How? Maybe the same way all their competitors already do.

The Valet/Skycheck bags are always the first unloaded in the YEG Customs Hall after an HP/AS flight arrives. Besides, a lot of passengers actually check bags believe it or not.

P.S. How do you do it? Easy, use baggage handlers.

Yes, it was proposed there will be instant KK for front & back, albeit at probably increased redemption levels. (Anyways, that's what I assumed when they said "Any seat available for booking would be available to reward redemption too.") I don't remember if it was going to be offered to tier members only or to all members.

No, they didn't say when it was going to be rolled out.

And yes, there weren't any more details at this time. ;)

he's not such a bad guy, good to meet the person behind the name. I was a little dissapointed that I couldn't wear my t-shirt that says "Everybody is entitled to MY OPINION", as i thought it would be appropriate :D

Good to see you used good judgement for once :)

That works somewhat on a terminating flight.

It is a bit more problematic if the flight is a connector and the next sector had a large aircraft that didn't need sky-check. Most people would want their 'carry-on' back to take with them. If not they would try and stuff it onboard in the cabin of the smaller aircraft.

It also is a big problem if you want to just take carry-on. The delivery with the rest of the luggage defeats the purpose of not checking luggage.

Re my comment about Shore9 being under-cooked, I was kidding - I couldn't resist. In fact, he was a perfect gentleman and deserves a lot of credit for attending. ^

Re photos, I took many during the hanger tour. Once I get some time to post them, I'll create a web page and send any interested parties the link. PM me your email address and I'll send you the link when it's ready. The shot of the maintenance guy paiting the tail of a 767 with a 1" brush is hilarious!

The FO who walked us over to the sims also took a group shot in front of the A340 sim, he said he would get those photos to us via Ben.

Perhaps Backseat might be able to fit the pictures on the page he has for the other DO here?

Great day in YVR
 

Hi everyone,
Catching up late to this thread, still in YVR and flying back tomorrow to YUL. I really appreciated my day. Meeting fellows FT and AC people was fantastic. I was quite surprised to see how many AC people had flown from YUL just to attend the meeting (6-7 I think). I guess they are sending the right message about listening more to their best customers. The exchange was quite interesting and lively. It did not go just one way.

The previous reports are adequate so I won't add anything else here except the fact that they seemed a bit surprised by the importance we give to seating in general. (type of seat, looking at seat maps, seat pitch etc...) After explaining why some of us prefered to fly transcon in the US on UA E+ instead of AC because of the seat pitch on UA they became a bit more interested by it and asked few more questions about it. They clearly mentionned that the 787's and 777's would have some kind of a 3rd cabin but not sure yet which type...

One point who was also raised about the pre-blocked middle seat for higher tier members a feature available with UA for example. AC people indicated that they would certainly consider this but that it was not possible with their actual reservation system.

I think I am the only one who took pictures... I took none during the Q&A session but took a bunch of interesting shots during the hangar tour. Those interested to get them just e-mail me, I'll be happy to forward them to you... Of interest are the pictures taken inside a stripped Delta 767 getting a major refurbishing.

Again it was great to be there, thanks to Parnel and Lee for organizing this and hope the tradition will continue. I think it has been a valuable day for both parties.

Kudos to AC to have given us the chance to talk openly about our needs (and sometimes frustration...)

767300ER

Lee and braindrain have done a wonderful job of reporting the "major news."

I will bring the little details to the forum.(humorous stuff :D ),in no particular order of events.

There was a question raised on relaxed standby rules for tier members(Ben Smith was/had just left the room and it was noted to the great amusement of the gathered.)

YSB was discussed as a new location for a MLL(Huge chuckle from the group)No concierges volunteered to staff and the issue was tabled,right George ;) )

I believe Paris was mentioned as a summer(seasonal pair from YVR).Just mentioned people,nothing more yet. :cool:

Has this been mentioned?The Air Canada card has replaced the Aeroplan card we all carry.A very distinct change that was mentioned a few times. I personally looked at my card to realize this actually happened.i.e.Air Canada S/Elite card instead of an Aeroplan S/Elite Card. The program is designed to benefit Air Canadas best customers NOT Aeroplans. ^

I counted 14+ AC staff and included for the whole day were 2 concierges
from YVR,Karin and Jeanette.(I saw parnel chatting with them.Hope you got the u/g to SFO :D )

Ben Smith actually serving the 1st meal at lunch to one of the FT attendees(name escapes me here,sorry :o ) as he asked about not getting a meal/selection on a recent flight.Hillarious, :D :D .(for that matter the whole AC team served us the lunch meal.I felt extremely conscious of this,as the senior execs did not have to do this,IMHO.Again,nice touch.

Lucie modelling the new uniform for the flights to Paris. :D :D Very elegant :)
(nords fan pay attention!!)

John Ring could not explain why priority tagged bags could not get priority treatment. :D He's tried it all,(still trying)and was genuine in his response.

Leslie is the "new" member of the team and was talking to all of us at lunch.She is in charge of Pricing and competive Intellegence.Actually asked me questions relating to YSB. ^ ^ ^ :D (I will be in touch,Marcel ;) )

Transat had an aircraft at the AC hanger for maintenance.A FT'er noted all the seats assembled at the bottom of the aircaft,pushed tightly together.(we all thought AC pitch was tough ;) :D )


This meeting was almost as good as the YUL do.I am fortunate to have attended the 3 "do's " to date.Thanks to parnel and Lee for organizing the do and dinner.Great job,well done.This is a tremendous amount of work.A round of applause to you both.

A quick note about Beyrouth being served from YUL. During the meeting Ben mentionned AC was still commited to fly there but were still waiting for gov clearance...

I was fortunate to attend and in part because 'new' people were given an extra priority. I had thought that this was good to get as many people as possible a chance at one of these events.

I have modified my position somewhat:
I now feel that there should be a certain number of repeat attendees in order to attain some degree of consistency. This way both we as FF and AC can determine if some of the things that we talk about are changing for the better or for the worse. It is still important that new ideas and viewpoints are voiced, but to have a handful of experienced AC-DO people along does help to provide continuity.

acysb:

George gave me a picture of the new 'YSB-MLL standard' that they have put together for stations such as yours. If you notice it even has wheels if they do a gate change.
http://www.funnyjunk.com/p/0428-jpg.html

I talked to both Karin and Jeanette just inside domestic security this morning so they were back on the job.

Hahahaha :D :D :D

It can give tarmac to tarmac service a bit of a new meaning. ;)

To a non attendee(Fridays are just impossible for me to leave work :( ) the answers from AC from this DO seem to be the most informative yet. Perhaps AC is becoming more comfortable with each DO ^ . That is why I totally agree with exAC's view on the mix of attendees.