Air Canada in Trouble Again?

It's been reported that Air Canada is having trouble ratifying a deal with more than 12,300 worker of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The latest deal offered by Air Canada would freeze salaries and cancel pension payments for almost 2 years. The deal was narrowly voted down at 50.8% against the deal.

Should Air Canada not be able to reach a deal with this union, and complete deals with two other unions including the pilots union, the company would be forced once again to go into bankruptcy protection.

So what do I think... this is the toughest situation for any company to be in. Canada is unique in the fact that we are so close to the US... and yet we only have one national airline. Air Canada is required to produce a list of routes it must fly, whether or not the plane is full. Other airlines are permitted to cancel flights should the occupancy make the flight uneconomical. Therefore, on some flights... and it would be an interesting piece of information to find out what percentage, Air Canada is losing money. Add to the fact that a global economic depression is keeping Canadians at home, rather than traveling more, and the fire has been lit to hurt Air Canada even more. I believe that unions are useful, but in tough times, they are dangerously close to being considered "the bad guy". If a company goes into bankruptcy protection and can't get out... guess what, you all lose your jobs, your seniority, and for sure a pension... some concessions now during the tough times vs no job at all, you decide.

2nd Airline Crash in a Short Period of Time

So what's happening in the skies? A Yemeni Airbus jet with 153 people crashed into the Indian Ocean as it came in to land in the Comoros islands Tuesday but rescuers brought out a 14-year-old girl from the sea alive, officials said. It's incredible that they've rescued a little girl, but how can something like this happen. The aviation authorities around the world have such strict requirements for air travel, it is incredible that this can happen once, let alone twice... Couple this with the recent US flight where the captain died during the trans-Atlantic route...

I think I'll stay at home for the next while.... hoping not to get hit by a bus.