Ongoing Crisis in Canadian air travel

[Johnny199r]

My current Air Canada flight delayed due to one flight attendant not showing. Need a minimum of 2 for the flight. The flight next to my gate is delayed due to no pilots OR flight attendants being there yet. They are announcing more delays over the P.A system.

[chemgear]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/wes...crew-1.6547482

Customers cry foul as Air Canada, WestJet deny certain compensation claims despite new directive

When issuing a decision in a WestJet case on July 8, the transport regulator clarified that, in general, airlines can't deny passengers compensation for flight disruptions caused by crew shortages.

"I've got arthritis, I'm aching and sore; I'm sleeping on a frigging concrete floor," said Michel, who is 67.



The couple applied for compensation, which would total $2,800 if they qualified. But in late July, Air Canada rejected the Michels' claim. In two separate emails seen by CBC News, the airline said each flight disruption was "due to crew constraints" linked to COVID-19 and was "safety-related."

Under federal rules, airlines only have to pay compensation — up to $1,000 per passenger — if a flight cancellation or delay is within the airline's control and not required for safety reasons.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by D as in David

How early are people getting to YYC these days for domestic flights? Airlines are suggesting 120 minutes.

I would say nothing unusual compared to pre pandemic. So depends on if you need to go to check in, if you have bags and can just go to the kiosk, if you have nexus to get through security, how well you know the airport, and your own risk tolerance for unexpected issues.

The big thing is if you need to stand in line for check in. It’s generally pretty good, but if you hit a busy time I’d want to have some extra time on my side.

Also, keep in mind they try to start boarding 30-40 minutes ahead of sked departure, and have the doors closed 5-10 prior. The scheduled flight time is the latest we want to be starting the pushback off the gate.

I wouldn’t usually go less than 60 minutes prior unless I had my boarding pass already and no checked bags, and have nexus to get through security. I was at the airport close to 2 hours early last week because I was travelling with a bike, so that adds a bunch of potential delays into things.

[bluejays]

The funny thing about the air stewardess excuse is I'm sure if one of those discount carriers gave passengers the choice of getting to their destination without food or alcohol, most would jump at it. I'd even put money that some passengers would volunteer to hand out food and drinks to just get to their destination.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by fleury

The funny thing about the air stewardess excuse is I'm sure if one of those discount carriers gave passengers the choice of getting to their destination without food or alcohol, most would jump at it. I'd even put money that some passengers would volunteer to hand out food and drinks to just get to their destination.

I agree, but I think their needed for “safety”, more so than handing out drinks and snacks.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

My current Air Canada flight delayed due to one flight attendant not showing. Need a minimum of 2 for the flight. The flight next to my gate is delayed due to no pilots OR flight attendants being there yet. They are announcing more delays over the P.A system.

Update: still no flight attendant and now there is lightning outside.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by fleury

The funny thing about the air stewardess excuse is I'm sure if one of those discount carriers gave passengers the choice of getting to their destination without food or alcohol, most would jump at it. I'd even put money that some passengers would volunteer to hand out food and drinks to just get to their destination.

They aren't just there to serve drinks, it is safety related and I assume they wouldn't be legally able to fly without them. But it's still a bunk excuse, and airlines should still pay.

[JonDuke]

Originally Posted by fleury

The funny thing about the air stewardess excuse is I'm sure if one of those discount carriers gave passengers the choice of getting to their destination without food or alcohol, most would jump at it. I'd even put money that some passengers would volunteer to hand out food and drinks to just get to their destination.

Don't age yourself. They are called Flight Attendants nowadays.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by D as in David

How early are people getting to YYC these days for domestic flights? Airlines are suggesting 120 minutes.

When I flew to Saskatoon a week ago, Sunday, it took me about 5 minutes to go through security. I had my boarding pass on my phone already and no luggage.

I went early just in case and it was useful for getting to the airport, as the tunnel was closed and there was a construction mess trying to get in.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

Update: still no flight attendant and now there is lightning outside.

Update: flight attendant showed up. We boarded about 2 hours late. Lightning started around when the flight attendant showed up late, we would have been good if we left on time.

Now sitting on the plane, trying to wait out the lightning.

I want to say I’m never flying again after this but I’m flying to Nova Scotia in two days (direct!) and then for work 3 days in a row the next week.

My travel journey started about 20 hours ago in Europe. I am getting delirious.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

Don't age yourself. They are called Flight Attendants nowadays.

Hey, it’s only been about 40 years now! Give people a chance to adjust.

[Johnny199r]

Final update: waited out the lightning on the runway and eventually took off. Was not looking forward to potentially being stuck in the airport all night.

Some older men (surprise!) were being #######s to the Air Canada people before we loaded the plane. I thanked the staff for doing their best to get us home under difficult circumstances.

[chemgear]

https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/c...y_bad_this_is/

Security lines at YVR still really bad, this is domestic security at 3am, they open at 4am.

[V]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

They aren't just there to serve drinks, it is safety related and I assume they wouldn't be legally able to fly without them. But it's still a bunk excuse, and airlines should still pay.

True. Who would tell you to put your seat in an upright position if they weren't there?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by V

True. Who would tell you to put your seat in an upright position if they weren't there?

What is so hot awesome about the upright position anyways?

And seriously? The tray tables? Who cares? If its all going down the tray table might give you a swift, quick merciful death at least.

And I still have not heard a credible reason why we have to turn off our mobile devices. Most planes have Wi-fi now anyways, why does my phone have to go on airplane mode?

All of these restrictions are a Bilderburger family conspiracy to control our lives!

[topfiverecords]

If someone has Skylink internet at home, would it automatically roam? Maybe the next layer of tech is a portable Skylink modem you could take with you in the air and have satellite internet on your home plan.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

If someone has Skylink internet at home, would it automatically roam? Maybe the next layer of tech is a portable Skylink modem you could take with you in the air and have satellite internet on your home plan.

Do you mean Starlink? They are testing it on planes(presumably not internal?), but the dish is not all that small, and I'm not sure it would work inside the cabin like that...

It does roam though, I've used it on a boat.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Locke

What is so hot awesome about the upright position anyways?

And seriously? The tray tables? Who cares? If its all going down the tray table might give you a swift, quick merciful death at least.

And I still have not heard a credible reason why we have to turn off our mobile devices. Most planes have Wi-fi now anyways, why does my phone have to go on airplane mode?

All of these restrictions are a Bilderburger family conspiracy to control our lives!

Take off and landing are the most critical times during a flight and most likely times when you will encounter an emergency. You need the cabin as clear as possible to allow for an emergency egress.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by speede5

Take off and landing are the most critical times during a flight and most likely times when you will encounter an emergency. You need the cabin as clear as possible to allow for an emergency egress.

A number of years ago, I flew on Turkish Airlines. They served a meal on a flight that was only one hour in duration. They had no time to retrieve all the plates so we landed with our trays down and all the leftover plates and cups from our meal still on them.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by speede5

Take off and landing are the most critical times during a flight and most likely times when you will encounter an emergency. You need the cabin as clear as possible to allow for an emergency egress.

Dude, at the end of the day these are really minor inconveniences, I dont think I could have been more sarcastic unless I oozed that post in green text.