advice on Air Canada losing gear and having to pay for it to be flown into camp

Four weeks ago we went on a moose trip to NL--(bucket list hunt)--flew from Toronto to Halifax to Gander. In Gander we found out the Air Canada lost our luggage--which contained out hunting clothes boots, ammo and bolts for our rifles. The next day we had a chopper booked to fly us into our hunt camp--our gear was still nowhere to be found. Called the lost baggage line and spoke to someone in India who had never heard of NL . Once at our camp they told us our gear was now in St.Johns. They eventually couriered it to Gander--said we should pay the chopper to fly it in-and apply for repayment after our trip. This was quite expensive--I filled out a report--tried to call every number and still have not spoken to one person. They said they would get back in 15 days--I just received an email saying they are extremely busy with claims and will touch base with me in the near future. We are out $1500 dollars and after all of this I have little trust in Air Canada. Spoke to a couple of hunters from the US and one told me how Air Canada lost his rifle and the other told a story how they lost all of his luggage the other year. In fact it is so bad, the gentleman that our outfitter guided before us had to borrow a rifle from one of the guides because Air Canada lost his rifle and all of his clothing... I have never seen anything like this in my life. Any advice would be appreciated? Should I start looking for a lawyer?

See what they offer you first, then try to negotiate on your own. Document everything, including names of people you speak with. When you hit a wall, ask to speak to a supervisor. When all else fails, call a lawyer.

About 20 years ago, I flew from Thunder Bay to Saskatoon for a whitetail hunt. Had to switch planes in Winnipeg and could see my bag get loaded into the cargo hold. Got to Saskatoon and no bag on the carousel so go to the baggage counter and spoke to rep. He says that it didn’t get on the plane, and I say that I saw it get loaded. I asked him to check the luggage room where it gets put on the carousel. He says no, it wouldn’t be there. He goes on to say that it was probably taken off the plane in Winnipeg. I say no way as I had a window seat and saw it get loaded and it didn’t get off. He says that it will eventually show up and that they will ship it to the nearest town in a couple of days, I’m losing my cool as I can’t hunt with the clothes on my back so I plead with him to check the luggage room, so after about an hour of this BS, he finally checks the luggage room and there it was on the floor with 2 other bags. I don’t normally lose my temper with people but that guy was a total tool.

Sad to hear. Westjet (used to be-and i hope still it is)the best.
Give them BIIIG push..........try locally ,not overseas.

How was the hunt?For you-and for the others?

I’m in the process of planning a possible 2022 moose trip to NL. The number of horrible travel experiences I’m coming across from hunters flying to NL is growing daily. Looks like I’ll start investigating a van rental from Ontario and driving. It’ll add a few extra days to the trip with the ferry but worth the guarantee my gear makes it through

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Originally Posted by stilchen67

Four weeks ago we went on a moose trip to NL--(bucket list hunt)--flew from Toronto to Halifax to Gander. In Gander we found out the Air Canada lost our luggage--which contained out hunting clothes boots, ammo and bolts for our rifles. The next day we had a chopper booked to fly us into our hunt camp--our gear was still nowhere to be found. Called the lost baggage line and spoke to someone in India who had never heard of NL . Once at our camp they told us our gear was now in St.Johns. They eventually couriered it to Gander--said we should pay the chopper to fly it in-and apply for repayment after our trip. This was quite expensive--I filled out a report--tried to call every number and still have not spoken to one person. They said they would get back in 15 days--I just received an email saying they are extremely busy with claims and will touch base with me in the near future. We are out $1500 dollars and after all of this I have little trust in Air Canada. Spoke to a couple of hunters from the US and one told me how Air Canada lost his rifle and the other told a story how they lost all of his luggage the other year. In fact it is so bad, the gentleman that our outfitter guided before us had to borrow a rifle from one of the guides because Air Canada lost his rifle and all of his clothing... I have never seen anything like this in my life. Any advice would be appreciated? Should I start looking for a lawyer?

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That is the course I believe I will have to take--but this is what AC does---they make it impossible to speak to anyone--I asked to talk to a supervisor and they refused--everyone I spoke with was in India and honest truth the woman I spoke with had a screaming baby in the background----you just cannot make this stuff up-

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Originally Posted by gbk

Sad to hear. Westjet (used to be-and i hope still it is)the best.
Give them BIIIG push..........try locally ,not overseas.

How was the hunt?For you-and for the others?

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----well we wanted to go with westjet---but more convenient with AC--lesson learned The hunt was outstanding great people lovely countryside--three of us had three bulls by Thursday morning---there are some very big moose there if you want to cover some groundAttachment 42493

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Originally Posted by Fang

I’m in the process of planning a possible 2022 moose trip to NL. The number of horrible travel experiences I’m coming across from hunters flying to NL is growing daily. Looks like I’ll start investigating a van rental from Ontario and driving. It’ll add a few extra days to the trip with the ferry but worth the guarantee my gear makes it through

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Do the trip---make sure you pick a quality outfitter--we went with they were Woodmans outfitters-- they were terrific --go with west jet and if you have to take an extra day do it stay with a small flight service--do not go with AC---Once I spoke to people and guide services the complaints of lost items including firearms with AC was disturbing to say the least---and they do not care one bit--I will say no more

I’ve avoided air Canada as much as possible for the last 20 years. Sadly it seem their unionized work force could care less about their customers

When flying with firearms within Canada always fly westjet!

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Originally Posted by huntervinni

When flying with firearms within Canada always fly westjet!

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X2 Air Canada struggles at some aspects of customer service. It is as though they still think they are the only game in town.