Potential Air Canada pilot strike raising concerns among travellers
There is a growing concern among travellers, as a potential Air Canada pilot strike looms.
Passengers are anxious about what the strike could mean for their travel plans. Jocelyne Lefebvre and JP Rivet are flying to Mexico for a weeklong vacation.
"We found out that our travel insurance didn't cover strikes. They don't. They don't apply during strikes," said Lefebvre.
But with the possibility of a strike in the near future, they have a backup plan.
"We bought an extra ticket for Air Transat to come back, just in case they don’t," said Rivet.
The couple spent $500 to secure seats on another airline, money they are willing to lose if a strike never happens.
But not all travellers have a second option, like Bev Rinne, who is flying to Ireland.
"Yes, and I'm hoping I'm not," she said about her concern over being stranded. "Because it means my husband has to drive to Toronto and pick me up."
If no deal is reached, a 72-hour strike or lockout notice could be issued Sunday. The airline and business leaders are urging the federal government to intervene.
"Governments are elected to look after the greater good," said Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada. "This government has the tools available and should collective bargaining fail, they need to prepare now to use them."
With the union and airline far apart on wages, flight cancellations could begin as early as Friday, while some travellers welcome a possible extended vacation.
“We're there. We're going to be on vacation and we're going to stay on vacation.” Said Andrew Strachan who is flying to Rome and Spain.
Most are hoping for a quick resolution.
"I just hope the sides all come to an agreement. That's all I'm hoping for. For everybody's sake," said Rinne. "People have to travel for, like, medical reasons, and that really isn't fair."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of Fort Chipewyan believe the federal government believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Taste of home: Tiffin lunch boxes bring comfort, affordability to immigrants
Yugali Bharote starts her day in the kitchen, preparing lunch boxes for her sons bound for school – but she doesn’t stop there. She then prepares almost a dozen lunch boxes for customers who have subscribed to her homemade meals.
No talks with Bloc about bringing government down: NDP House leader
NDP House Leader Peter Julian says the Bloc Quebecois has not initiated conversations with his party to potentially bring down the minority Trudeau government, as Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet has threatened.
Liberal, Conservative MPs to speak at Oct. 7 march to Parliament Hill
A Liberal MP and a Conservative MP will be part of a team delivering speeches at an event in Ottawa commemorating the one year anniversary of the attacks on Oct. 7.
'Sober curious': Younger Canadians turning away from alcohol, data says
According to a survey on recent alcohol consumption, younger Canadians are more likely to have not had a drink in the past week. For those interested in slowing or stopping their alcohol consumption, there's a phrase: 'sober curious.'
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico and could intensify to hurricane threatening Florida
A storm system that was brewing in the Gulf of Mexico strengthened into Tropical Storm Milton on Saturday and forecasters warned it could intensify into a hurricane and slam into the west coast of Florida later this week.
opinion Tips on managing your financial stress
Financial strain can be an uncomfortable burden to bear, especially if you feel that you're doing as much as you can and are barely managing to stay afloat. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew shares some tips for managing financial stress and digging your way out of debt.
Car flies into B.C. backyard, lands upside down
A driver suffered only minor injuries after going airborne in a residential neighbourhood in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, the car eventually landing on its roof in someone’s backyard.
Death and fashion abound in Jeanne Beker's new memoir, 'Heart on My Sleeve'
But after fashion, death is the second through line in 'Heart on My Sleeve,' which tells the TV personality's life story as reflected by the items in her wardrobe.