fun time flying with air canada!

[maverick]

we had the most fun flying experience with air canada yesterday!

we took the 6am flight from washington, dc to toronto. we got to the airport at 5:30. there was no line to check in - the air canada check in desk hardly ever has two or three people waiting to get checked in, anyway. they had closed the flight, but the person at the desk opened the flight so we could check in without me asking and just reminded us to get there early in the future.

after we checked in, we went down stairs to go through security. dca is such a nice airport to go in and out of. there were just a couple of people ahead of us to go through security. even at more normal times, there is hardly any line at security at dca, and it moves fast.

we waited a just a few minutes at the gate before we boarded.

my son ensures we get to board early - privileges of traveling with a munchkin .

as soon as we boarded, the flight attendant asked what my son would like, and he asked for apple juice, saying please without being reminded . the flight attendant brought us apple juice and cookies while we waited for everyone to board.

then she brought him complimentary ear phones (though we had our own). they normally charge a fee for these - it was very sweet of them!

then, as we deplaned, they asked if we would like to come and see the cockpit. my son was a little shy at first, but was very excited to be there once the shyness passed.

we left my wife waiting for us outside for a bit, but it was quite an experience!

the crew aboard our air canada flight was quite exceptional! i remember back in the 1980s when you flew as a kid and got to go up to the cockpit. i know that security concerns are responsible for many of the changes. they gave you some games to keep you entertained. i even remember getting a pin with wings. i thought it was the coolest thing! yesterday's experience brought back many memories. it was really nice to see this crew extend this special treatment to my son!

[maverick]

i should also mention that i found out something interesting with regard to plane side check in of handbags on my way back.

because my wife's family in toronto had an extra car seat that my son could use, i brought his car seat back with me so that my wife would not have to manage bringing it back.

i was able to do a plane side check in of the car seat rather than checking it in when i checked in.

however, i didn't get it back when we deplaned. instead, all luggage that was checked in plane side arrived on the baggage claim carousel just like the regularly checked luggage.

i should also mention that more recently, more airlines are asking passengers who have roll aboard suitcases to check them in plane side rather than bringing them onboard and storing them in the overhead bins.

so if you select a roll aboard suitcase as your carry on, you're more likely to end up having to wait at the baggage claim carousel for your luggage.

this is yet another great reason to choose bags like the aeronaut, tri-star and western flyer that you know you will be able to bring onboard, whether you're flying a small regional jet or a big jumbo 747 or something in between.

[scotlib]

Hi maverick,

Cute pictures! Kudos to Air Canada for the sparkle in your munchkin's eyes! Have you started his flying school fund, yet? You'll probably need one after this :-)

Cheers!

[maverick]

Have you started his flying school fund, yet? You'll probably need one after this :-)

Cheers!

hi scotlib,

it's funny you should mention that... i don't know how, but my son and i got into a conversation recently about the fact that you drive a car, but you pilot a plane. that led somehow into the fact that in order to become a pilot, you have to take flying lessons. so every so often, on the way to camp (which is at his montessori, so we say we're going to "school" rather than going to "camp"), he'll ask if the pilots are going to school right now, also.

it would be very cool to learn how to fly. if he wants to learn, i'll definitely encourage it - and may even join him!

[maverick]

so, i did a bit of reading and made a phone call this evening... on thursday morning, i'm going to do an introductory flight in a cessna C-172S at aviation adventures at leesburg municipal airport in leesburg, va. this is a two hour session, which includes one hour of introduction and review on the ground, and one hour of flight time where i will get to fly at least 90% of the time. i am really excited about the opportunity!

[MsMoon]

Wow, Maverick! That's awesome!! Have a great time!

I love the pictures! Those will be keepsakes for sure.

[Heidi Jill]

Good for you, Maverick! I was one solo cross country away from getting my private pilot license, about 10 years ago. My hubs has his, and we spent many happy years flying around for fun in our Piper Archer. That's all in the past now, but we enjoyed every minute!

[maverick]

Good for you, Maverick! I was one solo cross country away from getting my private pilot license, about 10 years ago. My hubs has his, and we spent many happy years flying around for fun in our Piper Archer. That's all in the past now, but we enjoyed every minute!

hi heidi jill,

that sounds so wonderful! thank you for sharing

[Frank II]

I learned to fly in 172's. Lots of fun....you're in for an experience.

[genie1985]

we had the most fun flying experience with air canada yesterday!

we took the 6am flight from washington, dc to toronto. we got to the airport at 5:30. there was no line to check in - the air canada check in desk hardly ever has two or three people waiting to get checked in, anyway. they had closed the flight, but the person at the desk opened the flight so we could check in without me asking and just reminded us to get there early in the future.

after we checked in, we went down stairs to go through security. dca is such a nice airport to go in and out of. there were just a couple of people ahead of us to go through security. even at more normal times, there is hardly any line at security at dca, and it moves fast.

we waited a just a few minutes at the gate before we boarded.

my son ensures we get to board early - privileges of traveling with a munchkin .

as soon as we boarded, the flight attendant asked what my son would like, and he asked for apple juice, saying please without being reminded . the flight attendant brought us apple juice and cookies while we waited for everyone to board.

then she brought him complimentary ear phones (though we had our own). they normally charge a fee for these - it was very sweet of them!

then, as we deplaned, they asked if we would like to come and see the cockpit. my son was a little shy at first, but was very excited to be there once the shyness passed.

we left my wife waiting for us outside for a bit, but it was quite an experience!

the crew aboard our air canada flight was quite exceptional! i remember back in the 1980s when you flew as a kid and got to go up to the cockpit. i know that security concerns are responsible for many of the changes. they gave you some games to keep you entertained. i even remember getting a pin with wings. i thought it was the coolest thing! yesterday's experience brought back many memories. it was really nice to see this crew extend this special treatment to my son!

I am really envy you!

[maverick]

so, i did a bit of reading and made a phone call this evening... on thursday morning, i'm going to do an introductory flight in a cessna C-172S at aviation adventures at leesburg municipal airport in leesburg, va. this is a two hour session, which includes one hour of introduction and review on the ground, and one hour of flight time where i will get to fly at least 90% of the time. i am really excited about the opportunity!

well, i flew for the first time! and i was wrong - you don't get to fly 90% of the time! i got to fly the entire time with the exception of the few moments i took to get a couple of pictures while up in the sky.

it was absolutely amazing! if you haven't done it, i highly recommend it!

everything went very smoothly. i did very well (this is according to my instructor). he helped me with the landing, but i did everything else. i was amazed at how quickly we were airborne - a bit different than flying a commercial jet.

it's funny - i feel very light as i sit here typing this.

i got the paperwork for enrolling in flight school, and this flight counts towards that time. my wife is thinking this over - she's concerned that it isn't safe. though, it's much safer than driving, and we do that every day .

they offer the cessna computer based training where you do a lesson on the computer, followed by a lab on the computer, followed by a flying lesson.

i've attached a couple of pictures...

[GaryS]

I am really envy you!

I envy his son!

[maverick]

I envy his son!

yeah - you know, his cockpit had far more gadgetry compared to mine . i don't have a picture of the cockpit, but i do have it in a video that i can post later this evening.

[KarlJ]

Oh, great for you, Mav! I trained in 172's back in the early eighties out of KSMO (Santa Monica, CA).

Those first ten or so hours are a blast! Then the next ten or so right after the solo. Aw heck, it's all a blast!

Congrats, and have a great time!

[maverick]

Oh, great for you, Mav! I trained in 172's back in the early eighties out of KSMO (Santa Monica, CA).

Those first ten or so hours are a blast! Then the next ten or so right after the solo. Aw heck, it's all a blast!

Congrats, and have a great time!

thanks karl!

i'm excited we have so many pilots on the forum!