) and because of the last minute nature of the job (i charge too much so i get called last) someone else booked the airline return flight for me. When i got to the airport to catch my connecting flight to Houston with Continental Express there was no such flight until tomorrow. My partner in extortion failed to check a calendar when booking said flight. So i got to spend an extra day at 20 degrees C in lovely texas (did i mention, what a country ). However, i was slightly worried that perhaps only the connection to Houston was booked for the wrong day and the Air Canada flight was booked for that day so i tried finding out. Now on my own time i wouldn't dream of leaving home without complete travel details and contact information but when customers want airplanes moved on short notice, such minutiae take the back burner. Anyway, back to calling Air Canada, no interline agreements with American Eagle or Continental Express so they can't look up anything, and no phone number in the phone book. Finally a very helpful (yet ornamental) lady from Continental Express managed to get me a phone number. So i call."Press 1 for English, Appuyez sur le 2 pour le service en Francais"
[1]
After a twenty minute wait on hold, it occurs to me that i just may have made a mistake. I pick up the pay phone beside me and dial the same number:
"Press 1 for English, Appuyez sur le 2 pour le service en Francais"
[2]
within 10 seconds, while still on hold on the other line:
"Air Canada Bonjour"
Mind you, you get the same antithetical "customer service" in French as you do in English. All i wanted to find out was what date and what time the flight leaves Houston, and all the CSR wanted to tell me was that if i miss my flight it is not Air Canada's fault or problem.
So in the long run this trick may not be much help, but at least they tell you to get stuffed right away rather than doing so after a prolonged wait.
