DEPARTURE DIARIES : A journey on ground with Air Transat

 Monday, March 10, 2025 My shift started off pretty well, as always, with the bustling energy  of Toronto Pearson Airport setting the stage. The counters opened promptly at 15:45, and we began with a briefing from our supervisors. That evening we only had two flights to manage, one to London Gatwick and the other to Faro, Portugal. We decided to assist with the flight bound for Faro. Our first task was at the Kiosk, assisting passengers with check-in and printing bag tags. I assisted a few travelers, although many approached us with inquires about Air France and KLM. I had to explain that I couldn't help directly but gladly directed them to the KLM check-in counters. A memorable highlight for me was having my first-ever French conversation with a passenger. Though brief, as he was travelling with Air France, it felt like a big step forward in my language skills. Thank you Duolingo and Miss. Sandra's class.  The time flew by as Oma and I spotted Miss. Ava. It was so hearte...

 Friday, March 7, 2025 My shift began bright and early, and upon arrival, I was met with a bustling airport filled with passengers. The lively atmosphere immediately took me back to the excitement and energy of my very first shift. Despite the overall business, our counters were relatively calm as we had only two flight scheduled for the morning, one to Colombia and the other to Cancun. We had a short briefing, our supervisors asked us which destination we would like to assist with, and I choose Cancun. I then assisted several passengers with tagging their bags and printing boarding passes. Many had already checked in online and didn't have a checked luggage, so I directed them to security for a smooth path to the gates.  By 5:45 am, it was time to head to the gates for Cancun departing at gate C31, there I helped with tagging carry-on items and delivering them to the entrance of the aircraft.  One of the highlights of my shift was witnessing a stunning sunrise🌞 , a sere...

 Wednesday, March 4, 2025 As part of our placement with Air Transat at Toronto Pearson International Airport, we recently reached the halfway point and participated in a progress check session to reflect on our experiences since orientation.  This meeting was facilitated by Miss Judith and Miss Jennifer, and we began by gaining valuable insights into recent Delta Airlines emergency accident. We learned about the incredible collaboration between the ground crew and the response team showcasing their professionalism and resilience in overcoming such a challenging situation. This provided us with deeper appreciation for the critical roles and coordination involved in aviation safety. Following this, we transitioned to sharing feedback regarding our placement. We discussed aspects such as our shifts and learning experiences. Unfortunately, a recurring theme among all of us was the feeling of not being actively included in activated or having positive interactions with some of the ...

 Friday, February 28, 2025 My shift at the airport started off an a calm and smooth note, with only two flights departing that evening. One to London Gatwick (LGW) at 2030 hrs from gate C31, and the other to Faro, Portugal (FAO) at 2135 hrs from gate C32. It seemed like it would be a straightforward evening but little did i know, the night would turn into an unforgettable showcase of teamwork and efficiency. During our briefing, our supervisor asked which destination each of us wanted to assist with. Without hesitation, I choose the flight to Faro, Portugal. With our tasks assigned, we proceeded to the kiosks, where we assisted passengers with bag tags and boarding passes. The evening felt slow-paced at first, with only two flights to focus on. By 1830 hrs, we moved to the gates to assist with boarding. As boarding began, the in-charge flight attendant suddenly received a request from the pilot to pause boarding due to a mechanical issue with the aircraft. Passengers waited patient...

 Thursday, February 27, 2025 My morning shift as a passenger service agent marked a milestone- it was my first morning shift, from 400 to 1200 and what a morning it was. It turned out to be the busiest shift I've had since starting my placement, and I can only describe it as nothing short of amazing. The day started with a briefing, setting the stage for what was to come. Five flights were departing that morning: Cancun, Mexico (CUN) at gate C36; Rio Hato, Panama (RIH) at gate C33; Cayo Coco, Cuba (CCC) at gate C31; La Romana, Dominican Republic (LRM) at gate C34; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) at gate C32. Our supervisors gave us the opportunity to choose our destinations, and I opted for Rio Hato, Panama a decision that would kickstart an unforgettable day.  After the briefing we jumped right in, assisting passengers at the kiosks with printing their boarding passes and bag tags. Before I knew it, it was already time to head to the gates. And to Gate C33 I went at ...