This has got to have been the most fucked up weekend I have ever had at work. The combination of weather, mechanical and illness made for a trip to the twighlight zone.

FRIDAY NIGHT

I was scheduled to Dead Head¹ from Toronto to Ottawa.

We experienced a really bad snow storm here and the Toronto Airport instituted a Ground Delay Program which backed up all air traffic and as this storm system affected a HUGE chunk of the country we had a massive domino affect that resulted in numerous flights being cancelled.

Among those flights cancelled were all my options for getting to Ottawa.

I called our Crew Scheduling department and asked what we were going to do.  They said give us 5 minutes and we will call you back.

So I waited and they called me back.

They said, «go home and we will either use you tomorrow out of Toronto or get you to Ottawa.»

I said, «okay I will be waiting for your phone call.»

I came home.

As I was heading to the bus stop I got another call from Crew Scheduling.  This is what had been talked about and decided.

1. I would dead head to Ottawa the next morning on the first flight to operate my scheduled flights
2. We then realised I could not operate my flights because I would go over my duty day
3. So I needed to be replaced for Saturday night
4. I was still to dead head to Ottawa the next morning so I could operate my flights on Sunday night²
5. I came home, slept for a few hours, got up and went to the airport and after a few delays made it to Ottawa

SATURDAY

Spent the day in my hotel room.

The crew I was supposed to work with, including my replacement did the flights that night.

I left them a note at the front desk to let me know what time to meet them the next night for our flights that evening.

SUNDAY

Woke up with a plugged up head and ears.  I had some discomfort on the descent into Ottawa on Saturday morning.

However this morning when I woke up I was really plugged up.  I went to blow my nose and my ears did not pop. 

Took some decongestants and still after a few hours my ears had not popped.

I tried to call my doctor to see if he could recommend a doctor to see in Ottawa.  No help.

I was advised to take decongestants and wait a couple hours, if my ears did not pop then don't fly.³

I attempted to find an Aviation Doctor using the Transport Canada web site.  Being that it was Sunday only one office was open out of the 8 options available.

I clearly explained my situation to the nurse/receptionist and she confirmed that there was an Aviation Doctor there for me to visit and that I could come right away.

So I hoped in a taxi, went all the way across town...$25 later I arrive at the clinic.

I approach the desk, introduce myself and that I am there to see Dr. So-N-So.

Lady⁴ laughs at me and says, «what makes you think he is here today?»

I replied, «Um because when I explained the situation to you on the phone you told me I could come down right away to see the said Aviation Doctor!»

«Hmph, well he is not here today you will just have to see a regular doctor»

So I wait 90+ minutes, the doctor rushes in, pokes in my ears, throws more decongestants at me and says, «thanks bye!»

We were in the room together for no more than 90 seconds I am sure.

So another $25 back to the hotel.

Because this whole thing took so long and we didn't have an answer one way or the other as to if I was «fit to fly» I was removed from the trip and replaced by another flight attendant.

I decided to not fly as my right ear still had not popped and I did not want to take any risks.

So back at my hotel room I call Crew Scheduling to find out what we are going to do.

We decide to Dead Head me home Monday morning.

I go down to the front desk to make the changes to my check out time.

I come back to my room and my phone is flashing - I have a message.

I listen to the message. It is my Captain.

Basically he tells me about the pick up time and that he is not flying because he is having ear problems. 

I had to laugh.

Anyway I called the First Officer and told him about my ear problems and that I would not be flying - he laughed.

So long story short - that flight/trip ended up being cancelled because a Captain was not available geographically and operationally to take over.

I go for a bite to eat, I am back in my room about 5 minutes and my phone rings.

It is Crew Scheduling.

My flight for Monday morning that was my Dead Head home was cancelled, the next available flight was at 1700.

So another full day in Ottawa.

MONDAY

Basically hung around my hotel room, watched TV, chatted. Nothing exciting.

Went to the airport. Got on the plane.

We had to wait an hour for a First Officer to come in and replace the one that was missing due to illness.

TODAY

I called work today to find out about what happens with my pay for the flights on Saturday night.

My interpretation of the events is that due to operational reasons I was not able to do the flights I should still receive credit for them.

The person I talked to on the phone told me «no» and that I was listed as a «no show»

WTF?

Anyway now I am waiting to hear back from the person that «specialises» in this area⁵ and will see what happens now.

I think this is my longest post ever....did you fall asleep?

1. This is where the company flies me to the city that they need me in to operate a flight or flights.  This is not commuting so please do not confuse the two terms.  This is an operational requirement not a choice as to where I want to live↩
2. one less trip to cover for Crew Scheduling↩
3. OK I had already done that - hence why I was calling to try and find a doctor↩
4. I use that term very loosely↩
5. whatever that means↩