The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Your Turn - Welcome On Board, Or Not!

Episode Date: April 16, 2026

The question this week was all about airline service by Canadian air carriers. Let 's just say most of you are not happy, at least most of the many who wrote in to The Bridge. The Random Ranter is here as well and on his mind this week is Mark Carney's success in putting together a majority government. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. You're just moments away from the latest episode of the bridge. You and the airlines. Today's your turn. You have your rant. And we'll hear it coming right up. And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. Yes, it's Thursday, and Thursdays means your turn and the random renter.

The question this week is about the airline business. What you think of it? those of you who travel and obviously a lot of you do because there are a lot of letters. Let me just say this, and I'll only say this about my position on the airlines. If you've been a regular listener to the bridge, then you know that I have airline industry in my background. I used to work for a small carrier in Western Canada. Trans Air based in Winnipeg, flew Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northwest Ontario, and the high Arctic, lots of little places.

And I went to pretty well all of them. So I spent a few years with Transair and I enjoyed it a lot. There were difficult times. There were challenges at the counter with passengers who were upset about this, that, or the other thing. And you had to deal with that. But I had a great appreciation for the airline business and for the crews, the pilots, the flight attendants who worked on it. That was a long time ago. That was the 1960s.

So let me just say that. Because this is not my turn, this is your turn. And you weren't shy. So I will, I'll just read your letters, okay? Starting with Josh Winters. He actually wrote this from WestJet 737 Max 8, heading to Vancouver. He usually writes from Surrey, BC.

Josh says, having family on both coasts of Canada flying is a necessity. I remember my first flight 21 years ago. It was with West Jet, when there are leather seats and live TV in economy. Felt luxurious. Today I appreciate advances like in-flight Wi-Fi, which allows me to write this letter, but at 6'2, sitting in economy is an endurance test. More competition has helped lower prices, but shrinking seats and legroom have pushed comfort to the limit. Sitting here now with my legs jammed in, I only hope I can get out of my seat when we land. Wanda Soder in Saskatoon

My partner and I have traveled together for the last 10 years with WestJet And up until 2025 we had no issues Unfortunately we lost two days of our trip in 2025 Due to not enough crew And had our Costa Rica trip cancelled this year Because of a code on the plane Which we were on the runway with no other flights available for us to arrive in our vacation time No reimbursement for either trip on government waitless too long.

I'm assuming here that that means she registered a complaint with a Canadian transport agency, but hasn't it been dealt with yet. Which, trust me, isn't a surprise since the CTA has a 95,000 complaint backlog. More competition for WestJet and Air Canada is needed, says, Wanda. Janice Chapman in St. Albert, Alberta. The airlines have become worse. My flights are often rescheduled by the airline.

One return flight was delayed three days. I was told a file a complaint and after a two-year wait was awarded compensation. The airline said it would rather take me to court than settle. I gave up. You know, there are a number of people write about cancel flights. just from I promised I wasn't going to do this but from my perspective

I take a lot of flights as you can imagine I'm constantly on Air Canada or Porter Airlines up to Ottawa you know I do a lot of flying I can't remember the last time I had a flight canceled I've had flights delayed

I mean yesterday I was in and out of the country um both flights going and coming back this week we're delayed but like 10 minutes I can live with that

on the way Ron Stevens in Whitby Ontario my wife and I fly often on holidays and to visit our family in other countries it's our opinion Canadian Airlines have gotten much worse in serving the public the quality of in-flight seating food quality and pricing is definitely poorer

even business class food has degraded. Never mind the hours you have to wait at Pearson to get your luggage and the ridiculous cost of food there. However, I do give praise to Porter. They have improved the comfort for passengers and quality of food to the point we will in future choose Porter over any other Canadian airline if possible. The if possible part is of course important,

because while Porter flies to 30 different destinations, more of that actually, WestJet flies to 125, and Air Canada flies to about 200 destinations. Greg Rogers in Toronto. As much as I've been a longtime Air Canada critic, I recently traveled on both European and American international carriers. And much to my surprise, the nation's airline was actually better. In the last few years, they have improved the check-in and baggage procedures noticeably.

Customer service has returned. I'm surprised. Now, if they would just give us more leg room. Barb Dawson in Dresden, Ontario. We've always been happy with the service at Air Canada. I flew a fair bit in Ontario in the 90s, and we have flown both in Canada and overseas in the past few years. I book direct, and never had any issues with flights or being kept

informed if there was a problem or delay. The only thing different that I can see is fewer frills. Air Canada is my first choice. Michael Artendale in Sudbury, Ontario. All I'm going to say about my feelings on the Canadian Air Carrier is that I'm carriers, is that I'm looking forward to Alto. Alto's the high-speed rail network that is supposed to connect Quebec City to Toronto. Caleb Gibbons in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Lost my frequent flyer status with the COVID-19 hiatus, but I expect for all a much worse Canadian airline experience over the last five years. Air Canada's latest trip is a great example. Trip home was London, Toronto, Montreal, Sydney, 100% full, had me seated with a large passenger, negating tip. armrest barrier and jammed with my knees jutted into the aisle. Ripe for ongoing cart bruises for the final hour and 50 minute flight with a midnight arrival.

Rice pudding slop, hot meal, was incredible. If we did this to cattle, PETA would get a call. People for the ethical treatment of animals. Jim Watson in Milton, Ontario. That's Jim right here. I used to have issues with Air Canada when I was working as I had to fly coach. Since retiring, I only fly business class. The difference is phenomenal.

Between registration, access to the lounge and the flight makes all the difference. It is enjoyable in business class. I am fortunate to have points to help with the cost. You can use points to bump up from, you know, economy to business. and I've done that occasionally. Salam Gwinnett in Victoria. I worked for Emirates Airlines before immigrating to Canada, so my view of Canadian Airlines is colored by training and experience.

In Canada, we can do better, much better. Yes, crews are there for safety first, but passenger safety is enhanced by service and empathy. We should not be pleasantly surprised when encountering either while traveling with our Canadian carriers. Don Dufour in Ottawa. Over the past few years, we've taken several domestic flights, and our experience has been

wonderful. We travel with Porter whenever we can and find all aspects of their service, top-notch, and don't mind paying a little more for higher quality service. On the flip side, on our trips to Costa Rica and Galapagos Islands, Air Canada and American Partner Airlines provided cramped seed-eat-eat-eat-exams. delays and an overall unpleasant travel experience. Raj Krishnan in Markham, Ontario. My experiences on Canadian Airlines haven't changed much over the past several years.

A few improvements could boost competitiveness. Eliminate change fees and allow easy cancellations. Life happens and insurance covers little. I apply more with flexibility. Provide accommodations and food vouchers for cancellation. regardless of fault. Bring back meals on cross-country flights. Drinks and pretzels aren't enough for Vancouver to Toronto. Wendy Cecil in Toronto.

I fly Air Canada or Porter Airlines whenever possible to support Canadian business and because I like their safety records. My experiences are fine, sometimes excellent. Don't confuse badly organized airport systems and high volumes with the airlines themselves. pilots, flight attendants, check-in staff, and technicians do the best they can. My aim is to be an appreciative, low-maintenance passenger. If you want to be happy, lower your expectations. It works for me.

Lizanne Donnelly in Sutton, Quebec. I travel two or three times a year in Air Canada Economy Class to Europe. Call center and call-back options take time, but They are efficient. The app offers useful tools like baggage tracking and flight information. Connecting to in-flight entertainment with my headphones via Bluetooth has never worked. So I suffer in silence, watching a decent film with subtitles. Overall, an imperfect, comfortable enough flying experience.

If you're not hearing the movie, ask flight attendant to help you. I've had those problems too, you know. I had the wrong setting or had it plugged in the wrong place or what have you. It's like getting onto Wi-Fi on an airplane. You've got to know what you're doing. And when you do know what you're doing, it's pretty straightforward. Cameron Grant in Camloose, BC. It's much worse than it used to be.

I do a lot of international travel. Air Canada's service from baggage handling to flight attendants is abysmal. West jet planes are clown cars Calgary domestic is a shoddy tunnel everyone is unhappy I fly KLM when possible smiles all around The Canadian government destroyed Canadian Pacific

Funded Air Canada Now Canadian carriers are a cartel I think what Mark Cameron down is not happy Tim Stott in Dublin, Ireland He usually writes from Minnesota, Manitoba. We don't fly often, maybe once or twice every couple of years. In my experience, it hasn't changed that much over the years, besides baggage restrictions

and added service fees, but that's the cost of wanting to travel by air. Scott Burke in Halifax, got a real mixture today from different parts of the country. Scott writes, I have flown the big three airlines here in Canada, or Canada, West Jet, and Porter. I've also flown on British Airways. as well as United Airlines. For an all-round experience, British Airways was my favorite. I do joke with my friends

when they tell horror stories of dealing with Air Canada that I might be the only person in Canada that has never had a bad experience with Air Canada. You do tend to hear from those who aren't happy, as opposed to those who go, hey, I fly all the time. I don't have a problem. And there are many people like that, too. Just they didn't write.

Don Crabb in Kingston, Ontario. The big negative for me with air travel is the experience in getting to and through airports. I'm afraid the future will be worse with more overburdening of those facilities. The airlines themselves need more competition to sharpen their performance to the extent they can. However, even now, once I get to my gate, there is a sense of relief. that it's up to the airline now. Yvonne Clifford. Where is Yvonne, Ivan?

She's on a trip of a lifetime in Leipzig, Germany. She usually writes from Cambridge, Ontario. The fact that I'm here writing this letter is a testament to the skilled pilots and crews who carried me safely. Thank you. My three remarkable children seem to be competing to see who can settle farthest from home, making me quite the seasoned air traveler. travel days are long, cramped, and noisy, demanding a healthy reserve of patience,

but I wouldn't trade them for anything. They gift me with adventures across this beautiful world and precious time with the ones I love. Judy Malacos Nules in Camloops, BC. Flying has become an expensive race to the bottom, shrinking seats, vanishing staff, and abandoned disabled passengers, all while baggage-fee loopholes turn overhead bins into chaos. They certainly do.

Food, rare, conduct standards, gone. We're paying premium prices for cattle transport with a boarding pass. Fred Petrie in Winnipeg. A shout out to Porter. It may have taken the Duluce family three generations to learn how to run an airline that makes customers feel appreciated and valued.

It's a tragedy how WestJet created a customer ethos and then threw it out the window. That happens when you put MBAs in charge. Used to dis on Air Canada, but they have become pretty competent in the last few years. By the way, Robert DeLuse, who's a friend of mine, is the founding president, CEO of Porter Airlines. He's now the executive chairman. His son Michael is now CEO. The third generation, Fred refers, comes before the founding of Porter. Robert DeLuce's parents started White River Air Services in 1951.

Robert's dad was a World War II pilot. So they've had aviation in their genes for the last 100 years. Jesse Fillion in Penticton, BC. I've mostly flown with Westjet for my own. entire life, and it's been hard not to notice how the quality of service has decreased over time. This has made me more open to flying with other airlines, aside from the major two. I recently had a great experience with our regional airline, Pacific Coastal Airlines. I'll likely be using them again in the future.

Dan Freed is in Edmonton. I recently flew on three different airlines, including one Canadian carrier, and was struck by how far it lagged behind the others, which were European. The difference was hard to miss. The seats were much less comfortable. The cabin fell more cramped. The aircraft felt old. And the service fell short compared to any of the other five flights I took.

I believe we need more carrier competition in Canada for things to improve. Jill Cote in Victoria. Having traveled extensively to Europe, experiences with our domestic providers is not positive. WestJet from Victoria is always 100% late on departure. 100%. Air Canada may leave on time, but their service on board severely lacks. Our recent flight with Air Canada was delayed by eight hours.

We always book European carriers, and we no longer travel to the U.S., of course. Don Mitchell in Ottawa. A billion times. no to flying. The only advantage is speed once in the air. The rest of the experience is horrible. Hour to two hours to be at check-in, go through the totally useless security, cramp seating, wait to take off, wait to the plane, wait for luggage, high-speed rail cannot come soon enough. Richard Nolte would usually be emailing from Ottawa, but he flew to Vancouver. Maybe on popular, but after 25 to 30 years of flying, I think air travel has improved. Delays, cancellations,

lost bags, I can count them on two hands. Knocking on wood, furiously. Now we've got on-board Wi-Fi, free drinks thanks to Porter competition, and real-time app updates. Travel feels smoother. What's worse? Loungees, once quiet sanctuaries, are now overcrowded, still depending on the airport. You can usually find lounge options. Gary Gould in Brantford, Ontario. I'm not a frequent flyer. I did, however, travel to Vancouver, or excuse me, travel to Calgary from Waterloo Wellington Flight Center on Flair Airlines. That's one of the discount airlines. Quick access, on-time schedule, ease of booking and boarding. Courteous treatment, all led to a pleasant trip.

One word of advice. Do your research before booking, and you won't be disappointed. And oh yes, the price, this was on flare, was reasonable. You know what? Let's, we're halfway. We're halfway through today, and you get the picture. The majority of people aren't happy. But like anything that's consumer related, and I'm not making up excuses here, I'm just stating fact.

When you're unhappy, you tend to write about it. When you're happy, you go, well, you know, it's all good for me. So I'm not surprised we're getting more negative than positive, but we are getting a lot of negative. Okay, as we always do on Thursday, we're going to take our break now. And when we come back, we'll hear from the random ranter. you have some thoughts on majority government of which Canada now has. But we'll do that right after this.

And welcome back. You're listening to Bridge for this Thursday, and Thursdays means your turn, and it is your turn today, on airline travel in Canada and the airline business in general. You're listening on Series XM, Channel 167, Canada Talks,

or on your favorite podcast, platform. We're glad to have you with us. Your turn today. Tomorrow, of course, is good talk. Chantelle returns from her Easter break, and she'll be here with Bruce. I don't know what we're talking about yet. But we never seem to have a problem finding something to talk about. So we will do that tomorrow. Okay. It's Random Ranter Time.

he's been watching the national political scene and he has some thoughts on the big news of this week so here we go with the random renter with all the floor crossings of late coming from both the left and the right the Carney-led newly minted liberal majority seems to be casting a wide net building a big tent

and drastically lowering the bar to entry I'm sure for a lot of people, floor crossing looks like blatant opportunism or even an end run around the wishes of voters. But to me, it's just the system working the way it's always been designed to work. I mean, maybe I'm not cynical enough, but I look at floor crossings as just a real-time way for parliament to adjust to the threats of the day. And there's no denying it. Canada is facing a myriad of threats right now. I mean pick a topic, employment, education, environment, inflation, trade, defense, debt, housing, affordability, sovereignty. It's rough out there and it's affecting people across income brackets and across political spectrums. It's fueled a need and a desire for a pragmatic, focused

approach to governance that can only really be achieved through majority. And while the other major parties may not see it that way. Clearly, some of their members do, or rather their former members do. Look, some things are bigger than party politics. The government is faced with a lot of hard decisions right now, as in no-win, pick-your-poison decisions. We need a government with broad support and a strong voice, and there's nothing stronger than a majority. But look, opting for the big tent is only part of the floor crossing story, because to me this has as much to do with a failure of leadership within the conservatives and the new Democrats as it has about anything else. There are ways to be effective in opposition. No one says you can't maintain your party

allegiance and still work collaboratively across the floor. But to do so, it takes strong, confident leadership. And right now, both parties aren't providing that. I mean, the federal NDP is lost and struggling to find a shred of relevance. And Pierre Pollyov? Well, proving yet again that a leopard can't change his spots, his grand attempt at rebranding himself as someone kinder and gentler, is coming off less like a charm offensive and more like a half-hearted deception. Given that kind of leadership, it would be hard for all but the most ardent opposition MPs to gaze across the floor and think that those seats somehow don't look a lot greener. As bad as it is for the NDP and conservatives, I might even be understating it. Both parties just came off leadership conventions,

but those conventions didn't resolve anything for either party, nor did it give them a traditional bump. Pierre Pahliav may have garnered 87% of the vote in his leadership review, but to me that was like Putin getting 88% in the last Russian election. The number only holds up if you squint while wearing blinders. And the NDP? Well, the minute they elected Avi Lewis, the provincial wings of the party in Alberta and Saskatchewan distanced themselves from him. Look, you can blame Carney for the floor crossings. But the reality is that the opposition parties are not making it easy for themselves. They're pretty out of touch. I mean, with everything going on right now, the third. The third, federal NDP is still stuck on proving that they're woker than woke.

Case in point, MP Leah Gazan calling anyone objects to the term MMIWG2SLGBTQIA plus a bigot. She represents one of the poorest writings in the country. She's one of just six new Democrat MPs. And the issue she chooses to amplify right now with everything that's going on is acronym politics. And the conservatives? Well, they expect all but a chosen few of their MPs to park their brains at the door and keep their mouths shut. I mean, outside of Polyev, who do we ever hear from? Andrew Shear? I can't imagine being a muzzled conservative backbencher, having to sit

there listening to yesterday's failed leader, parrot today's failing leader. It's that kind of strict top-down control that backfires her MPs looking to make a difference, especially when the difference they're looking for is sitting right there across the floor in front of them. There he is, the random ranter for this week, his thoughts on the liberals attaining a majority government position this week. And thoughts of an election anytime in the next couple of years. seemingly vanishing.

We'll see how that turns out. All right, back to our letters. The question of the week was, the airline business. What do you make of it these days? And you haven't been shy. Hal Evans writes from Courtney B.C. I love Air Canada specifically for its customer service desks found inside the terminals and usually pass the security gates.

I do have a complaint regarding my most recent flight The safety video was based on a trip to Disney. U.S. attractions instead of honoring our provinces and territories. Fred, or excuse me, Frank Padisi in Toronto. I'm happy you ask this question because I've heard so much anecdotal negativity over many years. My anecdotal report is that I travel with Air Canada two times each year to mostly foreign destinations, and I've never been disappointed in its service. or punctuality.

On returns to Canada, I feel immediately safer once on board. My only critique, better bread, would be nice. If that's the only criticism you have, I'm sure Air Canada will send you a loaf.

John Cockburn or Co-Burn in Chelsea, Quebec. Beautiful little community. Airlines are a monopoly that necessitates our putting up with the poor service, cramped seats, poor food, multiple, time-wasting lineups, incessant delays, cancellations for which they are unapologetic and largely unaccountable. I'm 74. The only joy of air travel is sometimes reaching one's destination with luggage in tow. Andrew Chisholm in Kingston, Ontario.

Canadian airlines, particularly West Jet and Air Canada, serve us poorly. Just look at the multi-year backlog of complaints of the Canadian Transport Agency. Our weak passenger rights legislation should be replaced with one like the EU or the UK. If I have to fly a Canadian airline, I fly Porter or Transat. They seem to try harder. When I fly to the UK, I fly British airways. I even have the RBC British Airways Visa will. Excuse us.

Margot Craig Garrison in Ottawa. I am beyond disappointed in direct international flights provided by Air Canada from Ottawa. Unlike before COVID, most direct international flights are to sun destinations or to Newark, New Jersey, a hub. It means taking a very early morning flight to either travel. or Montreal to get a connection or staying in an airport hotel the night before. Travel has become another anxiety, hoping to avoid cancelled or delayed connections and lost luggage. Ottawa Airport is no longer international. I think they just added a non-stop Ottawa, London, Heathrow, I think.

Callum Arnold in Guelph, Ontario. Moving people is hard. Flying planes is expensive. doing both safely and comfortably while turning a profit, I'd argue it's impossible. Flying is improved from regulations and worsened from cost cutting. My view is that air travel will never be cheap and comfortable and safe. It will only ever be two of those at a time. I mean, let's face it, when you get on an airplane and you're hurtling through the sky

at whatever it is, 550 miles an hour in some aluminum tube, the best thing you want is to arrive at your destination safely, and safety, in spite of the occasional incidents, is way, way better today than it's ever been. Still the safest way to travel, safer than walking is the phrase. Marilyn Sewell in Paris, Ontario. When I fly, it's my expectation that something will go wrong. However, I'd like to say in-flight staff are usually professional.

There will be delays or cancellations, limited or no amenities on board, squish seats and luggage issues. So when lo and behold, these things don't happen, it's miraculous. We're in a state of disbelief at our good fortune. It's hard to be convinced that they really want our business. Lana McLaren in Vancouver Long check-in and security lines are not the fault of the airline, rather the airport.

Have you ever spent two days in an airport trying to sleep in a chair or on the floor? One awful experience with a Canadian airline, for example, lost bags, handling issues, cancellations went out of the country, resolution of a complaint, takes Air Canada off my fly list forever. Brent Blossom in Yokohama, Japan. I'm surprised how the same basic service can be delivered to such different standards. Passengers are just flying in an aluminum tube. Where do I hear that? With safety announcements and meals.

Yet Asian and especially Japanese airlines offer so much better service. There's a respect for customers that Canadian Airlines maybe once had, but have lost. It seems that neither management nor staff really care to deliver genuine service. Doug Moore in Nunice Bay, BC, that's just north of Vancouver. As an airline retiree, I have watched air travel decline to the degree that today it's often an unpleasant experience. Sardine seating and unappetizing food lead the way, followed by additional fees for luggage and seat selection. Carry on baggage restrictions not enforced. Passengers who don't know how to dress and worse how to behave.

Discovering the person beside you has paid hundreds of dollars less. Non-refundable fares. Unpleasant security screening experience. The album will mark you down as not happy. Lyncote in Ottawa. Air travel isn't better these days. Beyond high domestic fares, added fees for basics quickly, drive-up costs. Baggage rules aren't consistently enforced, leaving cabin crew to manage overcrowded bins and delays. airports ask passengers to arrive early, yet are often understaffed, creating long lines and frustration. With delays now common, travelers are forced to build in extra time just to arrive when it matters. Michelle Hu in Oakville, Ontario. On a recent trip, I flew Air China, ANA, and Air Canada back-to-back.

The contrast was striking. An A&A flight attendant. noticed me hesitating with my fanny bag and gently offered to lift it into the overhead bin. On Air Canada, I struggled to close that same bin and politely asked a passing attendant for help. Her response, I only do it once per flight. No comparison. Barbara Pratt in Whitehorse. Flying Air North, Yukon's airline is pleasant. The employees are happy to have you on board.

In 2020, the airline won two Travelers' Choice Awards because of their excellent customer service. Fares are competitive with major airlines. Travelers are allowed two free checked bags. The airline serves food from their flight kitchen, and dessert is a large, hot, chocolate chip cookies serve with a smile. Okay, bring it on. Outsiders comment on the friendly service. Okay, you sold me on the chocolate chip cookie.

Now, could they open a Toronto, Ottawa, Toronto, London, Toronto, Edinburgh, service? Muriel Hopper in Perth, Ontario. We need planes instead of high-speed rail, and here's why. Ten years building, going into serious debt for our grandchildren to pay. Farms, cottages being destroyed, as a portion of a system, society wish to travel quickly between six cities. If speed is your dream, guess what? Flying from Montreal to Quebec City takes 45 minutes. Most famous resident of Fannie Bay, BC, Marilyn Wallace writes, I'm an old-school airline traveler relying on a single carry-on backpack to meet my needs for weeks.

I'm often annoyed when airlines neglect to plan properly for carry-on luggage. I'm even more frustrated when I see other passengers breezing right by the boarding gates with multiple pieces of luggage, a common occurrence for both Canadian airlines, but really a small pet peeve compared to lifetime memories made possible by airline travel. Constant Menzies in Narrell, Manitoba. She's the daughter of a lifetime airline employee starting with Trans Air and Churchill in the mid-70s. That's a long time ago, but it's after I was there in the 60s. And now she's a life partner of a commercial pilot who also was a member of the snowbird team. You know, those Tudor jets that the Air Force flies for exhibition shows.

Though air travel has become more expensive with less in-flight amenities and reduced comfort, my concern is with AI impact on aircraft electronics as well as fuel cost increases. Airlines have a lot to tackle, yet aspects are poorly run. we still must be concerned about the impact of worldwide air travel on climate change. Despite all, who can live without our airline fleets getting us to our destination a safe and fairly timely manner? Frank Wang and Surrey, BC, when given the choice, I avoid Canadian airlines. Asian and European carriers tend to offer better service, better food, and more generous baggage allowances. On the occasions when I do have to take an air Canada or West jet flight,

I'm reminded why consumers dislike Canadian Airlines so much. Andrew Fobbert is he's writing from Fergus Falls, Minnesota, but actually lives in Edmonton. Fergus Falls is in West Central, Minnesota. A lot of curlers in Fergus Falls. It depends on the airline and a person's own experience. post-pandemic customer value was high. Then as business started to normalize, the value began to decrease.

The big two airlines continue to hold a monopoly on air travel in Canada and either bully out of business or purchase and acquire new startup airlines. This and taxpayer bailout for Canada's nationalist carrier provide Canadian travelers less value and fewer options. Competition breeds excellence, but only if it's allowed to it. exist. You know, the bailout that Andrew refers references for Air Canada was in 2021 and reflected the airline's financial distress because of COVID. The government made more than $5 billion available in loans. Air Canada used about $2 billion of that and has since repaid

the loan. Kate Wilson in Toronto, do you remember Ward Air? The current air flight conditions are abysmal in comparison. We now have terrible food, squash seats, and are treated like cattle. Ward Air was a Canadian airline founded by Max Ward in 1952. Originally a bush operator that grew into a premier international charter and later scheduled carriers known for high-quality luxury service. It was famous for steak and champagne flights.

Royal Doulton, China, and spacious seating. But I was losing money in the 1980s and was sold to Canadian Airlines in 1989. Jessica Kirkpatrick in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, that's way up there. That's on the north side of the McKenzie River, which is the longest river in Canada. Population in Norman Wells, under a thousand. I now enjoy the convenience of living in a flying community that is served by two passenger airlines. I'm on a plane roughly a dozen times a year. Our small regional airline and the only slightly larger cargo suppliers do a fantastic job

as the lifeline of the Sahatu. That's the region. Norman Wells is in. Gratefully, I've never had a disastrous experience with Canada's larger airlines, but I know they don't truly have all their customers' interests at heart. Leo Bourdain in Ottawa. As a frequent traveler, I strongly believe, in North America. But air travel customer service is worsening.

Travelers expect delays, postponements, cancellations, with little explanation. It's the weather. It's a mechanical failure. It's not like that everywhere. Europe has strict laws against this. I recently went to Africa, took nine planes to visit different places. The people in charge were friendly. Why can't we have that here? Don Whitmore in Colonna, BC. We are frequent flyers, and between us, take about 22 round-trip flights annually. We are exclusive Air Canada patrons. Overall, we are satisfied with the service provided by Air Canada. Our main beef is not with the airlines,

but with the passengers. Loading by zone number means just that. Carry on has to be regulation size, and assigned seating means sit in the seat that you bought. In my opinion, most complainers are folks who expect top-tier service at the lowest fare. T.C. Sang, currently vacationing in Hong Kong, but he lives in Vancouver.

When I was flying from Vancouver to Hong Kong, Hong Kong on Air Canada in August of 2024, I was stuck in a nine-hour delay due to a mechanical problem. Air Canada used some clause in the relevant law to refuse my request for compensation and only gave me a $300 coupon as a goodwill gesture. This time I'm flying on China Airlines. Let me tell you, TC, mechanical problems happen with all airlines. The amount of the compensation I'm assuming must marry up to what is guaranteed on the ticket you purchase. Ryan Paisner in Victoria, West Jet flight last month from Porto Vallarda to Victoria.

Standard seat ticket. Shortly into the flight, the seat in front of me reclines. I look for my recline button, can't find it. My neighbors also cannot find theirs. We asked the flight attendant, who says our row doesn't have recline buttons, but the row in front of us does. I'm not a large person, but I am 6'2-2

an unwelcome loss of my allotted cabin volume. I didn't know that. And if that's the case, they should probably say that when you're reserving a seat. Janice Craig in Laxan, Alberta, that's west of Edmonton. As a frugal frequent flyer, the old triple F, a frugal frequent flyer, with eight to ten flight experiences a year,

I appreciate having the option of low-cost carriers like flare and swoop and links in the past. I pay less now than what I paid 20 to 30 years ago and find my no-frills journeys from point A to point A to point B to be very satisfactory. I'd rather visit family more often for less money than travel in luxury if it does truly exist. Hey, if you can find air travel cheaper than what you were paying, you know, 20 years ago, good for you.

Final letter of this week from West Hargraves in Vancouver. I'm absolutely dissatisfied with Canadian Airlines. If you want a passable experience flying, it's up to you to do the work. Choose your seat with care and prepare for your trip. Bring snacks, entertainment, water. You have to do most of that after you've gone through security, right? Expect nothing from the airline. Full economy fare gets you a seat.

Pressurized cabin, and if you're lucky, on on-time departure. which is basically what you want, right? Otherwise, you pay exorbitantly for humane treatment and a couple more inches of leg room. Oh, okay, I am definitely marking those who wrote today. The majority are not happy with what they're getting on the airlines. And, you know, so much of this can be dealt with by smiles, good nature talk, help getting on, getting off the plane and on the plane.

I wish you better luck in flying. I still see flying overall. Forget about any particular airlines or anything. I see it as one of the great benefits of our time. You know, it wasn't much more than 100 years ago when flying didn't exist, you know, 125 years ago. nobody had ever seen our country from the air, never flown over the Rockies, never flown over gorgeous spots in the Atlantic Canada, Central Canada, the prairies. They'd never had that view.

I still marvel when I fly out to Vancouver, which I do, you know, two or three times a year. And I look at the view of our country. country, you know, from central Canada to the West Coast. Realize how big we are, how lucky we are. And, you know, sometimes we have to put up a little discomfort along the way. But the fact that we can travel from A to be in a matter of a couple of hours, when it used to take our forefathers and four mothers and what have you days, if not weeks,

to make that same journey. Same with traveling cross the Atlantic or the Pacific. Sure, we want better service. We all want better service wherever it is, in a restaurant, an airline, on the trains. And I guess if you speak up loud enough, you'll get it. And that's what your turn was all about today. I'm not dismissing the complaints.

They're real. And I appreciate you sharing yours with us. All right, that's going to do it for today. Thanks so much. Your turn, the random ranter. be back next Thursday. As for the bridge, we'll be back tomorrow with Good Talk with Chantelle and Bruce. Look forward to you joining us then. Take care. I'm Peter Mansbridge. Thanks so much for listening.