(http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmcnuh/4225030012/) The Blue Screen of Death!

經過多年在外國讀書，我也習慣了長途航班。不過，這次到溫哥華的旅程給我一個全新的體驗。這是我第一次乘參加拿大航空公司，也是我第一次要轉機的旅程。

由於英航罷工，我最終要從倫敦飛蒙特利爾(Montreal)（法文是當地的主要語言），然後從蒙特利爾到溫哥華。我想我應該寫一下我的經歷。

首先，我只可有一件免費的寄艙行李。大多數航空公司都允許兩件寄艙行李，但加拿大航空公司決定向我額外收取三十英鎊。機上的娛樂系統的設計非常好，非常之易用！可惜沒有內容，有一半的內容都説“暫時無法提供"！ 甚至於飛行地圖也無法提供。幸好飛機餐也不太差!

在蒙特利爾機場 - 因為加拿大政府要求所有轉機乘客要直接入境，結果我要從行李帶拿我的行李。過關後又把行李放回行李帶上，走出禁區，然後再入禁區。我當時已經有18小時無睡覺，這的確是一件麻煩的事情！

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/whereisandrewnow/4275185785/)

I suppose I am quite used to long journeys and long-haul flights. However, this journey to Vancouver yesterday provide me with a brand new experience. This is the first time I took Air Canada, and the first time I have a connection flight, in an airport which I know nothing about.

Well, thanks to BA, I have the "privilege" to enjoy this experience. I got on the plane from Heathrow to Montreal (where French is the main language), then from Montreal to Vancouver. And the journey was a frustrating one. And I think I am in the situation in reviewing my journey..

First of all, the plane journey. 1st thing - only one baggage can be checked. I mean, what on earth were they thinking? Most airlines allow 2 checked baggage for journeys to/from Americas but Air Canada decides that maybe they could increase  revenue by charging me an extra £30... But I was prepared for that anyway. The in-flight entertainment system is touch-screened and I was amazed how sensitive it is! And that's it about the entertainment I had really - there is no content, 5 out of 10 featuresem, called enRoute, is very well designed. I can see it's run on linux just based on the cursor on the touch screen are "currently unavailable", and that includes the flight map. I had no idea where we are and how long we have got to fly. Thanks for the USB port provided though, could charge my iPod while playing on Monopoly.. Should also point out the food is ok..

In the Montreal airport - since Canadian government require all connection passengers to clear custom in the first landing, I end up need to pick my baggage up from the reclaim belts, clear custom and put it back on the belt. Then go out of the restricted area and go back in with other passengers. It really was a hassle - especially all these happened after being awake for about 18 hours. I am also surprise how "French" it is in the region - I mean the menu display of the fast food shop was in French only, luckily, people there do speak English... otherwise I could be speaking my own style of French.

Another thing I don't understand is - if you think the queue at passport control in Heathrow was long enough, wait till you come to a Canadian Airport - the picture above shows what welcomed me when I landed, both in Montreal and in Vancouver Airport last time. Glad that I don't travel here often..