7625 replies to this topic

[vortoozo]

Westjet has begun drawing down their network. The last fight on Thursday from Calgary to Victoria has been cancelled, so that the plane doesn't get stuck here. They've also noted that new reservations will be limited on westjet.com, essentially cutting off their income stream. No doubt in order to send a message to the union.

[Victoria Watcher]

Westjet has begun drawing down their network. The last fight on Thursday from Calgary to Victoria has been cancelled, so that the plane doesn't get stuck here. They've also noted that new reservations will be limited on westjet.com, essentially cutting off their income stream. No doubt in order to send a message to the union.

 

Yes, I think they already said they planned to lock the pilots out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The company hasn't turned an annual profit since 2019 due the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Von Hoensbroech took over in February 2022, just over two years after Onex Corp. acquired the airline.

 

With more than 16,700 flights slated for this month, WestJet carries nearly a third of Canada's domestic market, while Air Canada has half of it.

 

WestJet's latest offer to the union would see wide-body plane captains earn $350,000 in total compensation annually by the end of the collective agreement term, according to a letter to flight crew from the company and obtained by The Canadian Press. Narrow-body captains would earn $300,000.

 

"Immediately upon the effective date, WestJet pilots would have had the highest narrow-body first officer and captain top-step wage rate in Canada," the Monday night letter states.

 

 

 

https://www.ctvnews....S. counterparts.

 

 

 

 

https://www.myflight...a-pilot-salary/

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 May 2023 - 02:57 AM.

[Kilo95]

Westjet has begun drawing down their network. The last fight on Thursday from Calgary to Victoria has been cancelled, so that the plane doesn't get stuck here. They've also noted that new reservations will be limited on westjet.com, essentially cutting off their income stream. No doubt in order to send a message to the union.

 

Isn't it more likely that they're just trying to avoid having people book on flights that are likely to be cancelled vs. "sending a message to the union"? They've already announced that they'll be locking the pilots out. 

[vortoozo]

Isn't it more likely that they're just trying to avoid having people book on flights that are likely to be cancelled vs. "sending a message to the union"? They've already announced that they'll be locking the pilots out. 

 

I don't think the two statements are mutually exclusive.

This is Westjet saying "hey, we're not going to call your bluff, we're serious about not meeting your wage demands. and we'll sacrifice our revenue before we would agree."

[lanforod]

Is 300k/yr not enough of an offer? What am I missing from the pilots perspective?

[Sparky]

^ I think there is more to be had at major international airlines that are poaching WJ’s left seat.

[vortoozo]

 

The WestJet Group and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the certified union representing WestJet and Swoop pilots, announced they have reached a tentative deal on the second collective bargaining agreement between the organizations. Both parties now await the ratification vote to be put forward to membership.

 

On behalf of all of us at the WestJet Group, we thank you for your patience and support, and we look forward to connecting you to the people and places you love.

 

Guest Updates | WestJet official site

[Missed Approach]

Is it Bye Bye to Swoop......... now only operating YYJ -> YYZ route seasonally.

 

https://vancouver.ci...deal-swoop-end/

[Missed Approach]

Good News for Victoria Int Airport

 

Alaska Airlines plans to restore 2 X daily from Sept 2023 on wards with a AM departure from YYJ and late PM arrival into YYJ.

 

So good to see improvement to YYJ connectivity.  This is an improvement as AS scaled back daily service over the summer from 2 X Daily to only operating the 2nd daily 4 days a week till late Aug. 

 

See the link below 

 

https://www.aerorout...524-assep23yyj 

[Mike K.]

It was seven daily flights at its peak, right?

Is Kenmore close to flying out of YYJ?

[Victoria Watcher]

Seems to be something really lacking with our US trade In passengers.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 May 2023 - 06:50 AM.

[spanky123]

Good News for Victoria Int Airport

 

Alaska Airlines plans to restore 2 X daily from Sept 2023 on wards with a AM departure from YYJ and late PM arrival into YYJ.

 

Big improvement is the 7:40AM flight from YYJ. That opens up a lot of connections out of SEA.

[Missed Approach]

It was seven daily flights at its peak, right?

Is Kenmore close to flying out of YYJ?

Pre 9/11 it was, and even pre COVID, it was down to 4 daily. 

 

It will be 1 Daily till mid June when they go with the 2nd Daily flight that was scaled back for this summer only operating 5 days out of 7 a week.

 

Kenmore starts tomorrow, is using the main terminal, twice daily, to Friday Harbor for customs. 

Edited by Missed Approach, 24 May 2023 - 09:45 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Kenmore Air has launched two daily round-trip flights with wheeled aircraft between Victoria International Airport and Washington state, in addition to its float plane service.

 

Flights first stop in Friday Harbor to clear customs. Then passengers can choose to go to Paine Field in Everett, where they can link up with an Alaska Airlines flight, or travel to Boeing Field and take a 10-minute van to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or head into downtown Seattle, said company president David Gudgel.

 

The airline has been a familiar sight in Victoria Harbour, where its float planes take passengers between downtown and Washington state.

 

Gudgel said while most people know the company for its float planes, it has had a fleet of Cessna Caravans for the last 17 years out of Boeing Field and starting last year, out of Paine Field in Everett. Until now, that service has concentrated on the San Juan Islands.

 

 

https://www.timescol...airport-7051599

 

 

 

Flight costs vary, with a Victoria International Airport flight to Friday Harbor running around $109 to $119, and a flight between Victoria airport and Boeing Field priced at up to $219 and $229.

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 May 2023 - 12:33 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

WestJet pilots deal gives 24% pay raise over four years

 

 

 

 

As negotiations ground on last week, the Air Line Pilots ­Association also approved a merger with the Air Canada Pilots Association’s 4,500 members, bringing the country’s two biggest flight crew labour groups under one roof.

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...r-years-7060019

[Missed Approach]

It was seven daily flights at its peak, right?

Is Kenmore close to flying out of YYJ?

 

Speaking of daily frequency - Summer schedule for Air Canada Express, to YVR, is now just 8 departures per day/

 

That's down from the norm for the last two years of about 13 pre COVID when they had that 0525am departure.

[Mike K.]

In a few months a new CEO will be taking the helm. It’ll be interesting to see how things differ, and how other things stay the same.

[vortoozo]

Speaking of daily frequency - Summer schedule for Air Canada Express, to YVR, is now just 8 departures per day/

 

That's down from the norm for the last two years of about 13 pre COVID when they had that 0525am departure.

 

Jazz is extremely short on crews.

They've been pulling back the schedule on a rolling basis.

Currently in June, unless you leave before 10am, you're looking at a 3 hour + connection at YVR just to get to many regional BC cities like Kelowna, Prince George, etc. The same flight scheduling cuts impacting YYJ are impacting the other airports too.

 

For a flight to Kelowna next month initially I booked a connection of an hour. Then, a Kelowna flight got cut which resulted in a 2 hour connection. About a month ago, the 7:25pm flight out of YYJ got cut so they put me on the 6pm, with a 3 hour 15 minute connection.

 

Certainly there weren't 13 daily fights to YVR last summer, though. The schedule we have now I believe still has more frequency than last year.

Edited by vortoozo, 29 May 2023 - 10:50 PM.

[vortoozo]

Jazz (Chorus) is so short on crews that AC announced today they are adding a temporary second partner for Dash 8 flying for up to 5 years until Chorus is properly staffed:

 

Air Canada Partners With PAL Airlines To Boost Regional Connectivity (simpleflying.com)

[Missed Approach]

In a few months a new CEO will be taking the helm. It’ll be interesting to see how things differ, and how other things stay the same.

 

I am too, esp when YCD ( Nanaimo ) is running a Champaign to promote world travel, right from their home airport. Connect with Canada.

Outstanding FaceBook page too. Lots of what's going on.

 

Alittle airport putting in alot of effort.