Air Canada employees serve strike notice

[Cheese]

Ive never had any real issue with AC. Most of their flights are on time, their planes are clean and no issues at the airports. Ive been on may airlines and AC is still one of the top ranked airlines in the world.
Westjet is fun (much like Southwest airlines in the US), but they dont fly where I need to go on most occasions without flipping in airports, and I prefer to fly direct. WJ is also becoming the more expensive of the two major Canadian carriers.
Im sure the CEOs of WJ pull down a pretty hefty paycheck as well....

Gregg Saretsky CEO 2.6M in Comp.

Bloomberg numbers

[JD]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I'm not sure to Asia they're even in the top 10. What are your top 2? Cathay and JAL? I really liked China Airlines as well.. I may try EVA next time. The services on Asian airlines is always good. I got free beer!

You'll get free beer on overseas AC flights too.

Before I was an overseas traveler, I shared the general sentiment of those in this thread; I hated AC and would avoid flying with them at all costs.

Now that my company books my flights overseas, I have actually requested them to use AC whenever possible. They are a step above some of the carriers I've flown on, with the exception of the evil witches they call flight attendants.

Domestically I'll stay with Westjet though.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I honestly don't find a whole lot of difference between the two carriers.

I haven't had any problems with any flight staff on either West Jet or Air Canada.

Generally speaking if you treat people with respect they give it back (but there will always be people that are d-bags, and people who have bad days).

I tend to fly Air Canada more than West Jet (not that I fly a lot) mostly because they have more than seasonal service out of my hometown and offer several flights a day versus the one West Jet does.

Mind you whenever I've flown West Jet I've had a great experience. To me it doesn't matter who I fly with, so I'll check price and times.

When CanJet was flying I liked them, but hated their jets (pressurization was horrid). I have yet to fly Porter although I haven't heard a bad thing about them.

The big thing Air Canada has over West Jet in my opinion is I can fly on lots of different planes.

I know flight attendants for both AC & WJ, the two I know with WJ are out going and great people, the one with AC Jazz is an awesome guy who loves what he does.

Frankly I think Air travel within Canada is utter madness because of cost, not because of employees.

[Yasa]

I think we can all agree that US Air and United are by far the worst of the Star Alliance.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Westjet is great for vacations. For business travel they have nothing on AC. I've come to enjoy the points and perks and surprisingly ok meals. I wouldn't call AC staff friendly most days, but they are usually pretty efficient.

I will be headed from the US to Montreal via Toronto on Wednesday, Montreal to Calgary Thursday. I think I am screwed.

Does anyone know which workers are striking? Sales and service workers mean...what exactly?

[burn_this_city]

I believe it will be the ticket/check-in agents, telephone customer service, and the folks who scan your tickets before you board. I'm flying on Wednesday and to mitigate everything I'll be checking in online, and only taking a carry on.

[drewboy12]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I believe it will be the ticket/check-in agents, telephone customer service, and the folks who scan your tickets before you board. I'm flying on Wednesday and to mitigate everything I'll be checking in online, and only taking a carry on.

Yep... Air Canada's wing is going to be a gong show, prepare for very very very delayed and cancelled flights. Check before going to the airport. Or book with westjet

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by drewboy12

Yep... Air Canada's wing is going to be a gong show, prepare for very very very delayed and cancelled flights. Check before going to the airport. Or book with westjet

I'm coming from Fort Mac, so its always a gong show, hopefully its not cancelled, I'm not really in the mood to be here longer than required.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I'm coming from Fort Mac, so its always a gong show, hopefully its not cancelled, I'm not really in the mood to be here longer than required.

How's the air quality up there? It's pretty bad in Conklin today. Wonder how that effects flights, if at all. Just to add to the chaos.

[merlin]

Im heading to Vegas tomorrow so it will be no problem but my return is on Saturday so I wouln't mind being stuck for a couple extra days, Thanks Air Canada!

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Yasa

How's the air quality up there? It's pretty bad in Conklin today. Wonder how that effects flights, if at all. Just to add to the chaos.

I'm actually down in your neck of the woods, I didnt find the air quality too bad here today. Not sure how it is in Fort Mac, hopefully that doesnt affect anything.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I'm actually down in your neck of the woods, I didnt find the air quality too bad here today. Not sure how it is in Fort Mac, hopefully that doesnt affect anything.

It seemed worse today than any other day this week. Camp was pretty smoggy this morning, but cleared up in the afternoon.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I agree...their upgraded planes are really comfortable now, much better than Westjet. I recently flew to England on an Air Canada flight and it was actually really good.

I still think the service could be better but ive noticed an improvement the last few years.

i flew to HKG on AC in Feb and frankly it was one of the easiest long haul flights I have ever had and I was in coach. tonnes of leg room too and I used to dread not going business class but this was painless.

still hate their dinosaur flight attendants. look i understand you may not have had a raise in 8 years, but dont take it out on the customers!

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I've traveled overseas quite a bit, and most recently went on BA to LHR, giving me a great comparison against AC.

- In Flight Entertainment - Advantage AC - better selection of movies and music, though having Top Gear available does close the gap...

- Staff - Advantage AC - Keep in mind that YYC-LHR is a premiere route for AC, and despite the fact that union seniority guarantees 50 something grandmas, for the most part fact that it's a premiere route makes them better than average. YYC-LHR for a BA flight attendant is a trip to the hinterlands - service was only average.

- Food - Slim margin to AC - Best of the worst. AC is better at making water runs more frequently though, key for staying hydrated. BA does give you flight socks and toothpaste/toothbrush.

- Terminal - BA by a landslide. T5 LHR is awesome. AC not even close.

- Seat size - AC an inch or two more in pitch (at least it feels that way in World Traveller).


At the end of the day, if price is equal, I'll take AC on the LHR route anyday over BA. The funny thing is that my US co-workers would rather fly AC than any US carrier anyday - someone said we were so lucky to have AC last week!

[killer_carlson]

This may sound terrible, but I didn't think Air Canada had anywhere near 3800 customer service/sales staff. It certainly is difficult to find one when you need them.

Perhaps the most interesting thing is that they are represented by the Canadian Autoworkers Union and Ken Lewenza.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Perhaps the most interesting thing is that they are represented by the Canadian Autoworkers Union and Ken Lewenza.

How does this Lewenza guy compare to Hargrove? Is he just as delusional?

[Tron_fdc]

I guess I can understand the hatred for AC if you're a casual traveler, but once you hit Elite/Super Elite it's a whole different ball game. I normally hit Elite each year, and the level of service is awesome at that point. No lines, pre-board, lots of upgrades, and no baggage fees on other Star Alliance carriers.

I used to hate AC with a passion. Until I realized that when you are shopping for the lowest possible price point available, you get what you pay for. Anyone who has flown United or American knows what I mean; those airlines are cattle carriers. It blows my mind watching the level of complain people go to after paying $400 return to somewhere on the East Coast.

Westjet is fine, and it's usually competitive price wise, but for a business traveler it sucks. No point accumulation (except airmiles, which get me f-all), no business class, and no affiliates (like star alliance). I pile up miles flying between Asia, Australia and around NA with AC, Air China and Air NZ, so when I get a free upgrade to a lay flat bed at no charge it's more than worth putting up with the odd snarky employee.