The date for the World Solo Snare drumming has been released. October 22nd is the day the very best drummers in our world descend on Glasgow to try their luck and head off against each other.
If they can get there...
The price you pay to play the game is growing daily. While it appears Air Transat has the best flight over, you still pay in excess of $400 to fly your drum over.
Which brings me to Air Canada...
Yes I know that's a dirty word around St. Andrew's but I have an almost better horror story than last year.
For those who weren't reading along last year, we flew to Ottawa to perform before heading to Scotland... Our brand new custom bass drum didn't make it.. Most of it did, but not all.
It was destroyed by our buddies at Air Canada, to date we still haven't seen a cent.
Which brings us to 2011. We're flying to Scotland. We banked on $50 for the 2nd bag that each drummer would have to take. It was $70 in Winnipeg, though only 70% of the drum corp was charged.
Not bad...
Until we flew home.
We arrive at the check in for BMI and of course, BMI didn't know we were coming.. Apparently Air Canada hadn't let them know our large group would be flying with them that day.
So after some phone calls and panicking we got organized and were allowed to check in to our over booked flight.
So away goes the first few drummers to pay for their extra bag. We hadn't banked on this. Last year there wasn't a return fee. However, we thought it may be a possibility.
So what is $70 Canadian in British Pounds... Let's say ball park 40 pounds. Nope Air Canada says it's 109 pounds... which is roughly $200 Canadian dollars.
That's the return fair for baggage handling. $200. Now if they'd tried to charge me that in Winnipeg I would have FedEx'd my drum, but it was only $70 there. Why the extra charge? Because you're stuck...you're in a foreign country.. and you have to get home.. essentially Air Canada has you by the snares so to speak.
We panicked and managed to come up with the money, it's not normal for a group of young musicians to each have 100 pounds floating around after a week long vacation.
Next year we'll be investigating a freight shipment.
... and a new air line.
If you're out there and you're an Air Canada employee, and you're concerned with your companies plunging stock, incompetent business practices, and dismal future.. never fear! As a tax payer I'm here for you! Even though your wonderful company clearly doesn't give a care in the world for me.
Now, where's my life jacket? If we start now we can get a dragon boat to Scotland in time for Bridge of Allen 2012
S
No comments:
Post a Comment