rudder Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 WestJet announcements no longer move the needle in the CDN airline industry. Nor do Flair announcements. Nor Porter announcements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 1 hour ago, rudder said: WestJet announcements no longer move the needle in the CDN airline industry. Nor do Flair announcements. Nor Porter announcements. So who rocks in your Opinion and why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 Link to complete article. WestJet admits it was wrong to refuse customer refunds for rebooked flights | CBC News WestJet says it made an error when the airline rebooked thousands of customers on alternate flights and offered no refunds — only credit — to those who wanted to cancel their trip. "We gave incorrect information or inconsistent information," Richard Bartrem, WestJet's vice-president of communications, said in an interview. WestJet blamed the error on the fact that the airline was ramping up its service now that COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were easing. "This was us bringing people back to work, training people back up," Bartrem said. "It is a rapidly moving environment, and we didn't have all those pieces [of information] updated the way they should otherwise have been." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD2 Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 15 hours ago, Kargokings said: So who rocks in your Opinion and why? Jazz, AC, and above all ALPA! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FA@AC Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 No government aid for WestJet, at least for now. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/westjet-ends-negotiations-federal-goverment-pandemic-support-1.6110250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 Taking the high road but: (The WestJet Group statement on government support announcement | WestJet official site) WestJet drops out of talks with government on pandemic aidEmail Airline said it remains open to resuming talks in the future Ashley Burke · CBC News · Posted: Jul 20, 2021 5:50 PM ET | Last Updated: 35 minutes ago WestJet said in a statement Tuesday it is "not actively pursuing financial support from the federal government" but is open to resuming talks in the future. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) 62 comments Calgary-based WestJet said today that after months of negotiations, it has officially ended talks with the federal government on a financial aid package to help the airline during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement from the airline, released this afternoon, comes a day after Canada announced it plans to reopen the border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens next month and to vaccinated travellers from around the world in September. "Given encouraging vaccination rates across the country, both parties have mutually agreed to shift focus from these negotiations, and away from taxpayer-funded support, to leading the safe restart of the travel and tourism sector," WestJet said in the statement. The federal government said it and the airline agreed "mutually ... to suspend constructive discussions" and it's open to restarting talks in the future if necessary. Major airlines have been lobbying the government for months for financial help. The carriers argued an aid package was desperately needed as a lifeline for an industry hit hard by the pandemic. Air travel dropped to historic lows as airlines endured border closures, travel restrictions and quarantine orders. Several carriers already have reached multimillion or multibillion dollar deals with the government in exchange for refunding passengers for flights cancelled during the pandemic. WestJet's overall passenger volumes dropped nearly 90 per cent in 2020 compared to the year before. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press ) Air Canada reached a $5.9 billion deal with the federal government consisting of low-interest loans; the government took a $500 million equity stake in the company. Air Transat also secured a $700 million support package. The parent company of Porter Airlines received a federal loan of up to $270 million. Conservative transport critic Stephanie Kusie took aim at Transport Minister Omar Alghabra following WestJet's announcement. Alghabra posted a video on social media earlier today showing he met with recalled WestJet staff this morning. "You tried to fool us today with all of your positive @WestJet posts," tweeted Kusie. "The truth comes out. This announcement proves the industry always knew they were on their own and are ready to move on without you." The office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Finance Chrystia Freeland said that it has provided "substantial support" to the airline sector. "That support to date includes more than $2 billion in wage subsidies for airlines and $1 billion announced in the Fall Economic Statement for airports and smaller airlines," wrote Freeland's press secretary Kat Cuplinskas. WestJet's CEO said company never wanted a "bailout" Before entering talks with the government, WestJet's president and CEO Ed Sims said it wasn't about the money and his company was not seeking a "bailout." Instead, the airline said it wanted the government to lay out a recovery plan for the industry, he said. WestJet's books are closed to the public since it's privately owned by Toronto-based Onex Corp. "We are not seeking policy that strictly supports our bottom line and, frankly, that is not what the nation needs," Sims wrote to MPs and senators in December 2020. Fully vaccinated tourists will soon be able to visit Canada again CBC News has reported that in March, WestJet's demand for a plan to restart domestic air travel caused some tension at the talks. The talks that started in the new year with Deputy Finance Minister Michael Sabia are confidential and those involved have signed non-disclosure agreements. In today's statement, WestJet said it remains open to resuming talks with the government about financial support in the future. WestJet recently apologized and said it made an error by refusing some customers' refunds for rebooked flights during the pandemic. The admission came after a CBC News investigation into complaints from customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbrake Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Anyone have a subscription that can see what the article says? https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/westjet-delta-submit-revised-jv-application Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 WestJet, Delta to submit revised JV application WestJet's CEO says his LCC remains fully committed to the idea of a joint venture and believes Delta Air Lines is too. WestJet, Delta to submit revised JV application | Routesonline By Karen Walker Posted23 July 2021 12:00 Share this article Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Canadian LCC WestJet will refile its application to the US Transportation Department (DOT) to be allowed to enter a joint venture (JV) with Delta Air Lines, WestJet CEO Ed Sims says. DOT tentatively approved the JV application in October 2020, but applied a number of conditions, including taking WestJet’s ULCC subsidiary, Swoop, out of the JV and divesting 16 takeoff and landing slots at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The airlines withdrew their application in November 2020, describing the conditions, especially the slots divestiture requirement, as “unreasonable and unacceptable.” As guest speaker on an International Aviation Club of Washington webinar July 22, Sims said WestJet remained fully committed to the JV and believed Delta was similarly committed, so they will revise and refile their application. “You have to take a stand” when DOT rules as it did on a slot-constrained airport like LaGuardia, Sims said, adding that he and Delta CEO Ed Bastian “think very similarly ... and are not fans of big government.” Sims, who has announced he will step down at the end of 2021 after four years as EVP, commercial, then CEO at WestJet, did not give a time line. But he did say WestJet was looking forward to ultimately expanding the Delta relationship into the transatlantic market via Delta’s SkyTeam alliance partners Air France and KLM. WestJet plans to launch service to KLM hub Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and also resume service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in August. The AMS service from WestJet’s home hub at Calgary International Airport (YYC) will operate twice weekly beginning Aug. 5, increasing to 3X-weekly on Sept. 9. WestJet operates six Boeing 787-800s on its long-haul routes. Four more are to be delivered soon and WestJet has options on 10 more. Its short- and medium-haul fleet consists of 737-700/800s and 737 MAXs. More WestJet news WestJet boosts summer domestic schedule WestJet introduces Amsterdam route, resumes London Gatwick Routes in brief: Eurowings, Emirates, Aerolineas Argentinas and more Sims said WestJet’s costs were cut 72% in response to the pandemic and a drastic drop in demand for air travel. Unlike the US and many European countries, the Canadian government was reluctant to provide sector-specific aid to industries, a policy that has changed recently but extends only to payrolls support and potential access to loans as opposed to grants. Sims said he did not believe that debt was the solution to climb out of the demand shortfall. “The wage support is greatly appreciated, but I’m not a believer in a complex debt structure or feel that’s the best use of the public purse,” Sims said. Canada’s strict and lengthy lockdown and travel restrictions, cutting off international access and some inter-province travel, forced some carriers to suspend operations. WestJet maintained minimum services throughout but had to cut costs by while still losing money “on every single seat” at the lowest point, Sims said. “I’d love to think that the majority of [those cost cuts] is permanent,” Sims said, explaining that WestJet has a 35%-40% cost advantage over its closest competitor, allowing it to discount fares by similar amounts. “So we will keep the core of that.” But Sims noted that Canada’s privately owned air traffic control system provider, NavCanada, and some Canadian airports have looked to recoup their losses through significant fee hikes. NavCanada is increasing its fees by 29.5% and Winnipeg Airport (YWG) has introduced a 52% fee hike, Sims said. After the government elections in fall 2021, WestJet will be asking for regulatory reform with regards to ATC and airport charges. The past eight weeks, as restrictions have started to lift, “have been spectacular” in terms of bookings and demand, Sims said, and will further improve when Canada reopens its border to fully vaccinated Americans and Canadian citizens in August, with a similar policy for all visitors in September. Photo credit: Delta Air Lines More from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 The WestJet Fleet In 2021 byJake Hardiman July 31, 2021 2 minute read Calgary-based WestJet is Canada’s second-largest airline, behind flag carrier Air Canada. It operates a diverse fleet that features turboprops, narrowbody jets, and widebody jets. Let’s take a closer look at its exact makeup, to see what it is that makes WestJet tick. WestJet’s flagship widebody aircraft are its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Photo: Anna Zvereva via Flickr Widebodies According to data from ch-aviation.com, WestJet’s fleet presently comprises an impressive total of 167 aircraft. Of these, just six fall under the category of twin-aisle jetliners, with all of these being the same model. Specifically, they are examples of Boeing’s mid-size 787-9, which WestJet deploys on certain long-haul routes to the likes of London and Paris. WestJet’s existing 787s have an average age of 1.9 years old, and the airline has another four on order. According to SeatGuru, these modern widebodies feature a three-class, 320-seat configuration (276 economy, 28 premium economy, 16 business). According to data from ATDB.aero, WestJet received the first of its 787s in January 2019. Narrowbodies When it comes to turbofan-powered aircraft WestJet, its narrowbodies are far more numerous. The airline operates a plethora of aircraft from Boeing’s popular 737 family, which is spread across four different variants. All in all, it has 114 737s at its disposal. Aircraft from the Boeing 737 family dominate WestJet’s fleet. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. Of these aircraft, 13 are examples of the short-fuselage 737-600 variant. WestJet’s 737-600s have an average age of 15.3 years old, and it received its first in August 2005. They have a two-class, 113-seat configuration, consisting of 12 business and 101 economy seats. WestJet also operates larger variants from the 737NG family. The most numerous of these is the mid-size 737-700. WestJet has 48 of these 130-seaters at its disposal, with an average age of 15.7 years. Meanwhile, there are 39 examples of the younger (9.3 years on average) and larger (174 seats) examples of the 737-800 in WestJet’s fleet. The presence of the 737 MAX has given WestJet’s fleet a youthful edge. Photo: Tomás Del Coro via Flickr WestJet’s fourth and final present 737 family variant is that of the next-generation MAX 8 version. These modern twinjets have the same 174-seat (12 business and 162 economy) configuration as the older 737-800s, but a much lower average age of just 3.1 years old across the 14 examples. 10 more are on order, as well as 13 smaller MAX 7s. Turboprops It is common for major airlines in North America to have a feeder carrier to operate its regional services. WestJet is no different, and conforms to this widespread industry trend in the US and Canada by flying 47 Dash 8-Q400s under the WestJet Encore brand. WestJet’s Dash 8 turboprops operate regional feeder services for the airline. Photo: BriYYZ via Flickr These regional turboprops follow the trend of their mainline counterparts by featuring a small business class cabin at the front of the aircraft. This consists of 10 seats with a slightly more generous seat pitch of 31 inches. Behind them is a 68-seat economy section, in which the seat pitch is 30 inches. WestJet’s Dash 8s have an average age of 5.9 years. What do you make of WestJet’s present fleet? Which of the Canadian carrier’s aircraft have you flown on? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A330PilotCanada Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Good Afternoon All: Over coffee yesterday from a friend still in the WestJet/Encore system I was told there was a recent email from management concerning the high amount of book off's in the system due to fatigue. My understanding (limited I might add) is they are in the midst of ramping up again but the pairings are onerous as well as fatiguing long duty days, as they are short of aircrew. Can anyone else elaborate on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 1 hour ago, A330PilotCanada said: Good Afternoon All: Over coffee yesterday from a friend still in the WestJet/Encore system I was told there was a recent email from management concerning the high amount of book off's in the system due to fatigue. My understanding (limited I might add) is they are in the midst of ramping up again but the pairings are onerous as well as fatiguing long duty days, as they are short of aircrew. Can anyone else elaborate on this? Schedules leaving some WestJet pilots fatigued, internal report says | CTV News Schedules leaving some WestJet pilots fatigued, internal report says CTV Vancouver Mi-Jung LeeAnchor, CTV News Vancouver You may want to listen to the video report. Schedules leaving some WestJet pilots fatigued, internal report says | CTV News There are concerns among WestJet pilots that their schedules are leaving them exhausted on the job, according to an internal report obtained by CTV News. The report, which sums up the results of focus groups commissioned by the airline late last year, highlights frustration among many pilots, some of whom blame the issue on WestJet executives pushing to cut costs and increase efficiency. “You’re not flying at the level you should be – and that’s the problem. There are no options,” one unnamed participant says in the document. “Fatigue is not a free fix. They know how to fix it, but it’s all about cost. And they don’t want to spend the money,” says another. According to the report, nine different pilot groups involving a total of 94 participants were consulted in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. It found the same key issues about fatigue and related health and safety concerns among all groups. “Participants were passionate and overwhelmingly negative with regards to increasingly difficult schedules and related fatigue issues,” it reads. “Many pilots believe that the increased focus on delivering value to the shareholder has been made at a significant cost to morale, culture, and trust.” One former pilot, Rob Scratch Mitchell, said fatigue was one of the reasons he decided to quit WestJet. He also admitted to having fallen asleep in the air. “There have been a few times I’ve woken up and I’ve seen the other pilot nodding off as well. That’s probably something people aren’t comfortable to hear,” he said. “We’re stretching our crews to the edge of safety.” Asked about the report, WestJet told CTV News it’s trying to address employees’ concerns about fatigue, and has made headway since the focus group was conducted. “A significant amount of work had already been done prior to these focus groups, and several changes have been implemented since, with more to come,” a spokesperson said in an email. “It is also important to note that all of our pilots are scheduled not only within regulatory requirements laid out by Transport Canada, but in accordance with our pilot agreements and, most importantly, through changes implemented in accordance with our fatigue risk management system.” There are also concerns among pilots that Canada’s regulations have fallen behind international standards, however. The U.S. overhauled its rules after a 2009 crash in Buffalo that killed 49 people, and which was blamed on pilot error and fatigue. Many Canadian pilots are urging federal regulators to do the same now, and not wait for a similar tragedy. “Countries such as Morocco, Bangladesh, India all have flight and duty time regulations that are a lot more strict,” said Capt. Dan Adamus of the Airline Pilots' Association. Currently, Transport Canada allows pilots to work a 14-hour shift, longer than is allowed in many countries. The agency announced it wanted to udate the rules last year, including a new limit of between nine and 13 hours in the cockpit, but postponed their implementation. With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Mi-Jung Lee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Note the date on the following story re a fatigue problem at WestJet. So is this old news being given a 2nd life or>>>> ????? Concern over sleepy pilots Nicholas Johansen - Mar 8, 2016 / 10:21 am | Story: 160246 Photo: The Canadian Press Most travellers hold a well-rested pilot high on their list of wants when it comes to choosing an airline. But, pilots at WestJet suggest that's not always the reality. An internal report shows a high level of frustration among many of the company’s pilots over the heavy scheduling they face. A former WestJet pilot, Rob Scratch Mitchell, told CTV fatigue was one of the reasons he quit. He even said he has fallen asleep in the air. “There have been a few times I’ve woken up and I’ve seen the other pilot nodding off as well. That’s probably something people aren’t comfortable to hear,” Mitchell said. “We’re stretching our crews to the edge of safety.” Some in the report blame the issue on WestJet looking to cut costs and increase efficiency. “Fatigue is not a free fix,” said one unnamed participant in the report. “They know how to fix it, but it’s all about cost. And they don’t want to spend the money.” A total of 94 participants, from nine pilot groups in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, were involved in the report. All the groups had concerns about fatigue. “Participants were passionate and overwhelmingly negative with regards to increasingly difficult schedules and related fatigue issues,” the report reads. “Many pilots believe that the increased focus on delivering value to the shareholder has been made at a significant cost to morale, culture, and trust.” A WestJet spokesperson told CTV the airline is trying to address the issues. “A significant amount of work had already been done prior to these focus groups, and several changes have been implemented since, with more to come,” the spokesperson said in an email. “It is also important to note that all of our pilots are scheduled not only within regulatory requirements laid out by Transport Canada, but in accordance with our pilot agreements and, most importantly, through changes implemented in accordance with our fatigue risk management system.” Transport Canada currently allows pilots to work 14-hour shifts. Last year, the agency announced it was looking to update its rules, and reduce the limit to between nine and 13 hours, but it postponed the change. “Countries such as Morocco, Bangladesh, India all have flight and duty time regulations that are a lot more strict,” said Capt. Dan Adamus of the Airline Pilots' Association. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North of You Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 This is second hand information, but… I understand this guy was a bit of a problem child who wanted the summers off so he could do his air show flying, which then led to him booking off on pairings and eventually termination. Sour I suspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTFA Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Demanding that your employer reduce your amount of work is only going to undermine your ability to earn income. Allowing the Government to dictate rules to address scheduling rules is a invitation for confusion and conflict. WE, as professionals need to take responsibility for our own well being and negotiate wages and working conditions that reflect our commitment to providing the highest levels of safety, with efficiency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FA@AC Posted August 14, 2021 Share Posted August 14, 2021 Aside from the delays at security which are beyond the airlines' control it sounds as if WestJet's operations are as messy as AC's this week. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-airport-westjet-richard-bertram-erin-cipollone-1.6140615 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 WestJet suspends nearly 300 unvaccinated employees (guelphmercury.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Swoop continues to add routes, is the growth having any impact on WestJet main line? Wheels up: Swoop announces new non-stop flights out of Edmonton to 9 locations By Jessika Guse Global News Posted November 15, 2021 2:46 pm Wheels up: Swoop announces new non-stop flights out of Edmonton to 9 locations - Edmonton | Globalnews.ca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvWatcher Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 First this: The WestJet Group announces Harry Taylor as interim President and CEO Français NEWS PROVIDED BY WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership Sep 15, 2021, 11:20 ET SHARE THIS ARTICLE Jennifer Bue to step in as interim Chief Financial Officer CALGARY, AB, Sept. 15, 2021 /CNW/ - The WestJet Group today announced that Harry Taylor will assume the interim role of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with a transition period taking place between late November and mid-December 2021. Current CEO Ed Sims announced his retirement on June 9, 2021. The WestJet Group announces Harry Taylor as interim President and CEO (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership) "I am extremely pleased Harry has agreed to take on this interim role," said the WestJet Group Board Chair Chris Burley. "Our global search for a permanent CEO continues, and on behalf of WestJet and the board, we are grateful Harry has stepped up to help us through this critical transition. Harry has been an integral part of our pandemic planning and recovery, and it is his painstaking attention to our finances and his unique perspective that helped us through. As we continue to navigate our way through the remainder of the pandemic, Harry's experience in the industry, combined with his deep appreciation and understanding of the WestJet culture will be a tremendous asset as we work to rebuild our airline and deliver on the five-year plan for our people and our guests." "It is a tremendous honour to be asked to serve as interim CEO for the WestJet Group, and I look forward to leading our organization through this crucial phase of our recovery," said Harry Taylor. "There is much work to be done, while we continue our search for a permanent CEO. I am confident my experience as CFO through this crisis, combined with my tenure at WestJet, will set us up for success until such time as we welcome our new CEO." Harry Taylor joined WestJet in 2015 as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). During this time, he led the airline's inaugural U.S. bond issue, negotiated the purchase of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing MAX aircraft, and was instrumental in the sale of WestJet to Onex. Through the pandemic, Harry led the Finance team in managing WestJet's liquidity to ensure sustainability with little to no revenue coming in. While Harry serves as interim CEO, Jennifer Bue, WestJet's current Vice-President, Finance Planning & Analysis will serve as interim CFO. Jenn joined WestJet in 2008 and has held various leadership roles in corporate planning, treasury, accounting and was head of finance at Swoop. Prior to WestJet, Jenn worked at Deloitte and at RBC in equity research. Jenn holds designations as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and has a Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) and a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm). "With my transition into my new role, I am delighted Jenn Bue has agreed to become our interim CFO," continued Harry Taylor. "Jenn's knowledge and experience, combined with her invaluable leadership throughout the pandemic, will enable her to be a terrific leader as we continue to rebuild our airline and deliver on our growth strategy." Now this: Harry Taylor becomes interim President and CEO of WestJet Group Français NEWS PROVIDED BY WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership Nov 29, 2021, 05:15 ET SHARE THIS ARTICLE CALGARY, AB, Nov. 29, 2021 /CNW/ - The WestJet Group today announced that Harry Taylor has officially assumed the role of interim President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The WestJet group announced Taylor as the interim President and CEO on September 15, 2021, following news of Ed Sims retirement announced on June 9, 2021. "I am honoured to take on the interim role of CEO at this pivotal time for the WestJet Group, and am focused on our relentless commitment to safety above all while ensuring continuity for our recovery, as we rebuild our airlines for our guests and our people," said Harry Taylor, interim President and CEO. "By the end of the year, we will return our entire fleet to service for the peak holiday travel season, connecting loved ones and fulfilling long awaited vacations plans. I look forward to leading our organization through this crucial phase of our recovery, while we continue our search for a permanent CEO." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted December 7, 2021 Share Posted December 7, 2021 Hours on hold. No customer support. WestJet passenger voices frustration after itinerary change By Anne Drewa Global News Posted December 6, 2021 7:48 pm Updated December 6, 2021 8:36 pm 3:27Consumer Matters: Trying to get a refund from WestJet One man's ordeal in trying to get a refund from WestJet, after the airline changed his itinerary to dates that wouldn't work. Anne Drewa reports. Craig Herman was looking forward to escaping the grey skies and enjoying a winter holiday in the sun. Back in October, the Castlegar, B.C. resident and his wife booked a WestJet Vacations package to Varadero, Cuba. His original flight was scheduled to depart from Kelowna, B.C. Dec. 26 and return Jan. 3. However, a few weeks later, Herman says WestJet notified him of a flight itinerary change. “Now with the change, it threw things right out of whack,” said Herman. His flight was rescheduled to depart on Dec. 24 on a red-eye flight and return on Jan. 3 with a two-day stop-over in Calgary. It would also mean Herman and his wife would miss spending Christmas Day with family. “The plan was to do Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with them in Kelowna,” Herman told Consumer Matters.Consume1 Herman says the WestJet notification he received stated he had to connect with a WestJet customer service agent to confirm the itinerary change. However, Herman says he couldn’t reach an agent. “We tried to email, call back service twice with no luck and we waited on the phone for over three and a half hours for one day and still no luck. So, we thought lets apply for a refund, “said Herman. Still, filling out the WestJet Vacations refund application form would prove to be just as challenging. “When you submit it, you get a little caveat at the bottom of their refund policy that says success – we will contact you shortly. We were never contacted,” Herman added. Herman isn’t alone. Countless WestJet customers have shared similar stories on social media expressing frustration with the airline. Many describe waiting on the phone for hours to connect with a customer service agent. Others are upset over rescheduled flights and demanding refunds. Consumer Matters reached out to WestJet about Herman’s case and also asked about the litany of customer service complaints directed at the airline. In a statement, WestJet told Consumer Matters: “Unfortunately, we are currently experiencing very high volumes for our phone, email and social media support channels but our teams are working diligently to assist every guest as quickly as possible. We appreciate our guests continued patience and understanding and apologize for the inconvenience,” the company stated. Aviation expert and McGill University lecturer John Gradek says when it comes to flight changes, what passengers are experiencing is likely a reflection of airlines not forecasting demand accurately. “This is not a flight cancellation because of the pandemic directly. The airlines threw too much capacity in there and they have to cancel,” Gradek said. “They are consolidating and those people that happen to be on those flights that are being cancelled are being rerouted and moved on to other flights.” The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) says in the event of a flight disruption, the airline operating the affected flight must keep passengers informed and must provide the reason for the flight disruption. Airlines must also provide passengers with information about the compensation and assistance they may be entitled to, as well as information about their available recourse, including filing a complaint with the CTA. The CTA also says for passengers who are trying to resolve their issues but can’t get through to a customer service agent representing a major airline, passengers can contact the airline in writing first and wait 30 days for the airline to respond in writing. If passengers are not satisfied with the airline’s response, or if the airline has not responded in 30 days, they can fill out an online complaint form on the CRA website. Meantime, once Consumer Matters reached out to WestJet on Herman’s behalf, he got a phone call immediately from the airline. “It’s unfortunate I had to use this process in getting their attention, but due to Consumer Matters, we got the issue resolved within 24 hours which is fantastic,” he said. To contact Anne Drewa and Consumer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Pulman Posted December 7, 2021 Share Posted December 7, 2021 Quote “Unfortunately, we are currently experiencing very high volumes for our phone, email and social media support channels but our teams are working diligently to assist every guest as quickly as possible. We appreciate our guests continued patience and understanding and apologize for the inconvenience,” the company stated. Apologies like this are in the same category as a sentence beginning with “with all due respect”. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted December 7, 2021 Share Posted December 7, 2021 I used to be a fan of WestJet, partially because I remember a day when they were outdoing their main rival in the area of customer service. It's both sad and amazing how losing the influence of their founding members has affected this area of their business. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boestar Posted December 7, 2021 Share Posted December 7, 2021 Bottom line over better service. Now if only the "NEW GEN CEO's" realized that with better customer service comes a better bottom line. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted December 7, 2021 Share Posted December 7, 2021 WestJet flight diverted back to Calgary after pilot medical emergency Jason Herring 54 mins ago A plane flying from Calgary to Atlanta Monday afternoon was forced to turn around due to a medical emergency involving the pilot. WestJet flight 1590 landed safely at Calgary International Airport at 1:12 p.m. Monday, just less than about an hour after taking off, according to public flight logs. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane was flying over southeastern Alberta when it turned back toward Calgary. In an email statement, WestJet spokesperson Madison Kruger said EMS met the flight upon arrival and the pilot was removed from duty. Another pilot onboard took control of the plane. “All WestJet flights have two pilots, to ensure that should any illness occur in the flight deck, there is an additional pilot onboard to ensure the continued safe operation of the aircraft and the safety of our guests and our crew,” Kruger said. EMS said they responded to the airport terminal around 1:25 p.m. but that paramedics had no patient contact and left the scene without request for EMS assistance. Edmontonian John White was a passenger on the flight, sitting four rows from the front of the plane. He first realized something was awry on the flight after noticing concern among flight attendants, one of whom brought a first-aid kit and a defibrillator into the cockpit. “Then they made the call for if there is a doctor, nurse or EMT on the plane and as luck would have it, one doctor came forward and two nurses,” White said. He said a pilot on board in the passenger area also made his way to the cockpit. White said the pilot was brought out of the cockpit and set down as medical volunteers treated him. The pilot appeared to collapse shortly afterwards. “They were able to get him talking again after they got him on the floor, but they were working on him pretty feverishly,” White said. WestJet declined to provide details on the illness or the current condition of the pilot, citing privacy concerns. The airline said 70 passengers were on the flight, with some accommodated with travel Monday. The airline added additional Calgary-to-Atlanta and Atlanta-to-Calgary flights for Tuesday after the incident. A scramble and some lengthy queues ensued after the cancelled flight, White said. White praised the pilot and medical professionals on board for their handling of the incident and safe carriage of the flight back to Calgary. “When I saw the extra pilot go into place, I felt a lot better, and then my concern turned to the well-being of the pilot. . . They weren’t messing around or wasting any time,” he said. “And I will commend the flight attendant. They were really impressive and they kept us abreast of what was happening. It was impressive to see them jump into action like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AIP Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 3 hours ago, Kargokings said: In an email statement, WestJet spokesperson Madison Kruger said EMS met the flight upon arrival and the pilot was removed from duty. Another pilot onboard took control of the plane. “All WestJet flights have two pilots, to ensure that should any illness occur in the flight deck, there is an additional pilot onboard to ensure the continued safe operation of the aircraft and the safety of our guests and our crew,” Kruger said. Have read this 4 times. Does it say "there is an additional pilot" in addition to the required two ?? Or is it saying "this is why we are mandated to send them out in pairs at a minimum ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 34 minutes ago, AIP said: Have read this 4 times. Does it say "there is an additional pilot" in addition to the required two ?? Or is it saying "this is why we are mandated to send them out in pairs at a minimum ?? Or perhaps just a statement from someone who is hoping that most passengers do not know that current staffing requirements and aircraft designs are built around 2 pilots. ..... and is hoping, maybe, to score points for WestJet in that regard..... In any event I hope the pilot is doing well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now