Thousands of Quebec travelers find themselves stuck to the four corners of the world, collateral victims of the stop of the flights caused by the imminent strike of Air Canada on -board agents and the lockout decreed by the company on Saturday. If many still hope to be relocated to another flight, others have to pay additional thousands of dollars to return on their own.
“This story puts an end to our holidays by leaving us a very bitter taste,” drops Caroline Leblanc, in Barcelona with her spouse.
The couple was to return to Quebec on Saturday after two weeks of sunny vacation by the Mediterranean. The strike planned from August 16 by Air Canada on -board agents – and the lockout decided by the company – however, darkened their stay.
Pending an Air Canada decision, they spent the last days looking for solutions to return to Quebec before their return to work on Monday. They quickly disillusioned when it is a simple gocelone-Montreal to go during the weekend would cost their initial round trip three times more, at least $ 3,000 per person.
The cleaver finally fell on Friday at the end of the day: Air Canada canceled their return flight without having managed to find them places with another company. Caroline Leblanc and her spouse will have to return to Quebec by their own means and pay their pockets the additional costs that result from it. As these lines were written, the couple was still looking for a solution without knowing how much and when Air Canada was going to reimburse them.
“We feel a little lost in all of this. […] I am very worried and I wonder where is the support expected in these events, ”says Mr.me Leblanc, distraught.
“I would like to tell me what to do”
For their part, Marylin Lachapelle, his spouse and their two children end their holidays in Martinique in the stress of not being able to return to Quebec. Their return is scheduled for Saturday, but as long as the company did not officially cancel their flight, they have no choice but to wait.
“We do not know if we have to extend our stay, if we have to re -make a car, if we have to cancel our work next week. […] Not knowing is the worst, ”says Ms. Lachapelle.
Although she keeps hope that they are relocated to another flight, she already apprehends the additional costs in the event of cancellation. “We shop back with other companies, but it’s hell. Prices vary from $ 1,500 to $ 2,500 per person with 2-3 stops. And that is if we leave on Sunday, so it’s a night more in Martinique ”. It is not to mention the lost work days and the private camp for his children paid in the void.
“I would like to be told what to do,” she continues, disoriented by the situation. I am afraid of regretting waiting and I am afraid of taking another very expensive flight and that on Saturday, my flight is finally planned ”.
Unbearable wait
The wait is just as unbearable for Audrey Blais, currently in Greece with her spouse. The couple must return to Quebec on Monday, but their flight is also at risk of being canceled if the union of on -board agents and Air Canada cannot find an agreement by then.
“For the moment, I’m a bit in nothingness to be honest. I surf on the different Facebook groups to try to find information. The other flights are really expensive, it’s almost $ 3,000. So yes, it’s stressful, “she said, regretting losing vacation days to organize her return, the company having confirmed to her that he can do nothing for her as long as her flight is not canceled.
For others, like Nancy Janelle, waiting was not an option. After spending a month in her second home in Outlook, Saskatchewan, she was to return to Montreal on Saturday to resume work on Monday. Fearing that her flight would be canceled, she “did not take chance” and reserved another flight on Friday morning with Westjet, at the price of $ 970 the simple first leg. When The duty contacted her, she was precisely on the point of boarding the plane.
“We are like taken hostage by Air Canada. We don’t have a plan B, no help, we are just asked to be patient. It makes no sense when you have obligations, “deplores the one working for the federal government.
Arbitration refused
Air Canada estimates that around 25,000 people return to Canada every day. “Only a minority can unfortunately be replaced quickly on other companies,” said email.
Unless a last -minute agreement, Air Canada is heading for a complete stop of its operations on Saturday morning. Friday, the union representing the approximately 10,000 company agents of the company refused the enforceable arbitration requested by the air carrier. He prefers to return to negotiate at the table so that his members “can vote on their future working conditions and not have them imposed”.
Air Canada began to cancel dozens of flights on Thursday. Friday, 500 flights must be canceled before total stop on Saturday.