Beware of summer travel scams
The Better Business Bureau Serving the Atlantic Provinces shares timely tips on how to avoid being scammed during your summer vacation.
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National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Cellist turned away from Air Canada flight after his instrument wasn't allowed to board
A cellist's quick trip from Baltimore to Montreal turned into a two-day odyssey after Air Canada refused to let him bring his instrument on the plane. This despite the fact that he had paid full fare for a second seat specifically for the instrument, crafted in 1695 and worth over a million dollars, to fly with him. Article content Amit Peled is an Israeli-American cellist, conductor and teacher who has performed at venues around the world and released more than a dozen recordings including The Jewish Soul and Cellobration. Article content He's no stranger to travelling by air with his instrument propped up in the seat next to him. 'Almost every week of my life,' he told National Post in an interview 'That's what I do. In the last 30 years, I've been traveling all over the world.' Article content Article content This week he was on his way to the Orford Music Festival near Sherbrooke, Que., where he was due to perform and also teach a class. But after driving from his home in Baltimore to the airport in Philadelphia, he was told by an Air Canada employee that his cello couldn't board the plane. Article content He was flabbergasted. He'd had issues before — often because his musical companion doesn't have a passport — but they've generally been solved at the airport. 'However, this time in Philadelphia, the lady at the counter said: You can't bring the cello with you because it was not named the right way in the computer.' Article content He said the employee informed him that she could make a change but that it would cost $700. 'And I said, well, I already paid a full-price ticket. And here it is. It's right here in front of you. You can see it. And she said: I'm really sorry.' Article content Peled decided to go through to the gate anyway, hoping someone there would help him, but he was given the same answer. 'Everybody goes on the plane, and I told her, I'm going to miss my flight, and thus I'm going to not be in the festival where I have to teach and play,' he said. 'She didn't care. And then, of course, the door closed and I missed the flight.' Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amit Peled (@amitpeledcellist) Article content Angry and stranded, Peled shot a short video in front of the gate, showing his cello and suitcase and explaining his plight. Article content Article content 'I have a full class of students waiting for me there from all over the world,' he says in the video, posted to social media. 'I have my cello ticket, my ticket, and just here at the gate I'm denied entrance because the procedure to ride for the cello was not right on the computer.' Article content He ends by saying: 'I'm really really sorry and I hope to be able to teach the students on Zoom. I can't perform on Zoom but I'll teach them on Zoom. I'm going home and never ever ever fly Air Canada again.' Article content Peled then called his daughter to pick him up for the two-hour drive back to Baltimore. But as he got home, his phone rang. 'I get a phone call from somebody from Air Canada, and I'm shocked. And that person is in charge of customer service, calling me,' he said. Article content The airline had seen the video. 'Can you believe that? I mean, it's the first time in my life, honestly, that social media did something good for me. I was absolutely shocked. I mean, it's not just somebody from Air Canada. It's like the guy who runs customer service calling me, and he says: I'm really sorry, but I saw the video, and first I want to apologize.'
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
What do Arkansas and Guelph, Ont., have in common? You'd be surprised what ChatGPT says
Social Sharing Arkansas resident Amy Beaver decided to take a trip earlier this year— but not just anywhere. She wanted something that felt familiar So she asked ChatGPT what kind of place would be similar to her home in Fayetteville. "I got my passport last year and was like, 'OK, now I can travel out of the country.' And then I got a lot of anxiety over that because I don't speak a second language and I don't know other cultures," said Beaver. "I asked ChatGPT where I can go that is most like where I currently live." Its response? Guelph, Ont. Beaver's reaction to the chatbot's suggestion was made into a video, recorded by her daughter, that went viral on TikTok and Instagram. "I'm going to go to Canada," Amy tells Emily in the video. "Will you move to Canada with me?" In the recording, Amy also highlights some of the things that Fayetteville and Guelph have in common: a university, a climbing gym and four seasons. "I think they might speak French there," she tells her daughter. The video was made in February. This past weekend, ahead of Canada Day and in time for Pride celebrations in Guelph, Amy, her husband Jeff Beaver and their daughter Emily finally made it to city. A tour of the city Unsurprisingly, this Beaver family felt at home in the Canadian city almost immediately. The three went on a downtown food tour, visited the Art Gallery of Guelph and were given a tour of the University of Guelph campus. Alex Charette, manager of communications and marketing in student experience at the University of Guelph, was surprised when he first saw the family's TikTok video and heard about them wanting to visit Guelph. "The first reaction we had was they actually pronounced Guelph correctly. Because most of the time, people will say 'gulp,' or something else like that." Charette said the Beavers were shown many of the university's famous landmarks, including the iconic Gryphon statue. He said Jeff Beaver felt connected to the school's mascot. "Jeff also shared that his hometown is named Griffin," said Charette. "We were very much interested in showcasing all the value Guelph has to offer." One of the first stops the family made was to the Guelph Humane Society for a tour. Abigail Heckbert, engagement co-ordinator at the Guelph Humane Society, says staff members were thrilled to show them around. "We learned that they are huge animal lovers and that they have dogs at home," Heckbert said. "Their tour was wonderful and it was so nice to learn that, of course, not only are they super passionate about animals and animal welfare, but they also are really passionate about wildlife as well, which was really awesome." Along with the tours, the Beavers were given the full diplomatic treatment in Guelph. They met and had a photo-op with Mayor Cam Guthrie, MP Dominique O'Rourke, and MPP Mike Schreiner in front of the Guelph sign. In a post on Instagram, Guthrie said it was his "pleasure" to welcome the family to "our amazing city." "If you've been following the Beavers' viral TikTok and Instagram video, you'll know that Amy, Jeff and Emily are having a wonderful time touring all across our city," he wrote. "I'm so happy you feel welcomed in Guelph — so come back any time." A welcoming atmosphere One could argue the Beavers' first visit to Canada was perfectly timed. Arriving ahead of Canada Day, they got to experience some of the country's renewed patriotism. "I think we should just celebrate Canada Day," said Emily. Her sentiment was echoed by Amy,who felt a stark contrast between life in Canada and in the U.S. "I'm really disappointed in what has happened in the United States. I'm tired of opening the news every morning and being afraid," she said. For Emily, visiting the city during Pride celebrations was also a highlight. She said that as a queer person, she felt very welcomed by Canadians. "I've lived in other cities in the United States and it is more welcoming to queer people in certain parts of the country. But as a whole, I can't say that I've ever really felt like it was normal. Here there is no undercurrent that what you are doing is wrong." When asked if they plan to return to Guelph, the family gave a resounding yes.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Halifax Stanfield launches new direct flights to Zurich
Halifax Stanfield International Airport welcomed a new airline service on Friday. The airport is now offering non-stop service to Zurich, Switzerland, through the launch of Edelweiss Air. This is the first time the airport has offered Zurich as a destination on the airport's route map. 'We're thrilled to officially launch Edelweiss' non-stop service between Halifax and Zurich,' said Joyce Carter, president and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA). 'Today is the start of an exciting connection between our regions, providing more travel options for Atlantic Canadians and making it easier than ever for European travellers to experience Nova Scotia. We're proud to partner with Edelweiss and look forward to the many benefits this connection will bring to our communities and travellers.' The twice-weekly route will be operated on an Airbus A340-300 aircraft which seats 314 passengers in business, economy max and economy classes. The flight time from Halifax to Zurich is around seven hours. 'This route ideally complements our popular flights to Calgary and Vancouver in western Canada,' explained Patrick Heymann, chief commercial officer of Edelweiss. 'With this non-stop flight, we are bringing Switzerland and Europe even closer to Canada's beautiful and breathtaking nature. At the same time, travellers from Atlantic Canada can now discover Switzerland more easily or take advantage of the excellent hub in Zurich to connect to almost anywhere in Europe and beyond.' Edelweiss is a Swiss leisure airline and sister company to Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS). Its namesake comes from the Edlweiss flower of the Swiss Alps. 'Routes like Edelweiss' new one between Zurich and Halifax are an important way of growing tourism and opening our economy to new markets,' said ministerial assistant John A. MacDonald on behalf of Colton LeBlanc, minister of Growth and Development for the province. 'We look forward to welcoming more visitors to our incredible province, building connections between Switzerland and Nova Scotia and creating new opportunities for Nova Scotia businesses.' Edelweiss flights from Halifax will be operated in cooperation with SWISS and are available for booking through or any travel agency. The twice-weekly flights will operate on Thursdays and Sundays. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
