Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan Coke
And all of this while coming back from massive Covid related downsizing, trying to hire like crazy in tight labour markets (from min wage entry level jobs to pilot shortages). So lots of excuses, with some legitimacy, but it doesn’t change the fact how badly this sucks for everyone trying to visit family, or go on vacation, and to have their plans blown apart.
I’ve been trying to objectively identify what my company could’ve done differently, and what could be done differently from a bigger industry wide perspective. The reality is most of the options involve substantial cost, and having higher costs than your competitors is a huge problem when most ticket purchasing is based on ticket price.
This situation has sucked for everyone, especially everyone trying to travel somewhere the last week.
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I think the airline industry has to raise wages to attract quality employees for many of their positions where they currently have problems.
Since the pandemic, it seems that luggage is constantly being lost. The obvious issue is that lots of experienced baggage handlers left during the pandemic and haven't come back. How do you attract good employees? Pay them more. It's painfully obvious that there aren't enough baggage handlers and it's not surprising. Who would want to work outside in -30 in the middle of the night, breaking their back for close to minimum wage? I wouldn't.
I've seen criticism from some former airline employees that most positions have turned into Mcjobs, shift work starting out around minimum wage.
Who would want to be a gate agent, making $16 an hour just to get yelled at by frustrated people all day long? I wouldn't.
Planes taxiing, waiting for ground staff is common at many big airports now. Why? Lack of staff.
The risk in raising wages is that ticket prices are more expensive and then you may lose market share to Air Canada. How much of that is really a risk given the East/West divide of Air Canada/Westjet?
I just don't see how things improve without paying more to attract and retain good people. Yeah, some people will get upset, but the status quo isn't really working.