As we had an 8:15 AM departure, it was easier for me to stay at an airport hotel for the night, thus ensuring a reasonable start time to reach the airport with the 2 hour allowance for checkin and security. Life was a little easier when good friends Bill & Judy offered to drive me down, and so to say "thanks", I paid for dinner at the Newcastle Golf Club on the way. And it was, indeed, a pleasant evening for all concerned; and we missed the worst of the Friday evening commute!
As I was continuing on to Italy at the conclusion of the tour in Montreal I booked my flights independently of the tour, but arranged to be on the same planes, much simplifying travel for all of us. Especially me!
And that's when I learned of "the problem". Our plane was delayed by 75 minutes, because it arrived late the night before, and the crew had a mandatory 8 hour rest period, which mean the 8:15 departure became 9:30AM. And, of course, we'd miss our connection in Toronto! After what seemed like an hour (and probably wasn't much less) the incredibly courteous, helpful and patitent United checkin lady harangued Air Canada into getting us onto later flights from Toronto to Quebec City. This was not an easy task, as these flights involve smaller planes (50 seaters) and there were 15 or so of us!
Since I had a different ticket, I was actually put on a direct flight, but the rest of the group went via Montreal. Just making a long day even longer. At least, it seemed like a long day, but then Quebec is 3 hours ahead of us, so this particular day was only 21 hours long!
But we did leave on time - the 75 minute later than scheduled time!
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