[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by rejilx

To All the Air Canada Sympathisers,

Air Canada does not state in its website or anywhere that that passengers going to USA via Canada need Canadian visa. This is the first time I encountered such problem during my international travel. I have travelled over 20 countries.
Moreover , USA customs' and immigration clearance were done in Toronto itself. If so, why torture international travellers with such stupid rules? Anyway, there was no logic in what the Air Canada did.
Air Canada staff needs lots of training in customer handling from JAL / Singapore Airlines.

It's not up to Air Canada to put that information on their website. They are in the business of selling you a ticket and providing transportation to your destination. They are not a travel agency nor are they immigration officials. It is up to YOU to check all visa requirements for your travel. This is how it has always been.

I know that recently Canada has started requiring citizens of Mexico to obtain visas prior to entering Canada. This is a significant change and I'm sure there were others which went into effect at the same time. You knew your were transiting Canada so you should have contacted the local Consulate or visited their website to find out what documentation might be needed. Some airlines (Continental, Northwest, and even Delta suprisingly) have links to IATA's TIMATIC database which can be used to determine what documents might be needed to either transit or enter any country. Here is a link to that portal from Continental's website.

The bottom line is that you keep blaming the airline for refusing to board you without proper documentation. If they had boarded you and you were refused transit in Canada you would have been flown back to London on the first available flight, at Air Canada'a expense, and Air Canada would have been fined. Obviously you didn't take any time to research your travel documentation requirements and you encountered problems because of it. And now you complain and blame others for your failure. Grow up and take some personal responsibility.