David A
Senior Member
This seems like a good sign to me.
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- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
Avenuer
Senior Member
Nice interview with the Flair CEO: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radi...420855882&mc_cid=a4c1b02116&mc_eid=ce00611739
Offworld
Active Member
Not sure if this is the venue for a question I've got, but here we go. For those baby-prop planes that funnel travel back and forth between YEG and YYC, @ YYC the planes directly connect to gangways, whereas in YEG you have to trundle outside and walk to the plane? I have to say that it makes YEG feel a bit bush league when you have to slog through snow and/or other inclement conditions. If YYC can do it, why can't YEG?
And yes I know that YVR has areas akin to YEG. That doesn't make what YEG or YVR does acceptable.
And yes I know that YVR has areas akin to YEG. That doesn't make what YEG or YVR does acceptable.
blue12
Active Member
YYC also has areas like this, a little area on the north end of concourse A. There're only a handful of these gates so most of the regional props/jets still do go to the main terminal.... but it's not a YVR/YEG specific issue. You just see it more at YEG because there're less gates total, which means larger jets are prioritized leaving people in the smaller Dash 8s to go to the more "annoying" gates instead. An expansion of the YEG terminal would only temporarily fix this until traffic inevitably caught up to capacity and the props are back at the gates where passengers are walking outside.
Hypothetically all three airports should just invest in jetbridges for these gates, but realistically it just doesn't make sense to. Those regional flights usually have quick turnaround times and don't shuttle in massive amounts of people, so it's faster and more economical to have them walk 20 seconds to the terminal building.
We have it good in a way here in Canada, given it's commonplace at most major airports in Europe and some in Asia for passengers to deplane outdoors and get bussed to the terminal. We've been spoiled in the sense that YUL is the only major Canadian airport that frequently does this.
MacLac
Senior Member
Normally you’re on my ignore list but you couldn’t be more wrong. Westjet has a metal Quonset hut building with 10 gates to rando small cities…….concrete floor….outside tarmac to be exact…..electric ceiling heaters and all the WJ agents wear puffer jackets…..if you want bush league….thats it!
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Oilguy
Active Member
Flew the Houston flight round trip this week. Nice plane, good departure times, pretty much full both ways. Good mix of travellers, oil and gas, families, some hunters coming this way. Such a crucial flight.
Offworld
Active Member
I don't fly Westjet, so it's interesting to hear about that operation in Calgary. I appreciate the additional information. I've only flown one of those commuter connection flights on AC, and they've always ended up at a gate/bridge. I jumped to the conclusion that was standard operation procedure in Calgary.
ChazYEG
Senior Member
I'll add to this that YYZ also does the same thing. On my two most recent flights from YLW to YYZ this happened, so it's not even the small turboprops (I was on an A321 and 737 for those flights).
ChazYEG
Senior Member
I've come to despise AC far more than WJ, lately. Their customer service is abysmal, prices are through the roof and their Eastern + YVR focus pisses me off.
blue12
Active Member
I have to agree with you on this.
I feel that this forum's general hate towards WS is more just rooted in sourness that Edmonton isn't home to their largest operation in Alberta. No matter what airline we fly with there is a high likelihood that we'll be routed through another city and I think lots of Edmontonians hate being routed through YYC not because YYC inherently sucks for connections, but just because it's Calgary.
I personally am fine with those routings because I've had far too many poor experiences with AC. I'd also rather fly with the airline that at least tries to have a Western Canadian focus and still at the end of the day does a lot of positive things for YEG, more than AC ever has. Compare us to a similar sized city like Ottawa.... YEG handled nearly double as many passengers as YOW last year and WS was the one doing the heavy lifting. Their impact on YEG is a net positive, in my opinion.
inclusion
Active Member
Kind of funny to read people praising WS vs AC like they aren't both terrible companies in the space they are in. It is like comparing Rogers vs Telus vs Bell or the big five banks. While I am sure some people here have positive experiences with one or the other, the overall data that tracks complaints does not paint either one in a good light. Just have to accept that we live in a country that historically does not enable corporate competition.
ChazYEG
Senior Member
If you go back and read my comment, I did express that I despise AC more than WJ, but it's not like there's any love lost between my and ANY airline, they're all terrible (yes, even the hometown heroes of Flair are a pain in the ...).
TAS
Senior Member
My hope of WS is definitely less than Edmonton being the home of their largest operation, as your opinion states, and I don't think I've ever read somebody on here say they expect that.
Do I think western based WS with financial ties to AB gov't should provide us a direct overseas flight? Yes. That is nowhere near an expectation of making us their largest base.
David A
Senior Member
Having flown all three, I would agree, they all suck in some of the same ways and in some different ways. WJ used to have better service than AC, but they now seem to be leading the charge in the other direction.
Avenuer
Senior Member
Porter is by far the best option, in my experience. They are usually more expensive than Flair, but cheaper than WJ or AC, plus their Embraer planes are much more comfortable than any other (free wifi, 2 by 2 seating, unlimited snacks and drinks, including booze).
Not really sure why you'd go with another option if Porter flies the same route and is the same price or cheaper.