Canadian Corner
 

I had an email from Randy Petersen the other day, in which among other things, he noted how fascinating he finds the Air Canada/Canadian Forum because it is so wide ranging and not limited to the Aeroplan program. While I know this likely irritates some purists, I suppose it also reflects the fact that we have so much happening up here, and don't figure the right place to post is in the midst of the other fora like The Buzz, In The News, etc. This means the forum fulfills several functions, beyond the frequent flyer program it was set up to cover.

Do others feel it is appropriate to post non-AC/CP/Aeroplan-specific, but Canadian- related, items here? Does it bother people to see "extrenious" things like the one I just posted about Passports?

I brought this up to Randy after the 1st chat as some stayed on after. He said he would check out the Air Canada forum to see how diverse the topics were.

Problem is...if there are any changes...what about every other country?

Dorian

I don't think it's a problem at all... This is the section which I mainly come into and will only go into other forums {Buzz..} if I have time so it's nice to see all the AC/CP and Canada stuff here.

I think I take the word Canadian in the forum name quite literally. Although the primary focus is (now) Aeroplan, there are many other flying related issues that are worth discussing. To have them in one place like this makes them much more accessible. Like Empress, I do scan The Buzz, but I think it would be difficult to track down Canadian topics easily. Shareholder's threads on business aspects of AC, discussion of the place of other carriers, and similar topics are all relevant to many of us. I'd much rather see this board used for Canadiana. I think that it provides a stronger sense of identity beyond a FF program. If I'm not interested in a thread, I can choose not to read it.

I must say that this forum is by far the most civilized and informative of ALL on FT (well, with Fly Boy as an exception).

The only problem I see is when someone wants info. on something about Canada...they may not post here because of the title...and therefore never get an answer?

Dorian

Is the status qou not an option? I haven't been around that long, but it seems to work well.

I think this forum is great. There are no big flame wars and even Fly Boy is marginally tolerable (sorry, couldn't resist http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif). It's got a small and friendly community with a uniquely Canadian touch, but Shhhhhh we don't want to attract too much attention! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I think this board serves perfectly as a catch-all for Canadiana be it AC/Aeroplan (ostensibly the only focus of this forum) or the new carriers or just "made in Canada" topics. I think it is perfectly appropriate.

Cheers all! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
FewMiles..

What other place would it be appropriate to post a "Happy Canada Day!" thread anyways? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

And yes, I did do that before and I will again.

FewMiles..

This is a good forum. I say let's not change anything.

I am happy with the forum as it has evolved. It is in keeping with our Canadian culture...a compromise of subjects Aeroplan and Air Canada and a forum for the Canadian FF. I peruse the other general sites and occasionally contribute to other threads when I have something to say. Confucius say: "He who takes wristwatch apart, ends up with spare parts" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by airbus320 (edited 02-15-2001).]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Awww http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

IMO it is an interesting question because Canada only really has one frequent flier program right now (for domestic travellers). So it is an unusual situation, where all have us have been put in one big pot. Seems to be working I guess. I expect as the 'new' carriers start up and get their own forums, the posts here will refocus more on AC Aeroplan, and not wander off topic as much.

If I may add my two cents...
As a busy student living overseas, I really appreciate the fact that I can periodically check in on this forum and be up-to-date on the airline situation in Canada. I always look forward to reading the high quality posts here.

Fly Boy: I happen to like you and your posts! While they do offer a point of view on one bit of an extreme, I think it adds a great deal of value to our discussions! You've made me listen, think and change my idea some of the time! Thank you http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm not the type of person to ask someone to not speak because they are of a different school of thought. How boring would it be if we all thought like a shareholder of a company? Quite!

There are so many American threads in the more general fora like The Buzz that threads related to air travel in Canada would be lost. It's much better to have all the Canadian threads together in one place, even if the title of the forum is somewhat misleading. Someone who flies mostly in the US isn't likely to care much that the Gimli Glider has been parked (for example), whereas people who visit this forum will.

Let's leave things the way they are, and let the purists choose which threads they read.