Corona Virus

[Cessna 180]

Flew from the West Coast to Buenos Aires through YYZ Thursday-Friday. Plane was maybe 1/3 full. The thing that struck me was the level of screening in Argentina. Debarked one pax at a time. Initial screening on the jetway at the cabin door and then there was a whole crew in hazmat gear for another screening at the entrance to customs. Compared to that screening at the Canadian airports seemed non existent, although things could have been different on the international arrivals side.

Latest announcement from the Feds is they're going to restrict international flights to specific airports only. I am assuming YYZ, YVR maybe YUL and YYC? I expect to see heightened screening soon. The problem is you can be asymptomatic for a few days while being infected and contagious so the screening is only a partial solution. Self Isolation once returning home from abroad seems to be the only true way to keep yourself from infecting other if you are infected and returning to Canada. This really comes down to people "doing the right thing" and following what the guidelines are.

My guess is the busiest int'l airports in Canada. YYZ, YUL, YVR, YYC, and YTZ. That would hit the major three airlines the least, allowing for rerouting through alternative cities.

[KenoraPilot]

Flew from the West Coast to Buenos Aires through YYZ Thursday-Friday. Plane was maybe 1/3 full. The thing that struck me was the level of screening in Argentina. Debarked one pax at a time. Initial screening on the jetway at the cabin door and then there was a whole crew in hazmat gear for another screening at the entrance to customs. Compared to that screening at the Canadian airports seemed non existent, although things could have been different on the international arrivals side.

Latest announcement from the Feds is they're going to restrict international flights to specific airports only. I am assuming YYZ, YVR maybe YUL and YYC? I expect to see heightened screening soon. The problem is you can be asymptomatic for a few days while being infected and contagious so the screening is only a partial solution. Self Isolation once returning home from abroad seems to be the only true way to keep yourself from infecting other if you are infected and returning to Canada. This really comes down to people "doing the right thing" and following what the guidelines are.

My guess is the busiest int'l airports in Canada. YYZ, YUL, YVR, YYC, and YTZ. That would hit the major three airlines the least, allowing for rerouting through alternative cities.

If I was to put money on which airports will be our "international arrival points" YVR, YYZ, YUL. The rest will just have to build connections. This will allow them to focus and institute strict screening protocols.

[derateNO]

AC just put everyone who sked for HK on reassignment. ICN and TPE likely to follow.

Not surprising, expecting to see more international travel suspended. I sure hope Calin has been smart with the record profits AC's been making the last couple years.

We did get an email a few days ago with him basically saying not to panic, they're working on cost cutting measures but have many things they would do before considering layoffs, and that we are thick with cash because of the last number of years of growth. Hopefully he's not pumping our tires, but I still stand by the opinion that layoffs are a last resort at least for pilots. There will be other things first, and my guess for "cost cutting measures" he means ERP and VSP packages for senior pilots to get off payroll compounded with lower DBMs for a few months and suspending all training events that are un needed at this time (plane changes, upgrades etc.).

[KenoraPilot]

AC just put everyone who sked for HK on reassignment. ICN and TPE likely to follow.

Not surprising, expecting to see more international travel suspended. I sure hope Calin has been smart with the record profits AC's been making the last couple years.

We did get an email a few days ago with him basically saying not to panic, they're working on cost cutting measures but have many things they would do before considering layoffs, and that we are thick with cash because of the last number of years of growth. Hopefully he's not pumping our tires, but I still stand by the opinion that layoffs are a last resort at least for pilots. There will be other things first, and my guess for "cost cutting measures" he means ERP and VSP packages for senior pilots to get off payroll compounded with lower DBMs for a few months and suspending all training events that are un needed at this time (plane changes, upgrades etc.).

Agreed, I expect LBWs, RTBs, VSP & ERPs first, maybe voluntary LOAs. The Long term cost of layoffs for retraining alone would be more expensive than the savings in salaries etc. Tricky situation to know how long this will last.

[98 Corolla]

I imagine you don't build YOS while on a LOA, do you?

[goldeneagle]

Agreed, I expect LBWs, RTBs, VSP & ERPs first, maybe voluntary LOAs. The Long term cost of layoffs for retraining alone would be more expensive than the savings in salaries etc. Tricky situation to know how long this will last.

Layoffs wont trigger training events if they follow the lead of Princess Cruises and Holland America Line .

[rookiepilot]

Wouldn't shock me to see internal US and CDN flights suspended for a period.

[7ECA]

One has to assume there's a possibility of the border being closed; most likely by the US - why else would the Canadian Government be adding to their list of coronatips "...consider returning to Canada from abroad sooner than planned..."

Predictions about the virus are largely predicated on the assumption of two possible courses of action; the first being none at all, and the second being a concerted effort by nations. Option 1 sees approximately 70% of the global population infected by the end of the year - and all the burdens associated with that level of infection. Option 2 sees infection rates grow markedly worldwide, but plateau in most nations after a number of months as community transmission begin to decline.

Option 2 means going through a lot of pain, economically, and otherwise but should be manageable. It certainly won't be fun for anyone, but it's the best option.

Option 1, well it's a nightmare, plain and simple. It won't bring about societal collapse, armageddon, or what ever horror movie disaster porn franchise is the latest in thing; but it'll be a wild ride.

[Eric Janson]

Australia just implemented a 14 day Quarantine for all international arrivals. That effectively stops travel there.

More and more countries are closing their borders.

I don't expect there will be very many places left to fly to by the end of the coming week.

We are now looking at a complete stoppage of flights imho.

[NovaBoy]

Just saw this on CBC website

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, announced Saturday he held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump following a news conference in which U.S. officials raised the possibility of grounding all domestic flights south of the border.

[Eric Janson]

https://simpleflying.com/sas-operation-suspension/

90% of their staff on temporary layoff - 10,000 people according to the article.

[chromeuser]

Get ready for the long haul:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/ ... spitalised

[jpilot77]

American just cut 75% of overseas flying till May 6th.

[telex]

RUMOUR of a national emergency being declared tomorrow or Tuesday.

Everything but pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations and hospitals will be ordered to close. Unsure of the length of time the closures will last.

[corethatthermal]

Is that in Canada or the usa? Telex?

[telex]

Canada.

[Old fella]

RUMOUR of a national emergency being declared tomorrow or Tuesday.

Everything but pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations and hospitals will be ordered to close. Unsure of the length of time the closures will last.

Wouldn’t the Government at the Federal level have to invoke the Emergencies Act of 1988(which replaced the old War Measures Act), also isn’t that an Act of Parliament not a Cabinet decision. I could be wrong on that.

[dialdriver]

RUMOUR of a national emergency being declared tomorrow or Tuesday.

Everything but pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations and hospitals will be ordered to close. Unsure of the length of time the closures will last.

Wouldn’t the Government at the Federal level have to invoke the Emergencies Act of 1988(which replaced the old War Measures Act), also isn’t that an Act of Parliament not a Cabinet decision. I could be wrong on that.

Declaration of a public welfare emergency

6 (1) When the Governor in Council believes, on reasonable grounds, that a public welfare emergency exists and necessitates the taking of special temporary measures for dealing with the emergency, the Governor in Council, after such consultation as is required by section 14, may, by proclamation, so declare.

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/act ... age-1.html

[telex]

Apparently a vote is required within seven days.
There are no MPs at work right now in Ottawa.
I assume the dear leader will make the best decision for the nation unilaterally.

[dialdriver]

COVID-19 is spreading in WA and around the globe. To protect our people, we must continue to escalate our response.

Tomorrow, we will temporarily shut down restaurants, bars and entertainment/recreational facilities statewide.

Grocery stores and pharmacies will stay open
Restaurants may continue take-out and delivery service
Retail outlets can stay open with reduced occupancy

All gatherings over 50 participants will be prohibited.

All gatherings under 50 participants will be prohibited unless previously announced criteria for hygiene and social distancing are met.

I know there will be significant economic impacts to all our communities. But every hour counts as we bend the curve of infection.

We have, and we will continue to take steps to mitigate those challenges.

King County will shut down these establishments immediately. As the largest population center and current epicenter of this outbreak, they must act with even greater urgency. I applaud Dow Constantine, King County Executive's decision.

We will hold a joint press conference with more details tomorrow.

We’re in this together, Washington. How each of us responds matters.

And I know we’re up for the challenge.