Canadian Railroads > Performance of VIA #1 at Vancouver

I have a flight departing 21 hours after the scheduled arrival of #1 at Vancouver later this month (Monnlighters). Is that cutting it too close?

Alco251 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a flight departing 21 hours after the
> scheduled arrival of #1 at Vancouver later this
> month (Monnlighters). Is that cutting it too
> close?

Of the last seven arrivals at Vancouver, lateness has been as follows, in rounded numbers:  3 x 30 hours late, 1 x 23 hr, 1 x 18 hr, 1 x 17 hr, 1 x 10.5 hr.

The most recent arrival was the last one listed. However, that is the train that was turned around at Winnipeg, and it left only 32 minutes late from there, whereas the other six had already lost lots of time east of Winnipeg.
 

The Moonlighters trips tend to run closer to schedule as CN doesn't want to piss off people them think are more important than the rest of us....who BTW have paid the exact same fare. That said, have a look at flights from Edmonton. You could bail out there if necessary. Air Canada and Westjet appear to fly the route frequently. VIA would re-fund your money for the unused portion which would probably be enough to pay for the flight. 

Can’t risk missing a flight to Paris a mere 48 hours after sked arrival of #1 in Vancouver. Think I’ll cancel Moonlighters and wait until next year. Don’t want to spend what should be a relaxing train trip fretting about connections (three flights) at the other end.

Posted from iPhone

Yes, smart thinking I believe, with such a significant trip ahead of you.  The anxiety would be no fun although Moonlighters run pretty close to on time.  But not westbound last year.

Why would you schedule two major trips like that so close together? 
That's just setting yourself up to do nothing but worry and ruin the experience.
 

Hard to believe we are even talking about being  over a day late. My all time recored was "only" 22 and that involved a derailment.  You should be fine if your connection is 48 hours after scheduled arrival. The latest so far is 30 so that still allows 18 hours for a nights sleep and to get to the airport!  At least with the new schedule taking place in April, with the 9:30 Toronto departure they should at least get out on time. But another consession to CN adding a few more hours in each direction. 

andersonb109 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> . . . have a look at flights from Edmonton. You could bail out there if necessary. Air Canada and Westjet appear to fly the route frequently. VIA would re-fund your money for the unused portion which would probably be enough to pay for the flight. 

Excellent advice, especially taking into consideration the unexpected conflicting complications that very likely might crop up on the proposed 2020 attempt.  Who knows if the train will even be running by then?  

Alco251 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a flight departing 21 hours after the
> scheduled arrival of #1 at Vancouver later this
> month (Monnlighters). Is that cutting it too
> close?

Remember, you also have to get from the depot to the airport, then go through security. Thus, that 21 hour window shrinks to probably under 18 hours. 

If it was me, I would go to Euorpe first, then return to Vancouver to board #2. Just sayin'. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/19 11:27 by ATSF3751.

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why would you schedule two major trips like that
> so close together? 
> That's just setting yourself up to do nothing but
> worry and ruin the experience.
>

Exactly. Saw it coming.
 

ATSF3751 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Alco251 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I have a flight departing 21 hours after the
> > scheduled arrival of #1 at Vancouver later this
> > month (Monnlighters). Is that cutting it too
> > close?
>
> Remember, you also have to get from the depot to
> the airport, then go through security. Thus, that
> 21 hour window shrinks to probably under 18
> hours. 
>
> If it was me, I would go to Euorpe first, then
> return to Vancouver to board #2. Just sayin'. 

...and the US customs preclearance at YVR, even with Global Entry. Came to my senses last night and canceled.
Of course my brother would argue this wouldn't be a problem if I'd just come to my senses and use NetJets.

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/19 14:45 by Alco251.

Alco251 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Of course my brother would argue this wouldn't be a problem if I'd just come to my senses and use NetJets.

DO IT!  DO IT!  You only live once!  
 

CA_Sou_MA_Agent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Alco251 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Of course my brother would argue this wouldn't
> be a problem if I'd just come to my senses and
> use NetJets.
>
> DO IT!  DO IT!  You only live once!  
>  

Sure, you providing the money?  NetJets is not cheap!

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sure, you providing the money?  NetJets is not cheap!

Just sayin' that he should follow his brother's advice.  

Bro did a trip recently...Southwest airlines outbound (free ticket); NetJets Citation Soverign on the return (a friend’s). Guess which one he liked better?

Posted from iPhone