Typical Air Canada attitude

[fleet16b]

Once again they prove how little they care about customer service.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-can ... -1.3442500

[Rookie50]

This country....is such a big cozy country club, if you know what I mean.

[Meatservo]

This country....is such a big cozy country club, if you know what I mean.

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by that at all.

[fleet16b]

I for one don't know how AC keeps in business
Anytime I have had to fly anywhere , I am always able to find a flight cheaper somewhere else.
If AC is going to continue to be more expensive, you would think that they would at least try to improve their crappy service .
There are lots of Aviation Industry people here that try to defend them but out in the real world I hear pretty much nothing but complaints about them.

[Old fella]

Being part of the real world in my 65 yrs of existence and speaking strictly for myself, I have travelled on Air Canada on domestic/national/international trips and never experienced any issues in any aspect that would cause me to question the service. On the contrary it has been quite good.

Disclosure: I edited my original post on this subject..

[complexintentions]

The one exception I take is the expectation that an airline will pay all costs for delays due to mechanicals, which can hardly be considered their fault. If there's one thing I know, it's that machines break. Always. And usually at the worst possible times. People flying need to realize that and not be such victims when it happens, fortunately incredibly rarely in most Western airlines.

Also I found the article to be pretty slanted, trying to paint the protagonist in glowing military hero terms at every turn. Gag.

*sigh*

Hell truly hath frozen over, I am sort of defending AC on this one. Their silly tap-dancing aside.

But when you start a thread entitled "Typical Air Canada attitude" it's pretty obvious from the outset it's not gonna be too balanced lol.

Agree with Old fella. My experiences with AC have been fine, at par or better than a certain Calgary-based carrier for many years now.

[complexintentions]

This country....is such a big cozy country club, if you know what I mean.

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by that at all.

Basically Canada is a country run by a handful of families with names like Asper, Thomson, Rowe, Irving and so on. Founded by robber barons and the mentality lives on. Fake competitiveness (*gasp* Should I pick Telus or Bell? Air Canada or WestJet? TD or RBC?) but in the end no choice and everyone lulled to sleep by US media. Quick, take a selfie and check your FB feed and STFU.

I think that's what he was referring to. Not exactly a bastion of free enterprise or innovation, Canada. As the current commodities rout is exposing nicely.

[co-joe]

I for one don't know how AC keeps in business
Anytime I have had to fly anywhere , I am always able to find a flight cheaper somewhere else.
...

Maybe that's exactly how they stay in business. By not continuing the race to the bottom so you can save a few pennies at their expense. Fares can only go so low and still make profit.

I chose ac for the service, the tv's, the convenience, and then I look at price.
I do live in fear of getting "rouged" though, and I would think twice about voluntarily taking a delay after reading that article.

[Panama Jack]

257 quid for a room in London is a bit more than "utterly average." Either he went for prime location, or something a little more upscale- sorry.

[Rockie]

Pretty shabby I agree, and very poorly handled from the airport staff to the CEO's office and back again, but "typical"? I don't think so. It's clear you have a bug up your butt when it comes to AC fleet16, so much so you had to start a second thread on this in the Air Canada forum.

Also agree the article was too over the top with the military honour thing. Being military doesn't bestow honour all by itself.

[Rookie50]

This country....is such a big cozy country club, if you know what I mean.

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by that at all.

Basically Canada is a country run by a handful of families with names like Asper, Thomson, Rowe, Irving and so on. Founded by robber barons and the mentality lives on. Fake competitiveness (*gasp* Should I pick Telus or Bell? Air Canada or WestJet? TD or RBC?) but in the end no choice and everyone lulled to sleep by US media. Quick, take a selfie and check your FB feed and STFU.

I think that's what he was referring to. Not exactly a bastion of free enterprise or innovation, Canada. As the current commodities rout is exposing nicely.

That sums it fairly well.

[fleet16b]

Pretty shabby I agree, and very poorly handled from the airport staff to the CEO's office and back again, but "typical"? I don't think so. It's clear you have a bug up your butt when it comes to AC fleet16, so much so you had to start a second thread on this in the Air Canada forum.

Also agree the article was too over the top with the military honour thing. Being military doesn't bestow honour all by itself.

Actually, I have no personal agenda against AC , in fact I have not use them in years due to their numerous issues over the years with service , prices etc so I cannot personally judge their current levels of service.
However , I am merely pointing out that from what I read and what I hear from people that have used them recently , typically that the service is poor. From those comments it seems things are still not getting any better on the service front
I reposted in the AC Forum also because of the obvious , its pertains to AC .

[mbav8r]

531.00 Canadian for supper, breakfast and one night stay, well scratch London off my list of places to visit.
I think by modest meal, they meant to say it was a prime cut of steak instead of fillet mignon.
Should some of the responsibility not be put on this honourable military man for not getting it in writing, ie; here's my email, can you send me the details about what you're paying for.

[Donald]

Actually, I have no personal agenda against AC , in fact I have not use them in years due to their numerous issues over the years with service , prices etc so I cannot personally judge their current levels of service.
However , I am merely pointing out that from what I read and what I hear from people that have used them recently , typically that the service is poor. From those comments it seems things are still not getting any better on the service front

This just shows the level of media bias in Canada towards certain airlines, if CBC can be rightfully called media anymore.

[Old fella]

531.00 Canadian for supper, breakfast and one night stay, well scratch London off my list of places to visit.
I think by modest meal, they meant to say it was a prime cut of steak instead of fillet mignon.
Should some of the responsibility not be put on this honourable military man for not getting it in writing, ie; here's my email, can you send me the details about what you're paying for.

I hindsight, I have to agree. This gent being a man in uniform has an understanding on what Government/Military travel structure as it relates to per diem and what hotels are used. Airlines are no different and it would have been prudent on his part to ask the AC rep he contacted on where I can actually stay and what are the limits for meals/transportation to/from hotel. Interesting question, was this gent the only person to delay his departure or were there others and what was their experience in the same situation he faced.

[awitzke]

Being part of the real world in my 65 yrs of existence and speaking strictly for myself, I have travelled on Air Canada on domestic/national/international trips and never experienced any issues in any aspect that would cause me to question the service. On the contrary it has been quite good.

Disclosure: I edited my original post on this subject..

While I'm not the same age as you, I've flown AC the majority of my (short) life and also have never really had anything to complain about. On the contrary the ONE time I flew WJ because it was significantly cheaper, I had such a terrible FA. He was one of the rudest and condescending people I've ever met as an FA. I don't know how he had a job.

[AirMail]

I for one don't know how AC keeps in business
Anytime I have had to fly anywhere , I am always able to find a flight cheaper somewhere else.
If AC is going to continue to be more expensive, you would think that they would at least try to improve their crappy service .
There are lots of Aviation Industry people here that try to defend them but out in the real world I hear pretty much nothing but complaints about them.

Ah yes, a lemming who wants to travel by air cheaper. You probably certainly don't mind paying more per kilometer for a cab to the airport than a flight somewhere.

So you want lower airfares (which by the way are about the same from the late 90's adjusted for inflation), and to get those lower fares employees will need to take a paycut. But you don't mind that your brothers or sisters make less and less money, as long as it doesn't affect you or you can make do with little income. Because this is all about you right? The universe revolves around you right?

Personally I hope flying becomes to damn expensive for the likes of your ilk and anyone else who wants a f'ing flying walmart. Maybe then flying will be prestigious again.

[awitzke]

531.00 Canadian for supper, breakfast and one night stay, well scratch London off my list of places to visit.
I think by modest meal, they meant to say it was a prime cut of steak instead of fillet mignon.
Should some of the responsibility not be put on this honourable military man for not getting it in writing, ie; here's my email, can you send me the details about what you're paying for.

Yeah that's quite an outrageous price for food and lodging for less than 24 hours. I stayed in London for two weeks on under $1000cdn probably closer to $800. Sure I stayed in B&Bs and a few hostels (single room occupancy ones) but still they were only 30ish pound/night. The hotels I looked into on the nights I was unable to find a hostel were 100-150 pound. Not a fair comparison, I know but don't knock it off your list just yet there's lots of ways to travel and still experience the city without getting the fanciest of everything.

[NWONT]

I have done a lot of air travel in my day, both for business and many vacations....many. I have travelled on many airlines around the world and without a doubt with Air Canada I have encountered the most disinterested, impolite, rude, unmotivated employees I have ever seen. I have missed a few connections for no other reason than the people working the desk couldn't care less about the people who support them. Many times I have been delayed for hours with any explanation as to the reason or when they expect to resume the flight. I have enjoyed more flights than I can count or remember with WestJet, and yes, there have been a few delays but all passengers were immediately advised as to the reason and new departure time. On a recent return flight from Maui, with a stop in Vancouver, the Capt informed us that there was a leak in the rear door of this new 737 and the flight could be continued to Winnipeg but there was no-one there qualified to do the repair so we would divert to Calgary and change planes. Very understandable explanation. We were a couple of hours late getting home but no big deal. I soon received an email from WestJet apologising for the delay and an offer for a discount on our next flight. This was totally unexpected. I will continue to fly with WestJet at every opportunity and NO, I don't fly for WestJet but I have friends that fly for both and flight crews for both do a good job but those people on the ground..................and please don't tell me they are overworked and underpaid. Courtesy costs nothing and doesn't take any more time.

[Rockie]

I just checked the Holiday Inn Heathrow website and could book an executive room with a king size bed tomorrow night (Friday) for 75 pounds. No doubt he has a receipt for the charge, but it does seem a bit excessive. Also it doesn't say if he was given money for volunteering for a later flight which is normal practice when an airline seeks volunteers, which the article says they did.

[fleet16b]

I for one don't know how AC keeps in business
Anytime I have had to fly anywhere , I am always able to find a flight cheaper somewhere else.
If AC is going to continue to be more expensive, you would think that they would at least try to improve their crappy service .
There are lots of Aviation Industry people here that try to defend them but out in the real world I hear pretty much nothing but complaints about them.

Ah yes, a lemming who wants to travel by air cheaper. You probably certainly don't mind paying more per kilometer for a cab to the airport than a flight somewhere.

So you want lower airfares (which by the way are about the same from the late 90's adjusted for inflation), and to get those lower fares employees will need to take a paycut. But you don't mind that your brothers or sisters make less and less money, as long as it doesn't affect you or you can make do with little income. Because this is all about you right? The universe revolves around you right?

Personally I hope flying becomes to damn expensive for the likes of your ilk and anyone else who wants a f'ing flying walmart. Maybe then flying will be prestigious again.

Phfftt !
Really? you think I am the exception and that the majority of people on this planet don"t look for the best price in anything they are paying for ? Im just an average snapshot of the customers that are out there that are trying to budget their money and spend a little as they can . Thats not a crime and its certainly not something to insult people about.
You must be one of those rich guys that haggles up when paying for something. Must be nice to say to the car salesman " 25k ? thats too good a bargin I'll give you 30k"
I;ll bet your a typical Union man that wants the employer to pay top dollar and makes them price themselves out of a market to pay you . Then you bitch like you are when the average Joe goes looking for a better deal.

[CID]

Bashing airlines is significant global pass time. Bashing Air Canada is the domestic Canadian version of this phenomenon. I travel a lot and in my opinion Air Canada is just fine from a passenger perspective. I have had issues with the way they conduct business and how many of their employees have a bit of a "God" complex but as time passes and the airline evolves, a lot of that has fallen by the wayside and I like the service, I like the airplanes and I like the price.

The beauty of a free market is that you can pick and chose whatever airline you like on many routes and I find that Air Canada's frequency is better than many of the domestic options and their price is often the same as the competition on the same routes. The lounges are better than the American lounges but not as good as Asia and Europe

Aeroplan is pretty good and I get lots of upgrades.

I use Westjet occasionally if the logistics and price make sense but I'm one of those curmudgeons that can't stand the lack of professionalism masquerading as humour at the counter and in flight. I also don't think TV is a good method of delivering entertainment. The show schedules and the non-stop PAs are really frustrating so I rarely use them. They also don't work once you get far enough south.

So...Air Canada is my preferred domestic and international carrier.

[the cool one]

CID

Re: So...Air Canada is my preferred domestic and international carrier.

I agree!

Every now and then some people on this forum will find joy in poking fun at our major Canadian airline. Let it be!

I spent time in London and specifically at the various airport hotel for convenience when I had an early departure or short connections. I can say that the price this gentleman paid for his room and the food (one day stay) is obviously outrageous. For a man who hold such a high rank in the military he must know a bit about travel. Don't you think? Wink wink

Clearly he never bothered to ask for a military personnel rate. All hotels must offer that! I used to ask for the business rate and without question I definitely paid substantially less than what he did.

I guess one can say stupid is as stupid does. One can play stupid until the cows come home but for an intelligent, ranked military man.........the proof is in the putting. Canadian military personnel are not that well paid and are usually frugal. I find this a very unusual "out of character" action.

This gentleman went on his own and paid a king's ransom with all the expectation that someone else (Air Canada in this case) would foot the bill. It didn't work out that way. I am not surprised.

Anyhow I agree with your statement. While Air Canada is not a perfect travel company and they do have some sordid people employed there, overall, it is my preferred global and domestic airline.

Did I mentioned I traveled a lot and still do? I think in this case my experience count. Not that Air Canada needs me to defend their handling of this issue but facts are facts.

Others may have opinions or rely on hearsay but the experience I have is Air Canada is an acceptable airline for me when comparing with others I use regularly.

Cheers and happy Valentine day to all.

[JasonE]

I've had pretty good service from AC. I certainly' can't complain. They bent over backwards to help me change a flight back from Mexico (was there on business and plans changed). I ended up in a premium seat at no extra charge, and the airplane was overbooked. I almost felt guilty sitting in the terminal when they offered a $100 voucher for a volunteer to take the next (morning) flight!

Delta on the other hand...wow, they charge both arms & legs to change a booking. They wanted almost as much as the original booking to change 1 end of a return flight. $350 fee plus the difference in air fair (at current rate)! I was told $350 is their "minimum" charge....After a polite negotiation with a manager, I was able to get what I wanted for $200 total charge. I spent 45 minutes on the phone though.

[danishroy]

This reminds me of the Louis ck bit about people complaining about flying.
Oh and I love flying with air Canada iv never had an issue with them. People just love to complain. That article is so bias and no way that hotel room was "average".