Edmonton International Airport — Local services in Alberta

I love Canada. I've visited too many times to count during my lifetime. I have many Canadian friends and one of my closest friends is Canadian. At one point, we lived exactly 100 miles apart from doorstep to doorstep on opposite sides of the border in WA and BC. I was there at least once a month and he came to visit at least one time a month. I love the beautiful scenery, the great food and the friendly people. I love the Europe-Lite feel when you're there.

Despite all of this, I'm sad to say that Canada does not want your business or tourism dollars any longer. I started to notice that the border and airports were no longer very welcoming some time ago and this has just gotten progressively worse. I was surprised the first time I encountered a surly and unfriendly border guard a few years back but now, I've just come to expect it. Flying in to Edmonton last week, I was very frustrated with the system to scan your documents, which did not work well at all. I scanned and scanned and finally they went through after repeated tries and me hitting the brink of frustration. I was also irritated that after "The Science" showed that COVID had become endemic, I still had to pay $130 for a test to prove i didn't have it in addition to providing my vaccine card when I checked in for my flight. They wouldn't even let me on the plane in Las Vegas without those items. My Passport and Nexus card were practically an afterthought.

The cost of everything in the country is just obscene now and I was told that if I thought flying in to Edmonton international was unpleasant, gird my loins for the departure. I was also compelled to pay for an additional COVID test to return to my own country per order of the Canadian government, which took another hour of my time in addition to costing me money. When leaving Las Vegas, I didn't even have to pull my computer and iPad out of my bag before running it through security. At YEG, I had to and then the security people did something I've never had happen anywhere. I'm not saying I've never had annoying experiences going through security before. I always have electronics and power cords with me. I'm saying that this was astonishingly bad and the security people were monumentally rude and disrespectful.

After my first pass through security, they took my carefully packed and organized computer backpack and emptied it's entire contents into multiple trays and re-ran them through the ex-ray machine. They confiscated the lighter portion of a zippo lighter I was carrying and acted annoyed when I asked them for the casing back because it was sentimental to me. They were rude and spoke down to me at several different points and scolded me for having ice in my water bottle even though I'd drained the liquid out of it. They acted as if they were doing me a favor letting me through at all. I finally got angry and told them that the way they were acting was unacceptable. They seemed annoyed when I mentioned that I'd flown all over Europe and never had such an invasive, rude experience or even close to it. They just shrugged it off and said they were not Europe. They even seemed annoyed that I had even said it. I pointed out that I had flown all over the US as well and this was ridiculous. They informed me that this is why YEG is the safest airport in the world and then turned their backs on me and walked away. I'm sure that the folks who run Be Gurion Airport in Israel would have something to say about that. I told them that was not true but they...

Long time Delta customer and first time taking WestJet direct flight to Atlanta (only available flight is the 12:45 am) and rude WestJet US agents (Brooklyn was the manager) with held from my flight due to security check in closing early. I was there exactly 75 minutes before and desks were empty. Not only were they both unwilling to help but they were happy to be to be have me wait there and for 1.5 hours until my flight left me and made me purchase a $600 ticket for a one way through after buying a round trip and paying $100 for two checked bags. It was disgusting their contempt and I can't go home.

[EDIT] Hi Edmonton International, thank you for your response. I've returned to add some edits to my post, since I wrote this original post at the dead of night in frustration and sleep deprivation via post this interaction. International travel gets the best of us all...

Additionally to my statement above, I was at the airport around 1.5 hours prior to my departure time. Since there are two WestJet terminals, we originally went to international. Who would have known that 5 minute runway would cost me $600 due to the "75-minute policy". Which I reached out to WestJet and they said the note on my flight case said "Upon review of your booking, we see notes on file that you arrived to check in counter 55 minute prior to your scheduled departure time. As the cut-off for international flights are 60 minutes."

I understand the policy but the conversation at the desk escalated and was poorly mishandled by the unwilling WestJet agents. I was very disappointment in my treatment by WestJet's US terminal. Of course, I'm frustrated... There is also inconsistent information online and a lack of information of the policy in the check in email, where I already did online check in ahead of time and pre-paid for two bags ($80). The airport was slow especially since it's 11 PM and there was plenty of time left for me prior to departure (12:45 am), so my confusion on how I was treated by the agents almost glad to make me miss going home, seeing my family, and going back to work. I was called out for my attitude, which I felt was prejudiced as I am a Black American woman and I haven't been treated like this ever. Also, customer service should understand stress in these situations. Which I travel internationally often and don't experience this.

I'm visiting Edmonton to see my extended family for a beautiful wedding in Spruce Grove, where I was looking forward to trying out WestJet's direct flight from Edmonton to Atlanta, since there is great opportunity for economic collaboration.

I purchased a $600 ticket the next day through Delta (because WestJet's customer service is non-existent) and was able to get home today. Lesson learned, I suppose because I came much earlier and my WestJet and security interactions on forward were all positive.

I understand that perhaps maybe this doesn't involve the airport but I highly encourage WestJet agents receive DEI...

I was just at the airport last week and once we landed went to book by Uber and it now told me I have to meet them at the other end of the parkade, NO LONGER AT DOOR 9/10

This is really a step back and I am very disappointed that The EIA airport has chosen to make this change. It is very inconvenient to pack luggage across the road or even back upstairs to take the pedway and then try to find the route to this new pick up area not even clearly marked. For passenger that don’t live here and have never been to our airport this is such a negative experience and will cause such confusion

I can only imagine those with children and luggage, seniors, etc and with our weather in winter as its not even all covered in and waiting outside since now apparently they have to stage on the other side of the hi way

Why?... this makes no sense they where paying to pick up passengers in a designated area now they are not or if they where not before then change them per pick up something to have them more close and convenient for those that live here and those that are visiting you are the first experience of our city and leaving with a negative pick up after a tour of the parkade is horrible.

Every other city they pick up at door 1 in Winnipeg, door 10 in Montreal right outside and it’s fast. Vancouver has a couple locations but all designated ride app pick up locations right at the terminal, Toronto Terminal 1 Door a, terminal 3 Column 9…

Now your not making any money from these ride shares or other taxi companies that is not smart business, negotiate make it work!!!!

I take uber because its safe, it tracks my location, I can rate my driver, I know exactly how much its gonna cost and its a lot cheaper than the flat rate taxis!!! The receipt is emailed to me immediately great for claiming expenses, and I can use it anywhere in the world uber operates. I know I am going to go from point a to b without a detour and extra costs and I don’t have to tip or wait and pay when I arrive I just get out so convenient.

I hope this is re addressed and you improve it, and start competing with airports that encourage competition and options in transportation. I and I am sure other travellers would like to leave on a positive experience than leaving upset and inconvenienced because a international airport is not organized when it comes to getting its customers out of the airport in a timely efficient manner. I also sent EIA parking my complaint / feedback and never...