[bilingual]

Originally Posted by fancypants

I was on a flight booked with Air Transat but chartered by Canjet. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Montreal (YUL). The following occured which has left such a bad taste in my mouth.

I was travelling back to Montreal with my 7 month old daughter after being in FL for 3 weeks (My husband flew home about a week earlier). I had checked one bag and had my laptop bag and purse as carryon's as well as my daughters diaper bag and a foldable chair (in its carry-on case). When the pre-boarding announcement came on, I lined up. Fortunately, I was able to use our stroller all the way down to the entrance of the airplane. When I boarded the plane I asked the flight attendant for help with my bags. I was told she could not help me and added "you shouldn't be travelling alone anyway". I was shocked by her comments and sat down in my seat (2E) with all my bags in front of me, baby in my lap and tears in my eyes. Thankfully "xxxx", another flight attendant came over (I assume because she heard me ask the other attendant for help) and asked if she could help me and stored all my bags in the overhead bins except for the diaper bag which I would need during the flight. Prior to takeoff, the flight attendant came to me and said I had to move the diaper bag under the seat. I said there isn't room, she said to store it in the overhead bin. I said there was no more at the front of the plane - she rudely told me to "find room" and walked off - with no offer to help. I had an infant on my lap, how was I supposed to stand up, walk down the cramped aisles of a fully booked plane, open bins and find space for my bag with an infant in my arms? I have never encountered such rudeness and mistreatment on a flight in all my life.

Upon debarkation, all the passengers were getting the "thank you for flying canjet" and "have a good night" by this flight attendant as they stepped off the plane. When it was my turn, she simply ignored me. Furthermore, my stroller was not at the gate - I was told I had to go pick it up in the baggage terminal! Meaning I had to walk, carrying my baby & 4 bags all the way to customs, then to get my checked baggage and THEN get my stroller (if you have ever been to the airport in Montreal, this is a GOOD 10+ minute walk, going upstairs and then downstairs). I was ready to collapse in tears at the gate when I asked for help and got the run around. Then a Canjet employee by the name of "xxxxx" stepped up and volunteered to help me. If it wasn't for her I don't know what I would have done. She helped me through customs, got a cart for my bags and waited until I was able to get my car seat, stroller and checked luggage.

Of course the carseat canopy was ripped off because instead of using the handle to move it, they grabbed the canopy. I did not wait around to find a complaint desk it was already 2.30am and a few passengers luggage had gone missing so I didn't want to wait in a line I just wanted to get home.

The cabin attendants were right, you are personally responsible for travelling and carry your own belongings.

I fail to see why you were not able to sit the baby in your chair while you moved your bags to the overhead lockers, i have done this several time with a baby of same age.

[fancypants]

Originally Posted by bilingual

The cabin attendants were right, you are personally responsible for travelling and carry your own belongings.

I fail to see why you were not able to sit the baby in your chair while you moved your bags to the overhead lockers, i have done this several time with a baby of same age.

You failed to see why I would not leave my baby unattended in a chair with no selt beat, while I ventured down the aisles looking for space for my bags? And you call yourself a parent? Maybe your baby didn't crawl, pull up or stand at that age, but mine sure does (and even if she didn't) - leaving her alone would be an accident waiting to happen. And then who would be responsible for her injuries? Obviously not the airline who's flight attendants didn't offer assistance, but me, for irresponsibly leaving my baby alone. (There are no empty bins at the front of the plane - the FAs were using them for their personal belongings as well as canjet stuff). Why make a pre-boarding call for persons requiring assistance, if they don't offer any?? I have travelled a fair amount of times and never in my life have I not been offered help with my bags. (with or WITHOUT infant).

But thank you for your wonderful suggestion. I know if I saw a baby being left alone in her seat while the parents goes on a hunt in search of empty binn, I'd be thinking CPS..but thats just me.

[fancypants]

According to Air Transportation Regulations:


147. (1) Subject to section 151, an air carrier shall provide the following services to a person, if requested:

• (a) assisting with registration at the check-in counter;
• (b) assisting in proceeding to the boarding area;
• (c) assisting in boarding and deplaning;
• (d) assisting in stowing and retrieving the person’s carry-on baggage;
• ...... the list goes on....