'Do better': B.C. couple stranded in Rome by WestJet cancellations
A strike by WestJet pilots has been averted, but the fallout is far from over.
Thousands of travellers are stranded or delayed due to pre-emptive flight cancellations, and many of them are experiencing turbulence with the airline's customer service.
Sixty WestJet flights to and from Vancouver International Airport were impacted Thursday and Friday due to the labour dispute.
It’s ruined many long weekend holiday plans, but Canadians overseas are suffering the worst of it now, stranded and struggling to figure out how to get home.
“Do better," said Nic Ho, a Langley resident now stranded in Rome.
"I don't even know how else to say. We're kind of speechless. Do better. We're probably not going to fly with WestJet again."
Ho and his girlfriend had their flight back to Vancouver cancelled early Friday morning.
They spent 12 hours trying to get through to customer service online, by phone and in person at the airport in Rome before they finally got rebooked.
“We were on the phone for about four hours. Didn't get anywhere, tried to call other airlines, but I guess they had a large amount of calls coming in because of the strike from WestJet,” explained Ho.
Experts have been critical of how the airline has handled the situation.
“The law is absolutely crystal clear that WestJet has an obligation to rebook passengers on flights with other airlines if it doesn’t have its own flight," said Gabor Lukacs, an air passenger rights advocate.
"It is black and white, in the law in the passenger regulations. It is stunning and appalling that WestJet would deny passengers the right which is spelled expressly in law.”
The airline says it’s pleased to have reached a deal with the union.
“Thank you for your patience and loyalty during this time," said WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech.
"This agreement is just one of many steps we are taking to re-establish WestJet as the friendly, reliable and affordable airline that you know and love."
Roughly 1,800 pilots from WestJet and its discount airline Swoop threatened to walk off the job Friday morning over issues surrounding pay, job security and scheduling.
The details of the new deal have not been released.
“No collective agreement is perfect, but it did go a long way to addressing all those concerns,” said Tim Perry, Canadian president of the Air Line Pilots Association.
Pilots will vote on the agreement in the coming days.
It could take several days for the ripple effect to end.
“I'd say we're back in full operation by Sunday," said John Gradek, a lecturer on aviation management at McGill University.
"Today, they are probably going to be canceling about 20 per cent of their flights. Tomorrow probably about 10 per cent.
WestJet travellers are urged to check their flight status before arriving at the airport to avoid frustration.
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s St John Alexander
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.