Air Canada Flight 0670 - June 29th, 2006

My email to any consumer reporters that would listen:

Hello. My name is Erik N Leopold and I have a story for you about terrible customer service by Air Canada. I was a passenger, like 120 others, who had the misfortune to be booked on Air Canada flight 0670, Montreal (YUL) to Halifax (YHZ), originally departing at 8:30 PM and was suppose to arrive (Halifax) at 10:55 PM. But due to the crew for the flight being delayed in Toronto due to weather (lightning), AC flight 670 was delayed. The crew arrived at 11:25 PM at YUL. Passengers boarded at 11:40PM. Once the plane was done loading, we had an announcement informing us we were being delayed again to refuel the plane (which had been sitting on the tarmac at the gate since 7PM, but due to FAA rules, could not be refueled without a crew). Once the fuel was loaded, we had another announcement informing us that due to a Montreal curfew, we could not take off after midnight, but that the crew was hoping for special permission. That never occuried and at about 12:30 AM we were informed to depart the plane.

Once everyone was out of the plane, we waited for a customer service agent or agents to inform us of the next move. It was around 1 AM and some agents arrived from Air Canada (3 people, 1 female and 2 males). Also 2 airport security personnel came and stood by the agents counters. It was late and some tempers were heard. The Air Canada agents informed us that flight AC 0670 was officially canceled and that we would be given a hotel room to stay and they would rebook us on flight for 10AM. They then proceded to write down our names. Well after 1:30 AM, the agents informed us what hotels we would be booked at (I was sent to Holiday Inn - Dorval/Airport). Air Canada mentioned they would send the passenger lists to whatever hotel we were sent, but when the throng of passengers (40) sent to the Holiday Inn arrived , the night clerk never received the list and was not prepared for our arrival.

If you want to interview me and the other passengers, we are booked for flight AC2670, Departing at 10:00AM at (YUL) Dorval Airport for Halifax (YHZ) (we all hope). I know you probably get many complaints about Air Canada, but I thought I would tell ours.

Signed,
E N Leopold