The Official No Need To Start a New Thread, Thread

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

Since a few of us derailed the real estate thread for a short bit, I'll bring over my AC-loving nonsense here.

I'm looking to do a short term study abroad as part of my MBA program in either France or Germany later this year. The destinations I need to go to are not served by Air Canada directly (sad, I know) but instead, are better served and more economical on partner airlines.

I'm curious if any of you have experience with TAP Portugal, SWISS, and Brussels Airlines? My other options are Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM, but they are more expensive and have longer layovers than my schedule allows at the moment. My preference are with Start Alliance and Sky Team partners. One World is the lowest on my preferences. Also open to any low cost airlines. I've flown EasyJet and Ryan Air, but my experiences are over 20 years ago. Thanks in advance!

TAP is COOKED right now because Lisbon airport added insane screening for non-EU passengers. You will miss your connection there.
Swiss/Brussels is fine, great food and BRU is an efficient airport. Not much accommodations around if you end up missing your flight though. I think they're *A.

KLM through AMS is fine, as is Air France even though i find their service super lacking but skyteam points are like monopoly money to me lol
EasyJet and RyanAir are great for getting around the EU, they will always be on time. Make sure you have an international sized 20" carryon and not the domestic 21".

If you go to Grenoble, Alps transfers add up quick ($100 each way from GVA to the campus), might as well buy a cheap beater car out there.
My pref would be HEC.

Does Condor fly to YYZ? I like their FRA<>YVR flight in lie-flat, under $1k one way.

[bcrdukes]

Interesting timing. I just got an email from the university that international travel for programs is on hold until further notice due to the war.

My preference would be HEC as well, but it may not be up to us given the the circumstances in light of the current situation.

Re: Condor - It appears that they do the YYZ <> FRA route. Is the lie-flat business?

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by AstulzerRZD

If you go to Grenoble, Alps transfers add up quick ($100 each way from GVA to the campus), might as well buy a cheap beater car out there.

Wait. How do you justify buying a car when a round-trip transfer is approximately $200? Let's say $300 for shits and giggles. What kind of math is this?

[supafamous]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

Dark mornings are preferable to dark afternoons, and I don't know why anyone but farmers would argue otherwise

I get the preference for more light in the evenings but the lack of light in the morning messes with our circadian rhythms - doctors universally say daylight savings is bad for our health.

[GS8]

Originally Posted by supafamous

I get the preference for more light in the evenings but the lack of light in the morning messes with our circadian rhythms - doctors universally say daylight savings is bad for our health.

Especially bad in the MST zone where it could stay dark up to 9:45am! Could potentially mess up children's rhythms as they are still developing.

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

Wait. How do you justify buying a car when a round-trip transfer is approximately $200? Let's say $300 for shits and giggles. What kind of math is this?

I’m gonna assume you spend 0 weekends in Grenoble, travelling to some other part of Europe for weekend shit

I forget if Grenoble has TGV to Lyon Part Dieu or LYS - I remember it being a pain from Moutiers.

On the Swiss side, it’s a pain to get to GVA.

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

Interesting timing. I just got an email from the university that international travel for programs is on hold until further notice due to the war.

My preference would be HEC as well, but it may not be up to us given the the circumstances in light of the current situation.

Re: Condor - It appears that they do the YYZ <> FRA route. Is the lie-flat business?

Ye it’s their biz - I got the one way for like $700 last minute from FRA to YVR
Was only 2-300 more than economy!

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by AstulzerRZD

I’m gonna assume you spend 0 weekends in Grenoble, travelling to some other part of Europe for weekend shit

I forget if Grenoble has TGV to Lyon Part Dieu or LYS - I remember it being a pain from Moutiers.

On the Swiss side, it’s a pain to get to GVA.

I think it'll be two intense weeks of just school and some planned excursions. We'll be visiting some innovation centres and visiting some businesses but in terms of free time on weekends, it's highly unlikely we'll get any.

Getting insurance for short term probably isn't worth it. What would you do with the car when you're done? Sell it back or abandon? Not sure this is an ideal situation.

Originally Posted by AstulzerRZD

Ye it’s their biz - I got the one way for like $700 last minute from FRA to YVR
Was only 2-300 more than economy!

Thanks. I'll double check the dates and consider this, assuming the situation improves and travel restrictions are lifted.

[noclue]

Is your firm sponsoring your MBA?

[bcrdukes]

I'm going to call it "half sponsored."

I have to front the costs first, then after completion, I get my money back. This is to incentivize that 1. I complete the program and 2. they get their ROI back 3. Risk is shared.

Edit: Because my firm is sponsoring this, their travel policies also apply (FML) so I cannot go bonkers on business class travel or stay at top tier hotels, unless I can prove that it's cheaper than the company travel policy. Also, all international travel is on pause right now with the company until further notice.

[noclue]

Oh ok I was wondering why you were concerned with cost when you can expense Air Canada Signature Class with signature lounge access in YYZ (No aeroplan redemption plebs) to earn the SUPER ELITE status from all the AC haters here lol.

[Badhobz]

you should just do an exchange to japan and then go expense soapland treatments.

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by noclue

Oh ok I was wondering why you were concerned with cost when you can expense Air Canada Signature Class with signature lounge access in YYZ (No aeroplan redemption plebs) to earn the SUPER ELITE status from all the AC haters here lol.

I work for a peasant company and get paid peasant wages. I am nowhere in the same economic sphere as a majority of people on this forum.

But I still love AC!

(Fuck all you AC haters. Go suck on one.)

[spoon.ek9]

Personally I've never had a poor experience with AC. At most, they're just super jaded and hate their job which you can see on their faces but other than a surly attitude at times, it's never been so bad that I feel the need to complain about it. If anything, my biggest gripe with them is the prices for their flights.

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by Badhobz

you should just do an exchange to japan and then go expense soapland treatments.

When I first joined this company, a manager I used to report to would take the team out to a strip club near the airport for lunch and expense the "entertainment" and consider them as team building and customer engagement. He was known to always ask the staff to write him a receipt for the "entertainment" and soon after a while, AP changed their policy and no longer accepted hand-written receipts and adult entertainment is not a valid expense.

[Badhobz]

company sponsored boning is the best kind of boning.

[noclue]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

When I first joined this company, a manager I used to report to would take the team out to a strip club near the airport for lunch and expense the "entertainment" and consider them as team building and customer engagement. He was known to always ask the staff to write him a receipt for the "entertainment" and soon after a while, AP changed their policy and no longer accepted hand-written receipts and adult entertainment is not a valid expense.

The appropriately named Landing Strip. I never been but heard it was greasy AF lol. But food was good!

[bcrdukes]

lol noclue knows what I'm talking about!

[BIC_BAWS]

Originally Posted by spoon.ek9

If anything, my biggest gripe with them is the prices for their flights.

This is precisely the problem. For the amount of money that you're paying, you get sub-par quality economy seats and really shitty food. Hong Kong Express, a low-cost carrier, has better in both categories there, and it's cheaper.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

lol noclue knows what I'm talking about!

Then he should remove the "no" part of his username...

[bcrdukes]

LOL!

But in his defence, he hasn't been there.

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS

This is precisely the problem. For the amount of money that you're paying, you get sub-par quality economy seats and really shitty food. Hong Kong Express, a low-cost carrier, has better in both categories there, and it's cheaper.

Does Hong Kong Express offer routes to Europe? No!

[CivicBlues]

Air Canada griping is so tiresome. Are they the worst airline in the world? Hardly. COuld they be better? Of course, much better! But they're by far the airline with the most service from Canadian destinations (duh!) like it or not they would likely be the most direct service to your destination at the lowest cost.

I'd choose getting to my destination faster with the fewest transfers over lilly gaggling over who has the hotter stewardesses or marginally better airplane food slop is not something worth it at my age.

[spoon.ek9]

I take Flair to Alberta all the time lol. I just need A to B at lowest cost.

[bcrdukes]

I mean, if you want a good meal, go to a good restaurant, not an airplane!