And where is Ottawa? It should at least make a statement that it will, for the next two weeks at least, guarantee all outstanding C3K tickets if they are honoured by any scheduled carrier, anywhere in the world, at the face price plus a small handling charge. This will give all parties time to determine if C3K will ever fly again, while ensuring those stranded are able to get home or find alternate means of transport.

AC on its own should not have to bear this cost or risk of accommodating C3K travellers. And with its reduced capacity, AC would have a difficult time accommodating all these passengers, though Tango will help somewhat. Not only will it T-off its own passengers who will face more crowds -- with less staff to handle them given recent layoffs -- but we will get a replay of the airport chaos of a year and a half ago.

Just imagine if CP had shut down this way: three times the size of C3K, it would have made Ansett's closure look puny by comparison.

Glad I made my November and December travel bookings yesterday on AC. There is a bright side for all us Elites and SEs: most likely be lots of operational upgrades as AC fills the back cabin to overflowing in the coming weeks. And didn't someone post that they'd bought AC stock the other day? Good move, look for a $1 rise on the market today...