Popular Post TVR Posted January 29, 2023 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 (edited) This note is not a comment on traveling or challenges with traveling. We all know there are challenges. This is about how Robert Burns went out of his way to help people he had never met and saved a strangers first Canadian FIS race. We seldom see people go out of their way, especially at their own expense of sleep and time, to help others and Robby's character is just that strong. Michael Smith at 16 was flying to his first Canadian FIS NorAm race. He was excited, checked his sports tube with both his race snowboards and plates, but leaving Steamboat was a challenge as a blizzard had moved in. It was snowing unbelievably hard, and so his flight, needing to de-ice, was delayed long enough to where his connecting flight to Toronto was going to be missed. Anticipating this, we proactively bumped his connector to the next flight (for him and the team) giving the needed time and this solved for his flight issues. When Mike got to Toronto, he looked for his boards, but they were not there. Mike went to baggage claim customer service, but they could not find them either. The only assistance they provided was to file a claim form, and nothing more. In reality, neither Air Canada, nor United actually knew where the boards were at all. The last scan had them on the transfer belt from United to Air Canada, but due to this, neither airline either knew where the boards were, nor wanted to look for them, as each blamed the other. They wanted to "look into it and will have an answer within 48 hours". With a race in less than two days, Michael began to panic. The team needed to take the shuttle, and as he was 16 and alone, Mike had no choice but to take the drive without boards to race on. I have traveled extensively, and having been a road warrior consultant; I knew the system. First I established where the bag was last seen, where the bag physically was, contacted them, got the Denver airport to put eyes on the bag, and once found, managed to guide and convince them to put the board on the last remaining direct flight to Toronto. Many open browser tabs for what flights were going where, many notes collecting bread crumbs of information from the many departments and open online chats with agents while subsequently being on the phone accomplished this. For most of the conversations, especially with the WTRADMIN Air Canada baggage system, I had more information then they did and had to guide the conversation with people reading off a script. Their goal was to send the boards back to the address on file, and not Michaels hotel, and I had to ensure this was not done. Finally, I managed to get the boards on the last remaining plane that was going to Toronto. Here is where Robby Burns comes in. Although I managed to get the boards found and ultimately on a plane to Toronto, My son is 16 and neither has a car, nor was anywhere near the airport. The boards were not going to be there until 10:45 PM, and Air Canada could deliver them now that they had tracking on them, but their window was again 24 to 48 hours, which put the time well into the race. All I knew was Robby was going to be at this race, and he was getting in late. I have never met Robby. My son has never had conversations with him either. We are complete strangers, but I was desperate. I sourced his cell and reached out, hoping for the best. Not only did Robby go out of his way, but took the extra time required as I needed to get the boards released to him. This caused his departure from the airport to be later and cost him sleep. His character, however, would not allow my son to be stranded, and so he spent his time to help a complete stranger who reached out. This is an interesting sport. There are some often abrasive characters and personalities. I suppose this comes from the singular nature of how this sport competes. One can still be overwhelmed by the pure generosity some give. Robby singularly converted a milestone for Michael from a tragedy to a cherished memory. The only reason Michael will compete this NorAm and Canadian Jr Nationals is due to the generosity of a stranger, who now I hope becomes a life long friend. Edited January 29, 2023 by TVR 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Utah Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Thanks for sharing this. People helping strangers, while asking for nothing, makes sports like ours even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slabber Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Kudos to Robert Burns for helping out. You were fortunate in that Robert was able to help, but also that you were able to track down the gear as well. A bunch of XC skiers waited more than 4 days for their gear to arrive before world cup qualifiers recently in British Columbia. Skis finally arrived in time for competition but didn't seem like the airline was trying too hard given it took so many days... https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/elite-skiers-from-chelsea-que-get-skis-after-four-day-wait-ahead-of-major-competition-1.6234530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Thanks for bringing this forward, @TVR. AlpineSnowboarder.com has paypal'd a token of appreciation to Robby for being a good samaritan to a fellow racer! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVR Posted January 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Thanks, and unexpected. Amazing person and I am now blessed to know him. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTHops Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 Robby ran a camp my youngest son attended early this season at Eldora. My son had nothing but awesome things to say about Robby. Solid dude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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