Can Ac Ever Overcome It's Negative Image?

[Guest longtimer]

runaway:not excusing their actions but wondering if they were under some pressure and perhaps even directed to take the short cut. I also wonder where the lead or other person in authority was while this was happening.

There has been some comment around carrying heavy bags down the stairs, but since the bag weight limit is only 22lbs I don't know how that applies unless of course we are also seeing the result of not checking carry on baggage to ensure it is within the limits (size and weight).

[props2you]

No surpise, gate check for everything that won't fit on the SlaveShip aka 77W. Maybe they need to send pax a memo that they can bring bags onboard.

[Zan Vetter]

If we want to influence behaviour, what about on flights less than 2 hours you pay to carry on, but check is free? Kids excepted.

[Guest longtimer]

If we want to influence behaviour, what about on flights less than 2 hours you pay to carry on, but check is free? Kids excepted.

So if you want to check a kid, there would be a fee???

[Thebean]

No surpise, gate check for everything that won't fit on the SlaveShip aka 77W. Maybe they need to send pax a memo that they can bring bags onboard.

Slaveship. That is hilarious. Well bowled, Sir!

[acsidestick]

Bean, it's how the F/As working those flights are referring to them. They are on the go from start to finish. Someone said it, and it really stuck.

[Thebean]

Bean, it's how the F/As working those flights are referring to them. They are on the go from start to finish. Someone said it, and it really stuck.

It's going to get worse before it gets better. Charging for the first bag on domestic flights will be here within 12 months, and quite a bit sooner if I had to guess.

It's only a question of who announces it first.

[acsidestick]

I guess that's why we started the "Drop the bag that doesn't fit in the overhead or under the seat from great heights where everyone can see" program. What will Six Sigma come up with next?

[chockalicious]

I can sort of defend the guys on this one. Running up and down bridge stairs carrying bags can take up a ton of time and is a border-line safety issue. At least they were dropping them into a cart and not to the ground. Just another stupid video to get the enraged class something to be mad about.

All that being said they should not have done it.

[deicer]

Just a couple observations...

1) ACGHS was an experiment that failed. Ground handling is part of the main corporation again.

2) While this is unacceptable, what is the root cause of it happening? Everyone blames the ramp workers, but until a proper investigation is done into timeline of what was done, I think that the same consideration should be given to the ramp workers as is requested for flight ops personnel whenever there is an 'incident'.

[Jaydee]

Here's another example of AC's Award Winning Service!

Ummm....am I allowed to print "Service" and "Air Canada" in the same sentence?

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/04/03/air-canada-apologizes-after-staff-abandoned-disabled-violinist-itzhak-perlman-at-pearson-international-airport/

[runaway]

Here another winner that should get fired!! No doubt the union will protect him.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/04/03/air-canada-apologizes-after-staff-abandoned-disabled-violinist-itzhak-perlman-at-pearson-international-airport/

Just a question about this.....does AC do it's own wheelchair handling/transporting in the YYZ airport with it's own CAW agents or is it GTAA employees that do these functions?

[moeman]

It's currently a CAW job.

[Guest longtimer]

Just a question about this.....does AC do it's own wheelchair handling/transporting in the YYZ airport with it's own CAW agents or is it GTAA employees that do these functions?

Here is what the airport has on the subject:

For information about airport accessibility, contact Terminal Information Services at (416) 247-7678 for Terminal 1, or (416) 776-5100 for Terminal 3.

Getting around Toronto Pearson

If you need a little extra help getting around the airport, there are free wheelchairs and electric vehicles readily available to you. To make pre-arrangements, all you have to do is complete an Airport Customer Assistance Program (ACAP) request form [style = Link] [Link = mobility Assistance 180] Or call (416) 776-ACAP, toll free: 1-877-297-ACAP.

Booking your wheelchair

Pre-booking your wheelchair at least 24 hours in advance is highly recommended and means you’ll have one less thing to think about on the day of your flight. We’ll meet you within 20 minutes of your departure, and be there waiting for you at the aircraft door when you arrive.

Porter [style = Link] [Link = Porter Service 105] service is also available in both terminals to help you with your luggage.

Please note: It’s important to notify your air carrier or travel agent when booking your flight if you require special assistance while traveling. Your carrier can provide information on the use of wheelchairs, passenger escort services, transportation within airports, check-in, boarding and arrival support at your destination.

Click here [style = Link] [Link = Airlines & Destinations 059] for a listing of airlines that serve Toronto Pearson.

Drop off/Pick up Curb Locations

There are designated pick up and drop off locations on the inner curbs at both terminals for guests that may require assistance. When you arrive at the airport, look for the accessibility signage at Arrivals and Departures and you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Terminal 1

● Departures Level: Posts 9, 21, 37

● Arrivals Level: Posts C3, E1

Terminal 3

● Departures Level: Posts 17, 29

[moeman]

Perhaps putting 109 extra seats on an aircraft and taking away crew closets, having smaller under-the-seat stowage spaces due to the smaller seats, and being physically unable to increase overhead bin stowage might be a problem on this particular aircraft/flight. Couple that with the OTP pressures today and this is what happens. Shortcuts are taken.

These guys should be reprimanded, not fired, but the thing I really hope happens is a little navel gazing at HQ. Not holding my breath for that, but this aircraft coupled with the extra baggage fees, not to mention the fact that 20% of our customers seem to be Super Elite these days and so have the open door to bring as much stuff on board as they so please, leads to too many things being brought onboard. The problem isn't rampies tossing bags inappropriately, it's what led to this happening and I hope the smart people at HQ realize that and make some changes in short order.

[inchman]

Here's another example of AC's Award Winning Service!

Ummm....am I allowed to print "Service" and "Air Canada" in the same sentence?

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/04/03/air-canada-apologizes-after-staff-abandoned-disabled-violinist-itzhak-perlman-at-pearson-international-airport/

Notwithstanding the fact that he should not have been left alone if he did need help...

With three bags to carry — as well as his multi-million-dollar 18^th century Italian violin — Mr. Perlman, who was seated on a mobility scooter, said he had to awkwardly load up his lap with luggage and wheel his way to customs authorities.

So, they brought his scooter up to the top of the bridge and put him in it so he could easily transport himself, but he expected someone to help him with his FOUR PIECES OF CARRY ON BAGGAGE . That's why we have baggage checking service. He wants AC to provide extraordinary service, but he obviously thinks he's above the basic rules... and has no hesitation to run to the newspapers when he doesn't get what he feels he's entitled to.

[Guest longtimer]

Based on what I know about collective agreements I don't expect the "firing" will stick, unless they have a really shitty employment record and nor should it.

QMI AGENCY


Two Air Canada employees seen in a video posted online showing passengers' baggage being dropped from the top of a staircase to a bin below have been suspended.

And the two unnamed employees could be fired.

"The employees involved have been advised that their employment will be terminated pending the outcome of our investigation," Air Canada spokesman Angela Mah said. "We take matters involving the protection of our customers' personal possessions very seriously.

"The actions of these individuals are not representative of the vast majority of our employees who work hard every day to take care of our customers."

Global News reported Dwayne Stewart of Abbotsford, B.C., shot the video in a plane on the tarmac at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

Stewart said passengers on the Vancouver-bound flight were asked to check their carry-on luggage because there wasn't enough room in overhead compartments.

Stewart started filming as a handler dropped several bags what he figures was about 20 feet.

The baggage-drop video was posted on YouTube and went viral.
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2014/04/20140420-164105.html

[Guest longtimer]

Damn, that is it, I will never fly with them again.....

The following story focus is on AC but forgets to mention that the mother and child passed into Canada through immigration etc. with no problem. So how the hell would AC have known the child had measles???? You have to wonder why the inbound carrier was not identified so that their passengers would also know of their exposure????

Air Canada flight from Vancouver carried child with measles
Passengers on April 9 8:30 p.m. PT flight to Edmonton may have been exposed to measles
The Canadian Press Posted: Apr 20, 2014 12:07 PM PT Last Updated: Apr 20, 2014 12:07 PM PT

Alberta health officials say a passenger on an Air Canada flight from Vancouver to Edmonton on April 9 brought measles with them. A warning was issued for people using Edmonton's airport around that time, but no warning had been issued for Vancouver airport users. (Istock)
Health officials in Edmonton are issuing warnings after a passenger who arrived in the city on a flight from Vancouver was later diagnosed with measles, but similar warnings have not been issued in Vancouver.
On Saturday, Alberta Health officials confirmed that a child with measles arrived in Vancouver from the Philippines, and then transferred to Air Canada Flight 248, which departed Vancouver at 8:30 p.m. PT on April 9.
Alberta medical health officers said anyone on that flight or in Edmonton International Airport several hours after the plane landed at 9:35 p.m. MT may have been exposed.
Alberta medical health officer Dr. Marcia Johnson said officials contacted affected agencies in B.C. to alert them about the case.
Vancouver Coastal Health wasn't able to confirm on Saturday afternoon whether a warning had been issued in the region.
A spokesperson for Vancouver International Airport said no warning has been issued by the airport, noting that such a warning would be prompted by provincial health officials.

Measles is a virus easily spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A few days after developing symptoms that including a runny nose, fever or cough, the signature red rash can develop. (CBC)
Measles is an extremely contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus, involving a red whole-body rash. The virus can spread through the air, and it usually takes 10 to 12 days from exposure before symptoms occur.
Most people who get the measles survive, but between one and three cases out of every 1,000 can be fatal.
British Columbia is currently in the grips of a large outbreak, with at least 375 cases so far, while Alberta has confirmed 15 cases so far in 2014.Johnson said the Philippines is also in the midst of a measles outbreak.
With files from CBC News

[Specs]

Drop off/Pick up Curb Locations

There are designated pick up and drop off locations on the inner curbs at both terminals for guests that may require assistance. When you arrive at the airport, look for the accessibility signage at Arrivals and Departures and you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Terminal 1

● Departures Level: Posts 9, 21, 37

● Arrivals Level: Posts C3, E1

Terminal 3

● Departures Level: Posts 17, 29

I call Baloney on that one. The drop off location on the departures level at T1 shares space with the Valet Parking Service. You pull up there with a Handicap sign in the window and the commissionaire will just wave you away. I swear he's actually guarding the space for the Valet Service. GTAA has been notified many times and nothing has changed.

[Johnny]

Someone recently made the comparison to "The Ballard Years" of Leaf ownership. Who cares about the product on the ice, as long as the stands are full.

Never forget the core business here, Executive Bonus.

That said; this guy should get his @ss fired, for no other reason than being too stupid to deserve a job. Unfortunately with the IAM at the helm, it is impossible to get rid of these guys.

We have the highest paid "Baggies" in the free world.

[Guest longtimer]

I call Baloney on that one. The drop off location on the departures level at T1 shares space with the Valet Parking Service. You pull up there with a Handicap sign in the window and the commissionaire will just wave you away. I swear he's actually guarding the space for the Valet Service. GTAA has been notified many times and nothing has changed.

Don't waste your time telling me, tell the Airport Authorities again ...... or better yet the press.....

[conehead]

The family of one of the Calgary stabbing victims gave a "thank you" to Air Canada...

from CBC news: "It is a struggle every day to understand that Zackariah won't be coming home," the family wrote. "He was so close to so many and touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with ... No one should ever have to lose someone who was so young and full of so much potential."

The family also thanked the Calgary Police Service and Calgarians for their support, as well as Air Canada for getting Rathwell's brother home to be with the rest of the family.

[Jaydee]

So, they brought his scooter up to the top of the bridge and put him in it so he could easily transport himself, but he expected someone to help him with his FOUR PIECES OF CARRY ON BAGGAGE . That's why we have baggage checking service. He wants AC to provide extraordinary service, but he obviously thinks he's above the basic rules... and has no hesitation to run to the newspapers when he doesn't get what he feels he's entitled to.

Your missing the point Dave. It doesn't matter whether had 1, 4 or 44 bags to carry. That was not his fault. Blame the agent and FA's who let him board that way in the first place at his departure station.

The point is this Agent was assigned a job to assist which was most probably a J-class passenger and he basically told a guy in a wheel chair to go stuff it half way through to completion.

It's employees and attitudes like this that give AC a black eye every time they show up for work. Fire the idiot and make an example of him. We all know the union would no doubt grieve it and get him back ( and thats a whole other bag of BS but I digress) but at least AC will have made its point the next time someone thinks of trying this kind of stunt.

[boestar]

The problem is, the point that is made is the wrong point. If the guy gets his job back with back pay etc. then the message is "hey guys do whatever you want, you cannot get fired" That is the wrong message. The company needs to do due diligence and make the discipline stick. period.

[blues deville]

According to the news today, AC has said the two baggage handlers involved "may be fired" after the airline conducts a review of the incident. So they are not gone yet and I don't think they will lose their jobs. Pretty stupid to be throwing baggage around at anytime, and especially in view of passengers. As mentioned earlier on this thread, all gates need those luggage slides if airlines have no time to police carry on baggage.