Stranded mid-journey by WestJet in Toronto, this Newfoundlander is driving home for Christmas | 24CA News
As travellers trapped in Toronto combat a shedding battle in opposition to WestJet in hopes they will be capable to return to Newfoundland and Labrador earlier than Christmas, others have taken it into their very own fingers.
Flights from Toronto to St. John’s have been cancelled on Sunday, leaving tons of of travellers in a holding sample looking for solutions from WestJet. Many have been advised the earliest they will be capable to depart Toronto is on Boxing Day.
In an announcement to 24CA News, WestJet says tons of of flights have been cancelled this week attributable to extreme winter climate impacting its operations out of western Canada. It says it’s “extremely limited” in what flights can be found to visitors requiring reaccommodation.
“We are evaluating every opportunity to reaccommodate our guests and recognize in some instances some are being booked multiple days out,” WestJet mentioned the assertion.
“We understand the frustration and disappointment this has caused and our teams are working to reaccommodate guests as quickly as possible.”
WestJet says 104 flights have been cancelled throughout its community on Sunday, 149 flights have been cancelled on Monday, and 90 flights have been cancelled as of three:30 p.m. NT Tuesday.
David Bradbury was one of many travellers who discovered his flight had been cancelled after he landed in Toronto on Sunday and says he acquired little or no from the airline by way of concrete solutions.
After returning to the airport on Monday and being advised he would not be capable to fly till after Christmas, he determined to hire a automobile and drive over 3,000 kilometres to his house in Conception Bay South.
“They gave us our hotel vouchers and after four hours we received nothing,” Bradbury advised 24CA News from his rental automobile in Antigonish, N.S.
“I asked three people to come with me and the night before they said they were going to. And that day, they put too much trust in WestJet and decided to stay behind. And now, I’d imagine they’re kicking themselves in the butt.”
Bradbury mentioned the journey will contain about 28 hours of driving, resort stays and a ferry crossing scheduled for Tuesday night.
The journey will price him about $2,500 he mentioned — over $1,700 for the automobile plus the price of meals, gasoline and ferry prices. He does not count on to be reimbursed by WestJet for his authentic journey.
However, he says it will likely be price each penny.
“I’m working in B.C. I’ve been gone since May. I haven’t seen my wife since September, and I have a new grandchild I haven’t even met yet,” he mentioned. “I miss my family and friends and I want to get home for Christmas.”
Gerry Neil returned to Pearson International Airport on Tuesday for a second day of making an attempt to get WestJet to rebook his flight. He was capable of get half of his household on a departing flight Tuesday night, however he is scheduled to depart along with his oldest little one on Christmas evening.
“We realized this morning lying in bed at the hotel that our kids are going to be Christmas morning waking up in a hotel with an airplane going over our heads every 45 seconds shaking the room,” Neil mentioned Tuesday.
“No presents, no Santa, no Christmas tree, stuck in Toronto. At that point, we’ll be here for seven days.”
Neil mentioned WestJet managers within the airport say their fingers are tied until the airline can safe seats on one other WestJet flight or safe one other airplane to do a rescue flight.
“They’ve done it in the past. Even the managers here are like, ‘We don’t understand why they’re not doing it now,” he mentioned. “I don’t care. Put me on any airline that you can get me on. I’ll take it anytime before Christmas.”
Neil mentioned WestJet has been adamant he cannot be rebooked on one other airline.
More than midway house, Bradbury hopes the airline steps as much as assist these nonetheless in Toronto.
“Why can’t WestJet call PAL [Airlines] and charter those poor people a flight to get home? To make them stay there ’til Boxing Day, there’s no need of it when they could easily charter a flight and get them home to their families. It’s ridiculous,” he mentioned.
“They’re pissed off. Make them happy. Get them home.”
