Cell Phone and Jeans destroyed on Air Canada Flight

[bdreimer]

In Late December I was flying home China to see my family in Canada and I chose to fly with Air Canada, big mistake.

I was seated in an emergency exit between two individuals with the bathroom just in front of us. As a result other passengers would end up waiting for the bathroom in the empty space located in front of our seats. About two hours into the flight a Chinese man came to wait for the washroom. He had not been waiting more than a couple of minutes when he proceeded to pass out and came crashing down on the person seated beside me spilling a glass of wine and a cup of coffee all over me and my brand new Nexus 5. I assumed the worst and quickly laid the Chinese man gently on the floor in front of me. He seemed alright and was trying to stand back up so I moved him to the flight attendant’s seat right in front of me so he could rest. Immediately one of the flight attendants ran up screaming that he was not allowed to sit in the flight attendants seats. I explained the situation to the flight attendant and as the Chinese man came to his senses he apologized profusely and explained that he was a little drunk. One of the flight attendants, not the one who came over, made an incident report and assured me that I would be compensated for any damages that my belongings had incurred. I had to fly the next 9 hours soaked in wine and coffee, freezing my butt off and worried about if my phone would work or not. I left my phone for a day hoping that it would dry and be fully functional when I turned it on but sadly it has ceased to function.

I did as the flight attendant suggested and emailed the claims department at Air Canada. Weeks later I received a reply that said, “While we do sympathize with your situation, we are unfortunately unable to consider your claim.” I tried to reason with them over the next few months trying to at least secure some flight vouchers to offset the cost of having to buy a new phone but the individual I talked to was less than helpful and refused my requests. I also requested several times that he transfer my issue to management for further discussion but the agent also refused this request. After several correspondences I was faced with a reply to my letter that stated, “While we expect that you may disagree with our position your file on this matter will be closed and this will be our final correspondence on this issue.” I guess it is true that customer service is no longer a concern for many companies.

After the flight I started to question the responsibility of the individuals involved in my incident. As it was a flight attendant that supplied the passenger who passed out with the alcohol that made him drunk I am curious as to what accountability Air Canada has in this kind of situation. I know that if a server at a bar in North America serves an individual alcohol and if said individual then drives a vehicle and causes an accident that the establishment holds some of the responsibility. So does Air Canada not have any responsibility to make sure that they don’t intoxicate their customers to the point at which they can cause harm to other persons? I feel that this is would be a huge lapse in judgement as the way in which alcohol effects an individual is different at altitude and if an airline is supplying its passengers with alcohol they should be more aware of the adverse effects that alcohol will have at altitude.

Air Canada has ceased their correspondence with me at this point and after being a loyal customer who flies internationally on a regular basis I am starting to move my business over to other, often cheaper, airlines.

[Heisenberg666]

In sorry about your phone. But why is this posted here?

[YYZSaabGuy]

You have no idea how much alcohol was served by the crew, whether the individual in question smuggled his own booze on board, or what his tolerance for alcohol may or may not be. In short, you have no obvious reason to blame Air Canada for the occurrence. And don't bother playing the "customer service is no longer a concern" and "other, often cheaper airlines" cards.

Having pestered the claims department to the point where they will no longer deal with you, and having gone to the trouble of setting up an account here to make a completely nonsensical first post, would now perhaps be the time to just get over it? Stuff happens in life: learn to roll with it.

[The Raven]

I don't understand how the OP's jeans were ruined. So they had coffee and wine spilled on them. Could they not be washed?

[photofly]

A bit late now, but it might have been wise to get the passenger's details and take it up with him.

[I love twins]

Not sure why you believe that this is the fault of Air Canada, or that they should be held responsible in any way, shape or form.

Another passenger has spilled something on you. Why should AC pay for that?

If someone spilled something on you in a bar, would you ask the bar to pay for damages?

You don't know what this person had to drink before the flight. Perhaps he wasn't served any alcohol on board at all? As you rightly mention, alcohol will affect people to a much greater extent at altitude.

The flight attendant/cabin manager most likely did write a report. Just because it didn't happen in front of you, doesn't mean a report wasn't filed.

It's tough luck i'm afraid.

[Krimson]

You should find out what kind of alcohol he was drinking. Bring the issue to Heineken customer service to have them compensate you for your phone and pants.

[Rockie]

In Late December I was flying home China to see my family in Canada and I chose to fly with Air Canada, big mistake.

Yes, big mistake. Had you chosen to remain sequestered in your apartment immune to any of the foibles of life this wouldn't have happened to you. Instead you recklessly chose to venture out into the big bad world and it cost you a phone and a pair of pants - or at least the trouble of washing them.

It's just not fair....

[Old fella]

Good reason to wear jeans when flying,period. I do and will continue. Having said that, this story is a little odd and strange....

Then again I am old!!!!!

[delta1]

First world problems. Grow up.

[ahramin]

OH NO, not the brand new NEXUS 5! Oh the humanity! Definitely calls for the Omega 13.

[esp803]

How do we know that your pants weren't stained and your Nexus 5 broken before you got on the flight?

E

[FICU]

Moral of the story... never pick a seat that close to a lav.

[digits_]

I once spilled a glass of coke that the flight attendants gave me on my own lap. My pants were dirty and I had to pay for laundry detergent to wash them. Can I sue the airline ? After all, they should have seen I am clumsy and thus refuse me to give me the drink I asked for.

I managed to quickly take my cellphone out of my pants to prevent any further damage, but my phone could easily have been damaged. So do you guys think I could sue for that as well ? After all, I tried to clean my cellphone by putting it in my bath thub in clean water. This however, unexpectedly caused my phone to short circuit and catch fire. I didn't call 911 since I did not feel it was my responsibility the incident happened in the first place. I followed the normal complaint procedure of the airline and filed a complaint online. I got a quick response within 16 hours, however by that time my house already burned down. Good thing I always use my neighbours wifi, otherwise I could not have continued my discussion with the airline's representative.

[TheStig]

Bdreimer,

I imagine this has been a frustrating situation for you. However, I believe you're pointing fingers in the wrong direction. You mentioned this incident happened 2 hours into an international flight. How many drinks do you honestly think Air Canada would/could serve an individual in this amount of time? I certainly wouldn't assess someone who passes out while standing as 'a little drunk'. Do you honestly believe this individual didn't have a head start in the terminal? or at home before checking in?

I believe Air Canada and all airlines want their passenger to have a safe and enjoyable experience, clearly you didn't. However, if any company gave in to every compensation request from its customers they'd be out of business in a week. Not getting want you want doesn't mean customer service has failed you, but it just might mean you don't have a legitimate complaint? There is a difference between someone being rude and someone not being helpful.

I find it interesting that as a jilted customer how in this day and age you can turn to social media, and it's not necessarily a bad idea as companies do monitor it very closely because of the potential to go 'viral'. However, in this instance your complaint certainly isn't garnering the sympathy expected. Much like the thread a few days back about the passenger who misconnected in YYZ and was put on the next flight! Hardly seems like an issue there is going to be a massive ground swell of support for.

[AirFrame]

OH NO, not the brand new NEXUS 5! Oh the humanity! Definitely calls for the Omega 13.

You mean the obsolete Nexus 5?

[DanWEC]

If somebody spills their drink on you in a restaraunt, do you turn around and expect the bar to pay for it? My friend, I do genuinely empathize with your situation, must have been really uncomfortable, but Jesus man, you've misplaced the blame. Suck it up.

[YYZSaabGuy]

God, but we're a crusty, cynical lot here on AvCanada, aren't we?
I'm almost starting to feel sorry for the poor OP.

[MCB]

-

[PositiveRate27]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ezouMwT__U

[share-once]

If one can get $8000 or whatever for not being served in french then you should be able to live on easy street after you present the guy who got drunk on the flight due to the fa's serving him too much booze.
good luck

[F-16]

Nothing to see here folks...

Just a troll who's put this same post out on different aviation/frequent flier forums.

Guess the OP just needs some attention from someone.

[HiFlyChick]

Wow, you guys are tough....!

Here I was hoping for a snazzy new song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

I mean, it won't be any "United Breaks Guitars", but still, "Air Canada Wets My Pants" was something to look forward to

[jennitron5000]

Late reply, but I created an account just to comment.
OH MY GOD, dude: Your smartphone service provider will more than likely replace your phone FOR FREE, as per your contract and insurance. As far as the pants go, it's too bad you were uncomfortable for the ride, but at least it wasn't a baby that pissed in your lap, on a 9 hour flight.

Ha. Haha. No, seriously.