Not to bring this convo back to hockey, but I am pissed that Phanuef made the short list for the Olympic team. He is the most overrated player in the league. - Beatle_john
But he plays for Toronto. You know they just had to have Canadian representation. Also, it was likely requested by the Russian organizers since having Elisha Cuthbert in the stands would boost TV ratings.
But that's called inflation. And yes, airfare has also gone up. I recall buying a RT from LA to London in the late 90's for about $300. True story. Still, see my quality comment which has taken hold in nearly every aspect - seating space, having virtually every flight full, paying for luggage, paying for onboard food... I'm just waiting for a coin operated toilet system to emerge. And none of this even takes into account the joys of airports in a post 911 world... - AlexF
You can still buy a R/T from Seattle to London for around $500 but after adding all of the taxes and fees it is around $1100 . Unfortunately charging for seat selection , baggage , food etc , is the way nearly all of the airlines try to turn a profit and stay in business. I agree that the service for the most part has gone downhill in the past 15 years but that is a direct result of tech change , less staff , lower wages and people wanting to keep airfares as cheap as possible.
May still be some tickets available - but there is a chance the tour could be coming to Canada at some point. When it was announced, they indicated that the tour was in the US and Canada. They've added two more dates this week so who knows? I didn't want to take a chance so the wife and I are headed down to Chicago. Better than going to Detroit.
You can still buy a R/T from Seattle to London for around $500 but after adding all of the taxes and fees it is around $1100 . Unfortunately charging for seat selection , baggage , food etc , is the way nearly all of the airlines try to turn a profit and stay in business. I agree that the service for the most part has gone downhill in the past 15 years but that is a direct result of tech change , less staff , lower wages and people wanting wanting to keep airfares as cheap as possible. - HawkfaninBC
All valid. The key contributor to higher costs in the past 15+ years is the ever rising cost of fuel. Until planes go electric or find another energy source they'll always be struggling to stay afloat.
Personally I think it's outrageous that oil companies are being subsidized (at least in the US) and airline companies, which let's face it can almost be considered a public good, are not subsidized.
I was looking at 15 000 as an FO on a twin otter - and I would have taken that as I could have been looking at quite a bit less instructing. - Canuckleafer
Location: "The Alien has landed in Vancouver!" Joined: 03.09.2006
Jul 23 @ 9:49 PM ET
Can you or anybody seriously live on 15k a year? - AlexF
Not in BC and especially the Lower Mainland for sure... maybe in Alberta where there's very little to no taxes and the cost of living is like 50% of what it is here.
All valid. The key contributor to higher costs in the past 15+ years is the ever rising cost of fuel. Until planes go electric or find another energy source they'll always be struggling to stay afloat.
Personally I think it's outrageous that oil companies are being subsidized (at least in the US) and airline companies, which let's face it can almost be considered a public good, are not subsidized. - AlexF
Totally agree with you, look how the Feds treat Air Canada, a totally private company since the mid 1980's but still have to operate under The Air Canada Act. They have to operate in French and English , even in Western Canada and are still forced to fly to many parts of the country that are unprofitable too operate to. I am not a strong union person but remember also the Feds stepped in and legislated them back to work as an essential service in 2011 and 2012. The Canadian government has been charging astronomical fees to both Westjet and AC for everything from landing fees to Nav Canada fees, a totally unfair playing field when compared to the American carriers.
Not in BC and especially the Lower Mainland for sure... maybe in Alberta where there's very little to no taxes and the cost of living is like 50% of what it is here. - DariusKnight
I moved from Edmonton to Victoria about 2 years ago and surprisingly there are some things less expensive here. Way less to heat a house here compared to Edmonton , partly because of the climate but more to do with the de-regulation of the electricity and natural gas industries in Alberta. Food is about the same . Because the wages are so much higher in Alberta than BC , nearly everything has gone way up in price over the past 10 years in Alberta. They used to talk about the Alberta advantage , but not so much anymore.
Totally agree with you, look how the Feds treat Air Canada, a totally private company since the mid 1980's but still have to operate under The Air Canada Act. They have to operate in French and English , even in Western Canada and are still forced to fly to many parts of the country that are unprofitable too operate to. I am not a strong union person but remember also the Feds stepped in and legislated them back to work as an essential service in 2011 and 2012. The Canadian government has been charging astronomical fees to both Westjet and AC for everything from landing fees to Nav Canada fees, a totally unfair playing field when compared to the American carriers. - HawkfaninBC
All of this. Perhaps the one thing I will say the government has provided of value for both carriers is a virtual guarantee from having any competition (apart from each other). Still, less taxes/fees/restrictions would go a long way toward improving the conditions for not only the workers but hopefully the end customer - the Canadian passenger. Whatever. This will have us going all night.
Not at all. That's why most lower time pilots have another PT job. - Canuckleafer
Just looked it up out of curiosity. The average McDonald's Store Manager salary is $40,212. That's criminal in comparison to the training required for a pilot and the service they provide.
Just looked it up out of curiosity. The average McDonald's Store Manager salary is $40,212. That's criminal in comparison to the training required for a pilot and the service they provide. - AlexF
Did you see the Rick Mercer show when he was comparing the duties for an AC ramp agent versus someone working at Tim Hortons? The ramp agents responsibilities of course were loading baggage , driving all sorts of equipment around multi million dollar airplanes, moving those aircraft around the tarmac when not occupied by pilots , deicing the aircraft in winter time strapped into a bucket at the top of a ladder on a truck, starting wage 10.24 per hour versus Tim's , serving coffee and donuts for a starting wage of 11.00 per hour (13.00) in Edmonton
Not in BC and especially the Lower Mainland for sure... maybe in Alberta where there's very little to no taxes and the cost of living is like 50% of what it is here. - DariusKnight
I work in AB and live in BC cost of living is much the same if not more expensive. Taxes don't mean sh!t if your bills are more. Although the price of fuel is much less in AB.
Did you see the Rick Mercer show when he was comparing the duties for an AC ramp agent versus someone working at Tim Hortons? The ramp agents responsibilities of course were loading baggage , driving all sorts of equipment around multi million dollar airplanes, moving those aircraft around the tarmac when not occupied by pilots , deicing the aircraft in winter time strapped into a bucket at the top of a ladder on a truck, starting wage 10.24 per hour versus Tim's , serving coffee and donuts for a starting wage of 11.00 per hour (13.00) in Edmonton - HawkfaninBC
Didn't see that Mercer report. Thinking that if some of those steps were done incorrectly, how many lives would be on the line? Pretty sure getting someone's order incorrect at Tim's wouldn't be a life and death situation. Like I said, it's criminal.
That Florida trip sounds awesome. Could probably grab tickets from a scalper for $5. Though at that rate, do you think they have scalpers? - micah555
Nope. You could probably walk up to the ticket window and get those prices. I don't want to sound like a troll but introducing a snow sport in Florida was always going to be a bad idea. Heck, they had a soccer team there once that tanked. And they've got a ton of soccer fans in that city. Relocation (or a Bettman takeover) is only a matter of time.
Location: "The Alien has landed in Vancouver!" Joined: 03.09.2006
Jul 23 @ 10:27 PM ET
Nope. You could probably walk up to the ticket window and get those prices. I don't want to sound like a troll but introducing a snow sport in Florida was always going to be a bad idea. Heck, they had a soccer team there once that tanked. And they've got a ton of soccer fans in that city. Relocation (or a Bettman takeover) is only a matter of time. - AlexF
Seriously, why not expand into places like Montana, Idaho, Seattle and Portland for one. Those states/cities have a long history of supporting minor league to junior/high school/university hockey than Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, Florida/Tampa Bay.
Seriously, why not expand into places like Montana, Idaho, Seattle and Portland for one. Those states/cities have a long history of supporting minor league to junior/high school/university hockey than Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, Florida/Tampa Bay. - DariusKnight
No argument here. From what I read, Seattle was penned in as the new home for the Coyotes if the Glendale vote was NO. They had a hockey team long ago (Metropolitans), are a rich city with corporate headquarters, and have an enthusiast sports fan base. I see them as potentially a SJ type story.
Boise, Idaho metro area probably has the pop (616,500) and should be given a shot if they are interested. Given that they don't have any other major sports franchises in the city it's a good chance an NHL team could catch on. Las Vegas might also fall into this category. Can it get worse than $7 ticket prices?
Portland is ripe for a franchise (Metro pop 2,289,800) and a great town.
Billings, Montana, the largest city in Montana, just doesn't have the pop (162,848).
Milwaukee (metro pop 1,566,981) is another city I thought of. This is only based on the fact that it seems like every Wisconsin native I've met seems to be into hockey.
Salt Lake City (metro pop 1,175,905), surrounded by ski resorts and with the city itself under snow for about 5 months per year, I can't believe has never made a bid for a team. Their chief attraction is an outdoor skating rink for peet's sake.
And all this isn't even mentioning Quebec, Hamilton, or the fact I think TO should have a second team.
What!!?
