Eight Hours of Anxiety - 758

      REGINA TO TORONTO VIA WINNIPEG !!

Over the years , with my Daughter and Son stationed at Regina and Toronto in Canada , I have made a number of Trips by Air both ways from and to this place . The travel between these two places which is almost 2700 kms has a travel time of close to 3 Hours . 

More often than not , the total  6  Hour  Time required from start to finish  is more of a joke and it usually takes almost double the time .Weather conditions , Snowing , Mechanical Repairs and surprisingly WANT OF PILOTS have all been the reasons for a delay during my previous visits .

Our trip from Regina to Toronto was different this time . AIR CANADA FLIGHT AC 1114 SURPRISINGLY started on Schedule at 2.50 pm . Taxiing from the Bay to the start of the Runway was smooth . The scheduled arrival was at 7.50 PM Toronto Time which has a time difference of 2 Hours plus with the Regina time .

As the Aircraft began to Revv up to full throttle and gather speed before take off  a  deafening sound before the lift off took us all by surprise . The flight took off amidst all this but being  seasoned flyer one  could notice that the speed was considerably lower than normal . About 15 minutes in to the flight , the Pilot was on the Public Address System and informed us that there was an issue with the  Baggage  Closing Door Mechanism and was being attended to by the attenders and will keep us updated shortly . Half an hour into the flight , the Pilot informed us that the fault could not be rectified and that  the Plane was being redirected to Winnipeg in the Manitoba Province which was some 550 kms from Regina .

This caught all of us by surprise ., we were unaware of the actual risks that  we were all involved in . Many had connecting flights from Toronto to Various destinations across the Globe.

One Indian , who made acquaintance with us and From Udumalpet was on his way to convince his parents to Marry his beloved . He was sur sure to  miss his flight to India . How this delay would be taken by his Orthodox Parents was a big question .

The Pilot went on to inform us that efforts would be made to get the Fault Rectified at Winnipeg Airport itself and if it was beyond repair , arrangements would be made for another Aircraft to fly us to Toronto .

Around 4.15 pm Local Winnipeg Time we landed at the Airport and we all were in Prayers for a safe landing .

The landing was safe . Unfortunate part was that we had to wait for another Aircraft for the Winnipeg /Toronto Leg .

I informed my Daughter at Regina and Son at Toronto about the unfortunate chain of events .

Air Canada gave us Meal Coupons of 15 $ per Head which could be Utilised at any of  the Eateries in the Lounge . Bring Strict Vegetarians we made the best use of whatever was possible . Fruits came in very handy .

We were off on the rescheduled Aircraft AC 2114  at 8.30 pm and landed at the Toronto Pearson International Airport at 11.30 pm .

 Our son met us at the Airport to take us home . All of us including my Daughter and Son and their family which included my Grandkids had all gone through a harrowing  8 Hours of anxiety for our safe arrival .

Fortunately it all ended Well for all of us .THANK GOD . It is beyond me to imagine as to what Sunta Williams might have gone through !!!