Air Canada vs. Westjet

LYNX25 · Post by **LYNX25** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:12 pm

Hey all,

I want to get some different perspectives on this topic. Could get a little interesting.
My question is sort of split into two. How do you compare these two airlines in terms of the piloting sides of things (benefits, how your treated by the company and by fellow pilots, etc), and secondly, in regards to how passengers find the flights (service, aircraft flown in, etc).

Let's hear your thoughts.

LYNX25 · Post by **LYNX25** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:25 pm

Hello,

From my experience, WJA seems to have way better service as a whole between the two airlines. When I flew with ACA, the people working on board were pretty brutal with the services provided. Now I was flying the A319, from YYZ to YWG, which was uncomfortable to say the least. I find the 737 is much better for comfort, the tv's right in front make it much easier to watch movies, etc.
On the piloting side, the two flights that I have gone with ACA, came out fairly disappointing with the pilots basically saying "screw off" after the flight. With all of the flights aboard WJA, every single pilot brought me up front and talked with me for a while, and answered all of my questions.
Lots of ACA pilots I know are great guys, some of them just seem they've been flying too long or something.

Saying that, WJA seems to have a more friendly atmosphere.

How was your flight with them? If only one airline was flown, how was that?

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:28 pm

WoW! I can't believe it's at 50/50

. (of course I thought everybody else would vote the same as me

).

LYNX25 · Post by **LYNX25** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:33 pm

LYNX25 · Post by **LYNX25** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:34 pm

I think Westjet may take it!

Any comments on the different airlines anyone?

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:59 pm

I voted AC, but I hate AC. But because wj can't provide international flights/service(US and carribean charters don't count) I picked ACE, but those F/A's, Argh...

WJ for domestic service though, unless AC has a cheaper ticket, sorry, I'm a true consumer....

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:19 am

cyyz wrote:I voted AC, but I hate AC. But because wj can't provide international flights/service(US and carribean charters don't count) I picked ACE, but those F/A's, Argh...

WJ for domestic service though, unless AC has a cheaper ticket, sorry, I'm a true consumer....

Oh and looking at your avatar I thought you were a true communist?

babybus · Post by **babybus** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 8:21 am

As far as career goes AC all the way.
Better long term pay,better variety of routes,777's,787's,340's,767's etc..
You can do ultra-long haul or short-haul.
WJ does seem to have a good work environment but despite all the problems at AC once you've pushed back we have a good time as well.
Passenger comfort wise,when the new interiors are all in by next fall I think you will see a comfort level equal to the best airlines.
I like what I see with WJ in terms of virtual bases and and equality regardless of seniority...shows that it is a company that wants to please their employees.For myself I would rather have the option to do widebody longhaul and see the world.You can do that and still have lots of days off and good pay.
My vote is AC in first with WJ a close second.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:18 am

I vote Jazz...

Squid · Post by **Squid** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:59 am

Since starting this 67 stuff I can't tell which timezone I'm in. Then it takes you a good couple of days to feel good again. Long haul isn't much fun. The A/C is fine however It becomes another plane. 300 plus miles between waypoints and the timezones takes it toll on guys. Everyone I flywith looks like they have added 10 yrs onto thier life. Short haul is the way to go, westjet like it or not is beating us there with 40% cost advantage. They have only been around for 10yrs and done this much we have been around for almost 70. What's the next ten gonna bring. My bet is with WJ. I know a 6 yr guy that just made 180k(4yrs as skipper) makes me go hmmm, then if WJ ties into Cathay and BA, well times will get intresting with thier cost advantage. Of course just my opinion eh Jeremy.

grasshopper66 · Post by **grasshopper66** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:23 pm

Hi, I have to agree with Squid...Long haul is not as easy and glory as you might think it is....After the first few months, your body and mind will tell and do strange things...The subject is scientifically well documented..As for visitng and exploring the world...Well ..After a 10 hrs flight..You will explore your bed period !!! Anyway, I don't want to burst your balloon BABY BUS.As for which airline is the best.....I think AC for the working conditions but WJ for the working environment and attitude toward life and work in general....

babybus · Post by **babybus** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:08 pm

Without a doubt longhaul isn't for everyone.We have guys that hate it so they bid to fly short-haul domestic equipment.If you can't force yourself to sleep on command or if young kids at home prevent you from sleeping when you get back...then stick to domestic.As for myself I have no problem with longhaul.I can leave YYZ or YUL at 1800 hrs and arrive 7 hours later at 1 am home time (7am Paris or Frankfurt) and be in bed at 2 am.If you fly on the west coast with an eastern body clock you routinely go to bed at those hours.
When you take off from Europe at say 1100am local or 0500 AM Toronto time, sure it's tough but you do one leg and can cat-nap en-route.
I don't find that much tougher than taking off from YYT at 0600 am local geting to YYZ and then doing an YOW turn....
But anyway my point is you don't have to like overseas flying.I just happen to like a combination of both,to have the option to do it is what is important for me.
I know guys who love it and guys who hate it but at least you have a choice.That's what I like about AC...the variety.I know an airplane is an airplane but I personaly would get bored flying the same type to the same destinations for my whole career.That's just me though...
That being said if I couldn't get in at AC I would be trying real hard to get into WJ.

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:13 pm

I've never heard so much whyning about such a great job. Pussies.

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:51 pm

Fascinating topic. Wake me up when the Airbus vs. Boeing debate begins....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

LYNX25 · Post by **LYNX25** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:57 pm

Go snooze somewhere else

Red1 · Post by **Red1** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:25 pm

Let's face it, for most it probably came done to who called first. Sure there is the odd person who will make AC or WestJet there one and only goal, but that's putting a lot of eggs in one basket. Both companies have their advantages and disadvantages. In the end just enjoy where ever you are, and remember it probably beats what you where doing before.

LYNX25 · Post by **LYNX25** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:38 pm

Let's face it, for most it probably came done to who called first. Sure there is the odd person who will make AC or WestJet there one and only goal, but that's putting a lot of eggs in one basket. Both companies have their advantages and disadvantages. In the end just enjoy where ever you are, and remember it probably beats what you where doing before.

Thats a very true and well written statement, thanks bud!

[/quote]

South Of 60 · Post by **South Of 60** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:30 pm

Could not agree more Red 1. Well said!

pilotbzh · Post by **pilotbzh** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:44 pm

both sucks big time both treat they pax better than the US but worth than any other supposed to be developped countries...

WJ700 · Post by **WJ700** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 6:41 am

squid: My bet is with WJ. I know a 6 yr guy that just made 180k(4yrs as skipper) makes me go hmmm,

That's it? I He must not like OT. I just did north of a 100K as year 3 FO.

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:21 am

WJ700.
Hey buddy that's real good, can't argue with that. The good news is WJ is a stable performer so you'll always be happy. In the long term though, if you're a typical pilot and I were a betting man, I would bet that at some point in your career you would have been happier flying something other than what you're on now and probably making alot more money doing it. That's the problem with this poll. The word "best" is subject to one's biased personal preference. Who really knows what "best" is?

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:19 am

best is whoever will still have a job in 5 years....

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:26 am

Cyyz.
Well, let's hear it. What's your expert prognosis of the industry five years from now?

WJ700 · Post by **WJ700** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:25 am

Tony,

2500 hours on this type and still not bored. I can't say I chase metal, and I also don't fault anyone who does. Never have, never will. My biggest fear is WestJet buying another type and having to sit through ground school again.

I agree, the poll is too open, so I voted AC

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:34 am

WJ700.
Well at the expense of sounding too sentimental, "chasing metal" and flying it to some nice place on the other side of the world (but hey, Kelowna on a Sat night is pretty exotic too) was all part of the reason some of us got into this business. Some of you at WJ may have also started out the same way but by virtue of working where you do, your ambitions may have had to be changed. I won't generalize but I guarantee many at WJ are in that boat. The bottom line is to be at peace with your decisions and enjoy what you're doing. Maybe that's what determines what "best" is. Hey thanks for the vote.

Air Canada vs. Westjet

Air Canada vs Westjet - Which is the all around better airline?

Air Canada vs. Westjet