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Claeren · 11-04-2010, 11:53 AM

Disclaimer: I am biased.

But how does Air Canada somehow get a free pass on this? They have had baggage fees, to go along with their ridiculous fuel surcharges, for sometime now. With the second bag fee Westjet is simply taking back money being left on the table that virtually every major airline in North America is already collecting - while also making it cheaper to check 3 bags than it was before the change.

WestJet doesn't even want your $20 for the second bag, it actually saves them more than $20 if you just pack lighter and only check one bag. Of course sadly many people will just try to cram the same amount into 1 checked bag and their carry-on, but with security being pretty rigorous many people are avoiding the hassle of having them go through oversized bags, and WS can still get the revenue from oversize/overweight bags when people do over do it on the one checked item.

I am just shocked that people get so worked up about it. Like do you get mad that at a restaurant you get charged for the soda? The soda costs next to nothing, how dare they charge you for it. You are already paying $20 for the meal and it is like pasta noodles and sauce, they make their profit. Those greedy restaurants trying to gouge you are every turn!! Yeish!

Yet we all still go to restaurants. If you want soda buy soda.

If you want to check two bags pay to check two bags. If not, enjoy your flight.

Try shipping a 40lb bag across North America by some other means for anything remotely close to $20.

The single worst customer service breakdown I have ever experienced in my life was at Pearson Airport, by Air Canada. No other company/service provider has ever treated me worse than on that very loooong day. I am sure they do a good job most of the time, and both Airlines are often faced with very tricky situations, but in terms of worst case scenarios I see everyday just how far WestJet will go to keep those customers happy and fix the situation.

As for the fares themselves, WestJet sets the low price point in virtually every major route in Canada. Eastern Triangle is the one exception, as fares are all over the place (and generally very low across the board). Air Canada matches on most routes but has to hide a number of fees to try and eek out a profit, and their prices would be much higher if not for WestJet. In fact, Air Canada makes up much of its profit charging extra fees on routes where WestJet does NOT compete, because it is so easy to do so. Fuel surcharges on WestJet-competing routes were handled more tightly by AC than on international and/or non-WestJet competing routes. Canada needs BOTH airlines though, it is healthy, so it really should just be about which one works for you on a given day/trip...

Claeren.

11-04-2010, 11:53 AM	#66
Claeren Franchise Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Section 218 Exp:	Disclaimer: I am biased. But how does Air Canada somehow get a free pass on this? They have had baggage fees, to go along with their ridiculous fuel surcharges, for sometime now. With the second bag fee Westjet is simply taking back money being left on the table that virtually every major airline in North America is already collecting - while also making it cheaper to check 3 bags than it was before the change. WestJet doesn't even want your $20 for the second bag, it actually saves them more than $20 if you just pack lighter and only check one bag. Of course sadly many people will just try to cram the same amount into 1 checked bag and their carry-on, but with security being pretty rigorous many people are avoiding the hassle of having them go through oversized bags, and WS can still get the revenue from oversize/overweight bags when people do over do it on the one checked item. I am just shocked that people get so worked up about it. Like do you get mad that at a restaurant you get charged for the soda? The soda costs next to nothing, how dare they charge you for it. You are already paying $20 for the meal and it is like pasta noodles and sauce, they make their profit. Those greedy restaurants trying to gouge you are every turn!! Yeish! Yet we all still go to restaurants. If you want soda buy soda. If you want to check two bags pay to check two bags. If not, enjoy your flight. Try shipping a 40lb bag across North America by some other means for anything remotely close to $20. The single worst customer service breakdown I have ever experienced in my life was at Pearson Airport, by Air Canada. No other company/service provider has ever treated me worse than on that very loooong day. I am sure they do a good job most of the time, and both Airlines are often faced with very tricky situations, but in terms of worst case scenarios I see everyday just how far WestJet will go to keep those customers happy and fix the situation. As for the fares themselves, WestJet sets the low price point in virtually every major route in Canada. Eastern Triangle is the one exception, as fares are all over the place (and generally very low across the board). Air Canada matches on most routes but has to hide a number of fees to try and eek out a profit, and their prices would be much higher if not for WestJet. In fact, Air Canada makes up much of its profit charging extra fees on routes where WestJet does NOT compete, because it is so easy to do so. Fuel surcharges on WestJet-competing routes were handled more tightly by AC than on international and/or non-WestJet competing routes. Canada needs BOTH airlines though, it is healthy, so it really should just be about which one works for you on a given day/trip... Claeren. Last edited by Claeren; 11-04-2010 at 12:08 PM.