While I appreciate you presenting the company's viewpoint in a straightforward post, I have some troubles with parts of the explained rational behind the changes.

"The travel experience and benefits that customers get for their tickets and the cost structures of the major airlines were decided/designed in the era when the pricing and margins were much higher."

Does this mean it's the pax fault the market has changed and the CO has been unwilling or unable to keep up with the times? Or that pax are expecting way too much from airline's these days and must scale back their expectations?

It sounds much like the identity crisis Air Canada is in the midst of at the moment: trying to compete with the Low Cost Carriers while still providing perks for the pax who are paying much higher fares. I wish CO lots of luck because trying to be all things to all people hasn't been working for AC for some time. Ultimately, the market will decide who flys off into the wild blue yonder and who left on the ground.