Just flew domestically last week and will be returning early tomorrow morning. Going through check in and security was no issue (no delays that I have not encountered before - many people on staff). I did have to wait an extra 20 minutes once on the plane before taking off but again I have encountered longer delays in pre pandemic times and at numerous airports throughout the world, including their domestic flights. I am hoping my trip home is at least as good.
Pearson YYZ in huge delays again
- Thread starter boomboom
- Start date
What? It's almost like you think that Pearson being one of the most expensive airports anywhere would mean that they provide good service.
Pearson is the responsibility of the federal government, now you know why it’s so screwed up.
I suspect, I repeat suspect, that security in the airport is contracted out to some private sector company. That company may or may not have gotten fucked during Covid when GTAA told them that due to reduced volumes, they didn't need so many staff. So they laid them off. It could be that the company provides staff as requested by the GTAA. All well and good when it's situation normal.
But when they laid off half their people, it became impossible to get them back a year and a half later (and who could blame the staff for finding other jobs).
Now they can't find people period, and certainly not at the wage they were paying pre covid.
Now here's the part in almost sure of....
Said private company has gone to the GTAA and said, we need to attract more people by paying a higher salary (which is true) and Mr. GTAA you need to pay more. (Now how do you think that went over with the GTAA?). That's right, the GTAA has told said contractor, "that's your problem, read your contract"
I'm guessing again that the security folks at YYZ aren't making that great of a salary. (I have no idea how much they make, but Im going to guess very low 20s an hour.). They probably need to pay 30 an hour now to attract people. But the GTAA won't pay a dime more other than what is specified in the contract so the short staffing will continue.
The only solution I see is that the GTAA cracks and pays them more to attract more people and tacks the cost on to the fees they charge airlines. I will certainly pay 20 bucks more a flight if it means I don't have to sit in the airport for 4 hours.
If I've learned one thing over the years, it's that money cures all problems.
But when they laid off half their people, it became impossible to get them back a year and a half later (and who could blame the staff for finding other jobs).
Now they can't find people period, and certainly not at the wage they were paying pre covid.
Now here's the part in almost sure of....
Said private company has gone to the GTAA and said, we need to attract more people by paying a higher salary (which is true) and Mr. GTAA you need to pay more. (Now how do you think that went over with the GTAA?). That's right, the GTAA has told said contractor, "that's your problem, read your contract"
I'm guessing again that the security folks at YYZ aren't making that great of a salary. (I have no idea how much they make, but Im going to guess very low 20s an hour.). They probably need to pay 30 an hour now to attract people. But the GTAA won't pay a dime more other than what is specified in the contract so the short staffing will continue.
The only solution I see is that the GTAA cracks and pays them more to attract more people and tacks the cost on to the fees they charge airlines. I will certainly pay 20 bucks more a flight if it means I don't have to sit in the airport for 4 hours.
If I've learned one thing over the years, it's that money cures all problems.
Air Canada cancelled 10% of their flights as well.
www.theglobeandmail.com
Air Canada cancels almost 10% of Toronto flights over seven days as staffing crunch, passenger surge hit Pearson airport
Canada’s biggest carrier cancelled about 360 flights at Toronto Pearson airport in the first seven days of the month, split equally between arrivals and departures
www.theglobeandmail.com
I was going to suggest Hamilton but that's even more of a shit-show of a long delay. Fly to Calgary, then a 4 hour layover and then a turbo prop to Saskatoon. 9.5 hours. Flight schedules have really changed. I remember 15 years ago doing a quarterly fly-out to Calgary from Hamilton and there were flights that did Hamilton -> Winnipeg -> Saskatoon -> Calgary.
Well, returned this morning from another Canadian city. Flight left on time and arrived at Pearson within a couple of minutes of the scheduled time (faster). Luggage pickup was about 5 minutes longer than I would have liked. Best of all my ride was waiting for me outside. So overall, not the bad experience that others have had.
You may be on to something. My worst experiences at YYZ have all been on international flights including flights from USA.
I see Canada is going to suspend random Covid testing but only for the month of June. Then restart on July 1 in an off site facility.
What a fucking joke.
The US is suspending pre departure testing for International travelers starting this Sunday.
What a fucking joke.
The US is suspending pre departure testing for International travelers starting this Sunday.
Recently I installed a couple of apps in my phone to mitigate some travel woes. Apps don't solve all the problems but overall make a slightly better experience.
Take the Air Canada app --
The Good:
-- All my flight info, gate changes, and delays were visible on my phone. No more looking up your flight among 100 others on the big status board.
The Bad:
-- I opted to use the QR code on my phone as my boarding pass. Everything went smoothly, until some agent double-checked my travel documents and printed out a paper boarding pass anyway
It makes me wonder if they are still uncomfortable with the idea of ticketless travel.
The Ugly:
-- Their pre-flight check inside the app gave me a big "you are not qualified for travel" sign around T-1 day. I was pretty sure I prepared everything right so I just ignored it. The next day the sign was still there, but sure enough I could go through the security and board the plane using my phone without any problem.
I believe one important motive for businesses to build free apps is to deflect customer calls. Even more important if you are understaffed. It's also why I did not bother to call them despite the above "Ugly" point. If built with due diligence, apps can be a great tool to reduce stress on both your customers and front-line staff.
Take the Air Canada app --
The Good:
-- All my flight info, gate changes, and delays were visible on my phone. No more looking up your flight among 100 others on the big status board.
The Bad:
-- I opted to use the QR code on my phone as my boarding pass. Everything went smoothly, until some agent double-checked my travel documents and printed out a paper boarding pass anyway
It makes me wonder if they are still uncomfortable with the idea of ticketless travel.The Ugly:
-- Their pre-flight check inside the app gave me a big "you are not qualified for travel" sign around T-1 day. I was pretty sure I prepared everything right so I just ignored it. The next day the sign was still there, but sure enough I could go through the security and board the plane using my phone without any problem.
I believe one important motive for businesses to build free apps is to deflect customer calls. Even more important if you are understaffed. It's also why I did not bother to call them despite the above "Ugly" point. If built with due diligence, apps can be a great tool to reduce stress on both your customers and front-line staff.
A
Akila Besos
I work at the airport and it's brutal for us
Ppl constantly calling in sick and being understaffed. Really adds alot of stress on us workers.
The amount of yelling and foul language I get called daily to the face is starting to get ridiculous. Ppl think we can control everything but we don't. Plus flights get cancelled or delayed for so many reasons that are just unfortunate for everyone involved
Ppl constantly calling in sick and being understaffed. Really adds alot of stress on us workers.
The amount of yelling and foul language I get called daily to the face is starting to get ridiculous. Ppl think we can control everything but we don't. Plus flights get cancelled or delayed for so many reasons that are just unfortunate for everyone involved
Last edited by a moderator:
A
Akila Besos
Hopefully but we won't know till all the problems get fixed with the PM approval
Still waiting for any mention of Deborah Flint. Or any scrutiny directed her way.
