Air Canada strike: passengers stuck abroad tell their setbacks

Tens of thousands of travelers find themselves blocked abroad due to the strike of Air Canada on -board agents. Some are trying to return at all costs, but face unforeseen costs and prolonged uncertainty.

Jeremy Clinton was to return to Toronto after a family stay in Greece.

I was supposed to fly today, in fact an hour and a half ago. And my flight was canceled last night around 9:30 p.m.he said.

The college student George Brown explains that he had to join his family in an Airbnb accommodation.

Unfortunately, it added to the costs. It’s a bit painful, but manageable for the momenthe said.

Mr. Clinton claims to have chosen to wait to obtain a replacement flight, rather than accepting a refund, because buying a ticket from other carriers has proven to be overpriced.

I was looking at flights because I just wanted to go home. And there were from $ 5,000 for a single way. It’s madnesshe said.

In the meantime, he sees his savings melt.

All this means that I have to get into my savings, which were not intended for this trip. It was for my school supplies, my books and also my rent in Torontohe said.

Mr. Clinton includes the demands of on -board agents, but deplores their consequences.

The strike, I understand it and I want people to be paid properly. But at the same time, people find themselves stuck in other countries. In my case, I have work tomorrow. I have obligations and I cannot fill them because I am stuck herehe said.

He is even afraid of losing his job if he is not able to come back in time.

“Contempt”

Valéry Vlad also says abandoned by Air Canada.

His flight Budapest – Toronto was canceled while he was already in correspondence in Munich.

We are very, very disappointed. Not by the strike, but by the way it is managed by Air Canada.

According to him, the mishap started in the middle of the night. At 3 a.m., we were sent an email that the flight was canceledhe explained.

Already recorded in Budapest, he and his spouse still embarked on Munich, where they met without assistance.

We tried to call Air Canada for two hours, but no chance, no one answeredsaid Vlad.

At the airport, it was towards the Lufthansa counter that he had to turn, for lack of Air Canada representative. There were a lot of people in our situation. Fortunately, Lufthansa employees have been very understanding he said.

The first option offered was an outright refund. They told us: you must be reimbursed and seek by your means. But we knew very well that with the prices that exploded, it would be impossiblehe said.

After more than two hours of waiting, Lufthansa finally found a route. We have to go through three American cities before arriving in Buffalo. Afterwards, we will have to cross the border on foot with our luggageexplained Mr. Vlad.

He points out that several hundred Canadians are in the same situation. In our hotel, we were nearly 400 abandoned Canadians […] Some were returned to the next day, at 5:30 am, without guarantee of having a flight. Imagine: wait for hours to be told to come back the next dayhe deplored.

The German company found a replacement flight to Buffalo and covered certain costs. [Lufthansa] Go ask for Air Canada for the flight to Buffalo, a first hotel night, evening meal and even breakfastexplained Mr. Vlad.

But the next day, he had to assume all the expenses himself. The second night, we paid more than 100 euros for the room ourselves and we have to manage to eat, to move aroundhe said.

The contrast between the two companies is striking, according to him. Air Canada, we never heard them. No one managed to talk to themdenounced Mr. Vlad.

What bothers us most is contempt […] Leaving customers without the possibility of talking to someone is unacceptable.

“A shame”

In New York, Andrew Perez is also stuck.

This consultant had planned a three-day getaway and said he chose Air Canada to avoid having to do security check in the United States.

However, during his stay, the anxiety caused by the negotiations came up his peace of mind and made him doubt the maintenance of his return flight.

I spoke to two representatives who told me that it was unlikely that the strike last until Monday. So I maintained my planshe said.

But Sunday afternoon, his return flight was canceled. I received a text saying that they were trying to find me another flight. Then two hours later, another text saying that they were not able and that my flight was canceledhe explained.

To go home, Mr. Perez had to buy a flight to Buffalo and extend his stay. I paid hundreds of dollars from my pocket, not only for an additional hotel night in New York, but also for a new flight. And it’s not even a direct flight to Torontohe said.

He denounces the options offered to customers. I don’t want a credit or a travel voucher. I want a full refund for the return portion. And I don’t feel like I’m going to get ithe said.

On the other hand, Mr. Perez expresses firm support for on -board agents. On -board agents do not make a viable salary. It has been brought up abundantly that they are only paid when the plane is in flight.

They are not paid when the aircraft is on the ground, while working with boarding passengers and landing […] The problem is not them is the direction of Air Canada.

He also insisted on the lack of communication of the carrier. The whole weekend, my flight still appeared “on time”. Then I received a text at 3 p.m. saying that my flight was canceled. Then I waited two hours to receive another text saying that they couldn’t do anythinghe said.

He also believes that the government has acted too quickly by imposing arbitration. It was premature, barely 12 hours after the on -board agents left the line. The union must have the opportunity to negotiate with Air Canadahe said.

He believes that the reputation of the carrier will be tainted permanently. It is really a shame for workers, but also for the 130,000 Canadians stuck in the world. It will harm the Canadian economy and the already low reputation of Air Canadahe concluded.

According to the Transport Office of Canada, a strike is considered beyond the control of Air Canada.

The company must then re -enhance the passengers within 48 hours, either on its own flights or on those of a partner company.

If it is not possible, customers are entitled to a full refund or alternative travel arrangements, at no additional cost.

With information from Andréane Williams