I really liked flying Air Canada from London to Columbus until I got to Canada and that just ruined my entire experience.
I had a flight departed London with a 2 hour layover in Toronto and then on to Columbus. When my flight left London late, I was worried about making my connecting flight on time. I spoke to an air hostess and she assured me that there would be enough time. But I kept my eye on the clock. The time when we were supposed to land came and went and with 45 minutes left until my 2nd flight was scheduled to depart I asked her again if she thought I would make it. This time she got angry and told me that there was no way she could know. I asked if there was anything she could do (like calling ahead checking on the flight. Was it running late too?) and she said no. And then suggested that when I got off this flight TO RUN. That really comforts a person.
So I get off the flight. I run. I get to baggage claim because I have to get my bags, go through customs, recheck in, then make it to my gate. All in 30 minutes. All the other passengers at baggage claim knew my situation and were cheering me on.
But the baggage claim best was empty. Nothing. Not a single bag. Other passengers were starting to get antsy too. 15 mintues left to catch my flight and a group of us went over to the help desk to find out what the hold-up was and to check on my flight. She called to check on my flight and it had left. 15 minutes early. Gone.
I was told I had to collect my bags, go back out and go to the ticketing desk where, when I arrived, there were 2 staff members and about 50 people waiting to be helped. Then the best/worst part. She blamed me for missing my connecting flight. She lectured me that I needed to be more careful and check-in earlier. I was in shock. The man next to me listening convinced her to give me a voucher for a hotel room since the next flight wasn't until the next morning because she wasn't even going to do that. The voucher even read - AVOIDABLE MISSED CONNECTION. I kept trying to figure out how I could have avoided what happened.
I realize I should have fought back but I was just too tired and too amazed to say anything but that experience has just ruined flying Air Canada for me.