I was reading a few pieces on the supposed pros and cons of self-checkout lanes this past week, and one thing that immediately struck me was all, save one, of the authors debated if anyone still frequented a bricks-and-mortar store other than, maybe, fine dining or a coffee shop?

Bias alert, I say SA国际影视传媒渟upposedSA国际影视传媒� because, in my humble opinion, there are no pros to using self-checkout lanes, or any automated way of making your purchase.

This is why after one look around the fabled Tim Hortons when it first arrived, ISA国际影视传媒檝e never purchased a Tim Hortons coffee in Rankin Inlet, nor will I ever.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not like anything I do is going to change much here, but as long as we keep accepting fifth-rate service and goods, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 exactly what weSA国际影视传媒檒l continue to receive.

ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 not a single time my blood doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 boil when a free-shipping-anywhere-in-Canada advertisement appears on my TV, knowing sometimes weSA国际影视传媒檙e not even looked upon as fellow Canadians in our own country SA国际影视传媒� or I pay about $125 to ship something under warranty to an American supplier and it ships it back for $27 US.

I stare at my airline tickets when someone asks how much it costs to fly home to Cape Breton without buying someoneSA国际影视传媒檚 Aeroplan points SA国际影视传媒� a practice I will begin in late 2019 SA国际影视传媒� and I answer $2,749.66 SA国际影视传媒� which breaks down to $573.66 round-trip from Winnipeg, Man., to Sydney, N.S., and $2,176.65 round-trip from Winnipeg, Man., to Rankin Inlet, NU.

Before the recent death of my Mom (I so miss you), I went home to spend summer vacation with her every year, and the past few years SA国际影视传媒� as the sand in our hourglass of togetherness was running painfully low SA国际影视传媒� I travelled home to spend our final few Christmas Days together.

The two trips combined is a cost of more than four times from Rankin to the Peg, as the Peg to Sydney. Just not right and donSA国际影视传媒檛 give a damn what anyone says.

So, yes, ISA国际影视传媒檓 a little touchy when it comes to a machine taking away someoneSA国际影视传媒檚 job, and some damn company thatSA国际影视传媒檚 already fleecing me with the price SA国际影视传媒� not only expecting me to aid its corporate greed, and contribute to a member of the working class losing his or her job (like that will ever happen) SA国际影视传媒� but actually thinking ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to allow it to train me to do the work myself for free!

When ISA国际影视传媒檓 in larger stores with self-checkout lanes, I often wait in the cashier lane next to them, pull out the cool little photo of a Mom and daughter that came with the wallet, and ask those using the machines if theySA国际影视传媒檇 like to meet the single parent who lost their job to them and their lovely daughter?

Oh, I shudder to think if looks could kill, but it is gratifying the number of them who glare at me as they join my line.

And, I would also offer a word of caution if you find yourself around the actual machines in those self -checkout lanes.

If theySA国际影视传媒檙e the ones in a single row with the plugs visible behind them SA国际影视传媒� or those charged ones where six or seven share the same terminal and those connectors all flow along the bottom SA国际影视传媒� you can easily get all-tangled up in those darn things if youSA国际影视传媒檙e not paying attention.

ISA国际影视传媒檝e heard itSA国际影视传媒檚 not pleasant, especially if you get all panic stricken, wrap-yourself up even worse around them and start pulling away trying to get free.

I can only imagine that must be almost as traumatizing as those people who walk the line inside the airport SA国际影视传媒� you know, in front of the three check-in counters of their airline where there used to be seven SA国际影视传媒� and come-up to say you SA国际影视传媒渕ustSA国际影视传媒� use the automatic check-in machine.

Well, I can guess thatSA国际影视传媒檚 pretty traumatizing for someone involved!