What do you think of those really awful jokes the FA's tell on Westjet flights? Some are down right stupid! I would rather be left alone to sleep, read or whatever. :confused:

...Give me an example of one of these stupid jokes, please...

I think they are fine - if you can't have a little fun at work its time to move on... You don't have to pay attention and its usually one or two jokes on some flights.

...Give me an example of one of these stupid jokes, please...

http://gocanada.about.com/od/airlines1/a/westjet.htm

Actually, one or two of them are quite funny.

But to hear them over and over again would be a totally different story.

WS FA's talk WAY too much. Less is more. It's really something they should look at.

My personal favorites -- " Welcome to Edmonton... blah blah... On behalf of everyone at WJ, especially your crew, we thank you for flying.... once again, welcome to Edmonton and thanks for flying WJ. Welcome to Edmonton.... "

Yah Yah we GET IT!

Or when your flight is an hour late and the flight attendants on the decent annoucment give you the "and an early welcome to Edmonton."

I know what they mean - but it sounds stupid and its like they are not paying attention.

I must heavily disagree. If you don't like the no-frills and laid-back attitude, fly someone else. We've got numerous choices...

I must heavily disagree. If you don't like the no-frills and laid-back attitude, fly someone else. We've got numerous choices...


You ask for proof, you get it, and then you rant on about flying elsewhere...get a grip, boy. Or are you the writer of these things? :rolleyes:

I must heavily disagree. If you don't like the no-frills and laid-back attitude, fly someone else. We've got numerous choices...

In my mind - there is a difference between "laid back" and annoying. It is subjective - however, many WS FA's cross my line (The CSA's can be annoying too)

I fly AC unless WS is way cheaper - thats how I exercise my choice.

Haha, I love 'em.

However I don't fly Westjet (because I don't need to, not because I hate the jokes ;) ) so I guess I can't reply to whether or not they are annoying.

Cheers

I must heavily disagree. If you don't like the no-frills and laid-back attitude, fly someone else. We've got numerous choices...

Another example of how WS is going to attract the business class passengers to it's service. ^

Another example of how WS is going to attract the business class passengers to it's service. ^

I fly them all the time. AC rarely. :cool:

BTW, how many times have you flown WestJet?

How current is your "joke experience" on WS?

I ask because it has been my experience has been that the jokes and games have pretty much gone the way of the dodo.

Any pilot soon finds out that part of the airline gig is deadheading. I don't like doing it, but it does give you a chance to see what goes on behind you every day. The advent of inflight TV has changed our company. The TVs go on ASAP after take-off, and the F/As busy themselves with service. Even the pilots flying are cognizant of the fact that nobody wants to know that the city on the left is Denver when they are just about to find out whodunit on "Law And Order".

Even on long trips, out of TV range, it's quiet back there. I did HNL recently, and when I stepped out to use the lav, everyone was either watching pay per view movies or napping. We went 6 hours between PAs.

Funny thing is, I still get asked "Where are the jokes from the F/As?"

I ask because it has been my experience has been that the jokes and games have pretty much gone the way of the dodo.

I can't remember the last time I heard any jokes. I think the last one I heard was April of last year on my return from YYZ.

You ask for proof, you get it, and then you rant on about flying elsewhere...get a grip, boy. Or are you the writer of these things? :rolleyes:

That's very uncalled for, "boy". If you call writing one line a ranting spree, then I definately went on one.

It's simple. If the small jokes make you so upset (which I can easily understand), then don't fly them again. Fly Air Canada, CanJet, Canadian North, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Harmony Airways, US Airways, ect. There are so many choices that if you don't like the jokes as much as some are expressing, then pay an extra $300.00 and fly someone else. But, let's face it - WS has the best prices, and that's what draws people back. Not the jokes. :)

Regards,

Canada Flyer

That's very uncalled for, "boy". If you call writing one line a ranting spree, then I definately went on one.

It's simple. If the small jokes make you so upset (which I can easily understand), then don't fly them again. Fly Air Canada, CanJet, Canadian North, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Harmony Airways, US Airways, ect. There are so many choices that if you don't like the jokes as much as some are expressing, then pay an extra $300.00 and fly someone else. But, let's face it - WS has the best prices, and that's what draws people back. Not the jokes. :)

Regards,

Canada Flyer
Trust me. I don't fly on an airline if it doesn't sell J class, does not have a FF program, does not fly overseas,has less frequency than its main competitor and has arrogant people putting out stuff on FT. :D

... But, let's face it - WS has the best prices, and that's what draws people back. Not the jokes. :)

Regards,

Canada Flyer

Really. Let's see:
YVR-YYZ March 21:
Air Canada $199 Non-stop on AC 130,152, 156 or 162
Westjet $199 One-stop on WS 804/652 connecting in YYC

YVR-HNL-YVR 3/24 3/31
Air Canada AC 43/46 $799.90
Westjet WS $1,237.94

I'm sure you can go to the web and find lots more examples. Generally more departures and better fares. Why would anyone fly Westjet :)

Trust me. I don't fly on an airline if it doesn't sell J class, does not have a FF program, does not fly overseas,has less frequency than its main competitor and has arrogant people putting out stuff on FT.

You calling someone arrogant? That's priceless!! :rolleyes:

If you don't fly on an airline that doesn't sell J class seats (Westjet), does not have a "true" FF program (Westjet), and does not fly overseas (Westjet) - why are you here posting?

I'm sure you can go to the web and find lots more examples. Generally more departures and better fares. Why would anyone fly Westjet :)

Alot of people seem to be flying WestJet - all the cheap WS seats are gone and you are left with the expensive seats (on the dates that you are looking at.)

For example let's look at YVR-HNL on March 24th

[KVS Availability Tool - Sabre: ITN/AXP] (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2804833#post2804833)
YVR Vancouver Metro / Vancouver Int'l BC CA = CXH YVR [CYVR]
HNL Honolulu Int'l HI US [PHNL]
FRI 24 Mar 2006

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- -- --------------------------------
WS 964 YVR 18:45 HNL 22:58 0 Y0 V0 B0 Q0 L0 M0 P0 X0 K0 U0 S0
AC 43 YVR 08:15 HNL 12:25 767 0 J1 C0 Y9 M9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L9 A9 I0
AC 33 YVR 18:05 HNL 22:15 763 0 J0 C0 Y9 M9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L9 A9 I0


Full Westjet flight and 2 empty AC flights...

Cheers

.....and 2 empty AC flights...
There are 3 AC flights that day with 60J and 460 Y seats sold. Not very empty.

There are 3 AC flights that day with 60J and 460 Y seats sold. Not very empty.

OK, let me rephrase: Westjet is selling all of its available seats, and AC isn't. There are seats for sale in the cheapest economy class bucket with AC, and no seats even on the most expensive fare bucket with WS.

You calling someone arrogant? That's priceless!! :rolleyes:

If you don't fly on an airline that doesn't sell J class seats (Westjet), does not have a "true" FF program (Westjet), and does not fly overseas (Westjet) - why are you here posting?

Simply put....I love to stick it to WJA....because of the arrogance. :D The ads they run are arrogant..the people are arrogant in their ways of doing business,etc.

Alot of people seem to be flying WestJet - all the cheap WS seats are gone and you are left with the expensive seats (on the dates that you are looking at.)

For example let's look at YVR-HNL on March 24th

[KVS Availability Tool - Sabre: ITN/AXP] (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2804833#post2804833)
YVR Vancouver Metro / Vancouver Int'l BC CA = CXH YVR [CYVR]
HNL Honolulu Int'l HI US [PHNL]
FRI 24 Mar 2006

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- -- --------------------------------
WS 964 YVR 18:45 HNL 22:58 0 Y0 V0 B0 Q0 L0 M0 P0 X0 K0 U0 S0
AC 43 YVR 08:15 HNL 12:25 767 0 J1 C0 Y9 M9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L9 A9 I0
AC 33 YVR 18:05 HNL 22:15 763 0 J0 C0 Y9 M9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L9 A9 I0


Full Westjet flight and 2 empty AC flights...

Cheers

good example - the Friday of Spring break to HNL

Simply put....I love to stick it to WJA....because of the arrogance. :D The ads they run are arrogant..the people are arrogant in their ways of doing business,etc.

I wish errorplan.com was still around so that your slags of AC and your praise of WestJet could be seen by all the newer people who are here now. My favourite was always when you would exclaim that WestJet flew "real jets" not like AC.

To fill the newer people in, parnel crusaded against AC because he failed to make SE one year and had to slum it with the bulk of the lemmings! There's more to the story but I'll leave it to the day that parnel actually comes clean.... :)

As to arrogance, c'mon the world champion is AC.

[QUOTE]I wish errorplan.com was still around so that your slags of AC and your praise of WestJet could be seen by all the newer people who are here now. My favourite was always when you would exclaim that WestJet flew "real jets" not like AC.

Can we also go back and discuss when you were an AC fan before you started "errorplan". My comments were in 2001 when AC had terrible service and WJA was not as arrogant and had not yet been charged with unethical stuff.

There's more to the story but I'll leave it to the day that parnel actually comes clean.... :)

Anytime you want to tell it is fine with me. Errorplan was your protest vote;we all have our ways of getting the message out.

As to arrogance, c'mon the world champion is AC.

They don't steal other airlines competitive information.

good example - the Friday of Spring break to HNL

Its not Spring Break in BC, not sure where you are, AB? As parnel points out AC has far more seats on this route, as it does on the YVR-YYZ route I mentioned. So not only do you get a better price, you get more choices in terms of departure times.

I'm sure we could go through and find plenty of examples where WS is not cheaper than AC, which is what the OP contended and I refuted. Kudos to WS for making believe they are the cheapest option.

Its not Spring Break in BC, not sure where you are, AB? As parnel points out AC has far more seats on this route, as it does on the YVR-YYZ route I mentioned. So not only do you get a better price, you get more choices in terms of departure times.

I'm sure we could go through and find plenty of examples where WS is not cheaper than AC, which is what the OP contended and I refuted. Kudos to WS for making believe they are the cheapest option.

This may be easier to show/refute once the AC fare listings come back on Sabre :)

Cheers

I must heavily disagree. If you don't like the no-frills and laid-back attitude, fly someone else. We've got numerous choices...
No-frills? What are you talking about? Leather seats, tray tables, in flight magazine, seat-back television, print and TV ads!!! Please, stop repeating the WestJet sell-points that they used in 1996. Multi-aircraft, frequent flyer, executive cabin, MLL lounge, high-end uniform AC is able to price match "no frill" WS, so it's obvious that they're not "no-frills".

Fly W!ZZAir, then tell me that WestJet is low-frills.

I think they are fine - if you can't have a little fun at work its time to move on... You don't have to pay attention and its usually one or two jokes on some flights.

I'm bothered by the jokes which are unprofessional and needless, not "fun" and "laid-back". The attitude from an Airline you are paying for scheduled service should not start at "fun" and "laid-back" across the board. Some people are flying to funerals or to identify a body, some are flying back home to tell their boss that they just lost a huge contract, some are flying to meet someone they haven't seen in decades. Some use the flight as an opportunity to think and catch up on life or get caught up on emails or paperwork, and they don't want a try-hard comedian.

One thing I've learned over the years is "know your audience". The way it should be is that FAs should read their audience and deal with them at an individual basis. Row 1-5 has a group of young kids that are excited for a hockey tournament, pump them up for the tournament. Seats 6AB have a newly married couple, crack jokes about how they'll get divorced soon. Seat 6D is occupied by someone that looks stressed, leave them alone if you can't be tactful. The fact that WS jokes around on the PA with a plane full of people going on sched routes like YYC-YWG is one of the main reasons why I don't fly with them anymore. Now if we're talking about a college charter or flight to Cancun, nothing wrong with being a comedian, the whole audience is obviously jubilated and ready for their vacation

One thing AC flight attendants learn in their training is that the type of service delivered should vary. Some pax want you to hold their baby and calm it down, some want a few jokes said to them, and some just want to be left alone. Once, while flying in J YYZ-LHR, I said to them it was my birthday. The F/A asked if I wanted happy birthday sung to me (I declined, I wanted a bottle of wine or something), I guarantee on WS they would have just done it for me, without the bottle of wine of course.

Or at least WS should learn lessons from *A flight attendants; insert one or two suttle jokes during safety announcements (like "people caught smoking during our flight will be asked to step outside") and LEAVE IT AT THAT. Don't think that because they laughed at one joke, they'll laugh at the next 29.

Some WS F/A's need serious training in body language and communication.

I guarantee on WS they would have just done it for me, without the bottle of wine of course.

Or at least WS should learn lessons from *A flight attendants; insert one or two suttle jokes during safety announcements (like "people caught smoking during our flight will be asked to step outside") and LEAVE IT AT THAT. Don't think that because they laughed at one joke, they'll laugh at the next 29.

Some WS F/A's need serious training in body language and communication.

I'll ask it again. When was the last time you were on WS?

This is ancient history. The TVs go on after take-off, and the F/As get busy serving. Times have changed.

[QUOTE=PunishedEdmontonian]

Can we also go back and discuss when you were an AC fan before you started "errorplan". My comments were in 2001 when AC had terrible service and WJA was not as arrogant and had not yet been charged with unethical stuff....

Wrong as usual. Go back and read my posts here and you'll soon see that I have never been a fan of AC - leastwise an Apologist. I was CP before AC.

As to errorplan, I wish I could take credit for starting it but sadly I can't.

BTW, WestJet hasn't been "charged" with anything. It's a civil suit and AC has suffered no damage except by its own hand or, as we lawyers like to plead in our court pleadings, "AC was the author of its own misfortune."

Let's see...

7.00 am Depart Calgary (YYC)
Arrive Toronto (YYZ) 12:45 pm (Sat 25 Mar)
Duration: 3hr 45mn WestJet 698
Direct flight C$802


7:00 am Depart Calgary (YYC)
Arrive Toronto (YYZ) 12:45 pm (Sat 25 Mar)
Duration: 3hr 45mn Air Canada 174
Direct flight C$1775

EXACT same departure dates.

EXACT same departure times.

What makes AC CS973 more? They have business class on the plane, is that what should allow them to be a good $1000.00 more? :td:

Um, maybe the $802 seats have sold out on the AC flight, and not on the WS one?

You calling someone arrogant? That's priceless!! :rolleyes:

If you don't fly on an airline that doesn't sell J class seats (Westjet), does not have a "true" FF program (Westjet), and does not fly overseas (Westjet) - why are you here posting?

Do you fly on Air Canada? :p

Um, maybe the $802 seats have sold out on the AC flight, and not on the WS one?

exactly what I was saying before. You can't compare flights on random dates because of availability issues. The best way to compare (IMHO) is to look at fare listings for each airline between 2 cities. However... Sabre is no longer showing AC fares and thus we can't compare :(

Cheers

Um, maybe the $802 seats have sold out on the AC flight, and not on the WS one?

Maybe. But maybe not.

AC and WS almost always match each other's lower fares. But the highest WS fare on any route is always considerably less than the AC Latitude fare. So in the YYC-YYZ case above, if there are only a few seats left for sale on either plane, the AC fares will be higher than the WS fares.

Do you fly on Air Canada?

I have, but I'm no FF.

Next flight on AC is mid-April just before the Easter weekend via the centre of the universe. :)

[QUOTE]I have, but I'm no FF.

So why do you insist on trying to be an expert?

I'll ask it again. When was the last time you were on WS?

This is ancient history. The TVs go on after take-off, and the F/As get busy serving. Times have changed.
YYC-YVR on one of their 732s January 2005. Toilet paper race to end it. After my section was the last to deplane, I haven't enplaned since.

No-frills? What are you talking about? Leather seats, tray tables, in flight magazine, seat-back television, print and TV ads!!! Please, stop repeating the WestJet sell-points that they used in 1996. Multi-aircraft, frequent flyer, executive cabin, MLL lounge, high-end uniform AC is able to price match "no frill" WS, so it's obvious that they're not "no-frills".

Fly W!ZZAir, then tell me that WestJet is low-frills.



I'm bothered by the jokes which are unprofessional and needless, not "fun" and "laid-back". The attitude from an Airline you are paying for scheduled service should not start at "fun" and "laid-back" across the board. Some people are flying to funerals or to identify a body, some are flying back home to tell their boss that they just lost a huge contract, some are flying to meet someone they haven't seen in decades. Some use the flight as an opportunity to think and catch up on life or get caught up on emails or paperwork, and they don't want a try-hard comedian.

One thing I've learned over the years is "know your audience". The way it should be is that FAs should read their audience and deal with them at an individual basis. Row 1-5 has a group of young kids that are excited for a hockey tournament, pump them up for the tournament. Seats 6AB have a newly married couple, crack jokes about how they'll get divorced soon. Seat 6D is occupied by someone that looks stressed, leave them alone if you can't be tactful. The fact that WS jokes around on the PA with a plane full of people going on sched routes like YYC-YWG is one of the main reasons why I don't fly with them anymore. Now if we're talking about a college charter or flight to Cancun, nothing wrong with being a comedian, the whole audience is obviously jubilated and ready for their vacation

One thing AC flight attendants learn in their training is that the type of service delivered should vary. Some pax want you to hold their baby and calm it down, some want a few jokes said to them, and some just want to be left alone. Once, while flying in J YYZ-LHR, I said to them it was my birthday. The F/A asked if I wanted happy birthday sung to me (I declined, I wanted a bottle of wine or something), I guarantee on WS they would have just done it for me, without the bottle of wine of course.

Or at least WS should learn lessons from *A flight attendants; insert one or two suttle jokes during safety announcements (like "people caught smoking during our flight will be asked to step outside") and LEAVE IT AT THAT. Don't think that because they laughed at one joke, they'll laugh at the next 29.

Some WS F/A's need serious training in body language and communication.


Seems like it's worked for SWA for the last 35 years, and they are up to, what, 435 aircraft?

SWA sticks to its niche, the legacy's stick the theirs. Except AC who haven't quite figured out what their niche is, even after bankruptcy, other than everything from 19 seaters thru 300 seaters flying everything from 40 mile sectors to 7,000 mile sectors. ;)

So why do you insist on trying to be an expert?

I don't remember ever saying that but hey, whatever makes you happy.

YYC-YVR on one of their 732s January 2005. Toilet paper race to end it. After my section was the last to deplane, I haven't enplaned since.

Sorry but I call BS on that one.

Seems like it's worked for SWA for the last 35 years, and they are up to, what, 435 aircraft?

SWA sticks to its niche, the legacy's stick the theirs. Except AC who haven't quite figured out what their niche is, even after bankruptcy, other than everything from 19 seaters thru 300 seaters flying everything from 40 mile sectors to 7,000 mile sectors. ;)
Hey he's back!

Last time I checked, SWA didn't have seat back televisions, and they don't fly in or out of the most expensive airport in the world. Hell, they won't even fly anywhere other than Islip! And their LAX-HNL service is pretty comparable too. I also just got off a FLL-YVR flight on SouthWest, man what a great carrier they are, all comparable to WS and stuff.

So because AC flys YVR-YYJ AND YYZ-HKG, they've "haven't quite figure out what their niche is"? Last time I checked, diversity of a service doesn't mean a lack of a niche.

Oh yeah, and how is WS doing on those unprofitable routes that they are required by the government to fly?


Sorry but I call BS on that one.
I'm sorry, to hear that? :rolleyes:

Oh yeah, and how is WS doing on those unprofitable routes that they are required by the government to fly?

Air Canada is not required to fly on unprofitable routes.

YYC-YVR on one of their 732s January 2005. Toilet paper race to end it. After my section was the last to deplane, I haven't enplaned since.

Like I said, ancient history.

The term welfarejet is objectionable, IMO.

Like I said, ancient history.
Just as ancient as YYZ-LAX or their meaningful tenure in NYC?

Just as ancient as YYZ-LAX or their meaningful tenure in NYC?


Ah yes, the old bait and switch. What does YYZ-LAX have to do with the topic at hand?

Ah yes, the old bait and switch. What does YYZ-LAX have to do with the topic at hand?
It's just as meaningless as your statements that say what I experienced on WS never happened.

It's just as meaningless as your statements that say what I experienced on WS never happened.


Now you are going to try to attribute statements to me that I never made?

Just so you understand, the debate is about jokes on WS, which are now so rare as to be almost extinct. I haven't heard of a toilet paper race since about 1998, but if you say it happened in Jan. 2005, I acccept your assertion that it did. That was 15 months ago, not today.

The red herring about YYZ-LAX just looks to me like an attempt to take the debate in a different direction. One that has nothing to do with the topic being discussed.

SWA sticks to its niche, the legacy's stick the theirs. Except AC who haven't quite figured out what their niche is, even after bankruptcy, other than everything from 19 seaters thru 300 seaters flying everything from 40 mile sectors to 7,000 mile sectors. ;)

And what is WS' niche that they'll stick to?

And please, give an answer about things like markets, not "their niche will be one of the most profitable carriers in North America, with CASM of blah blah blah."

Let's see...

7.00 am Depart Calgary (YYC)
Arrive Toronto (YYZ) 12:45 pm (Sat 25 Mar)
Duration: 3hr 45mn WestJet 698
Direct flight C$802


7:00 am Depart Calgary (YYC)
Arrive Toronto (YYZ) 12:45 pm (Sat 25 Mar)
Duration: 3hr 45mn Air Canada 174
Direct flight C$1775

EXACT same departure dates.

EXACT same departure times.

What makes AC CS973 more? They have business class on the plane, is that what should allow them to be a good $1000.00 more? :td:


Checked AC Employee web site. Every flight YYC-YYZ Sat sold out in Y. Only a few J class seats available. Hence the price difference. WJ is not full.

..SWA sticks to its niche, the legacy's stick the theirs. Except AC who haven't quite figured out what their niche is, even after bankruptcy, other than everything from 19 seaters thru 300 seaters flying everything from 40 mile sectors to 7,000 mile sectors. ;)

Then I guess Pestjet should have stuck to their avowed intent of luring the bus-riding crowd from the pavement to the skies in Western Canada. I guess that wasn't big enough for some of the egos involved?

[QUOTE]And what is WS' niche that they'll stick to?

Depends what's hot on AC's internal website :D Of course you need to buy new shredders for that



And please, give an answer about things like markets, not "their niche will be one of the most profitable carriers in North America, with CASM of blah blah blah."

don't forget asm/prasm and spasm

WS FA's talk WAY too much. Less is more. It's really something they should look at.


I remember one time at YVR, trying to stay on a conference call in the gate area and having to leave because they wouldn't chill out with the pre-flight show. Some people may love the perkiness, but most times it just bothers me.

Well duh - Westjet does not offer Lattitude or Latitude + perks (upgrades, MLL access, etc.) While the fares are higher the benefits are better as well.



AC and WS almost always match each other's lower fares. But the highest WS fare on any route is always considerably less than the AC Latitude fare. So in the YYC-YYZ case above, if there are only a few seats left for sale on either plane, the AC fares will be higher than the WS fares.

I remember one time at YVR, trying to stay on a conference call in the gate area and having to leave because they wouldn't chill out with the pre-flight show. Some people may love the perkiness, but most times it just bothers me.

When about did this occur? I've never seen/heard anything noticeably different in a Westjet gate area than any other airline and only 1 onboard joke (no activities) in my limited experience with Westjet.

I think there may be a few extra-perky agents around still, but it seems the vast majority have become pleasantly robotic as the norm.