Posts with the Trans-Canada Airlines tag

Barris Beat

The case for unappreciated work

Written by Ted Barris on . Leave a comment
Service delays not a lack of skill, but lack of tradespeople.

We welcomed some tradesmen to our home this week. I say welcomed, because a few weeks ago we were told the earliest we could expect a service visit for our air conditioner was August. Really? We asked to have our request go to a waiting list. Someone cancelled and our appointment was moved up. While he was here with a young assistant, I asked the more senior technician, “Why such a delay?”

“Company’s having trouble hiring people,” he said. “That’s why I have an assistant with me. He’s training on the job.”

Three years ago, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) described this predicament as an economy with “underappreciated” work. A CFIB report found that small Canadian firms lost $38 billion in business opportunities because of labour shortages, particularly in the construction sector. (more…)

Barris Beat

Oh, for more happy landings

Written by Ted Barris on . Leave a comment

I remember as a boy of six or seven, when my mom and dad and sister and I got a lift out to Malton (that’s the former name for Pearson International) Airport for a marathon flight to New York. I was almost jumping out of my skin, I was so excited. I think for a month afterward all I ever said in gatherings of more than two people was:

“You know what I did? I flew to New York on an airplane.” (more…)

Barris Beat

The frill is gone

Written by Ted Barris on . 1 Comment
My checked luggage as a profit centre for long-suffering airlines.
My checked luggage as a profit centre for long-suffering airlines.

It was just past 6 a.m. I was rushing through the Calgary airport to catch a flight to the U.S. a few weeks ago. I was relieved when I found nobody in front of me at the United Airlines check-in. I rustled up my passport and sighed with relief that I’d probably get to the gate in plenty of time. The ticket agent scanned my credentials and took out a tag for my one piece of luggage to be checked to the airplane’s baggage compartment.

“How would you like to pay for this?” she asked.

“Pay for what?” I asked.

“It’s $22 for your checked baggage.”

“I’m only checking one bag,” I protested. (more…)