In travel news this week: the Chinese pets earning “snack money” in cafés, a European capital that’s had enough of “drunk” tourists, and the New Zealand airport that’s curtailing caresses.
My favourite was in Toronto Pearson International to pick up an elderly aunt at the airport there … this was about 10 years ago … I don’t know the rules and I don’t go visit this damned airport every day, I’m not from the city but I know my way around … all I wanted to do was pick up my aunt who said she was ready and waiting … couldn’t find her even though we gave each other clear directions and locations … I missed her in about ten seconds between quick parking stops at the entry
Traffic cop told me to move along, I told him what I was doing, tells me to move along, told him it was my elderly aunt who needs help … MOVE ALONG! and threatens to ticket me otherwise … I move along … and can’t turn around so I follow the lane … ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE FREEWAY!
Then spent half an hour trying to figure out the freeway to get back to the airport … did it again and found my aunt … loaded her up as quickly as possible while the same traffic cop kept looking at us.
There wasn’t even time for a hug! It felt like we fleeing East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Pearson Airport is still like that at the dropoffs and arrivals areas… luckily there is a cell phone waiting lot now where you can hang out until you know your buddy is at the pickup area.
My favourite was in Toronto Pearson International to pick up an elderly aunt at the airport there … this was about 10 years ago … I don’t know the rules and I don’t go visit this damned airport every day, I’m not from the city but I know my way around … all I wanted to do was pick up my aunt who said she was ready and waiting … couldn’t find her even though we gave each other clear directions and locations … I missed her in about ten seconds between quick parking stops at the entry
Traffic cop told me to move along, I told him what I was doing, tells me to move along, told him it was my elderly aunt who needs help … MOVE ALONG! and threatens to ticket me otherwise … I move along … and can’t turn around so I follow the lane … ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE FREEWAY!
Then spent half an hour trying to figure out the freeway to get back to the airport … did it again and found my aunt … loaded her up as quickly as possible while the same traffic cop kept looking at us.
There wasn’t even time for a hug! It felt like we fleeing East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Not surprised at all. Pearson is the worst airport I’ve ever had the pleasure of passing through.
Pearson Airport is still like that at the dropoffs and arrivals areas… luckily there is a cell phone waiting lot now where you can hang out until you know your buddy is at the pickup area.