[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by Angry Canadian

I then went to the desk, and asked the attendant to check me in. He was dismissive, rude and kept repeating that I should come back the next morning and that I had missed my flight then promptly walked off behind a security door. I knocked on the door and he essentially told me to ‘bugger off’

I assume the door was located somewhere behind the counter. So you walked behind the counter, a no-no, and knocked on a secure door to demand that something be done. No wonder he told you to "bugger off." It's a good thing you weren't escorted from the airport or arrested.

Originally Posted by Angry Canadian

First, Air Canada's own travel documents state that check-in cutoff time is 60 min. The self-serve kiosks were shut at 16:00, 65 minutes before departure. If you they been consistent with your own stated rules, I would have been able to print my boarding pass.

It sounds to me like you're splitting hairs. Did you ever consider that perhaps whatever you were referencing for the current time might not have agreed with Air Canada's computers? Also AC's website does indeed list a 60 minute cutoff for check in however for London Heathrow it suggests that you arrive 180 minutes before departure. Even with the delays on the Tube I think you were still cutting things too close. I've done it before myself and have no one to blame but myself.

Originally Posted by Angry Canadian

Secondly is the startlingly rude and uncaring attitude of the Air Canada staff. I was offered not a shred of sympathy for my obvious distress and he showed absolutely no inclination to problem solve and assist me in catching my flight. Frankly I was shocked that I was treated in such a manner and it left an incredibly bad taste in my mouth about the Air Canada brand and flying experience.

Shocked? Really? What did you expect them to do? Delay the flight because you were late getting to the airport? And after you went behind the counter banging on a door that you shouldn't have access to in the first place I think that pretty much sealed your fate. If it were me and I thought I had any chance of making that flight I would have bought a refundable ticket on another airline in that terminal to get me past security and then try to convince the gate agents to check me in and get me on the plane.

Originally Posted by Angry Canadian

In fairness I should be refunded the entire cost of my ticket and the re-booking charge. I know that this may well never happen, but I sent a letter of complaint to Air Canada, but am not holding my breath.

Refund the entire cost of your ticket? Why? They flew you there without incident and even though you hit a bump in the road on the return you were still flown back to Canada. So you're just trying to get a free trip out of this? Not going to happen!

Originally Posted by Angry Canadian

Does anyone have any feedback if I have a legitimate complaint or will they just say that I wasn't there in time?

You were late. Perhaps the time on the computers was a bit off and perhaps they restricted check in a few minutes early but in the end you were late. You don't mention any others at the counter in the same predicament so an entire plane load of passengers managed to make it on time and you were not. AC may throw you a few miles or a small voucher but I would expect nothing more.