Flight details and woes

My Uncle has suggested that I fly with United Airlines, as Nichole did when she flew out to Taiwan in August.

The one thing that I absolutely dread about flying, though, is the take-off and the landing. Everytime that I have ever flown (albeit, that isn't very often) I have gotten a very bad headache, earache and pain in my eyes when the plane takes off or lands. I was told to try chewing gum to equalize the pressure, but it didn't seem to help at all. In fact, I have the same problem, though far less severe, when I am driving through mountains.... so the thought of the multiple ups and downs with United Airlines (there are 4 or 5 stops in the proposed itinerary), sort of tied my stomach in knots.

I have done some looking into more direct flights and I have found that Air Canada can get me there with the least amounts of up-and-down or delays. Their proposed route is Montreal->Vancouver->Taipei

My reason for wanting to fly with Air Canada is two fold however: my other reason is the cost! The cost that I was quoted for Air Canada was just over $1200.00 (as long as I fly before December 1st) and Air Canada can issue a virtual ticket which I would pick up at the airport on the day of the departure.

According to Nicole, the school will NOT be re-imbursing the entire cost of the ticket: only $300.00 USD each way (so they will give me $300.00 upon arrival and $300.00 as I leave). I would rather save the extra money if I can, and in the process avoid all the extra stops along the route that United Airlines suggests.

Oh well... we'll see what happens... at least it's getting sorted!! :)

All the prices I have been quoted are for a 1 year open-ended return ticket:
$1225.00 if the departure is before December 1st.
$1530.00 from December 1 to December 7
$1750.00 from December 8 onwards...

As for my departure date: aside from the fact that I am anxious to get there, for monetary reasons I would like to leave on November 29 or 30! Before I state emphatically that I will be going that soon, however, I have to wonder if I will have time to get my Taiwanese visitor's visa in a week!

In a nutshell: The Taiwan tourist office is in Ottawa. They say that it takes 3 business days for them to issue a visitor's visa. Because there is no office in Montreal, I have to mail it to them and they will return it to me by registered mail.

I need to include my passport with the application, but I've never had a passport before, so I had to apply for one last week. I will only receive my passport this coming Friday!

I'm afraid that this might not be do-able and I will have to bite the bullet and get the December departure date for an extra $500.00. *ARGH!!!!*

I hate the fact that I am ALWAYS freaked out about money. I really hope that Nichole is right, and that I can make a lot of money in Taiwan, and maybe get rid of some of my debt!

I am starting to get really excited about this trip now, but everytime I think I have it all settled I end up with more questions!! :-)