Indeed, and I must say, whenever I`ve flown AC, I`ve been 100% satisfied with the thing that matters most, arriving at my destination safely. So, a big thanks to AC pilots (and mechanics) such as yourself for many safe landings.
On the customer service side of things, what is there to customer satisfaction but thousands and thousands of annectodes? If most everyone agrees that Westjet offers better service, then they probably do. There`s no doubt that public sentiment has turned against AC in a bad way. From my numerous annectodes, it`s a well deserved reputation.
Also, it`s hard to find a deep well of respect for corporate welfare bums. To say that it`s a tough industry hardly frees them from criticism. Can`t AC build enough efficiency into the business to make a go of it?
I would like to see either 1) Air Canada become a world class airline (with a profit!!), or 2) their dissolution and let the market decide.
QUOTE (jhemlow @ Jan 5 2009, 12:07 PM) Sadly I believe your distaste for AirCanada is shared amongst the vast majority of Canadians,
I have flown on WestJet many times and operate aircraft under the AirCanada banner on a daily basis, I simply don`t see a stark contrast in the level or service provided to the customer.
I wish I had the article but there was a piece in a Canadian newspaper saying how angry people were at all the flights on the east coast cancelled by AirCanada. Almost all the evidence was anicdotal with comments from passengers like "I see other airplanes like WestJet taking off, why can`t AirCanada?". I am currently based in Halifax and was at work during that day and I can tell you first hand that nearly ALL flights in and out of Halifax were delayed and eventually cancelled. All the airlines were in a huge mess that day and my fellow employees and lots of the great folks at Westjet were all trying to get the job done. You can understand my frustration when dealing with a situation like we dealt with over the holiday season only to read articles like this.
I hope 2009 brings some positive changes for Canada`s only overseas carrier, obviously the most positive changes would come in the form of public perception. Airlines have been hit hard over the last few decades. With new financing from three new sources GE, CIBC and Aeroplan, one of the most modern fleets for an airline of its size, cheaper oil and proper capacity control, AirCanada can hopefully emerge profitable through these hard economic times.
I`d rather not get into a further back and forth about who`s better or who smiles more, just thought the forum could benefit from my insight being in the business.
Cheers,
Jason