HomeDiagramsDatabaseMapsForum About
     

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Alberta & British Columbia > Vancouver > Transportation & Infrastructure


Closed Thread

 
Thread Tools Display Modes
     
     
  #2501  
Old Posted Mar 17, 2010, 3:09 PM
twoNeurons twoNeurons is offline
loafing in lotusland
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Lotusland
Posts: 6,114
Quote:
Originally Posted by whatnext View Post
Its trying to compare apples and oranges. Canada isn't Australia. It tries to compare international tourism, then asks the reader to dismiss the visitors to Canada from the USA.
The impression that I got is that it was trying to even the comparison out... kind of a "if Canada were a somewhat isolated island, like Australia..."
To be fair, the only thing around Australia is New Zealand. They don't have a "USA" beside them.

Quote:
If you're looking for an article showing how tightly Emirates is woven into the state of Dubai, you can find it here:

...As head of Dubai's Supreme Fiscal Committee, Sheik Ahmed is in charge of distributing the billions of dollars of bailout money that Dubai received from Abu Dhabi. And as chairman of Emirates Group he has been at the center of rumors that Dubai's airline, along with other key assets like the huge container port in Jebel Ali, might be handed over to Abu Dhabi in return for the larger emirate's help....

..."The airline put Dubai on the world map," he says, adding that the airline's 32,000-strong workforce makes it Dubai's biggest employer. "We've put a lot into the Dubai economy. The number of units we rent within the local market, the expenditure of the staff and how much it brings people to Dubai. If it wasn't for Emirates, this market wouldn't have been able to grow as it has. It's one of the core businesses of Dubai."...

...If Emirates decided to IPO I'm sure it will be good, especially if it's placed within the U.A.E. stock markets," says Sheik Ahmed. "It will see a lot of people trading in it. I will look at it as a positive thing. But as we speak today I don't have any direction from the government to do this...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424...13440863220.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

When Emirates is willing to compete on a level playing field, get back to me.
They may be tightly woven into the state. In fact, some could argue that national airlines like AC and JAL are also woven into the state. But is that a reason for protectionism? Or is it fearmongering due to actually having the potential for viable competition.

Emirates Air is actually successful and isn't part of any alliance. They're not in a "club."

Why do we tolerate the Chinese government backing their industries, hiring cheap labour, artificially keeping the yuan low? Is there something I'm missing here? Maybe there is, but I just don't see it.

I'm no conspiracy theorist... but it's odd that in the year of Air India joining the Star Alliance we are getting promises of bilateral agreements and direct flights to India.

I think we can be reasonable with Emirates. It's not as if they're running empty planes at a loss in an attempt to flood the market.
     
     
  #2502  
Old Posted Mar 17, 2010, 4:36 PM
Rusty Gull's Avatar
Rusty Gull Rusty Gull is offline
Site 8 Lives
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver's North Shore
Posts: 1,285
Quote:
Originally Posted by twoNeurons View Post
Why do we tolerate the Chinese government backing their industries, hiring cheap labour, artificially keeping the yuan low? Is there something I'm missing here? Maybe there is, but I just don't see it.
Good point. This is the first time, I've ever heard Air Canada complaining about government-backed airlines. What about the Chinese carriers, AC? What about a bailed-out Japan Airlines? What about so many of the other carriers that touch down at YVR, that are either taxpayer subsidized, government-protected or the beneficiary of lobbying and monopolistic business practices?

To me, Air Canada -- an airline that has long been coddled by Transport Canada's protectionist policy -- IS government-backed, so their name calling of Emirates is like the pot calling the kettle black.
     
     
  #2503  
Old Posted Mar 17, 2010, 4:52 PM
Rusty Gull's Avatar
Rusty Gull Rusty Gull is offline
Site 8 Lives
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver's North Shore
Posts: 1,285
The Montreal Gazette published a story yesterday about Air Canada's desire to build a Canada Line-like connection to Trudeau International Airport. At any rate, the comments that follow the story are quite worthwhile.. apparently Montrealers are as fed up with Air Canada as West Coasters are.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/montreal/Airline+urges+swift+ride+airport/2687108/story.html
     
     
  #2504  
Old Posted Mar 17, 2010, 5:07 PM
whatnext whatnext is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 27,682
Quote:
Originally Posted by twoNeurons View Post
The impression that I got is that it was trying to even the comparison out... kind of a "if Canada were a somewhat isolated island, like Australia..."
To be fair, the only thing around Australia is New Zealand. They don't have a "USA" beside them..
Exactly which is why the comparison is meaningless. For example, travellers from Vancouver can easily fly out of Seattle if they don't like the options here. Not possible in Australia.

Quote:
Originally Posted by twoNeurons View Post
They may be tightly woven into the state. In fact, some could argue that national airlines like AC and JAL are also woven into the state. But is that a reason for protectionism? Or is it fearmongering due to actually having the potential for viable competition.

Emirates Air is actually successful and isn't part of any alliance. They're not in a "club."

Why do we tolerate the Chinese government backing their industries, hiring cheap labour, artificially keeping the yuan low? Is there something I'm missing here? Maybe there is, but I just don't see it.

I'm no conspiracy theorist... but it's odd that in the year of Air India joining the Star Alliance we are getting promises of bilateral agreements and direct flights to India.

I think we can be reasonable with Emirates. It's not as if they're running empty planes at a loss in an attempt to flood the market.
Air Canada has not been owned by the state for decades. As to Chinese industries, that's a whole different debate.

As to Emirates not flying empty planes at a loss, who knows? They're not a public company. We do know that the @ 90% load factor they bandied about was pre-A380. Records show that since adding that plane its about 61%. Now, if you've ordered a whole whack of A380's you don't need, are you concerned about flooding the market? Nobody's pointed out Emirates turned down the chance to serve Toronto 6 times week, and Etihad quietly stepped in without complaint to pick up those three weekly slots.
     
     
  #2505  
Old Posted Mar 19, 2010, 7:59 PM
Yume-sama's Avatar
Yume-sama Yume-sama is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Vancouver / Calgary / Tokyo
Posts: 7,523
Has anyone flown Air China from YVR before? How much of a cattle cart is it ? What about their domestic service? I want to go from Beijing - Xi'an for 2 days.

Perhaps better than China Eastern?
__________________
Visit me on Flickr! Really! I'm lonely.
http://www.flickr.com/syume
     
     
  #2506  
Old Posted Mar 19, 2010, 8:41 PM
bils's Avatar
bils bils is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 563
i flew to beijing last october. the flight was acceptable, although the service and food were below average. if you can find a good deal with them, then go ahead and fly with them. otherwise stick to the north american airliners. we flew cathay on the way home and it was A+
     
     
  #2507  
Old Posted Mar 19, 2010, 10:10 PM
Johnny Aussie's Avatar
Johnny Aussie Johnny Aussie is offline
G'day
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Posts: 4,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yume-sama View Post
Has anyone flown Air China from YVR before? How much of a cattle cart is it ? What about their domestic service? I want to go from Beijing - Xi'an for 2 days.

Perhaps better than China Eastern?
My partner and I flew Air China MEL-PEK-YVR-PEK-MEL last Christmas and I have to agree with "bils." Flight was acceptable but would have to say it did not really meet our expectations. (Although, neither did the Air Canada domestic flights either!) Economy all legs except the YVR-PEK on the return thanks to my AC elite status and my partner's SQ gold status. But even the J was a little dissapointing. Also did a leg PEK-PVG and PVG-PEK and the service was average again, but acceptable.

We flew MU 2 years before on a similar routing and went in with low expectations, but they actually greatly exceeded that (although my expecations were low!).. so overall I would give the tick to China Eastern. Where MU fell apart was on the ground, very poor handling for transfers and just basic arrival / check-in / departure procedures. What a mess! Whereas Air China was much better on the ground.

Overall, would still have to rate both these carriers below average when compared to other asian carriers - I would rate them on the same level as PR. But, the other Asian carriers I have flown on (CX, SQ, KE, CI, OZ, JL, MH, EK) are definitely better. CX and SQ are still my faves... about to fly SQ A380 J-class to SIN next Fri from MEL... cannot wait to fly on that big bird!
     
     
  #2508  
Old Posted Mar 19, 2010, 10:38 PM
giallo's Avatar
giallo giallo is online now
be nice to the crackheads
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 12,704
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yume-sama View Post
Has anyone flown Air China from YVR before? How much of a cattle cart is it ? What about their domestic service? I want to go from Beijing - Xi'an for 2 days.

Perhaps better than China Eastern?
Don't fly any with Chinese airline internationally. They are far below the Cathays and Air Canadas of the world. Spend the extra two hundred dollars and enjoy the piece of mind that comes along with it.

Domestically, you'll have to use the local airlines which is fine for a 2-5 hour flight.
     
     
  #2509  
Old Posted Mar 19, 2010, 10:43 PM
Yume-sama's Avatar
Yume-sama Yume-sama is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Vancouver / Calgary / Tokyo
Posts: 7,523
Quote:
Originally Posted by giallo View Post
Don't fly any with Chinese airline internationally. They are far below the Cathays and Air Canadas of the world. Spend the extra two hundred dollars and enjoy the piece of mind that comes along with it.

Domestically, you'll have to use the local airlines which is fine for a 2-5 hour flight.
lol well, I have another flight next year Moscow - Beijing and it is either Air China or Aeroflot. That, or back track to Frankfurt for Lufthansa.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie View Post
Overall, would still have to rate both these carriers below average when compared to other asian carriers - I would rate them on the same level as PR. But, the other Asian carriers I have flown on (CX, SQ, KE, CI, OZ, JL, MH, EK) are definitely better. CX and SQ are still my faves... about to fly SQ A380 J-class to SIN next Fri from MEL... cannot wait to fly on that big bird!
I want to fly in Class R
__________________
Visit me on Flickr! Really! I'm lonely.
http://www.flickr.com/syume
     
     
  #2510  
Old Posted Mar 19, 2010, 11:50 PM
whatnext whatnext is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 27,682
I see Virgin America has chosen Toronto to be their first international destination, from LAX and SFO. Is this part of the massive Government/Air Canada conspiracy to slight YVR?
     
     
  #2511  
Old Posted Mar 20, 2010, 12:09 AM
Spork's Avatar
Spork Spork is offline
Shoebox Dweller
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,784
Quote:
Originally Posted by whatnext View Post
I see Virgin America has chosen Toronto to be their first international destination, from LAX and SFO. Is this part of the massive Government/Air Canada conspiracy to slight YVR?
Probably a symptom of it. When you funnel so many flights through Pearson, the effect is that more carriers want to fly there for all of the connections. Economies of scale by artificially maintained markets.
     
     
  #2512  
Old Posted Mar 20, 2010, 12:18 AM
Yume-sama's Avatar
Yume-sama Yume-sama is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Vancouver / Calgary / Tokyo
Posts: 7,523
I haven't flown Virgin America yet but I want to Mood lighting and wi-fi!!

Isn't Air Canada rolling out wi-fi soon? Though I think only from flights originating out of Toronto / Montreal
__________________
Visit me on Flickr! Really! I'm lonely.
http://www.flickr.com/syume
     
     
  #2513  
Old Posted Mar 20, 2010, 9:23 AM
trofirhen trofirhen is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,045
Question whatever next ..........

NOW EVERYBODY, REMEMBER....

"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
"What's good for Air Canada is good for Canadians."
     
     
  #2514  
Old Posted Mar 20, 2010, 6:48 PM
jsbertram jsbertram is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,245
That sounds sounds very much like

"whippings and beatings will continue until morale improves"
     
     
  #2515  
Old Posted Mar 20, 2010, 6:54 PM
Yume-sama's Avatar
Yume-sama Yume-sama is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Vancouver / Calgary / Tokyo
Posts: 7,523
Further to the wifi point:
Quote:
Check email, access your VPN network, browse the web, shop online, play video games, IM, tweet and more! Now you can enjoy full Wi-Fi Internet access for a trial period, onboard select long haul Air Canada flights travelling over the United States between Montreal or Toronto.
I'm flying to Toronto in a few days, what I'd give for wifi! But the flight is from Calgary, so, we're out of luck!
__________________
Visit me on Flickr! Really! I'm lonely.
http://www.flickr.com/syume
     
     
  #2516  
Old Posted Mar 20, 2010, 8:42 PM
MalcolmTucker MalcolmTucker is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 11,596
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yume-sama View Post
Further to the wifi point:


I'm flying to Toronto in a few days, what I'd give for wifi! But the flight is from Calgary, so, we're out of luck!
The system uses ground stations - and I guess there aren't any in Montana!
     
     
  #2517  
Old Posted Mar 20, 2010, 9:57 PM
Yume-sama's Avatar
Yume-sama Yume-sama is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Vancouver / Calgary / Tokyo
Posts: 7,523
Ground systems seem slightly inefficient. I look forward to the day when you can cross oceans on 10 hour long flights and stay connected.
__________________
Visit me on Flickr! Really! I'm lonely.
http://www.flickr.com/syume
     
     
  #2518  
Old Posted Mar 20, 2010, 10:09 PM
trofirhen trofirhen is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,045
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsbertram View Post
That sounds sounds very much like

"whippings and beatings will continue until morale improves"
     
     
  #2519  
Old Posted Mar 23, 2010, 10:41 PM
trofirhen trofirhen is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,045
Arrow worth a read .... if you're interested in the current airline debate

Here is some interesting reading from THE NATIONAL POST.

All about airlines............ as well as Canada's policies, and those of other similar markets.

http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/fpcomment/archive/tags/Air+Canada/default.aspx
     
     
  #2520  
Old Posted Mar 24, 2010, 7:18 AM
Hot Rod's Avatar
Hot Rod Hot Rod is offline
Big City Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle-Vancouver-Osaka-Chongqing-Chicago-OKC
Posts: 1,187
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yume-sama View Post
Has anyone flown Air China from YVR before? How much of a cattle cart is it ? What about their domestic service? I want to go from Beijing - Xi'an for 2 days.

Perhaps better than China Eastern?
ive mentioned my flights from YVR to China on CA many times - I've never had a problem with them and actually enjoyed the service. It isn't carte blanche by any means, but the cost of the flight (as in lowest) makes up for it.

The flight is only 11 hours - not too big a deal. I go all the way to Chengdu where my honey is (and I am right now), and I must say I prefer CA for the Star Alliance and also (especially in China) the way they keep their aircraft!!!

Sometimes, when traveling foreign it is a good idea to stick with the state owned product!
     
     
This discussion thread continues

Use the page links to the lower-right to go to the next page for additional posts
 
 
Closed Thread

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Alberta & British Columbia > Vancouver > Transportation & Infrastructure
Forum Jump



Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 7:40 PM.

     

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.