Corny inflight jokes from plucky flight attendants. Pilots who cheerfully scoop garbage. An executive office flippantly dubbed "Big Shots."
Since taking to the skies on Feb. 29, 1996, WestJet has earned the support of legions of passengers attracted to the airline's collegial style.
parnel
Feb 26, 06, 3:41 pm
Their startup was a piece of timing luck with most other carriers hurting through the early years of their existence. Now that AC is healthy WS is not generating much profit and is in danger of losing amrket share to a revitalized Jazz with lots of new planes and AC with their new regional Embraers.
The next ten won't be as happy a story and I predict they will be sold within two to three years.
parnel
Feb 26, 06, 9:09 pm
Fair enough, parnel.
[... deleted]
Give us your premise for that other than the fact you only make about 60% of AC wages.
My take is different in that I think that by 2010 airlines like UA,LH and AC will have merged into a giant colossus as will BA, AA and possibly QS or CX . All other industries are doing it and governments won't be able to block these mergers for much longer. The one trick pony will also get sold.......... to another one trick pony, no doubt.
Hypnotize
Feb 26, 06, 10:15 pm
Give us your premise for that other than the fact you only make about 60% of AC wages.
Is that a fact? What do I do and how much am I getting paid?
parnel
Feb 26, 06, 10:28 pm
Is that a fact? What do I do and how much am I getting paid?
I don't know the exact comparative wages for latrine cleaners ;)
YOWkid
Feb 26, 06, 10:36 pm
and governments won't be able to block these mergers for much longer.
Oh parnel, maybe... but you know public / political officials (regardless of what public servants say) will still do it whether it makes sense or not.
tcook052
Feb 26, 06, 11:45 pm
Give us your premise for that other than the fact you only make about 60% of AC wages.
My take is different in that I think that by 2010 airlines like UA,LH and AC will have merged into a giant colossus as will BA, AA and possibly QS or CX . All other industries are doing it and governments won't be able to block these mergers for much longer. The one trick pony will also get sold.......... to another one trick pony, no doubt.
A giant colossus? :confused: Yeah, right. More likely my lucky numbers will come in, finally, on 6-49. The minor fact that the U.S. government has more than once barred a BA/AA tie up means a step beyond the current alliance structure a pipe dream.
parnel
Feb 27, 06, 7:08 am
A giant colossus? :confused: Yeah, right. More likely my lucky numbers will come in, finally, on 6-49. The minor fact that the U.S. government has more than once barred a BA/AA tie up means a step beyond the current alliance structure a pipe dream.
If you search Forbes magazine last issue or the one before you would note that congress is now supportive of allowing mergers a sis the administration. Will it happen? AA/BA are lobbying very hard as are LH/UA. The issue has always been the US govenment's ability to have aircraft available in time of war and a bilateral agreement or something similar to AC's HQ law can take care of that issue.
If people really looked closely AC is really now foreign controlled for all intents and purposes.
tcook052
Feb 27, 06, 9:06 am
If you search Forbes magazine last issue or the one before you would note that congress is now supportive of allowing mergers a sis the administration.
The same administration who denied anti-trust immunity to Skyteam? I have no doubt various governments may allow more flexible ownership rules in light of 'challenging' airline economics. However, a full blown, flat out merger between national airlines, that like it or not are extensions of national policy & national interests, may be further down the road than you imagine, if they're permitted at all.
parnel
Feb 27, 06, 9:12 am
The same administration who denied anti-trust immunity to Skyteam? I have no doubt various governments may allow more flexible ownership rules in light of 'challenging' airline economics. However, a full blown, flat out merger between national airlines, that like it or not are extensions of national policy & national interests, may be further down the road than you imagine, if they're permitted at all.
With all due rspect I will trust what Steve Forbes says b/f I take your analysis to the bank.
tcook052
Feb 27, 06, 9:45 am
With all due rspect I will trust what Steve Forbes says b/f I take your analysis to the bank.
Hey, thanks, I think. :D I'm no world's leading avation expert, just calls 'em as I sees 'em.
BTW, I won't even mention the hullabaloo caused by the whole P & O U.S. port purchase as supporting evidence why the U.S. unlikely short-term to permit wholesale international airline mergers.
It keeps AC honest. Competition is good for both airlines and it is great for flyers.
YOWkid
Feb 27, 06, 11:52 am
I concur.
Happy birthday WestJet!
YOWkid
Feb 27, 06, 6:23 pm
competition is needed; too bad AC doesn't really have any in Canada
Sure AC has competition in Canada, just only on the main routes.
Simon
Feb 28, 06, 10:13 am
Hey, thanks, I think. :D I'm no world's leading avation expert, just calls 'em as I sees 'em.
Yes, tcook052, we know you aren't -- you're just a working stiff :D
PunishedEdmontonian
Feb 28, 06, 10:20 am
One wonders why the following part of one of my deleted posts didn't stay since it's way more appropriate that the edited partial posts that were allowed to remain in place on this thread. :confused:
"WestJet ^ "
Makes one wonder about double standards for some people.
robsawatsky
Feb 28, 06, 2:26 pm
"WestJet ^ "
Makes one wonder about double standards for some people.
Actually makes me wonder more about the double standards that aren't seen (everywhere).
FewMiles
Feb 28, 06, 3:23 pm
One wonders why the following part of one of my deleted posts didn't stay since it's way more appropriate that the edited partial posts that were allowed to remain in place on this thread. :confused:
"WestJet ^ "
Makes one wonder about double standards for some people.
I was first alerted to the problems in this thread last night and while trying to do some clean-up, the FT servers slowed to a complete crawl and thus I was left with a half-done job. When I tried to resume my janitorial duties this morning, again same thing. I've only now gotten a chance to come back to my office to see if I can finish up and I think it's finally all done.
The only edited partial post that remains is one in which a poster quoted another poster, and responded, but did not address the part of the quoted poster's post that was deleted.
I'm sorry if you felt that a delay in my being able to do my job comes across looking like a double standard; it was certainly not intended that way and was due to circumstances beyond my control.