Stand-by Travel

[klimman123]

I was gonna book a personal stand-by travel ticket as an employee with AC from A-B, cost $112. This includes some bogus $46 service fee, per direction of travel plus tax and any airport fees. The same flight with WestJet $21. I can understand that for some reason this is the cost of doing business and the AC service fee, even though bogus, served some function that would enhance my travel experience. Just blind optimism really. The real kick in the pants came when I discovered that a pilot outside AC using the reciprocal jump seat, would pay $42 for the same flight.

Can anyone provide any insight as to why AC makes it so expensive for their own employees to travel with them? Or, perhaps a way to book travel cheaper?

[flyer 1492]

Because Air Canada wants to suck every last dollar out of thier employees.

[Norwegianwood]

Because Air Canada wants to suck every last dollar out of thier employees.

We're not happy 'till you're not happy.......................

[ogopogo]

Can anyone provide any insight as to why AC makes it so expensive for their own employees to travel with them?

I s'pose because it's an "us" and "them" situation.

I get the feeling over at WJA, it's always "us" and "we".

Vive la difference!

[Fanblade]

1) You are a revenue source. Nothing else.

[Mig29]

Very true..and disappointing.

The latest memo that was distributed to check-in staff on the floor regarding J class upgrading of employees WITHOUT using a C1/J10 pass said this: ..."It is revenue loss to Air Canada when an employee using a C2 gets an upgrade to business..."

How sad and pathetic is that???

Another question for AC management involved with employee travel program.

For all you AC, Jazz or even GGN or CMA employees using the passes and zed fares - did you know that in-transit tax (for overseas and some US airports) applied to your pass can be refunded by employee travel department if you submit the proof (copies of boarding passes) that you had a in-transit connection under 24hrs. Say you did YYZ-FRA-FCO. The portion of your FRA tax is refunded if you are smart to send in your boarding passes.

Now what happens to the money that is not claimed by an employee, because they just didn't know??? To whom does that money go??? Do you really think German airport authority gets to claim it? Think again

[TKTguy]

Our service charge and taxes really do suck. I long for the day of the $20, $30 and $50 dollar passes. Its cheaper sometimes to book seats on other airlines confirmed than travel on passes.

[ahramin]

Unfortunately that's pretty standard with many airlines. My airline charges me $80 and I have to book a week ahead to get the ticket. When I book with Air Canada I'm only going to be on hold for a couple hours and it will cost me less than half that.

[mingshiyaaun]

Frankly speaking, whoever created this kind of rule has already retired. This (the service fee) has been there since 2006.
Best bet is to contact your dept manager and then forward it to the tariff dept.

[RussD]

Very true..and disappointing.

The latest memo that was distributed to check-in staff on the floor regarding J class upgrading of employees WITHOUT using a C1/J10 pass said this: ..."It is revenue loss to Air Canada when an employee using a C2 gets an upgrade to business..."

How sad and pathetic is that???

Another question for AC management involved with employee travel program.

For all you AC, Jazz or even GGN or CMA employees using the passes and zed fares - did you know that in-transit tax (for overseas and some US airports) applied to your pass can be refunded by employee travel department if you submit the proof (copies of boarding passes) that you had a in-transit connection under 24hrs. Say you did YYZ-FRA-FCO. The portion of your FRA tax is refunded if you are smart to send in your boarding passes.

Now what happens to the money that is not claimed by an employee, because they just didn't know??? To whom does that money go??? Do you really think German airport authority gets to claim it? Think again

I got a little different story. Last year I traveled same day YYC-LHR-CDG. YYC-LHR On a employee pass with AC and LHR-CDG on a ZED with AF. I called about getting the LHR transit tax (as they were 2 different files with 2 different airlines) refunded. AC said that although the cost of the tax was incorporated on the ZED they sold me, AF was the provider and they got the funds so call AF. AF said AC sold the ticket so I should deal with them. When I called back to both carriers involved and told that they had both pointed to the other guy for compensation, I was told by both to quit harrassing them or I would risk forfeiting travel privileges. I don't know who got ahead on that one other than it wasn't me

[Mig29]

Very true..and disappointing.

The latest memo that was distributed to check-in staff on the floor regarding J class upgrading of employees WITHOUT using a C1/J10 pass said this: ..."It is revenue loss to Air Canada when an employee using a C2 gets an upgrade to business..."

How sad and pathetic is that???

Another question for AC management involved with employee travel program.

For all you AC, Jazz or even GGN or CMA employees using the passes and zed fares - did you know that in-transit tax (for overseas and some US airports) applied to your pass can be refunded by employee travel department if you submit the proof (copies of boarding passes) that you had a in-transit connection under 24hrs. Say you did YYZ-FRA-FCO. The portion of your FRA tax is refunded if you are smart to send in your boarding passes.

Now what happens to the money that is not claimed by an employee, because they just didn't know??? To whom does that money go??? Do you really think German airport authority gets to claim it? Think again

I got a little different story. Last year I traveled same day YYC-LHR-CDG. YYC-LHR On a employee pass with AC and LHR-CDG on a ZED with AF. I called about getting the LHR transit tax (as they were 2 different files with 2 different airlines) refunded. AC said that although the cost of the tax was incorporated on the ZED they sold me, AF was the provider and they got the funds so call AF. AF said AC sold the ticket so I should deal with them. When I called back to both carriers involved and told that they had both pointed to the other guy for compensation, I was told by both to quit harrassing them or I would risk forfeiting travel privileges. I don't know who got ahead on that one other than it wasn't me

Sorry to hear that Russ...another shining example indeed. I would still pursue AC to refund you some of the taxes on the yyc-lhr leg, since you work for AC family. AF zed is just there to support you intransit claim. Good luck!

[Canozzy]

Please Air Canada, move with the times and allow us non employees to list on your flights without having to call the call centre. I had to give up on Monday and fly on AA because i couldn't get through.

[Bleed Air]

As a CX employee I often travel on you guys outta YVR and YYZ, and find the best way to list is to call the HK res line. It's always answered right away. I use it even when in Canada. I'd rather spend a 3 min long distance call, rather than be on hold for 2 hours on the NAM res line. I've also been told the FRA res line is good too. Of course being able to list online for non AC employees would be better.
By the way you will NEVER EVER get and upgrade on CX without a pass in that class. They wont even bump up pax to open seats in your class to get you on. Leaving with empty seats and staff at the standby counter happens regularly!!
Same team, same dream!!