UpperDeck

Devil's advocate....What purpose does air travel serve?

Transportation...relatively quickly...from A to B. And for what purpose?

To conduct business or to marvel at the wonders of B.

Increasingly, companies are discovering that it is not actually necessary to go to B to conduct business. In fact, it is much cheaper to stay home and use tech to communicate just as though you actually went to B.

Wait for wide availability and affordability of VR. I've been to Santorini. It would have been a lot cheaper and probably more enjoyable to see the sights via VR.

Truthfully, most of my trips have been hallmarked by the time spent at a streetside table quaffing Stella watching passers-by. Hmmm..they now sell Stella down the street.

I just need to set up a table along a busy pedestrian walkway....and I'm good to go!!

And my wife makes a great croissant!

1 hour ago, internet said:

Industry people rally around the company; stick it to the pass traveller the thread cries out.  Stop being distracted by that for a minute.

WJ uses the fact they were travelling as pass holders as a cover and excuse for the lousy handling of the situation.  Blame the traveller. Blame the person who gave them the pass.  

Then publicly announces that they are cancelling the passes - we will show them the mighty company says.

(I don’t know who is running the company now - or the communication strategy - maybe it’s not great because they are “working at home” and all the Netflix is distracting them - but the attitude about Covid is way way over the top - see the tweet announcing zero tolerance.)  

It’s all a distraction.  Read what the non-industry people are saying. It’s a bad read for WestJet. But you’d never know on here.

And now the world gets to hear the story:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54096061

 

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/westjet-mask-row-scli-intl/index.html

 

The company failed. They over reacted. Covered themselves and look bad for it.

But they were pass travellers so it’s fine.

Simply put...I don't agree that the company is necessarily at fault. Neither you nor I were present and even accounts by people present differ.

The circumstances clearly warranted in the opinion of the crew cancellation of the flight for the safety of both crew and passengers. That is a very significant command decision not undertaken lightly.

Given that fact and extrapolating, I have no doubt that this particular family were reacting to the " mask issue" in a manner that intended or not was involving other passengers.

As a contingent pax, that in and of itself is a very strong " no no". You should be seen and never heard and always be at pains to ensure revenue pax are not inconvenienced by your presence in any way.

There is absolutely no way that this cabin crew were trying to compel a babe in arms to wear a mask. I repeat...I wasn't there but I believe that the "conflict" all centered on  the reluctance of the toddler to don a mask...and keep it on.

End of story...the pax should have quickly and apologetically disembarked with his family and spent the hours waiting for the next flight teaching his 3 year old how to tolerate a mask.

Instead, the family remains in Calgary whining to the press and hopefully expending some time to express regrets to the employee who has now lost his/ her pass privileges.

My first reaction was.....why would this pax be contacting the press to complain about his alleged mistreatment. His initial complaint to the press made no reference to an older child who was not wearing a mask. He then acknowledged that fact stating that once that child was under control, the cabin crew wanted the infant to also be masked. BUT.....everybody and his brother ( working as cabin crew) know that infants don't require masks. Obviously, the issue had exploded whilst attempting to persuade the older child to wear a mask. And I mean exploded...to a degree that other passengers, not fully informed, felt their intervention was required. And all while despite crew objections, a well- meaning pax " filmed" the event for posterity.

And you're travelling on a " buddy pass" where every step should be taken in interactions with crew as though you were stepping on eggshells?!!

No sympathy...for anyone!!

It is reported that the highest rate of transmission is found in enclosed spaces where people both eat and drink....bars; restaurants; wedding venues etc. Once infected, of course, those individuals become potential carriers to others not engaging in such activities but insufficiently vigilant.

Commercial carriers are unfortunately driven ( understandably) by the search for revenue. No one is flying in AC "J" because the premium for the seat without service is too high. Solution? Resume service in  "J" and hope for the best. Bottom line, when that asymptomatic infected individual lowers his/her mask to sip on that glass of wine, the neighbouring pax doing the same is exposed.

How can that be a good thing?

If air travel is necessary intended to get from A to B safely and quickly....masks ALL the time at the very least and to hell with service. Lower the fares!

Dagger wouldn't rely on Premiers to do the " right thing". I wouldn't rely on almost any private commercial enterprise to do the " right thing".

I had a Delta ticket (basic economy....NO changes) for a PBI>YYZ flight I booked with skymiles. I cancelled about 8 days ago. The skymiles were credited back to my account the same day; Delta waived the rules to allow any purchaser to cancel or change at no charge. The tax portion was credited to my card the same day. Great company. I think I've received at least three update messages from the CEO. Air Canada and its executives have left everyone " up in the air". Effective communication; half or more of the battle.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/23/pf/delta-hiring-flight-attendants/

And while they are collectively lowering the standards for pilots, they are raising the bar on FA's to cull the herd.

No, guys, I am not equating flight crew and cabin crew. Feel free to chuckle just a bit.