However, even with the advantages of flying, there are some distinct disadvantages. I picked Air Canada to talk about today not to exclude the other airlines, but simply because that's what I fly most often. I'm sure a lot of the issues I'm addressing are transferrable, anyway! If I could change three things about Air Canada, I would:
1. Change the order of boarding. This is something I'm passionate about to the point that thinking about it fills me with a bubbling rage, and I should tell you that truly making me angry can be difficult. So, what do I find so irritating? The thing that pisses me off beyond belief is the fact that "Gold Star" or "Elite" customers get to board before the pre-boarding customers. I just find it so sad that our society values the people with money more than the people who are actually in need. Boarding the plane sooner is not going to get you to your destination sooner. Sitting in the airport or the plane while you wait is not going to change your life drastically. However, it may really affect someone dealing with strollers and screaming babies, or someone with crutches, or someone in a wheelchair. These are people who actually need to get on first, before the plane is crowded and difficult to navigate, and so that they actually have time to get settled. Air Canada is putting people with more money before people who need help, and that is so sick. When I flew home this Winter, I came very close to marching up to the front and giving an impassioned speech about doing what was right. To be fair, I was running on 45 minutes of sleep, but this just makes me furious. The only things that stopped me were that 1. It isn't the fault of the poor employees who I would be yelling at and 2. I really wanted to go home and not be arrested or eternally banned from flying. Nevertheless, it was close. Just thinking about this makes my blood boil.
2. Give reduced ticket prices to certain groups, like STUDENTS or large families or people who may be struggling financially. On this note, I would also get rid of this new rule where you have to pay for every checked bag... I personally feel like we're paying enough and that one bag should be covered in our ticket price. Yes, this one is partially selfish, but it would be nice. I definitely care more about the first change, though!!!
3. Reduce the amount of shit that flight attendants have to put up with. There are some people who are so ridiculously rude to these poor people who are just trying to do their jobs. What on earth makes them think that they are so important that they can ruin a poor flight attendant's day just for their own petty complaints? The flight attendant can't help it if the entertainment system isn't working. I've also been on planes with people who blatantly ignore the rules of flying or are so drunk that I personally feel sorry for everyone sitting around them. Flight attendants should not have to put up with that sort of thing. There needs to be a clause written into their job description in which they have the right to firmly talk back to people who are disrespecting them. Yes, they're your customers, but being treated with a certain amount of respect is a human right in my eyes.
This turned into a bit of a long rant, but some things are just so unfair. In any case, I really hope that I can either become numb to all of these issues or that they'll change. Otherwise, I may just come one step closer to losing my mind.
-Laura
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