my complaint. No action taken to this day!

Went to Vancouver in October 2007 with Air Canada. On our arrival at Pearson International at the luggage pick-up area, we waiting from 8pm until 2:30am to pick up our luggage. Air Canada brought us to at least 4 different carousels before we picked-up our luggage. Complete incompetency and mismanagement by Air Canada and its employees! Received no apologies nor acknowledgement of delay. Air Canada luggage operators near the carousel appeared as if this is part of standard practise.

Although, my wife and I recently travelled (November 2008) with Air Canada to Vancouver again (no choice – used Air Miles) and had somewhat better experience than in the past, I would still not recommend this airline to anyone.

Be warned!

Ajay Sinha
Northbridge Consultants
Mobile: +1 416 854 3762

]]> Comment on DON’T FLY AIR CANADA IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO… by Losing Weight…Yeah Right! » Blog Archive » Sol Algranti Photography » Blog Archive » Don’T Fly Air Canada if … http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2009/01/09/don%e2%80%99t-fly-air-canada-if-you-don%e2%80%99t-have-to%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Losing Weight…Yeah Right! » Blog Archive » Sol Algranti Photography » Blog Archive » Don’T Fly Air Canada if … Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:18:36 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=18#comment-43 [...] She was very nice and told us that she would have preferred that Air Canada were to charge $5.00 to $10 more so that she wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of selling food . I guess she was the smart one and probably should be …[Continue Reading] [...] [...] She was very nice and told us that she would have preferred that Air Canada were to charge $5.00 to $10 more so that she wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of selling food . I guess she was the smart one and probably should be …[Continue Reading] [...]

]]> Comment on Workshop With Internationally Acclaimed Photographer Ralph Gibson by Sam Bortnick http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2008/09/04/workshop-with-internationally-acclaimed-photographer-ralph-gibson/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Sam Bortnick Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:29:07 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=6#comment-41 Hi Sol! I read about your workshop with Ralph Gibson! Wow, I've never met him, but I own Days At Sea and 3 books printed by his (now defunctd?) book publishing company, Lustrum Press (Nude Theory, Contact Theory, Darkroom Theory and a book by Andy Summers called Throb). Your workshop sounds like it was a really great experience, despite the flight fiasco. I'm doing well. I photograph products for an online auction company called Always At Market. I shoot and photoshop my pictures, which wind up on ShopNBC.com and Propertyroom.com in the auction sections. Hope to see you again soon! Sam Hi Sol!

I read about your workshop with Ralph Gibson! Wow, I’ve never met him, but I own Days At Sea and 3 books printed by his (now defunctd?) book publishing company, Lustrum Press (Nude Theory, Contact Theory, Darkroom Theory and a book by Andy Summers called Throb). Your workshop sounds like it was a really great experience, despite the flight fiasco.

I’m doing well. I photograph products for an online auction company called Always At Market. I shoot and photoshop my pictures, which wind up on ShopNBC.com and Propertyroom.com in the auction sections.

Hope to see you again soon!

Sam

]]> Comment on West Jet Should Be Grounded- My Frustrating Experience with WestJet by B http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2008/09/04/west-jet-should-be-grounded-my-frustrating-experience-with-westjet/comment-page-1/#comment-5 B Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:40:14 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=5#comment-5 And I suppose when I use your companies, I get consistent service every time. Consistent exposure, focus, contrast, composition? WestJet is world renowned for their customer service and while they may have some hiccups, overall they have superior service that you won't find in another airline. I fly them any chance I get because they treat me like a human and appreciate my business. But I also stay within their guidelines for luggage etc and have not had an issue. It is irresponsible on your part not to adhere to the luggage guidelines. It is not rocket science. And I suppose when I use your companies, I get consistent service every time. Consistent exposure, focus, contrast, composition? WestJet is world renowned for their customer service and while they may have some hiccups, overall they have superior service that you won’t find in another airline. I fly them any chance I get because they treat me like a human and appreciate my business. But I also stay within their guidelines for luggage etc and have not had an issue. It is irresponsible on your part not to adhere to the luggage guidelines. It is not rocket science.

]]> Comment on West Jet Should Be Grounded- My Frustrating Experience with WestJet by admin http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2008/09/04/west-jet-should-be-grounded-my-frustrating-experience-with-westjet/comment-page-1/#comment-4 admin Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:35:03 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=5#comment-4 Thank you for repeating what the agent told me a couple of weeks ago. Your explanation will not change my experience about West Jet and in fact it added more to my frustration. I am an avid photographer and I travel with the same gear all the time. I traveled many times with the same gear with West Jet without any problems. When West Jet agent are not consistent the message they send is that there is + tolerance for carry-ons beyond the accepted terms. So, please don't give me the argument that I am responsible and that I have agreed with terms and conditions when I purchase the ticket. The inconsistency kills. Besides, I am not trying to build up a legal case here. I just want that all photography enthusiasts know how inconsistent West Jet is. In the short run you may not feel that your business is hurting. But believe me it will catch up with you. I know from first hand as I own Algranti Group of companies which consists of of 5 manufacturing companies one consulting and one real estate company. I know the power of word of mouth… Especially with the internet and emails which I started another email campaign to my photography friends and all camera clubs in Canada and they will send them to their friends that I can’t reach. I don't know if you are a West Jet employee. If you are; keep up with this attitude and keep repeating passenger’s responsibility. Thank you for repeating what the agent told me a couple of weeks ago. Your explanation will not change my experience about West Jet and in fact it added more to my frustration.

I am an avid photographer and I travel with the same gear all the time. I traveled many times with the same gear with West Jet without any problems. When West Jet agent are not consistent the message they send is that there is + tolerance for carry-ons beyond the accepted terms. So, please don’t give me the argument that I am responsible and that I have agreed with terms and conditions when I purchase the ticket. The inconsistency kills. Besides, I am not trying to build up a legal case here. I just want that all photography enthusiasts know how inconsistent West Jet is. In the short run you may not feel that your business is hurting. But believe me it will catch up with you. I know from first hand as I own Algranti Group of companies which consists of of 5 manufacturing companies one consulting and one real estate company. I know the power of word of mouth… Especially with the internet and emails which I started another email campaign to my photography friends and all camera clubs in Canada and they will send them to their friends that I can’t reach.

I don’t know if you are a West Jet employee. If you are; keep up with this attitude and keep repeating passenger’s responsibility.

]]> Comment on West Jet Should Be Grounded- My Frustrating Experience with WestJet by J http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2008/09/04/west-jet-should-be-grounded-my-frustrating-experience-with-westjet/comment-page-1/#comment-3 J Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:57:37 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=5#comment-3 It is your responsibility to be aware of what your baggage (checked and carry on) allotments are and to be within those limits, and you are subject to being checked by the carrier at their discretion. When you purchase your tickets you agree to the terms and conditions of carriage. If you desire flexibility and convenience involved with your travel, explore full fare tickets which allow you to do that. Discounted fares come with restrictions; the airline industry is and has always been about supply and demand; you demand a service then supply the funds for it. On the return flight you got caught with overweight baggage. It is not an inconsistency just like you don't get a ticket every single time you go over the speed limit. Human power can only do so much. Those people that try and beat the system, especially with excess or overweight baggage only do more damage to the market; every ounce costs money in fuel to loft it in the air. Bring on too much your stealing from the air carrier; which then results in higher fares or fuel surcharges. Everyone suffers then. I am quite sure that if your checked baggage did not have to be repacked, for being over weight, it would have made it down the belt in time to make it to the aircraft that you were actually traveling on. (This is always why there are mandated minimum connecting times which are found in the OAG "Official Airline Guide") One other point to make is that those that handle your baggage behind the scenes are not always airline employees; rather "ground handling" services that are contracted, sometimes forcibly by the specific Airport Authority, that are handling your baggage. Think about what kind of motivation a contracted employee has and how that would translate into your baggage going into airplane from Airline A over Airline B - its just another bag. No ownership or no need for them to care how their performance reflects on the airline itself. It is your responsibility to be aware of what your baggage (checked and carry on) allotments are and to be within those limits, and you are subject to being checked by the carrier at their discretion.

When you purchase your tickets you agree to the terms and conditions of carriage.

If you desire flexibility and convenience involved with your travel, explore full fare tickets which allow you to do that.

Discounted fares come with restrictions; the airline industry is and has always been about supply and demand; you demand a service then supply the funds for it.

On the return flight you got caught with overweight baggage. It is not an inconsistency just like you don’t get a ticket every single time you go over the speed limit. Human power can only do so much.

Those people that try and beat the system, especially with excess or overweight baggage only do more damage to the market; every ounce costs money in fuel to loft it in the air.

Bring on too much your stealing from the air carrier; which then results in higher fares or fuel surcharges. Everyone suffers then.

I am quite sure that if your checked baggage did not have to be repacked, for being over weight, it would have made it down the belt in time to make it to the aircraft that you were actually traveling on. (This is always why there are mandated minimum connecting times which are found in the OAG “Official Airline Guide”)

One other point to make is that those that handle your baggage behind the scenes are not always airline employees; rather “ground handling” services that are contracted, sometimes forcibly by the specific Airport Authority, that are handling your baggage.

Think about what kind of motivation a contracted employee has and how that would translate into your baggage going into airplane from Airline A over Airline B – its just another bag. No ownership or no need for them to care how their performance reflects on the airline itself.

]]> Comment on West Jet Should Be Grounded- My Frustrating Experience with WestJet by Rick http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/2008/09/04/west-jet-should-be-grounded-my-frustrating-experience-with-westjet/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Rick Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:36:30 +0000 http://www.solalgrantiphotography.com/blog/?p=5#comment-2 Hi, I read your story - not a good one. I work at WestJet and we take customer service really seriously and I'll bet that if you give us a chance, we'd make this right for you. Can’t hurt to try. http://www.westjet.com. Then click on the 'contact us' button then e-mail Guest Relations. Rick Hi,

I read your story – not a good one. I work at WestJet and we take customer service really seriously and I’ll bet that if you give us a chance, we’d make this right for you.

Can’t hurt to try. http://www.westjet.com. Then click on the ‘contact us’ button then e-mail Guest Relations.

Rick

]]>