The series of flights to get home has made me entirely rethink my desire to take part in air travel. Sure, it’s better for the environment, but it’s definitely better for my sanity.
It started with a simple delay. While on the airstrip in Wellington, the pilot made an announcement about a flock of seagulls persistently occupying the runway. It wasn’t long before we were off and away. However, it did leave me running between the domestic and international terminals in Auckland to get to my next flight. Once boarded, we were off to San Francisco.
I’d been thrilled about not flying through Los Angeles for this flight. I hate American security policy – it’s demeaning and unnecessary – and LAX stands for most of what I hate. Going through SFO was going to be a dream in comparison. It’s almost surprising just how wrong I can be. SFO is a horrible airport. It’s a horribly boring airport. The only thing of interest that I found over the course of my scheduled 5 hour layover was an aviation museum, but it was closed for a private function. By the time that it was announced that we were delayed by another 1.5 hours, I was looking for a rafter to hang myself from.
As it turned out, Air Canada had a mechanical problem with our scheduled plane and we had to wait for another flight to come in before we could fly out. Luckily, I was scheduled for a 2.5 hour stop in Vancouver before my unconnected connection to Edmonton. I’d be there an hour before the flight was to leave. We seemed to wait on the airstrip for a long time, however. The pilot announced that this was a short delay while they were checking numbers; we’d be pulled to the runway momentarily. A half hour of moments later, we were finally in motion. By the time we landed, I had half an hour to get through customs, get my luggage and get transferred to my flight to Edmonton. Salting the wound, we had a last minute gate change – 10 minutes stolen. To make matters worse, I managed to leave my borrowed laptop on the plane and had to return for it. It didn’t matter in the end, however. My suitcase didn’t come through until 5 minutes before my flight was leaving. I hit the transfer desk as the flight was leaving. It was never going to happen. I was directed up to ticketing to see what they could do for me.
“Welcome to Air Canada ticketing. I will be your personal assailant. How may I frustrate you tonight?”
It was 11pm, the last flight to Edmonton had already left and I had very few options available. The ticketing agent proceeded to tell me that because I was transferring from Air New Zealand, operated by Air Canada, and missed an Air Canada flight, they had no obligation to me as a passenger. I was brushed off and pissed off. I booked a nearby hotel for the night and fumed over my options for the next day. Thankfully, I’d picked up travel insurance to cover the borrowed laptop. I’ll get back the cost of the hotel. The next morning, I’d see about flights.
When I got back to the ticketing desk, the evil robot had been replaced with several humans, one of which was willing to put me on the next flight out to Edmonton. “No need to add insult to injury.” I arrived in Edmonton just after noon yesterday, nearly 12 hours late. I’m still trying to decide whether I should write a letter of complaint to Air Canada over the issue. It worked out in the end, but there should be some sort of record of my disapproval.
My return flight will hopefully be better. I’ve got a longer delay between the Air Canada flight and the Operated By Air Canada flight, so it should be less likely to have that sort of problem. I’ve got another 4 hour layover in Suicide SFO, but I’ll have a bit of shopping to do – not 4 hours worth, but maybe I can fake breaking a leg and humour myself at the expense of the airport, thinking that I might sue them for something.
I don’t remember hating flying this much. I don’t remember so many delays, so much hassle and annoyance. Is this the future of air travel? I think it’s time to rethink my travel plans. I don’t think this is worth it.
In light of the medical stuff going on at home, I’m taking 3 weeks to spend with family. I leave Wellington tomorrow afternoon and return on the morning of April 11th. I’ll have my phone and at least intermittent internet connectivity, so I won’t be entirely out of contact. Understand that this is not a social trip, though. It will be time to spend with family.
As of yesterday morning, New Zealand has reverted back to standard time. This has the effect of making the mornings brighter and the evenings darker. While it’s nice to catch the bus in the full sunlight, it’s not as if I can use that light for any useful purpose. I’d rather have it in the evenings, maybe for a skate or for walking home over the town belt without tripping over unseen rocks and tree roots.
A proposal to extend daylight savings time is making the rounds and gaining favour. Whether it has any effect on energy use over the day will remain a question, but I’d consider it a slight extension to summer, which means I have to approve.
Fear is best fought with information. Knowledge can overcome fear.
However, the reality of a situation can lead to fear.
There is now a history of cancer in my family.
The New Zealand Police have recently been running an recruiting campaign: better work stories. I think it’s quite interesting and a great way to market the police as a career opportunity. However, in the wake of a recent police rape-trial, parody posters were released, angering the police force because it tarnishes the image of the majority of the officers currently on the force.
While I think the police have a valid point, I also think it is important for the population to be able to show that they believe the behaviour that caused the allegations, criminal or otherwise, to be unacceptable for members of the police force. Anonymous comment is an important part of free society; postering is a valid form of public commentary. In response, the police should be willing to show the public that the message has been received.
For the record, the parody is only effective because the original marketing strategy was effective.
It’s been one year since I started this job and about 8 hours longer since I drove down the motorway, taking residence in Wellington. It’s been quite a year.
I love my job and I love the work I do. Working in a research environment has reignited my desire to work as an engineer, something that was stolen from me by my former employer. With luck, it will also provide an opportunity to work towards a masters degree. I’m starting to plan for a start near the end of 2007, once I finish the Anatomy and Physiology component of my certificate from the New Zealand College of Massage. I haven’t picked a topic yet, but it will likely be some sort of signal processing related to the health industry.
Wellington itself is a great city, but happens to be cursed by its weather. A walk through downtown gives the impression of a coordinated approach to its development. Granted, there are flaws. No city can boast perfection, but Wellington has a sense of style and a sense of ambition. And then your umbrella gets blown inside out.
Having now lived in each of the 3 major cities in New Zealand, I’d probably say that Wellington is my favourite city. Even though there is much less beach volleyball to be played, there is a lot to boast about. There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of people to skate around town with and there definitely isn’t a shortage of arts and cultural exhibitions. Sailing? Cycling? Petanque? It’s up to you. Just watch out for the odd earthquake.
There was a parade this weekend to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I didn’t have my camera with me, but I’ve seen a few pictures on the Wellington Flickr group. My verdict is that Chinese dragons are the cutest I’ve seen. It makes you just want to hug one. For example…
It’s been over 2 years since I last played club-level volleyball for Pioneer. Since then, it’s been one social team after another, including the point where I wrecked my shoulder. So when I started my first training session with Rongotai last night, not only was I the shortest player, but the weakest hitter, weakest jumper and my passing was a bit rough. Thankfully, I’ve got a decent level of base fitness, so when we were prescribed sit-ups, push-ups or jumps for each mistake, my lungs could take it. On the plus side, they seem like a good bunch of people to play with – as encouraging as you could hope for when you’re thrown in past the deep end.
