ANorfolk County’s Deputy Mayor, and myFM General Manager at our Simcoe station, Alan Duthie, doesn’t know when he’ll be able to return home. Duthie is among the many travellers affected by the ongoing Air Canada strike. He had flown to the UK for his niece’s wedding, but his return flight was cancelled. So far, his attempts to rebook have led nowhere.
After several failed attempts over the phone, Duthie tried using the airline’s app as an alternative. Unfortunately, that also gave him the same results.
He has started looking at flights with other airlines, hoping Air Canada might reimburse the cost. However, there is no guarantee of repayment, and booking out of pocket would mean putting down a significant amount of money without certainty.
Duthie was supposed to be in Ottawa this week representing Norfolk County at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference. He was also planning to be home in time for his daughter’s birthday on Wednesday, but now he isn’t sure if that will happen.
While he says he supports the striking flight attendants, Duthie’s frustration lies with Air Canada and the way the airline has handled the cancellations and lack of communication.
Update as of Tuesday afternoon from Duthie “I’m checked in and will by flying tonight. To Boston. Overnight in Boston then Cleveland in the morning. Then Cleveland to Toronto. Hopefully.”
Written by: M. Leblanc