Jetsgo staff surrounded by police to protect them from angry passengers
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Jetsgo staff surrounded by police to protect them from angry passengers
Thousands of travellers stranded by airlines
CTV.ca News Staff
Thousands of Canadians were stranded Christmas Eve, their travel plans put on ice due to a storm in Quebec and Ontario that led to flight delays at airports everywhere.
A backlog from Thursday's snow and ice storm at Toronto's Pearson Airport caused a ripple effect across Canada. Flight delays that originated in Toronto left travellers from Vancouver to Halifax wondering if they'd get home for the holidays.
Michael Siegler was one of thousands of Canadian travellers taking the long route home Friday night. A simple flight from Halifax to Winnipeg turned tricky.
"First thing when I woke up this morning I was told I might be lucky to get in tomorrow at 10:30 but they did everything they could and they're getting me in tonight at nine o'clock through Edmonton," Siegler said from Halifax International Airport.
"So I'm going from here to Toronto, Toronto to Edmonton, Edmonton to Winnipeg," he said, adding that he was happy to be arriving at his destination on Christmas Eve.
Others weren't so lucky, and some of the angriest customers were traveling with Jetsgo. Thursday's storm meant 23 Toronto flight cancellations and 24 delays for Jetsgo.
"This situation put many Jetsgo crews over the allotted number of hours they are allowed to fly," the Montreal-based airline said in a release. "As a result, some passengers have been unable to reach their final destination."
When Jetsgo staff members announced further flight cancellations on Friday, they were surrounded by security guards and Peel Regional police officers to keep an eye on the angry crowd.
The eight flights cancelled Friday affected incoming flights to Toronto from St. John's, Nfld., Halifax, Moncton, Quebec City, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary and Orlando, Fla.
Passengers who had been able to make flight arrangements with other carriers will be given refunds, Jetsgo said.
"Some passengers have opted to return to their point of departure on Jetsgo flights at no cost," Paul Trihey, vice-president of sales and customer service, said in a statement.
Other airlines had troubles, as well. A passenger onboard an Air Canada flight for Halifax called CFTO to say travellers were asked to get off the plane after waiting for one hour because there weren't enough flight attendants. Angry passengers were refusing to de-plane, CFTO's John Musselman reported.
CTV.ca News Staff
Thousands of Canadians were stranded Christmas Eve, their travel plans put on ice due to a storm in Quebec and Ontario that led to flight delays at airports everywhere.
A backlog from Thursday's snow and ice storm at Toronto's Pearson Airport caused a ripple effect across Canada. Flight delays that originated in Toronto left travellers from Vancouver to Halifax wondering if they'd get home for the holidays.
Michael Siegler was one of thousands of Canadian travellers taking the long route home Friday night. A simple flight from Halifax to Winnipeg turned tricky.
"First thing when I woke up this morning I was told I might be lucky to get in tomorrow at 10:30 but they did everything they could and they're getting me in tonight at nine o'clock through Edmonton," Siegler said from Halifax International Airport.
"So I'm going from here to Toronto, Toronto to Edmonton, Edmonton to Winnipeg," he said, adding that he was happy to be arriving at his destination on Christmas Eve.
Others weren't so lucky, and some of the angriest customers were traveling with Jetsgo. Thursday's storm meant 23 Toronto flight cancellations and 24 delays for Jetsgo.
"This situation put many Jetsgo crews over the allotted number of hours they are allowed to fly," the Montreal-based airline said in a release. "As a result, some passengers have been unable to reach their final destination."
When Jetsgo staff members announced further flight cancellations on Friday, they were surrounded by security guards and Peel Regional police officers to keep an eye on the angry crowd.
The eight flights cancelled Friday affected incoming flights to Toronto from St. John's, Nfld., Halifax, Moncton, Quebec City, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary and Orlando, Fla.
Passengers who had been able to make flight arrangements with other carriers will be given refunds, Jetsgo said.
"Some passengers have opted to return to their point of departure on Jetsgo flights at no cost," Paul Trihey, vice-president of sales and customer service, said in a statement.
Other airlines had troubles, as well. A passenger onboard an Air Canada flight for Halifax called CFTO to say travellers were asked to get off the plane after waiting for one hour because there weren't enough flight attendants. Angry passengers were refusing to de-plane, CFTO's John Musselman reported.
Joys of Low Cost flying.
In past years, a percentage of these pax would have caught a Greyhound or thumbed down a passing lorry for a ride. Now, it's cheaper to book a seat on a 737 without the hassel of sitting by the side of the road with all those wordly goods, waiting for a kindly driver to stop and offer a ride. At least with a paid ticket the pax can complain. Wouldn't like their chances bitching about a late arrival because of a lorry drivers sleep requirements.
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It has always amused me to watch people at airports going completely ape, expecting the same amount of service a taxicab can offer, rain or shine. If the cab breaks, another will be there in 10 minutes, a raging snowstorm at your destination? No problem, cab will drive a lttle slower. People apply that same logic to air travel and they just don't get it. People I guess don't realize that the delay due to ice and snow on the wings and runway is for their safety. The delay due too the engine not starting is again for there safety. Wake up and smell the coffee, it makes me sick./
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Copied from another forum..
"Winter storms and pas delays
I just watched a news report, and saw passengers complaining about airlines like ours, AC, and the delays due to the winter storms at YYZ.
We have the capability to land in zero-zero conditions, and it isn't our airlines fault if the Airport Authority where they are landing, isn't spending the required investment to allow that, including, 24 hour, all runway clearing, because of fiscal restraints.
Yet, they charge our airline incredibly expensive landing and gate fees, which we must transfer to the traveling public.
This in turn turns them off from supposedly flying with us!
The news reporters do not put the responsibility on the right people!
They blame, or go along with the band wagon, that AC is causing 24 hour delays, when if the Airport Authority, where that aircraft landed, was more concerned with it's landing and take-off, un-abated, and spent the money required to ensure that, i.e. non stop runway, (all run-ways) and ramps, and gates, then there would be less restricted movement, therefore more of a successful operation, and therefore less cancelled flights, and less backlog!
It's not AC's fault, but it is the Airport Authority's responsibility to overcome this difficulty, when it arises, because they charge a user fee to all airlines to land, maneuver, enter the gates, board passengers, pushback, taxi away, and take off!
This can be done with more equipment and manpower, as the cost to our Air-Carrier, shows!
The News reporters are on the wrong track, when over and over, they say AC has numerous delays, and thousands of passengers are held overnight and sleeping in the terminal, because AC can't take them where they want to go!
Maybe the trick would be to build our own Airport as a Hub, like an under used airport like YWG, The Heart of North America, the geographical centre, provide our own 24 hour, 365 day, serviceable HUB, charge our own passenger user fees, to pay for year round 100% on time performance, instead of these Mega Airports, milking airlines, and the traveling public, to line their own pockets, only to let the Media blame the Airlines, for their inconvenience!
We, as employees, are always challenged by our employer, (AC) to rise above the difficulties in our Daily Jobs, yet none of these Executives or Managers, have thought of this.
WE take wage and benefit concessions, because of this!
Am I the only one who sees this?
They seem to keep blaming you and me for their Inadequacies, in standing up to these Mega groups like Airport Authorities!
Doesn't anyone watch the Weather Channel?
What would be so hard to temporarily hire back laid off people to augment terminal employees, runway clearing personnel, ramp clearing personnel etc?
Force the Airport Authorities hand! If they can't provide, or allow for these emergencies, in this Great White North, then they shouldn't be making the amounts of money that they do, in profit!
The News Reports just don't identify the real scoundrels here, it's just too easy to blame the airline, not their partners in all of this, and lay the financial responsibility for the costs of running and airline, on You and ME!!
If anyone reading this has the where-with all to forward this as an Editorial to a Newspaper, then you have my permission.
Hemi (aka Big Country) AC employee, 24 1/2 years, ACA, YWG, A320 Heavy Maintenance!
I'm just not as politically correct as others on this and other forums.
In My Senior Dumb Humble Opinion!
Plus I type with two fingers!
*edited by billbo*
Last edited by billbo on Dec. 25, 04 at 15:08"
"Winter storms and pas delays
I just watched a news report, and saw passengers complaining about airlines like ours, AC, and the delays due to the winter storms at YYZ.
We have the capability to land in zero-zero conditions, and it isn't our airlines fault if the Airport Authority where they are landing, isn't spending the required investment to allow that, including, 24 hour, all runway clearing, because of fiscal restraints.
Yet, they charge our airline incredibly expensive landing and gate fees, which we must transfer to the traveling public.
This in turn turns them off from supposedly flying with us!
The news reporters do not put the responsibility on the right people!
They blame, or go along with the band wagon, that AC is causing 24 hour delays, when if the Airport Authority, where that aircraft landed, was more concerned with it's landing and take-off, un-abated, and spent the money required to ensure that, i.e. non stop runway, (all run-ways) and ramps, and gates, then there would be less restricted movement, therefore more of a successful operation, and therefore less cancelled flights, and less backlog!
It's not AC's fault, but it is the Airport Authority's responsibility to overcome this difficulty, when it arises, because they charge a user fee to all airlines to land, maneuver, enter the gates, board passengers, pushback, taxi away, and take off!
This can be done with more equipment and manpower, as the cost to our Air-Carrier, shows!
The News reporters are on the wrong track, when over and over, they say AC has numerous delays, and thousands of passengers are held overnight and sleeping in the terminal, because AC can't take them where they want to go!
Maybe the trick would be to build our own Airport as a Hub, like an under used airport like YWG, The Heart of North America, the geographical centre, provide our own 24 hour, 365 day, serviceable HUB, charge our own passenger user fees, to pay for year round 100% on time performance, instead of these Mega Airports, milking airlines, and the traveling public, to line their own pockets, only to let the Media blame the Airlines, for their inconvenience!
We, as employees, are always challenged by our employer, (AC) to rise above the difficulties in our Daily Jobs, yet none of these Executives or Managers, have thought of this.
WE take wage and benefit concessions, because of this!
Am I the only one who sees this?
They seem to keep blaming you and me for their Inadequacies, in standing up to these Mega groups like Airport Authorities!
Doesn't anyone watch the Weather Channel?
What would be so hard to temporarily hire back laid off people to augment terminal employees, runway clearing personnel, ramp clearing personnel etc?
Force the Airport Authorities hand! If they can't provide, or allow for these emergencies, in this Great White North, then they shouldn't be making the amounts of money that they do, in profit!
The News Reports just don't identify the real scoundrels here, it's just too easy to blame the airline, not their partners in all of this, and lay the financial responsibility for the costs of running and airline, on You and ME!!
If anyone reading this has the where-with all to forward this as an Editorial to a Newspaper, then you have my permission.
Hemi (aka Big Country) AC employee, 24 1/2 years, ACA, YWG, A320 Heavy Maintenance!
I'm just not as politically correct as others on this and other forums.
In My Senior Dumb Humble Opinion!
Plus I type with two fingers!
*edited by billbo*
Last edited by billbo on Dec. 25, 04 at 15:08"
Ohcirrej
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Maybe the trick would be to build our own Airport as a Hub, like an under used airport like YWG, The Heart of North America, the geographical centre, provide our own 24 hour, 365 day, serviceable HUB, charge our own passenger user fees, to pay for year round 100% on time performance
Paxing All Over The World
Tan, yes, I go with that. it would be the same in the UK. Nowadays, everyone blames everyone else, whilst stating piously that they are doing their best.
The Press just let fly at anyone they feel like.
The Press just let fly at anyone they feel like.
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A (non-aviation person) friend was caught up in the Jetsgo debacle at CYYZ. According to her, the anger was caused mostly by the all-too-common no information/disinformation coming from the airline. One flight was repeatedly showing ETDs which came and went with no explanation until 0430 at which time it went CANC and the airline staff simply snuck off (her words) home.
Yes, these were mostly the 'Greyhound crowd' travellers but even they are entitled to be treated with a modicum of respect. Probably not the CSRs on scene to blame, but someone, somewhere should have made an effort.
Yes, these were mostly the 'Greyhound crowd' travellers but even they are entitled to be treated with a modicum of respect. Probably not the CSRs on scene to blame, but someone, somewhere should have made an effort.
