Andrew Wilson
How long have you been in the business? On and off since 1988 – starting as a Wardair reservation agent. The best training anyone could have received.
How many people work for you? We have 117 people in the six departments I oversee (sales, marketing, distribution, call centre, communications and customer relations).
What did you want to be as a kid? A fighter pilot – but when I was an air cadet I found out I’m colour blind. So much for Top Gun school!
What was your first job? Sales in a video rental shop – Betamax was our specialty! (laughs).
Ever had a brush with fame? We were very proud to carry the Queen. She’s a very small woman who’s on a mission!
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Easy: Ziplining in Costa Rica. Almost scared the you-know-what out of me.
Any guilty pleasures? I do like a cold glass of Chablis.
Any hobbies or interests? Working on my cottage in Georgian Bay and enjoying it with my family and friends.
What’s your favourite all-time movie? The Star Wars trilogy.
What was your worst holiday? Jamaica. Only because I was unprepared for the barrage of solicitation from vendors. I’ll never go back.
Betty or Veronica? Definitely Veronica.
Who do you most respect in the industry? Captain Brian Calvert, who was head of flight operations for Concorde at BA and a very gracious pen-pal when I was 12.
If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be? Better data. Because it would provide better transparency between the agent, supplier and customer.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight who would it be? Hands down, Winston Churchill.
What book is on your bedside table? The Glory, the second part of the trilogy about the founding of the state of Israel.
What kind of car do you drive? A Hyundai Accent. Kids at university can be expensive!
What’s your worst habit? Impatience.
What is your major bugbear about travelling? Security.
What’s your favourite destination? Costa Rica.
What are you really bad at? Honestly? Microsoft Excel (laughs long and hard). I just hate it.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? Working with my partner on real estate development plans.
