SunWings Laying off Pilots

[pt6_driver]

Oh, Oh

It has started once again with another Sun destination Airline. Sunwings is laying off pilots. a good handful of pilots got notice this evening that they are being let go.


Musical chairs music has stopped once again people. Grab yer seat and sit down.

[HO Driver]

Uhh, I think this happens every year about this time.

[Driving Rain]

Maybe this has something to do with it.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010 ... 1-qmi.html

OTTAWA - Travellers have been left scrambling by the sudden shutdown of the popular Go Travel South travel agency.

In a tersely worded statement posted to its website Wednesday night, the agency cited "economic circumstances" for the decision to cease operations and instructed clients to contact credit card companies for refunds.

Attempts to reach Go Travel were unsuccessful, and a recorded message on its 1-800 line directed clients to its website "for a current update on our company status."

"We are extremely sorry that you will not be departing on your planned vacations," Go Travel said on its website.

Travellers are being warned not to show up at the airport for scheduled flights booked with Flair Air, which was affiliated with Go Travel, "as they will not be departing."

Go Travel terminated its contract with carrier Flair Airlines Ltd., which informed travellers it would fulfil obligations to transport passengers scheduled to return to Canada from Thursday to Sunday only, and that it would immediately cease transporting Go Travel clients from Canada to their destinations.


Ottawa resident Fouad Nayel, 26, had booked time off work and a vacation package to spend spring break in Cancun with three friends.

Now he's left looking for answers.

Nayel said he had no luck reaching the agency or his credit card company.

"We're in a bit of a predicament," Nayel said. "We're wondering if we're going to get the money back in time to book another ticket, and we've all booked the time off work, so we're not too happy."

Kanata resident Brian Beauchamp, 42, had booked a trip to Punta Cana through Go Travel, and was preparing to leave on March 6.

"We just booked it last week, kind of last minute, and now this," Beauchamp said of the trip he was taking with three friends.

He is optimistic his money will be refunded, but said his credit card company told him it would take 45 to 90 days to credit his account, after he provides an itinerary and e-ticket.

Inder Handa, president of local agency Handa Travel, is concerned about travellers who are abroad.

"I'm sure there are thousands of people who are unhappy today. I just fear for those people who are stranded," Handa said.

Go Travel was not registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario, a provincially mandated organization which governs about 3,000 travel retailers and wholesalers, offering consumer protection through a compensation fund.

As recently as a Dec. 28 posting on its Facebook page, Go Travel South said "sales are booming," boasting about "good old supply and demand" for winter destinations. The most recent posting, on Feb. 19, urged clients to take advantage of a "buy one get the second 50% off" promotion.

The Facebook group was taken down Wednesday night.

[cyrus]

Two questions:

1. pt6_driver - Where did you get this information from?

2. Driving Rain - What does Sunwing have to do with "Go Travel"?

[YYCcrew]

This information is completely false and is just another rumour, The company released an internal memo today to the pilot group to cut off this rumour. They admit that there is a surplus of crew's but have not commited or even come close to layoff's.

[Driving Rain]

What does Sunwing have to do with "Go Travel"?

Nothing really. Go cancelled it's contract with Flair. I think the story points to the slower economy causing weaknesses in the holiday markets that is industry wide.
Sorry I should have be clear.
At any rate this can't be good news over at Flair.
http://www.flairair.ca/index.cfm?fuseac ... pPassenger

[Niteflyer]

All rumour and speculation. This sort of stuff just gets people upset for no reason.
If their union/association is behind this they should be turfed out. It is irresponsible.

[Localizer]

This information is completely false and is just another rumour, The company released an internal memo today to the pilot group to cut off this rumour. They admit that there is a surplus of crew's but have not commited or even come close to layoff's.

All rumour and speculation. This sort of stuff just gets people upset for no reason.
If their union/association is behind this they should be turfed out. It is irresponsible.

Well ... I have a close buddy that works for Sunwing, and he said the YVR base is suppose to close and that 30 something pilots are going to get the pink slip. I hope its not true .. but he sounded pretty upset for me not to believe it. Hope for the best ... plan for the worst!

Cheers!

[twinpratts]

Who the Hell is "Sunwings"?

[J31]

Who the Hell is "Sunwings"?

Sunwing Airlines But you knew that
http://www.flysunwing.com/

[.80@410]

From the horses mouth,From a Captain who works there.

35 pilots and closing the YVR base.

[YYCcrew]

Ok, so where did your pilot friend hear this from? the association? The company memo that was put out reasures all, that these are un-true rumours.

[Localizer]

Ok, so where did your pilot friend hear this from? the association? The company memo that was put out reasures all, that these are un-true rumours.

I don't know where the info came from .. but don't believe what your company tells you. All companies will tell you what you need to know, and when you need to know it. Jetsgo issued memo's that the company was in great shape .. till the doors closed the next day.

Personally, i'd have more faith in my union/association and what they are telling me ...

Hope it really is just a rumour!

Cheers!

[ez4u2say]

not sure if this has anything to do with the subject topic, but according to the latest info on aircrafts leaving the canadian register I see at least 3 or maybe it was 4 Sunwings B737 aircraft leaving their fleet....

[J31]

Going to Europe for the summer season maybe.

[ez4u2say]

J31..I certainly hope you a right..we have had enough grief in this country as far as the airlines are concerned..maybe a SunWings connection will have some positive input..

[robbreid]

Five B737NG's off register;

C-FTAE Sunwings sub-leased and returned to Viking Air of Sweden 7th season with this aircraft - returns in December.

C-FYLD Sunwings sub-leased and returned to Star XL of Germany 3rd season with this aircraft.

C-GDBX Sunwings sub-leased and returned to Eurocypria AW of Cyprus, 4th season with this aircraft.

C-GCQS CanJet returned to TUIfly of Germany.

C-GOEJ Enerjet summer lease to Transavia AL of Netherlands.

[Panama Jack]

That sucks. Hope everybody recovers quickly.

For those looking for somewhere to go and who don't mind moving far away, I understand that Fly Dubai is still looking for experienced and current Classic EFIS and NG pilots. Should also offer a more stable environment than the Canadian industry, although Dubai has its own set of positives and negatives.

http://flydubai.com/english/work-with-us/pilots.aspx