Winter storm: Montréal-Trudeau incompetence and frustration
Many travelers hoping to fly this Friday to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones were instead consumed by disappointment and helplessness, as more than a hundred flights were canceled at the Montreal-Trudeau airport due to bad weather.
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Photo Laurent Lavoie
Rachel Carton, her granddaughter Chloé Da Pratto and Yanick Da Pratto couldn’t hide their impatience after 24 hours spent in Montréal-Trudeau due to bad weather.
“At the time, I understood that it was very difficult to manage [les employés]but they know very well that it will not go away, so [pourquoi] wait for the world like that? » Plague Rachel Carton, laments her airline’s lack of organization.
After their flight to Calgary was pushed back and then canceled on Thursday night, MI Carton, her 7-year-old daughter, Chloé Da Pratto, and her husband, Yanick Da Pratto, had to sleep in the hotel, not knowing when they would leave Quebec.
This little family from Rawdon, in Lanaudière, was one of the many travelers who met The newspaper who fear their holidays are well and truly ruined.
Mainly due to the meteorological hum affecting the United States and Canada 153 flights, out of a total of 473 scheduled, were canceled by airlines on Friday, Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) confirmed.
Disappointment
Photo Laurent Lavoie
Many travelers stand crane-footed in front of large glossy panels displaying a list of flights, hoping that no mention of “Cancelled” or “Delayed” will be associated with their destination.
So, many travelers crack their heels in front of large illuminated panels displaying a list of flights, hoping that no mention of “Cancelled” or “Delayed” will be associated with their destination.
Not far from there, citizens surrounded by suitcases patiently await their fate, sitting in the bay windows of the airport.
Photo Laurent Lavoie
Alexandre Regnier was eager to be reunited with his family in France, as he was stuck in Montreal-Trudeau due to bad weather on December 23.
Alexandre Regnier, who comes from Quebec, where he studies, is part of the lot. He was in a hurry to get to his family, in France.
“We’re rushing back and all that, […] frustrating, he admits. I used to spend Christmas with my grandparents. Since the end of August I haven’t seen them, it’s starting to do. The boyfriend is the same. »
Photo Laurent Lavoie
Luciano Bandeira was distraught at the thought of missing Christmas Day with his daughter, who was stuck in Montreal-Trudeau due to bad weather on December 23.
Similar story to Luciano Bandeira, this Brazilian who temporarily passed through Montreal before joining his daughter in Western Canada.
“I will probably miss Christmas Day with him. It had a big impact on me. There’s a lot of frustration,” he gushes.
Keep smiling
Despite the circumstances, some still want to keep smiling… and keep calm.
Photo Laurent Lavoie
Alexandra Désilets (right) and her colleagues are neatly arranged on their inflatable mattress.
A group of young adults on their way to Hawaii to give ocean rescue training just brought out an inflatable mattress to make their wait better.
“It’s been two years since we left because of COVID, and this year, honestly, nothing is stopping us”, sums up Alexandra Désilets.
Savings
Others are luckier. Families approached The newspaperwho were leaving for North Africa or even Western Canada, said they were relieved to be spared – for the moment – the storm.
“We looked at the weather, we knew the cold was coming, so we left early [de Cornwall, en Ontario], said Ron Brennan, father of three young children. We were lucky to get out on time and without problems. »
For its part, ADM recommends that travelers check their airline’s flight schedules before traveling to the airport, regardless of the conditions that apply.
