Warning: Picture- and Whine-heavy post ahead.
January 12 – I boarded the plane in Nanaimo at shortly after 5 am…anticipating the next 3 weeks of fun and relaxation with friends. Winter had finally arrived on the island, and our pilot announced he wanted the plane to go through a second bout of de-icing before we took off for Calgary. This meant arriving in Calgary and at the next gate breathless from sprinting through the airport, where the jet to Toronto waited.
Only to be told that we (there were more guests than just me needing that Toronto plane) were to step aside as the gate agent continued to check in guests arriving AFTER us. Spouting some policy about needing to be in the airport 45 minutes before take-off, the gate agent told us we were being rebooked. (Which was BULLSHIT. I’ve been on WestJet flights where they held the plane to accommodate passengers making tight connections.) Yep, they gave our seats away – probably to crew – and I was booked to fly to Toronto AT 6:30 PM THE NEXT DAY. No discussion except to tell us that we were on our own and WestJet was doing nothing for us as it was deemed a weather event that we “missed” the flight, and they weren’t liable.
FINE. Shit happens and this wasn’t going to ruin my trip. After making sure an underage guest was not left to twist in the wind by the heartless gate agent (they managed to get her out the same day once they realized she was only 16), I went to find myself a hotel room and make the best of things. Getting on another flight was not going to be an option for me as the Departures board was full of delays and cancellations due to the extreme cold weather Calgary was experiencing. The airport Marriott managed to get me into my very expensive room by 10am.
I’d only been there for an hour and already my eyes and nasal passages were inflamed and burning from the lack of moisture in the air. I went to look for eye drops and nasal spray in the airport – found the eye drops only – and also found an oasis of moist air:
The next day my 6:30 pm flight time came and went. Delayed until 10:45pm, eventually. I was cheered when I finally saw the plane come up to the gate. That didn’t last long, as the gate agents announced they were “just waiting for some crew members to arrive”. This dragged on for a bit until they finally announced the flight’s cancellation due to the lack of crew. We were told we’d be booked into hotels, transportation would be arranged, be given food vouchers, and rebooked to fly out the next day. All this information to come via email to our devices. The only emails I got were the food vouchers and a rebooking to fly into Hamilton, not Toronto. By now it was around 1 am, and my fellow passengers were drifting off to fend for themselves.
So I did the same. I booked a flight out with Porter for 730am the next morning and cancelled my WestJet flight. Then I decided it was not worth finding a hotel room anymore and tried to get some rest in the terminal, instead.
Sunday morning came eventually, and I gave up on any sleep myself a wet-wipe “bath” in one of the family washrooms and went to find my gate for the Porter flight to Toronto.
I must tell you I was an unwilling witness to snippets of so many peoples’ sad travel experiences during the time I spent in the airport. I heard people on their phones talking to family, hotels and travel agents about having to cancel their vacations/travel plans altogether due to the delays. It helped stopped my own personal pity party put my own woes into some kind of perspective. The travel clusterfuck caused by the extreme weather made the news, and I vowed to never grace this airport again if I could help it.
Joanne and I had a teary reunion at the Toronto airport and tried to make the best of my now-abbreviated stay with her. I think we succeeded! Laughs and good meals were shared, as well as a spa day at the Elmwood, downtown.
And – in the blink of an eye it seemed – I was on another fucking jet with CJ, and we were heading south, to Barbados.
One of the racers happened to be CJ’s nephew – whose team took first place for their class of boat. Woohoo!!! After the race, he and his wife graciously took us on a tour of the island for a day. We stopped at Earthworks Pottery, Animal Flower Cave, Limegrove Mall, and other island must-sees during our day out. Although we have been to many spots on the island during our years of coming here, these were all new to us and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. CJ’s sister Marilyn also joined us (and got a room at our same hotel) and it was lovely to spend time with her again, not having seen her since she and CJ visited me in the fall. CJ and I have been friends since we were 7 years old and I’m always happy to be folded into her clan.
My friends Jackie and Adrien had also come down to Barbados (first visit for them) and I tried to divide my time such that I got to hang with everybody, equally. Jackie and I booked a catamaran cruise for one of the days we were both at the hotel, and it was a lot of fun to swim the wrecks and observe the sea life there, again.
We also snorkelled off of off the beach at the hotel. A fellow guest educated me on how much tropical fish loved to eat bananas! Here is a 2 minute video (watch as much as you can stand) of me (with Jackie) feeding the reef fish:
For an introvert like me, this vacay was incredibly people-y. And thus, over before I knew it. It was a bit of blur. An enjoyable blur, but a blur nonetheless.
Soon (too soon) I was back on a plane to Vancouver (bypassing the Calgary airport, deliberately of course). I had a very long layover before my flight to Nanaimo was scheduled so I decided to cancel that leg and grab a ferry to the island instead.
And, when I went to Arrivals to retrieve the carry-on bag that I was forced to check (due to a very full flight), I was informed they didn’t have my bag. WTF?!?!?!
I had an AirTag in the bag so I called up Find My app on my phone, and it told me that my bag had already left the airport and was travelling (probably on the SkyTrain) far away from me. For the next 12 hours, I held onto the delusion thought that someone had mistakenly taken my highly distinctive bag and would return it to the airport at their earliest opportunity. I did also make a police report, in the meantime. Long story short, after a couple of days of angst and many conversations with many lovely police officers (truly, I was impressed by their diligence), my luggage seemed to settle on Hastings Street in Vancouver, and I disabled the AirTag. My stolen luggage was irretrievably LOST to me.
So, all of the beach clothes, swim wear and jewellery (and much, much more) you see in the above photos are gone forever. And I am waiting (not so patiently) to hear from WestJet about the claims I have made for the cancelled flights and the stolen luggage. Not the best travel experience, but I had been reminded on this trip how many had it much worse than me.
Will I travel by air again, after this series of unfortunate events? Not soon, but eventually is inevitable I suppose. Road tripping and stay-cationing is looking very good (and so much less stressful) to me right now…
How about you? Have a travel tale of woe to share? Let me know in the comments, if you care to!
Rock on,
The WB
OMG, you are making me afraid to ever travel again!! 😳 Not fair!!
No one else can have all these things happen on the same trip, right? I think you’re good. Thanks, Jane 💕
I just want to hug 🫂 you …
Just as traumatic reading this as texting with you as things happened. I hope writing about it has been the tiniest bit cathartic and that you get compensation for all these errors, quickly and in full.
Love you sister 💕
Thank you, Sister 💕
Oh my what a story, but truly beautiful photos. You sound as though you need another holiday. What horrible luck that your bag was stolen. I hope Webjet pay up and you never have to fly with them again 😭
Thanks, Alison 💕 I hope WestJet does right by me too.
What a terrible journey but at least you got there!
And home again! Thanks, Barbara 💕
The bit in the middle sounded lovely, the to and fro-ing – not so much. I hope the claim progresses smoothly, but I fear it may be a hangover for you to endure. May being home & getting cuddles with Bowzer help soothe you.
Holy hell what a nightmare! I’d say all the hassle was worth it because, wow.! Your destination and actual vacay look stunning. But losing your luggage is a whole other nightmare on the other end. If the AirTag gave a location why couldn’t the police go search for it there?
The police could have gone to a single-family dwelling but my luggage ended up in an area of condo/apartment complexes the first night and then in a very bad area full of rooming/flop houses after that. They do not have the power to conduct searches in these buildings without a warrant/permission. They did however view security camera footage where they had permission to do so, and also interviewed a lot of street people, all to no avail. The AirTag gives a radius or zone of the area it’s located in, but not a precise location, and I couldn’t share the tag with the police (so they could see if they were getting any closer) as they are only equipped with android devices. AirTags are great if you lost the thing and it’s very close to you, but otherwise not so much ☹️. Thanks, Rivergirl 💕
Ugh. That’s so frustrating…
You went to the Elmwood! Nice place. Went there twice while living in TO. Fancy place. At least that went well I hope.
That did indeed go well! Thanks, Carol 💕
Deb, I feel your pain. My sister and I slept in the Atlanta airport one night after a similar situation – delayed flight, overbooked connection (gave away our seats). The airline gave us a (comfort package) blanket, toothbrush, wipes, etc. and pointed to some very uncomfortable metal benches. The alternative was to book a hotel, get transportation, sleep (or not) for a few hours and return for our early flight, which necessitated going through all the security hoops again. We took the bench and the comfort package inside the secure area.
Question, if the police have the address of your luggage thief, couldn’t they go retrieve it?
The upside of all this – your photos are wonderful and you had some quality time with friends. I didn’t know fish liked banana. Great tip!
Thank you, Suzanne 💕 I’m sorry to read of your Atlanta experience. See my detailed explanation to Rivergirl as to why the police couldn’t find my luggage. Long story short, it never ended up at a discrete single family dwelling so they couldn’t go knock on the door and question those suspected of harbouring it.
Travelling isn’t for the faint of heart when things go south! No lost luggage yet; touch wood (as she taps her head). The last international flight I took was a debacle on the return flight from Portugal to Toronto. Unable to land at Pearson airport so about turn to Ottawa. No, landing is possible at Pearson so about turn. But no, so back to Ottawa airport to be held on a runway until landing was possible at Pearson. One fellow was overheard saying he flew over his house in Ottawa but back to Toronto he went. Finally, in Pearson airport, I was in receipt of 2-3 boarding passes, shunted from one gate to another. At one point, I was looking at a flight board beside a pilot who informed me that he was the pilot to Edmonton. I stuck with him. Keep in mind that by now I’m punch drunk having been awake for way over 24 hrs. I wouldn’t have minded a cancelled flight if I could have just laid down even on an airport floor. I’m with you about the road trips & stay-cations.
So sorry to read that, Mona! The woman who does my nails was telling me how you can rent a sleep pod in Asian airports, for long layovers and these types of situations. Now, THAT is civilized! I can’t wait for transporter beams (ala Star Trek) become a thing. Although someone will still find a way to part you from your luggage, I am sure. Thank you 💕
Sadly, I am not certain one airline is more competent than another! It seems customer service in many industries is a thing of the past, taking little or no responsibility for error. Experiencing travel delays/lost luggage is the worst, especially when, in so many cases, we are travelling to de-stress & unwind! Looks like once you finally got to your destination, good times were had💕
Thank you, Lynn 💕 I’ve read enough stories of nightmare passengers to kinda understand why airline personnel can be so hardened against feeling anything for any traveller’s botched up travel plans. But still! I am not one of those people!!!! Good times were had, thankfully.
Even though I *lived* through all this angst with you, reading about it hasn’t made it sound any easier. The Universe took one major dump on you this winter, my friend 🙁🙁
In the end though, the only thing that really matters to me is that YOU are ok 💕
Thank you, my friend 💕 And we did get some (albeit very shortened) time together!
Reminds me of Steve Martin’s experience in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but that was just pretend. Your ordeal sounds pretty frustrating. At least there was a beautiful place in between the going and the coming home.
Yes! That movie went through my mind as well 🤣. Thanks, Susan 💕
Sounds like quite a nightmare thanks to the airlines (and I thought the airlines here in the U.S. were a mess!)
Car travel works better for us, but we once had our car stolen from a hotel parking lot during an overnight stay. That was quite a mess as we had to get a rental to get to our destination, then home. Three weeks later after the car had been stripped, the insurance company paid to have it shipped back to us and, no, the hotel wasn’t particularly concerned about our distress.
I’m impressed you held up as well as you did amid such chaos and wish you well getting reimbursement (that experience may be another blog post, eh?😬)
Thank you, Bobi 💕 It may be months before all this is settled, based on the hundreds of stranded passengers I witnessed just in my little area of the Calgary airport (which is HUGE). I’m so sorry to read about you getting your car stolen. The hotel probably sees this kinda thing happen a lot so they can be blasé about it.
Wow! You win the record for one of the worst trips (other than the destinations) ever! Hope you get compensated. I would have expected police to go busting in the Hastings street address to pick it up.
It was an area of rooming houses in probably the worst street in all of Canada. By then my luggage would have stripped of all its valuables and some destitute person had found it and was using it for their meagre possessions. Thanks, Kate 💕
Boogers.
Traveling in the winter can be a nightmare. I think you got hit with all 3 things going bad at once for the year done and over with!
What a shame about the luggage. I hope you’re well and truly reimbursed for all your stuff.
The bits in the middle looked amazing, and so beautiful though!
Thanks, Deborah 💕 I hope the travel gods are done smiting me now 😉.
I agree with others. You definitely need a holiday from that holiday. And please sign me up for any local travel or staycations that you would like to explore. I’m all IN!
Beautiful photos though. Thank you for sharing them.
My pleasure! See you soon 💕
Omg. Someone deliberately STOLE your luggage?? Who does that? I’m glad you had a good time with friends, but the rest of it, delays after delays, sounded like a nightmare. I do have a story, but it’s not as entertaining as yours. I haven’t flown since covid.
Yep, someone did. You’re not missing anything great by not flying, that’s for sure! Even when everything goes right, it’s exhausting. Thanks, Dawn 💕
But if you knew the address where it was why couldn’t you file a report and get it back?
The address pointed to an area full of rooming houses, not a discrete address. Police do not have the power to enter these types of residences and do a search without permission.
Come on holidays, they said … it will be fun, they said. I was groaning with you and that Calgary airport stay sounds beyond hellish.
It was pretty hellish! Thanks, Jo 💕
Oh, friend, what a wild ride. This would have made me extremely anxious. You truly are a badass. I guess the question is: Was it all worth it? (I think I know the answer). You look like you had a great time (when you weren’t at the airport). I have a love-hate relationship with flying. Your post explains precisely why. I’m glad you’re home safely. 😘❤️
At this point, I’m not sure it was worth it. I keep waiting to “get over it”. Thanks, Kari 💕
I’d still be upset, too. Take your time. 😘❤️
I always hated traveling for business in the winter but I NEVER had as bad of an experience as you did. Everything was horrible enough even before you had your bag stolen. Too bad the thieves didn’t just get a bunch of soiled underwear. You will definitely win (or lose?) for worst travel story on tomorrow’s chat.
An award I never want to accept 😂. And the thieves did get a bunch of dirty clothes too! Thanks, Janis 💕 Talk to you soon!
I’m sorry this all happened to you! But your vacation destination and friends, once you got there, looked wonderful. Some of those photos looked like they were straight out of a travel magazine.
Thank you, Jean 💕 I try to use my “artist’s eye” to capture the beauty I see with my camera.
What a cluster experience. I cannot imagine how I’d have reacted to all of your misfortune, well except the large glass of wine, of course. I know how’d react to it. BUT over all this is why I won’t fly anymore. You did your best to plan a vacation and the airlines did their best to make it a nightmare. Any word on your luggage yet?
Luggage (and contents) gone forever…the airline is sending me the maximum they are liable for. That leaves me out of pocket a few hundred dollars 🤷♀️ and of course some items that are irreplaceable, at any cost. Thanks, Ally 💕
Not trying to out drama you. Friends from Hornby on their way to Siri Lanka were denied boarding their plane in Vancouver because one passport was within 6 months of expiring. Long story short they missed the flight and had to get a new passport in Vancouver the next day.
Please out drama me, Ann 😉 I hate being in the running for worst travel story!!!! Thanks 💕
I’ve heard that about passports! Putting a note in my calendar for 2026 (mine expires in 2027).
Your stuff is probably in the same place as the stuff stolen from my car.
Yeah, probably. I think we should do a tour of Vancouver pawn shops…
WTF on so many levels. The weather can be such a nasty part of an already difficult puzzle with so many moving pieces. Remember when airlines cared? Remember when WestJet came into business and they were so good. They totally suck. As an aside we now refuse to part with our luggage even if they will check it at the gate — too many stories of lost luggage from the airlines. Your’s is a new take on that — which totally sucks because as you said it has irreplaceable stuff in it. Thank heavens the wine with Joanne was so good and the time on the tropical island fabulous. Don’t think the memory of the trip will fade soon though.
Yes! WestJet used to be so good!!! Now Porter has assumed that mantle…but for how long 🤔. Thank you, Bernie 💕
Ah who knows. I hope they expand slowly and don’t go belly up like so many of the new but not long lived ones like Lynx. All those people are now stranded today when they closed down after they expanded their routes last week…wtf???
Hi Deb – that all sounds horrific … especially at the end with the stolen luggage – so so frustrating … I do feel for you. Living on VI – my guess is you’ll be on an aircraft within a year … funny – WestJet did me well when I came out – but life happens and snow and ice are not helpful. Take care – recover your wits with the family, Bowser, and Donna and Richard … cheers – I’ll drink to you later on!
However sounds like Barbados was fun and happy – Hilary
Thank you, Hilary 💕 Barbados was indeed fun and happy!
My friend! DAMN. What else could have gone wrong? I suppose you could have physically hurt yourself, or gotten sick. But really. SO many things to go through in one trip. I’m sorry it started and ended on a bad note, but time with your friends surely lifted your spirits.
We were stranded by United Airlines in Colorado a few years ago. No vouchers. No rental cars. No hotels within 30 minutes. and the small airport was CLOSING hours after all of this transpired, so we had to vacate. It was a cluster and there were six of us! United didn’t make us feel united at all. 🤨
Barbados looks gorgeous and I had no idea about bananas and the fishies!
Thank you, Suz 💕 I’m sorry to read about your experience. Yeah, I kept telling myself it could always be worse and others had it harder than me (thanks, Mom 🙄). I will always have bananas on hand when snorkeling, from now on!
Hi Cuz,
Well, that was a good start for a vacay… Luckily the stay at Bar-Bad-Ass made it all better. That is, until the way back to Lib tree-huggers part of Canuckland. WestJet must have a very strange idea of customer service and what they are obliged to do for stranded passengers under international ruling of air travel.
At least they will have to pay for your hotel and changed travel arrangements. Even compensate you for missing the original flight, IATA rules. No matter what lies they sent in your direction, they have to come up with compensation. And then even your missing (i.e. stolen) carry-on luggage, my goodness… You were forced to check it because of the full flight, so WestJet is responsible for the handling of your luggage. Another nice claim you have on them.
Knowing those aviation companies (Adel had a run in with Garuda Indonesia when her luggage was ransacked on Jakarta Airport when is wasn’t put on her return flight to the Netherregions), you’ll have a bit of a struggle in front of you. Make it fun for yourself and try to get back-up from a legal firm on a no cure- no pay basis. Our insurance made sure we had free legal help.
Anyway, it was a bit funny to see that where your luggage was last spotted, there was an Alibi Room and an Owl Drugs Dealer in the neighbourhood. I wanted to post a jpg of the map with those venues high-lighted, but unfortunately it is not possible.
Thanks, Cuz 💕 Yep, my luggage ended up on the worst street and in the baddest neighborhood in all of Canada…not surprising. I don’t think the thief or thieves came from there…rather it was abandoned after being ransacked and a destitute person found it and dragged it “home”. What boggles me is that no one found and discarded the AirTag. WestJet has responded to acknowledge their blame and are awarding me the full compensation they are liable for. That leaves me a few hundred short (and way less than my deductible on insurance 🤷♀️). I am still waiting to hear back on my other claim…in line behind hundreds if not thousands of other travellers..
Yikes! I’m so sorry you had to go through that travel nightmare, Deb. Glad you returned safely, and with gorgeous photos. I hope compensation is forthcoming from through airline.
So far only the luggage issue has been addressed by the airline; they haven’t gotten to the cancelled flight one. I think they might be a wee bit busy with complaints right now 😉. Thanks, Natalie 💕
What a story!
You said it! Hope never to have it repeated.