New Kids on the Block

Are coming to Ottawa...MAJIC 100 is giving away tickets, so we decide to shoot a music video to promote it.

NOTE - your ears may never recover!

Michael Bublé in the UK

Is London on your bucket list of places to visit? How about spending somebody else's money? If so, take 1 minute and watch this:

Video #2



Video #3

Dear United Airlines

The mission: Take a mini vacation to NYC with my wife for the weekend. Go see Jersey Boys on Broadway and take in the sights.

The result: Got to see United Airlines at their worst and no vacation.

Flight was supposed to leave at 2:55pm on Friday Mar 1. Knowing how airports work, the rule is try to be there 90 minutes before. We did our best to get there with time to spare, but arrived an hour before. While driving to the airport we learned that it was delayed and now leaving at 3:45. At check-in we were met by someone who was likely on her first day and learning the system. No problem.. we all have to start somewhere. Where our journey with United starts is here, as the supervisor who was obviously having a long day started on me about not being there on time and her attitude was showing but I brushed it off because we've all had a bad day. There was confusion at check-in about what time the flight was closing and nobody seemed to know (incuding the supervisor) but again, I'm about to start vacation so no big deal. 

After going through security and waiting for our flight, we learned it's now been delayed until 4:30 with some confusion on where the flight is and what's wrong with it. I approached the gate to inquire more, but was met by an agent who was clearly frustrated (I'll call her Miss United, cause there was no name tag) and given the amount of connection flights she was now try to re-book I went back to my seat. The flight has now been delayed again and the last update was another delay, now leaving Ottawa at 6:30pm. 

By this point, it's a frustrating situation but it's part of air travel. That's fine.. it's how you treat your customers is where this story prompted me to tweet at United and when my patience started to run thin. As we start boarding the plane, Miss United calls us back. She's not sure why and no information is given. There's already about 15 passengers on the plane and she tells us the flight has been cancelled (but no reason) and intructs everyone to follow another agent down through security to claim our baggage. Miss United and the other agents didn't know how to get back to security and led us down hallways and there wasn't any real plan in place.

I'd hate to see what would have happened in a real emergency..

Now waiting by the carousel to get our bags for our cancelled flight (still no reason given) and Miss United is doing her best to answer questions from tired and confused travellers. One lady asks where to get her luggage and that's when Miss United snapped at her. "Maam, did you not hear me say it four times?. That's when I opened up with "Dial it back a little please. We're all tired, and since nobody seems to know what they're doing you could be a little more professional with your passengers". Well Miss United didn't like that "sir I've had to re-schedule 3 flights today, I don't have time for this" and she walks away throwing her hands in the air.

Not sure where that one shows up in "How to treat a customer"....

Now waiting for our luggage and an employee of YOW (Ottawa International Airport) comes over and says "apparently the flight is a go and you have to go back upstairs and get checked in again". He was nice and professional. (Young, tall kid... didn't get a chance to get his name).

Back at check-in and being told by United to hurry up because the plane is going to take off soon. Back through security and rushing through the gate, Miss United is there again. She's had a long day and rushing us back on the plane. Once on the plane the flight attendant says "I've been working since 5am so hurry folks, find your seat so we can quickly take off". It's now about 7pm and about 10 minutes into sitting on the tarmac the pilot comes on to tell us that the plane must be de-iced and shouldn't take more than 20 minutes. 

Now here's the part that really pissed everyone off. While waiting I was listening to the flight attendant (flight #4439) answer questions from passengers and one answer stood out. "Look, I'm just a little employee and they won't listen to my suggestions. It's up to you to go online and voice your concerns or complaints because passengers are money and once they see no money then they (United) will listen". Its now 8pm and the plane has been de-iced and ready to go.

That's when we hear this:

"Due to FAA regulations I've worked a 16 hour day and not legally allowed to fly, so we're sorry but the flight is cancelled tonight. You may call our 1-800 number, visit our website and get re-booked at the check in but I can't fly...sorry".

Now remember, this flight was supposed to leave at 6:30... not 8pm. The lack of compassion, professionalism and courtesy I witnessed wonders why anyone would fly United again. I've heard similar stories from other airlines and have friends who work in the industry, but you have to treat passengers with respect and not like cattle. 

I tried to send a copy of this to United on their website, but the comment section only allows for 2500 characters. I will call them on Monday morning and request an email where I can send this.

UPDATE: March 4 - Well there is power in social media and I heard from United today and it wasn't the standard "we're sorry letter". Fingers crossed all will be worked out. They were not happy to hear what happened and are looking into it. Hopefully that means improved customer service in the future.

Don Cherry would be proud

$250,000 raised at last night's Ferguslea Sens Soiree! This year's theme was "Graffiti", so I grabbed an old jacket, added spray paint and had it lettered and numbered like a jersey. The whole team signed it, then I auctioned it off for $3000 (to the lucky winner in the photo, bottom right). What an amazing night! 

So that's what happens..

A simple experiment...

Sorry for this..

Thankfully the NHL is back and I can announce Sens games again. Less nights at home trying to come up with things to do.

Boring Ottawa? No way

If you work in the hotel and tourism biz you'll enjoy these... it was a lot of fun putting these together: 

The #NoMoreBullies first ever pumpkin!

Presenting the the Majic 100 #NoMoreBullies entry for the annual "Children at Risk" celebrity pumpkin carving competition. 

This weekend (Oct 25-28) you can see ours along with many others at various malls in Ottawa. If you want the #NoMoreBullies pumpkin go to Merivale Mall before this Sunday and place your bid. All money raised supports Children at Risk which helps local kids with Autism.

This one of a kind pumpkin also comes filled with the #NoMoreBullies bracelets.

Thanks for your support and Happy Halloween!

UPDATE! Thanks for your support! The #NoMoreBullies pumpkin finished 1st!

Does your kid need my voice?

As the Sens PA announcer I'm free a bunch of nights while the lockout goes on, so I'd like to come out and announce the 1st period of your kids hockey/ringette team. Send your request to mornings@Majic100.fm - Yes..it's free but you have to pay me in hot chocolate :)

Need a couch?

Remember the green leather couch from my basement that my wife hated (bought it with another woman before we got married) well… she got a new couch and this one has to go. If you’re an Ottawa based organization or charity that can use it, send the request to Mornings@Majic100.fm (put “green couch” in subject). 

We’ll do a draw (on the Majic 100 morning show) & announce the winner next week. Thanks to La-Z-Boy Ottawa who will deliver it the couch! - New England Patriots pillow not included!

Roadtrip - Audi Q7

Ever head out on a road trip and catch yourself saying "there's no way all that stuff will fit into the trunk?" well that's what happened to us. As a car nut, I wanted something fun to drive with some tech toys (nav, backup camera, etc) and got the chance to try the Audi Q7. We drove TDI version (diesel) and made it from Ottawa to Tremblant roundtrip with plenty of gas to spare. The ride was much smoother than I expected and there's enough room for suitcases, kids beach toys and a full size cooler. After driving a Q5 for 2 years, this family hauler was just the right size. The best part of the drive to Tremblant (from Ottawa) is highway 323. With all the twist and turns, the Q7 handled like a pro.

Thanks to Mark Motors and Audi for the hookup!

Hey parents..

If your kid has ever thrown a tantrum, try this:

Algonquin College

My student ID card from the fall of 1994.

If you asked me back then that one day I would receive an honorary degree from Algonquin College, I would have thought you were drunk. Since graduating 15 years ago, the ride has been an amazing one for me in Ottawa. My speech at Convocation this week won't rival the one by Steve Jobs, but it's about experience and delivered to the school that I love.




Thank you for watching

You built a time machine...out of cake?

Have you ever watched The Cake Boss? I love watching people's faces when they see their cake for the first time. That happened to me, as my wife surprised me with this amazing cake from a local Mom who does cakes here in Ottawa. Lisa Warren who made the cake from my favorite movie said she learned how to make cakes like this from watching Buddy Valastro.

The Delorean was delicious. Doc Brown would be impressed!

Golf is fun, better when it's FREE

Love to golf? Love to golf for FREE? Thrilled to be hosting the 8th Annual Harmony House Women’s Shelter tourney this Wed at Chateau Cartier. If you have 3 friends and can take the afternoon off from work (cough cough) let me know Stu@Majic100.fm - put "FREE golf" in the subject line. Winner will be contacted Tuesday morning at 9am. Good Luck!