Westjet Assists Hurricane Rita Evacuees

WJflyer · Post by **WJflyer** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:03 pm

WestJet Aircraft and Crew Participates in Hurricane Rita Rescue and Evacuation Operation

SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 - 21:20:21 ET
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(CCNMatthews - Sept. 22, 2005) - WestJet (TSX:WJA),
Canada's leading low-cost airline, announced today that it has been
contracted to airlift evacuees in the path of Hurricane Rita to safety.
The evacuated citizens will be flown from Houston, Texas to designated
U.S. cities as directed by American authorities.

WestJet was first contacted by LeBas International Air Charter Worldwide
on behalf of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at
approximately noon MDT. The airline had an aircraft in the air and on
its way to Houston four hours later.

For this operation, WestJet is utilizing one of its Boeing
Next-Generation 737-700 series aircraft, crewed by 13 WestJet employees
consisting of pilots, first officers, flight attendants and maintenance
personnel. WestJet's part in this rescue and evacuation process may last
as long as five days. The aircraft and crew left Calgary, Alberta for
Houston at 4:00 p.m. MDT.

"WestJet is proud to be able to assist LeBas International and FEMA
in this important rescue and evacuation operation," said Sean
Durfy, Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. "WestJet is
committed to doing its part to keep the people of Houston safe."

Modeled after Southwest Airlines in the United States, WestJet is
Canada's leading low-cost airline offering scheduled service throughout
its 34-city North American network. Named Canada's most respected
corporation for customer service in 2005, WestJet pioneered low-cost
high-value flying in Canada. With increased legroom and leather seats on
its modern fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and live
seatback television provided by Bell ExpressVu on its 737-700 fleet,
WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.

http://www2.ccnmatthews.com/scripts/dnr ... .xml&t=WJA

Nice job Westjet... is Air Canada planning to spare one of their airplanes like they did with Katrina? FEMA already chartered a Spirit Airlines MD-83, US Airways A320, and a Skyservice 757-200. I am already aware that Air Canada changed equipment on flights out of IAH to bigger jets, and some Air Canada Calgary staff offered to accomodate Air Canada staff that work at IAH that wished to evacuate.

just curious · Post by **just curious** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:13 pm

Good to see.

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:08 am

AC "donated" their aircraft, crews and fuel. That doesn’t appear to be the case with WJ as the article says "contracted"...Clive is not that generous.

RVSM · Post by **RVSM** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:39 am

Rebel,

Since you know everything asbout everything, did AC donate the aircraft, fuel, and crews when it owned NWTAir, and it's Hercules spent years hauling relief supplies (mostly food) during African famines?

Or was Milty/Hollis/Lamar not that generous?

CanadaEH · Post by **CanadaEH** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:06 am

AC "donated" their aircraft, crews and fuel. That doesn’t appear to be the case with WJ as the article says "contracted"...Clive is not that generous.

Robert isn't that generous either. AC was no doubt "helped" by FEMA.

EI-EIO · Post by **EI-EIO** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:55 am

http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rk ... -0&Start=0

seems pretty clear to me that this was done at AC's expense:

Since Air Canada received the request for assistance yesterday evening from the Air Transport Association, of which it is a member, Air Canada employees worked around the clock to prepare and dispatch the donated aircraft and voluntary crew for the shuttle mission.

427wedge · Post by **427wedge** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:22 am

In response to a request from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, Air Canada is participating along with U.S.
member airlines of the Air Transport Association, in a voluntary airline
industry initiative to support rescue and relief operations in the region
ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

It seems pretty clear to me that the only voluntary part is the actual use of the aircraft. Air Canada's spin dept would have made it crystal clear if they did this on their own dime.
Not that I think they should have had to pay anyway, FEMA is pouring money at anybody even remotely connected to this.

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:35 am

Wy can't you guys just accept that AC volunteered to do this. Fema may have payed for the fuel, and even that is not certain, but AC DID provide the aircraft and the crews volunteered to work for free. Is that spelled out clear enough? If WJ did the same, good for you too. But like has been stated already, doesn't sound like Clive gave out any freebies.

195psi · Post by **195psi** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:22 am

A pissing contest to see who gave away the most $$$, what's next.Each company did their part in their own way.Who cares how. You want to point fingers, ask yourselves what you gave out of your own wallet. Fell good about it, good. It's all that counts.

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:45 am

Amen brother. It's just that I have this thing for defending my own when I have to. Why can't we all just get along?

195psi · Post by **195psi** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:36 am

Just remeber, for everyone here that who you think is your own, your team ect.. will change very quickly when the almighty dollar comes in to play. It doesn't take much,Most large corporations always say people is their focus, you can read it on most of there websites.What matters is shareholders and that is the reality of all our situations, and that dictates the security of our jobs on our respective teams.

Trickkles · Post by **Trickkles** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 1:56 am

I think this topic is proof that there is 'trolls' on the message board for both companies taking 'cheap shots' at each other when it isn't warranted.
Instead we should be applauded both companies for helping out! END OF STORY.

In Blastor's defense, he didn't post once on this topic showing that some other posters are the true s*(t disturbers.......