The day promises to be uncertain at Montreal International Airport, where several travelers met in the morning crossed their fingers when consulting the flight departure board.
“We are correct, our flight is between the two in orange which are delayed,” rejoices Edith Gervais, from Beloeil, who had arrived with her family around 10:45 a.m. in anticipation of their scheduled flight to Holguin, Cuba. at 2:20 p.m.
Installed in a cafe at the airport, a pilot who had a snack while waiting to find himself at the controls of an aircraft – which, precisely, must fly to Holguin – was optimistic. “The weather is nice there. It is especially in the Midwest that there are disturbances, ”explains the man, who preferred not to name himself.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The Montreal-Toronto route was one of the hardest hit.
Among those who have borne the brunt of the series cancellations of flights to the Queen City are ocean rescue instructors Alexandra Désilets and Jonathan Trottier, who were to travel through Toronto on their way to Hawaii, the final destination for training that they lavish.
“We knew, as organizers, that there would surely be a waiting period”, launches Alexandra to explain the presence on the floor of the terminal of the inflatable mattress that she decided to lug around, and on which sat some of the band members.
“I have to say that in the most stressful situations, you have to find a way to feel good. We’ve been having fun, we’ve been laughing since a while, ”she philosophizes, lying on the yoga mat that she rolled out in the departures area, near the Air Canada counters.
Denis Éthier’s flight to Toronto was still on schedule when he arrived at 11 a.m. He also chose to relativize rather than to worry. “It can change, that’s for sure. But I don’t get angry. There is worse than that. We are not in Ukraine after all, ”says the 75-year-old man, laughing.
“I told my world that I might come home for supper. It’s not more serious than that. There are too many people who are stressed”, analyzes the one who will spend two weeks on vacation in Puerto Vallarta after having (perhaps) celebrated Christmas in Toronto.
Arrived by car from Cornwall, Ontario, Terry-Lynn de Ruiter, his father Harry and the rest of the tribe hope that their flight to Miami will leave this Friday, otherwise they could miss the departure of their cruise ship.
At the same time, when they compare, they console each other. “It’s even worse at the Vancouver airport, and it certainly won’t get better,” said Terry-Lynn, wedged into a bench in the departures area for the United States.
So far, so good, says an airport attendant, scanning the departures board. “People are stressed, but they are understanding, and I have empathy for them. But tomorrow, it could be hell, ”she predicts.