Flight to London

On Air Canada - used Aeroplan points, 59,300 for return flight.  Had to include a stop on the way over so I chose to stop in Toronto. To avoid this stop it would have cost me 66,000 points for the return flight.  In Vancouver the co-pilot told us that the regularly scheduled plane didn't "show up" for our flight, so we had the opportunity to fly on their newest plane, the Dreamliner.  The flight was full. No food offered, only non-alcoholic beverages.  We could order snacks at a price.  $3+ charge for earphones, $7, I think, for a blanket.  They provided a pillow. Some people brought their own lunches with them. The Dreamliner flies more economically than other aircraft - it's lighter - and we had a tail wind so we arrived in Toronto a bit ahead of time. But then we waited for some time on board before the ground staff had put the bridge up to the door so we could disembark.  The co-pilot told us they didn't know why there was a delay, that the ground staff had not been in touch with the pilot to let them know what the problem was.  Eventually, we were able to disembark.  The international section of the terminal is quite some distance from the domestic section, so it was a bit of a hike to get there.  There was an hour and 10 minutes scheduled between the flights, but the boarding of the flight to London was delayed by about 30 minutes.  Many people waited in line, standing.  There was no place to sit while waiting, except for a large area with iPads at every seat.  There was a charge for their use, however.  Eventually we boarded, leaving about 30 minutes late.

The flight Toronto to London was 7 hours 45 minutes, overnight, also a full flight. Shortly after takeoff we were served a "free" meal, which was passable.  Chicken with sauce, potatoes, carrots, cabbage salad, chocolate cake.  A bun, with real butter. Also available at no extra cost a pillow, blanket, earphones, alcoholic drinks.  Friendly, helpful flight crew. Enough leg room.  The seats don't lean back as far as they used to, I noticed. Managed to get a bit of sleep over a few hours, waking up often.  Desperately wanted to lay down to sleep.  When I woke up for 'breakfast' - a slice of sweet banana bread with coffee. and that's it - I discovered I'd somehow lost a ring from my finger.  This was an inexpensive, colourful, plastic ring, so no tragedy, but still, I was disappointed.

We arrived in London about 30 minutes late.  Getting from the plane to be processed by immigration and get the baggage involved traversing long long hallways.  The lineup to get through immigration was long long long - hundreds of people, and not all the desks were staffed. Don't arrive at immigration during or near lunch. Someone left a small bag unattended in the lineup, but I couldn't see any security personnel anywhere to report this to.  I imagined there was possibly a bomb planted in it, and here I was, standing next to it.  (On the public transportation system in London people are reminded all the time to be aware of anything unattended, to report it to security) Someone finally did claim it. Scheduled time of arrival in London was 11:05 AM, I got through immigration and got my baggage by 1:30.

In the arrivals area I got a sim card (Lebara) for my cell phone, installed by Sim Local. Paid 30 pounds sterling ($2.04 = 1 pound)  + 5 pounds for blackberry requirements.

My long-standing friend Brian met me at the airport, and escorted me to his home.  He has offered me shelter several times over the years, and has visited me a few times as well.