The airline I loved to loathe

[flyinphil]

As a westerner in the industry in the hay days of the Pacific Western, CP Air, Wardair and Air Canada I was always predisposed to dislike Air Canada. So much in fact, that I never applied for employment there.

Over the years things have changed dramatically in this industry and we find ourselves back in the same mode of having one strong Flag Carrier and one lesser but aggressive challenger along with the niche charter operators.

I ride as a passenger about 30 times per year and have seen significant changes in service or lack thereof. While inflight service has been scaled down, the new generation of aircraft are far more comfortable and on the whole air travel isn't really all that bad. It isn't what it was, but neither is anything else in this world.

I do have to say though, that Air Canada really has become a high quality, user friendly airline for knowledgable users and the attitude of the staff all round has improved dramatically. It could be argued the Westjet forced this change but regardless, we really have two very good national carriers that I feel represent our industry well in North America and abroad.

This is something everyone in this industry should take pride in as we all bring to something to the table and all contribute to the successes and failures.

[CID]

the new generation of aircraft are far more comfortable

?

[flyinphil]

the new generation of aircraft are far more comfortable

?

com·fort·a·ble
–adjective 1. (of clothing, furniture, etc.) producing or affording physical comfort, support, or ease: a comfortable chair; comfortable shoes.

[CID]

I do alot of flying as well. Airline seats have steadily become smaller, pitch has reduced and after about 2 hours most people's asses get numb. All the while you're breathing air that gets replaced half as often as it used to.

I thank you for the dictionary excerpt as it verifies the intent of your original message.

In my humble opinion, except for noise, airliners are much LESS comfortable for passengers than they used to be. Unless of course you're talking about sitting in the mail hold of Max Ward's Fox Moth. Then I'd agree with you.

[flyinphil]

I do alot of flying as well. Airline seats have steadily become smaller, pitch has reduced and after about 2 hours most people's asses get numb.

I thank you for the dictionary excerpt as it verifies the intent of your original message.

In my humble opinion, airliner seats are much LESS comfortable than they used to be.

Then why didn't you just state that as opposed to "?".

Better yet, if you can't contribute anything positive (and you never do) why post at all? In my humble opinion, you are an absolute knob and must be a genuine pleasure to have onboard.

The intent of my original post is just my observation and opinion. Nothing more, nothing less. I am not employed by any Canadian airline so have no ties to any of them if that is what you are suggesting.

Now, back to your oscilloscope you miserable curmudgeon. Get up and exercise and you will see the seat width isn't all that bad. Hell, some fresh air might even get the stink of you!

[Hedley]

What I think is funny is when people say, "Brand X airplanes
have MUCH more legroom than Brand Y", because it isn't
Boeing or Airbus that specifies the distance between the seats,
it's the customer (airline).

[North Shore]

Wow, another Monday morning on Avcanada, and yet another pi$$ing match.. That being said, I'm not necessarily convinced of the seat comfort, but the noise level is way down, imo.

[CID]

Oh geez. Someone cloned twotter.

[flyinphil]

Wow, another Monday morning on Avcanada, and yet another pi$$ing match.. That being said, I'm not necessarily convinced of the seat comfort, but the noise level is way down, imo.

Just frustrated that you just can't post on this site without the jackasses comments.

I wasn't alluding to just seat comfort Northshore. In general, the environmental systems, entertainment systems, cabin noise and seats etc are much improved.

Hedley, yes correct and I find AC's pitch on the EMB's and 777 much more comfortable than that of Westjets 73's. Just my opinion though.

CID, I'll take that compliment. Thanks!

[North Shore]

In general, the environmental systems, entertainment systems, cabin noise and seats etc are much improved.

yup...I think that we are roughly on the same page. HAve a good week!

[AntiNakedMan]

If you want to express your opinion without criticism, get a pink pen and write it in your diary.

[flying4dollars]

but still...in the end....i'd rather fly Air Canada..

better schedules...more flights (for what and where I travel) and CHEAPER prices..

I'd much rather fly with that than have a joke and a smile on my flight...

so yes I'm loyal to Air Canada in that sense...

I do miss Canadian Airlines though. Never a disappointment with them

[double-j]

but still...in the end....i'd rather fly Air Canada..

better schedules...more flights (for what and where I travel) and CHEAPER prices..

I'd much rather fly with that than have a joke and a smile on my flight...

so yes I'm loyal to Air Canada in that sense...

I do miss Canadian Airlines though. Never a disappointment with them

Why do you think they have cheap flights? hmm?

Take WJ out of the picture and see how cheap your flights are..

[Pile-it]

I find the seats generally less comfortable, but then it could just be my hem...

[Ryan Coke2]

[quote="flyinphil"]Just frustrated that you just can't post on this site without the jackasses comments.
[/quote]

And too many times you've been the one making the jackass comments phil. Maybe you'll try bringing up the level of posts instead of dragging them down from now on.

[mikegtzg]

I fly every 2nd week as a cattle. I prefer the WJ 737 because more often there is no one in the centre seat. For the run I do. It's JAZZ with CRJ. And more often than not. Someone is beside me. Also the inflight TV's are nice on WJ. Probably the most annoying issue is the dryness of the air. Same on either one.

Now if the airlines were really smart. They would sell Tim Horton's coffee on board. There revenues would increase...and the line at the Tim's in the terminals would be shorter than the line to check in for your flight for a change.

[twotter]

Oh geez. Someone cloned twotter.

CID, I'll take that compliment. Thanks!

Hey CID, thanks for getting me the compliment.. It would be interesting to see if anyone said the same about you.. I think not..

[Bede]

but still...in the end....i'd rather fly Air Canada..

better schedules...more flights (for what and where I travel) and CHEAPER prices..

I'd much rather fly with that than have a joke and a smile on my flight...

so yes I'm loyal to Air Canada in that sense...

I do miss Canadian Airlines though. Never a disappointment with them

Why do you think they have cheap flights? hmm?

Take WJ out of the picture and see how cheap your flights are..

Take AC out of the picture and see how cheap WJ is. Airlines are in the business to maximize profits (as all corporations should be), not providing a subsidized public service.

[sammy]

One of the posters made reference to Max Ward's Fox Moth.About 50 years ago I flew as a passenger in a Fox moth owned at that time by Neil Walsten.This was probably neil's first plane.I seem to recall the seats were not that bad,mind you I was 10 years old.This Moth may have been the one Max Ward had rebuilt .It was a hoot flying in it.As for the original topic I don't fly around as much anymore except in choppers so can't comment.It just brought back some memories of my youth.

[station60]

I do have to say though, that Air Canada really has become a high quality, user friendly airline for knowledgable users and the attitude of the staff all round has improved dramatically.

Wow, I couldn't disagree with you more, and since you brought it up, I will.

Air Canada has (in my opinion) become the forerunner of how *not* to do business; how not to treat customers; and how not to run an airline. It's no wonder ACE is buying back all their shares and trying to shed AC as a whole, like a bad dream.

I fly (not by choice) on AC about 40 times a year. On average I have problems (be it big or very small) with Aeroplan. That alone is enough to make me want to snap, but then add on the condensending ticket agents, the piss-poor onboard service and all the Kenny-G you could ever want on their onboard "entertainment" system. Add in a dash of one big unhappy pilot union, 500 new-lowtime inexperienced pilots who *will* be disgruntled in 10 years when they are still sitting in the right seat (mark my words) and VOILA, you have Canada's flagship Carrier. Sad.

I'm happy to say I do not and will not work for them and am quite happy at the Airline I fly for who still has values and Customer service. We still serve hot meals (although they do in fact pay for it in the ticket price, and are happy to do so) and know alot of our customers by name.

Why the big gold-rush for Air Canada? Beats me. I suppose it's that aged old thing where everyone wants to fly bigger-better etc, but you have to stop at one point and realise when the grass on the other side isn't actually greener. Just a thought.

[flyinphil]

Just frustrated that you just can't post on this site without the jackasses comments.

And too many times you've been the one making the jackass comments phil. Maybe you'll try bringing up the level of posts instead of dragging them down from now on.

...no, I think not.

[185/310]

flyinphil wrote:

I do have to say though, that Air Canada really has become a high quality, user friendly airline for knowledgable users and the attitude of the staff all round has improved dramatically.

Hahahahaha, wow, if people think Air Canada has become a high quality airline you must be joking. Im sure you only think that way because the lack of different airlines in Canada. A couple months ago I saw there great in flight service go to work, they came down the aisle and had a brita water jug and a stack of plastic cups, and didnt hand u the cup, u had to grab it so they could pour you im sure the airplanes own water system water, lol. Your brita water (we hope its that good of water) is served by a huge unfriendly FA that really gives two shits about customer service. There are still some airlines in Canada that actually give you a newspaper, hot towel, drink service (bottled water or free wine) with a hot meal, salad, and its not first class. If a person were to say a high quality airline I would think of airlines like Cathay Pacific, Emirates, British Airways, some of those airlines cargo fleets out number Air Canada alone. Airlines like that provide real service. Theres a reason why those airlines dont declare bankrupcy protection. Just because Air Canada has some new airplanes with new paintjobs dont think they became a quality airline.

[flying4dollars]

but still...in the end....i'd rather fly Air Canada..

better schedules...more flights (for what and where I travel) and CHEAPER prices..

I'd much rather fly with that than have a joke and a smile on my flight...

so yes I'm loyal to Air Canada in that sense...

I do miss Canadian Airlines though. Never a disappointment with them

Why do you think they have cheap flights? hmm?

Take WJ out of the picture and see how cheap your flights are..

yeah and the same holds true the other way around...so I dont know what you're trying to prove..

the fact is they're both IN the picture..and thus my statement stands true..

[flying4dollars]

flyinphil wrote:

I do have to say though, that Air Canada really has become a high quality, user friendly airline for knowledgable users and the attitude of the staff all round has improved dramatically.

Hahahahaha, wow, if people think Air Canada has become a high quality airline you must be joking. Im sure you only think that way because the lack of different airlines in Canada. A couple months ago I saw there great in flight service go to work, they came down the aisle and had a brita water jug and a stack of plastic cups, and didnt hand u the cup, u had to grab it so they could pour you im sure the airplanes own water system water, lol. Your brita water (we hope its that good of water) is served by a huge unfriendly FA that really gives two shits about customer service. There are still some airlines in Canada that actually give you a newspaper, hot towel, drink service (bottled water or free wine) with a hot meal, salad, and its not first class. If a person were to say a high quality airline I would think of airlines like Cathay Pacific, Emirates, British Airways, some of those airlines cargo fleets out number Air Canada alone. Airlines like that provide real service. Theres a reason why those airlines dont declare bankrupcy protection. Just because Air Canada has some new airplanes with new paintjobs dont think they became a quality airline.

not that I'm truly defending Air Canada, but I hope you know, service on WestJet isn't always as flashy as you think.

Just because the FA tells a joke, doesnt make it a good flight. Everyones fortunes and experiences are different. Yes I've had better CS on WestJet, but not THAT much more than Air Canada. I've been treated pretty well on that airline. They dont charge me if I want to catch an earlier flight. WJ does..even though I only have a carry on. When AC DOES screw up my seating...or dont have one assigned to me when I get to the gate...guess where they seat me? Business class. They've only screwed my seating up/not had one assigned for me 5 times, but EVERY time I got upgraded. To me things like that make a quality airline.

Maybe I am kinda defending Air Canada afterall...

[185/310]

I wasent trying to compare WJ and AC....infact I didnt even mention WJ once.