Calgary International Airport [Archive] - Page 52

Bigtime

Jun 30, 2011, 10:59 PM

On an unrelated note, has any one seen that small tri-jet plane that seems to be regularly taking off at between 8 and 9 pm on weeknights? Its a highly unusual model of plane. (It's like a lear-jet but with a top-mounted jet, similar layout to a 727). What type of plane is it?

Is it biz-jet sized or airliner? Bizjet is most likely a Falcon 900, Sunwest here in YYC operates a few, and TCPL has one also.

Airliner sized would be a Boeing 727, most likely Purolator operating it.

Falcon 900:
http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acimages/falcon900b_kp.jpg

Boeing 727:
http://www.airport-data.com/images/aircraft/small/173/173053.jpg

Aegis

Jul 1, 2011, 6:27 PM

Is it biz-jet sized or airliner? Bizjet is most likely a Falcon 900, Sunwest here in YYC operates a few, and TCPL has one also.

Thanks! was definitely the falcon 900.

Surrealplaces

Jul 3, 2011, 7:27 PM

Did anyone see the F-86 Sabre jet flying around yesterday? Pretty cool :cool:

Bigtime

Jul 3, 2011, 11:23 PM

I've been out of town for the weekend, was the F-86 all gold? If so it was the CL-13 Sabre produced in Canada, wearing the old Golden Hawks colour scheme.

Aegis

Jul 5, 2011, 3:51 AM

Did anyone see the F-86 Sabre jet flying around yesterday? Pretty cool :cool:

Yeah I saw that! I was quite surprised.. it was shooting through the sky at a very high rate of speed..

Edit, Bigtime: Yes, all gold.

Edit, 2: Bigtime: Holy crap, 10,000 posts..

bookermorgan

Jul 5, 2011, 1:28 PM

From the City webpage
When the tunnel opens in 2014 it will connect to 36 St. N.E. until funding is secured to build interchanges on Airport Trail East of 36 St., at Barlow Trail and at 19 St. N.E..

Can anyone tell me why they couldn't secure funding to take it the extra +/-800m to what will be Metis Trail NE?

Innersoul1

Jul 5, 2011, 3:37 PM

Edit, 2: Bigtime: Holy crap, 10,000 posts..

Bigtime For The Win!

Mazrim

Jul 5, 2011, 4:34 PM

From the City webpage

Can anyone tell me why they couldn't secure funding to take it the extra +/-800m to what will be Metis Trail NE?
Pretty simple...it would cost more. They are doing the minimum for now. Just look at the uneducated people out there who think it's already ridiculous. They would be up in arms if they saw any more money going to this "evil project". My absolute favorite comments are from people in the SW who complain about the road network there and say the NE is getting preferential treatment.

5seconds

Jul 5, 2011, 4:39 PM

Pretty simple...it would cost more. They are doing the minimum for now. Just look at the uneducated people out there who think it's already ridiculous. They would be up in arms if they saw any more money going to this "evil project". My absolute favorite comments are from people in the SW who complain about the road network there and say the NE is getting preferential treatment.

I live in the SW, and while I would probably never use the tunnel, I understand it's importance, and I think it's needed, especially to run the LRT to the airport in the future.

I think the people in the deep south are just frustrated that their traffic is as bad as it is.

You Need A Thneed

Jul 5, 2011, 5:01 PM

Airport Trail isn't being extended to Metis, because the Airport Authority required the interchanges to be done if it was. That's the only reason.

A crane is being put up at the new Terminal.

mersar

Jul 5, 2011, 5:54 PM

Good to hear about the crane.

My brother was saying his company is starting on some datacom work related to the new terminal starting fairly soon, mostly relocating existing wire to make way for the renovations in the existing terminal that are needed while construction is underway.

suburb

Jul 5, 2011, 7:26 PM

Airport Trail isn't being extended to Metis, because the Airport Authority required the interchanges to be done if it was. That's the only reason.

Correct.

It is ironic that recent comments highlighted concerns from the SW, when the discussions with the TT Nation for the SW ring road all but parallel the negotiations with the airport authority. Consider what will likely be needed as a trade for land to get the SW ring road through the TT land, and the type of negotiating the CAA did relative to the TT experience. Consider the value to the CAA that the tunnel brings yet was ignored by them in the negotiations, and the value a major road through TT land will bring their ventures, but will be ignored by them in the coming negotiations.

Perhaps we should call the CAA the CAA Nation, and the TT Nation the TT Airport Authority.

Chinook Arch

Jul 6, 2011, 5:35 AM

Did anyone see the F-86 Sabre jet flying around yesterday? Pretty cool :cool:

I saw it too. I thought it might be a Sabrejet, but wasn't sure. Guess I was right after all. :)

Chinook Arch

Jul 6, 2011, 5:36 AM

I've been out of town for the weekend, was the F-86 all gold? If so it was the CL-13 Sabre produced in Canada, wearing the old Golden Hawks colour scheme.

Sweet. They only made 100 or so of those iirc. Nice to see them still flying them.

GoflamesGo

Jul 6, 2011, 6:07 AM

I saw 4 helicopters flying in formation this afternoon. any idea what that was about? they were flying somewhat slow. Pretty loud tho, much louder than the hawks chopper.

bigcanuck

Jul 6, 2011, 2:08 PM

I saw 4 helicopters flying in formation this afternoon. any idea what that was about? they were flying somewhat slow. Pretty loud tho, much louder than the hawks chopper.

Prep for the royal visit?

outoftheice

Jul 6, 2011, 3:01 PM

:previous: That's my guess!!! I would go one further and say that's probably how they're going to start off the Stampede Parade this year... Ususally they have the Snowbirds do a fly-past of the parade route however since Prince William is a helicopter pilot, maybe they decided to use choppers this year instead...

GoflamesGo

Jul 7, 2011, 4:36 AM

ahh yeah that makes sense. That would be pretty cool.

Johnny Aussie

Jul 7, 2011, 10:18 PM

Winter Sun Scheds are starting to finalise and looks like YYC is going to see a bit of Thomas Cook (Jazz) 757 action. (for Sunquest)

YYC - PUJ Thursdays
YYC - MBJ Fridays

Sunwing and Air Transat (sun scheds) look like about the same amount of flying as last year.

Also, Air Transat is taking over the LGW/MAN ski charters from Thomas Cook (funny how this winter route has changed so much over the last few years - MyTravel, Monarch, Thomas Cook and now Air Transat). The difference also is, this year LGW will go the usual Wed/Sat but MAN will now go Tue/Fri. They both used to leave Wed/Sat and almost the same time.

KrisYYC

Jul 8, 2011, 6:04 PM

Here's a couple of pics of the crane going up at the Terminal:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/KrisB/07052011342.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/KrisB/07052011346.jpg

Canadian74

Jul 8, 2011, 9:23 PM

WOW, this is awesome! Thanks for the pics.

MrBigStuff

Jul 9, 2011, 4:54 AM

Here's a couple of pics of the crane going up at the Terminal:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/KrisB/07052011342.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/KrisB/07052011346.jpg

HMMM A Hi rise terminal for the A380????;)

MrBigStuff

Jul 9, 2011, 4:57 AM

Cage

Jul 9, 2011, 7:01 AM

Did anyone see the Royal plane leave today for LAX???
Also - is there anyone out there that could tell me if the Airbus plane that belongs to the Canadian Armed forces is an Airbus A300, or Airbus A310???

Airbus A310 originally delivered to Wardair, then acquired by Canadian when they took over. Sold to Cdn Armed Forces to help keep CP afloat during 1992 AMR buyout.

Innersoul1

Jul 9, 2011, 5:16 PM

Airbus A310 originally delivered to Wardair, then acquired by Canadian when they took over. Sold to Cdn Armed Forces to help keep CP afloat during 1992 AMR buyout.

Any idea what the interior spec is like on that plane?

Ferreth

Jul 10, 2011, 3:29 AM

Flying back into Calgary last night landing on runway 28, I managed to snap this picture of Barlow Trail being ripped up. Does anyone know why they are trenching their way down Barlow without ripping the road up first?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/5920290589_78999ab20c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferreth/5920290589/)
Barlow Trail Demolition P1010708 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferreth/5920290589/) by ferreth (http://www.flickr.com/people/ferreth/), on Flickr

Mazrim

Jul 10, 2011, 3:26 PM

Does anyone know why they are trenching their way down Barlow without ripping the road up first?

Sorry, what? From your picture, it looks like that all they're doing right now is grinding up the asphalt (possibly to be recycled elsewhere).

Ferreth

Jul 10, 2011, 3:57 PM

Sorry, what? From your picture, it looks like that all they're doing right now is grinding up the asphalt (possibly to be recycled elsewhere).

Thanks, it looked like a trench to me photo.

MalcolmTucker

Jul 10, 2011, 11:08 PM

Any idea what the interior spec is like on that plane?
VIP suite:

http://gallery.intelligencer.ca/cache/derivative/1/4/1402057.dat
Source: http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3197687

The suite has a shower, its own toilet, and a tv for watching dvds. The couches turn into beds. In the back it still has the old Canadian economy seats (perhaps with new fabric), apparently complete with ash trays.

Further back:
http://www.airforceimagery.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?original=8942&site=casimages&catalog=casimages&width=430&aspect
source: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/netpub/index-eng.asp?rid=8942-CK2009-0263-09

Some non suite but VIP Seating:
http://www.airforceimagery.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?original=1094&site=casimages&catalog=casimages&width=430&aspect
source: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/netpub/index-eng.asp?rid=1094-Tn2003-0965-15

MrBigStuff

Jul 11, 2011, 7:50 PM

VIP suite:

http://gallery.intelligencer.ca/cache/derivative/1/4/1402057.dat
Source: http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3197687

The suite has a shower, its own toilet, and a tv for watching dvds. The couches turn into beds. In the back it still has the old Canadian economy seats (perhaps with new fabric), apparently complete with ash trays.

Further back:
http://www.airforceimagery.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?original=8942&site=casimages&catalog=casimages&width=430&aspect
source: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/netpub/index-eng.asp?rid=8942-CK2009-0263-09

Some non suite but VIP Seating:
http://www.airforceimagery.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?original=1094&site=casimages&catalog=casimages&width=430&aspect
source: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/netpub/index-eng.asp?rid=1094-Tn2003-0965-15

Fairly nice inside - but more austere than what I thought it would be. Nice jet though. ;)

Policy Wonk

Jul 12, 2011, 12:22 AM

Don't worry, Stephen Harper is getting it all blinged out so his ego can travel in style.

Innersoul1

Jul 12, 2011, 4:18 PM

Thanks, looks pretty slum if you ask me! LOL

Bigtime

Jul 12, 2011, 4:28 PM

Airdrie airshow is this weekend, performers include the Snowbirds, CF-18, F-16, and the Golden Hawks Sabre. I would assume these guys will be staging out of YYC to perform, so keep your eyes open for them.

suburb

Jul 12, 2011, 7:01 PM

Thanks, looks pretty slum if you ask me! LOL

I'd agree with that, however, I highly suspect they did some retrofits / sprucing up prior to using for the recent guests. Consider that a custom bathroom was built and flown out to the back country lodge in two parts for their one night there.

Plus15

Jul 12, 2011, 8:48 PM

It looks like the interior of a Boston Pizza from 1994. :yuck: No one can accuse Canada of being too glamorous.

YYCguys

Jul 13, 2011, 4:36 PM

Indeed, where is the leather seating and an actual bed as opposed to a davenport (how trailer park is that?!?!)?

As for the terminal expansion, what will become of the commuter ground loading gates during and after construction?

Ramsayfarian

Jul 14, 2011, 5:39 PM

Not sure if anyone here follows The Oatmeal, but he has a good graphic on how planes should be laid out.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/airplane_layout

kap384

Jul 15, 2011, 7:08 PM

Saw the Snowbirds practicing over the Beacon Hill Cdn Tire this morning. Made a few passes over.

Bigtime

Jul 15, 2011, 7:51 PM

Apparently one of the CF-18's is doing its rehearsal over Airdrie right now with the CL-16 Sabre. The two USAF F-16's arrived yesterday afternoon, they are parked at the Shell on the SW side of the field.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5939412826_8f580bf95f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/5939412826/)
89-2083 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/5939412826/) by Wee in YYC (http://www.flickr.com/people/wee_in_yyc/), on Flickr

cyeg66

Jul 15, 2011, 9:38 PM

May's numbers posted on YYC site, showing a gain of 1.6%. Pretty weak growth out west this year, likely the result of airlines focusing their attention on the eastern triangle.

Bigtime

Jul 16, 2011, 1:01 AM

The new control tower as seen from the Westjet campus:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5941236679_7c6acdc803_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/5941236679/)
New Control Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/5941236679/) by BigtimeAa (http://www.flickr.com/people/bigtimeaa/), on Flickr

You Need A Thneed

Jul 16, 2011, 4:45 AM

Every time I've driven by there, the diameter looks so narrow for the tallness of the control tower.

Also, the amount of earthwork going on right now for the runway is just insane. Such a huge area, so many pieces of equipment. A site to see. Unfortunately, nothing is eally close enough to get a really good view. I assuming the Airport tunnel is being excavated, because it looks like there is equipment working down in a bit of a "hole" below where you can see from 36th Street. Sometimes, when I leave the city to the North, I drive past the Metis Trail extension, then the Runway, then cutting back over to Metis Trail and seeing the earthwork going on for the Redstone development. With other projects as well (96th Ave connection to Deerfoot, Deerfoot North trade park), NE Calgary has never seen so much earthmoving equipment.

Johnny Aussie

Jul 17, 2011, 3:54 AM

Westjet has just loaded its Hawaii program from YYC.

Same frequency as last year... but now starting much earlier.

HNL - Fridays effective 16 Dec - 20 Apr
OGG - Mon/Thu/Sat effective 15 Dec - 21 Apr

So now the question... what will they be using for equipment this time round.

Unrelated, but looks like Montego Bay is being dropped from YYC, YVR and YEG.

Bigtime

Jul 17, 2011, 2:38 PM

I was at a WS BBQ on Thursday, chatting with some buds and it definitely sounded like they won't be doing the North American 757 again.

MrBigStuff

Jul 17, 2011, 11:15 PM

MrBigStuff

Jul 18, 2011, 1:12 AM

Depending on accessability to these construction sites - it would be nice to get some overhead pics of the runway; road tunnel and control tower construction - just like was done at the Bow site.
For the runway construction - it's so big that you need an airplane, or chopper to get any good pics - yeah/no???

Bigtime

Jul 18, 2011, 2:47 AM

YYCguys

Jul 19, 2011, 5:17 AM

Unrelated, but looks like Montego Bay is being dropped from YYC, YVR and YEG.

Really? The flights were always full from YYC! Not sure about YEG and YVR though. Wonder why these 3 are being dropped.

Johnny Aussie

Jul 19, 2011, 5:58 AM

^
Go figure huh! It is only July so winter scheds are still not 100% finalised anyway.

However, Thomas Cook (Jazz) is going to start YYC-MBJ and YYC-PUJ flights.

Funny how AC has just dropped YYC-PUJ for the upcoming winter as well.

MBJ will have flights from Air Transat, Air Canada and Sunwing as well, so YYC - MBJ will still have 4 weekly flights.

Johnny Aussie

Jul 20, 2011, 9:22 AM

Just noticed Westjet going to have a pretty decent bump this winter:
(comparison is to last winter scheds)

Transborder
LAS up 3 to 17 p/w
PSP up 5 to 14 p/w
PHX up 2 to 16 p/w
SAN up 1 to 4 p/w

As mentioned before, OGG and HNL will have the same frequency but will be running for much longer this winter.

Interestingly... but SNA has been cancelled. Only daily YVR-SNA is in the winter scheds.

WS will have 65 transborder flights per week. This is an increase of 11 flights per week compared to Winter 10/11.

International
CUN up 2 to 8 p/w
PVR up 2 to 7 p/w

As noted before MBJ is gone.

International will have 25 flights per week, up 3 from Winter 10/11.

Total Westjet transborder/international is up to a massive 90 flights per week from YYC this winter!

Bigtime

Jul 20, 2011, 12:58 PM

Wow, I like it.

Johnny, I noticed your post in the YVR thread as well. Do they really only have 8 more transborder/international flights per week than us? Or was that 98 figure just the WS flights?

Johnny Aussie

Jul 20, 2011, 10:35 PM

^ Yup, that was for Westjet only. I have edited my post.

If you include all airlines, YVR still has much more transborder/international flying.

Also to note, YVR seems to be maintaing mainline transborder services. However, with the exception of Westjet obviously, YYC's transborder keeps creeping more into "express" flying.

Also, although AC has not finalised its winter scheds, Westjet is gaining on AC's transborder frequencies at YYC. As it stands now, Westjet will have 65 transborder flights per week compared to Air Canada's (including Express) 69. Capacity wise Westjet would have way more seats per week though. In the last couple of years AC has dropped SFO and SAN year-round and dropped SEA and PDX seasonally.

Johnny Aussie

Jul 21, 2011, 2:22 AM

Here is the Westjet press release....

http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=571

It doesn't talk about all the additions, just highlights. Usually Westjet press releases are a lot more detailed than this, but this one is bordering on the vague.

Also, it mentions the details about the HNL and OGG flights will be released at a later date... be curious to know what they have up their sleeves!

On the domestic front, Westjet is adding 2 daily flights on the YYC-YEG route (hmmmm, I am thinking something but not going to say it!) There will now be a total of 7 per day (lesser on weekends). Also, but not mentioned in the article, an addition of 1 daily YYC-YUL flight for a total of 13 weekly. A few domestic routes have a tweek of a weekly frequency up or down, but other than the additional YEG and YUL flights, nothing significant.

Bigtime

Jul 21, 2011, 2:38 AM

On the domestic front, Westjet is adding 2 daily flights on the YYC-YEG route (hmmmm, I am thinking something but not going to say it!) There will now be a total of 7 per day (lesser on weekends).

What are you thinking?

Johnny Aussie

Jul 21, 2011, 2:46 AM

What are you thinking?

Well, just an observation, but I reckon those new domestic flights are being perfectly timed to feed the slew of new transborder/international flights from YYC.

Bigtime

Jul 27, 2011, 1:37 PM

Domestic: 747,609 +1.6%
Transborder: 196,644 +0.9%
International: 103,356 +2.4%

Overall increase of 1.6% over May 2010.

Airboy

Jul 27, 2011, 2:41 PM

Thought you airline types would be interested. An Transat Airbus has just landed here at YFB for a medical. don't no anymore bout this flight. could be headed out west thought.

CalgaryLankan

Jul 27, 2011, 2:58 PM

Thought you airline types would be interested. An Transat Airbus has just landed here at YFB for a medical. don't no anymore bout this flight. could be headed out west thought.

It looks like TS 349 from FRA to YVR.

Airboy

Jul 27, 2011, 3:11 PM

It looks like TS 349 from FRA to YVR.

I just got onto Flightaware and see that, interesting it shows the flight back in the air and north of Baffin, but I see out the window it is currently refuelling.

Bigtime

Jul 27, 2011, 3:42 PM

Thought you airline types would be interested. An Transat Airbus has just landed here at YFB for a medical. don't no anymore bout this flight. could be headed out west thought.

We'll probably get the details in a day or so from AvHerald as to the diversion.

http://avherald.com/

Airboy

Jul 27, 2011, 4:03 PM

We'll probably get the details in a day or so from AvHerald as to the diversion.

http://avherald.com/

Here's an update. noon eastern The medical, the woman walked off the plane into the ambulance. Plane fuelled and Lined up on runway, running up its engines, promptly shut down and declared a mechanical. So they are now stuck on the north ramp.

Bigtime

Jul 27, 2011, 4:08 PM

Here's an update. noon eastern The medical, the woman walked off the plane into the ambulance. Plane fuelled and Lined up on runway, running up its engines, promptly shut down and declared a mechanical. So they are now stuck on the north ramp.

Take that AvHerald! :haha: :tup:

Airboy

Jul 27, 2011, 4:11 PM

First Air mechanics are on the plane, I'll try to get some shots when I get on my flight to Pond Inlet.

halifaxboyns

Jul 28, 2011, 4:05 AM

I was at a WS BBQ on Thursday, chatting with some buds and it definitely sounded like they won't be doing the North American 757 again.

I haven't been keeping up to date on the use of the 757's - was there a lot of problems?

peacenick

Jul 28, 2011, 10:29 AM

Only way to get any decent shots of the runway construction will be in a plane or helicopter, so unless someone here goes to the trouble of arranging a photo flight (with the ATC clearances) I don't think we'll see it happen anytime soon. Best we could hope for is some shots from people coming or departing on commercial flights that get a shot of it, or photos that YYC releases. There is a site called workabove.com that specializes in aerial photography. There is a shot looking at the airport from the NW and you can see the runway construction. Here is the link: http://workabove.com/onthefly/category/construction-progress/

Bigtime

Jul 28, 2011, 1:11 PM

http://workabove.com/otf/jul11/d110719.jpg
http://workabove.com/onthefly/category/construction-progress/

The shot is from around July 19th. Probably taken sometime between ~11:30 and 1pm as the Lufthansa flight is at the D pier.

freeweed

Jul 28, 2011, 1:53 PM

We should really work at replacing those huge surface lots with some condo towers.

bigcanuck

Jul 28, 2011, 2:06 PM

We should really work at replacing those huge surface lots with some condo towers.

Related question - well, kind of. The 'new' discount airport parking right next to the terminal - anyone used it? Based on location, I imagine you park your car and walk to the terminal - correct?

We've used Park 'n Jet for years but for an upcoming 10 day trip, it'll cost us over $100. For comparison, a taxi from our house plus tip is between $65-$70.

bookermorgan

Jul 28, 2011, 2:21 PM

http://workabove.com/otf/jul11/d110728.jpg

Xelebes

Jul 28, 2011, 3:19 PM

^What is that?

mersar

Jul 28, 2011, 3:22 PM

^What is that?

The work on the new runway. You can see the now closed Barlow trail on the right side of the photo.

artvandelay

Jul 28, 2011, 3:32 PM

Mazrim

Jul 28, 2011, 3:45 PM

We should really work at replacing those huge surface lots with some condo towers.

Don't worry, most of the surface lots are toast once they build the ultimate road layout for Airport access.

bigcanuck

Jul 28, 2011, 3:46 PM

I'd highly recommend it if you don't mind a 10 minute walk. Much better than having to wait for a shuttle to one of those other lots. I used to take a cab to the airport, but I've been using the economy lot ever since I heard about it and it's conveinient and cheap. It's been pretty packed lately, but from that aerial photo it looks like they may be expanding the lot.

Thanks. Are they open 24/7? (we arrive after midnight)

Xelebes

Jul 28, 2011, 3:47 PM

The work on the new runway. You can see the now closed Barlow trail on the right side of the photo.

Ah, okay. :)

Cage

Jul 28, 2011, 3:52 PM

Related question - well, kind of. The 'new' discount airport parking right next to the terminal - anyone used it? Based on location, I imagine you park your car and walk to the terminal - correct?

We've used Park 'n Jet for years but for an upcoming 10 day trip, it'll cost us over $100. For comparison, a taxi from our house plus tip is between $65-$70.

I have not used the economy lot yet as I normally park at Park2Go and then take the shuttle to the airport. ParknJet used to get my business, but I became frustrated with them over issues with the shuttle service. The buig advantage of Park2go is that they handle all parkers at a central area and then place tghe cars in the most efficient place possible. On the return the car is retrieved and place in another central area for pick up by the customer. The valet parking idea is great in bad weather and also removes my big complaint with ParknJet.

With Parknjet I would spend about an extra 1/2 hour touring the parking lot while other people were dropped off at their cars. On departure from YYC, ParknJet sometimes holds people on their shuttle bus until the bus is full, which can take 15-20 minutes. The big issue with ParknJet was that if a ParknFly customer got on the wrong bus, the ParknJet driver would divert to ParknFly first, thus delaying all their own customers while the ParknFly person was taken to the car.

The back end of the economy lot (farthest away from the terminal) is also used by Airport employees and flight crews in particular. There is a petition curculating around Jazz and Westjet flight crews to have the economy lots serviced by shuttles, but the airport authority is not going to spring for the cost.

The economy lot expansion is to handle all airport employee parking as the current greeen lot will be utilized for Internation terminal expansion.

Bigtime

Jul 28, 2011, 3:53 PM

Park2Go all the way, that valet service is awesome (especially in the winter months).

bigcanuck

Jul 28, 2011, 4:00 PM

Park2Go all the way, that valet service is awesome (especially in the winter months).

I've used Park2Go a few times and they are definitely getting better. The problems I first encountered were primarily due to volume though - when a bus full of business travellers (for example) arrived at the lot, you could see 10-15 people trying to pay in their little shack with 1 or 2 people working. I've waited 20-30 minutes before to pay. The ability to use one of the credit card lanes at Park 'n Jet is a bonus in these circumstances.

suburb

Jul 28, 2011, 4:03 PM

Park2Go all the way, that valet service is awesome (especially in the winter months).

Aside. I believe the Park2Go folks are also the ones doing the cluster of hotels and conference centre just West of their lot.

YYCguys

Jul 28, 2011, 5:53 PM

The back end of the economy lot (farthest away from the terminal) is also used by Airport employees and flight crews in particular. There is a petition curculating around Jazz and Westjet flight crews to have the economy lots serviced by shuttles, but the airport authority is not going to spring for the cost.

The economy lot expansion is to handle all airport employee parking as the current green lot will be utilized for International terminal expansion.

Westjet crews are currently parking in P2. We have not been told about a plan to move us. This economy lot news is new to me! And if there's no shuttle, that won't fly with our crews.

freeweed

Jul 28, 2011, 6:08 PM

I'm probably the only person here who'll spend the extra few bucks and park right at the airport. No waiting around in the cold, no half hour anything - just walk and drive.

I find my time is better spent shopping around for cheap flights, and it more than makes up the difference in parking rates. Unless we go somewhere for several weeks of course, in which case cabs.

Bigtime

Jul 28, 2011, 6:18 PM

Courtesy of 'I Fly Calgary' here are the latest AA codeshares to be added to WS flights:

Calgary-Los Angeles
Calgary-Saskatoon
Calgary-Victoria

http://www.iflycalgary.ca/2011/07/american-expands-codeshares-on-westjet.html

Mazrim

Jul 28, 2011, 8:34 PM

I'm probably the only person here who'll spend the extra few bucks and park right at the airport.

Except that it's not only a few bucks...it's a significant amount of money compared to the alternatives!

Cage

Jul 28, 2011, 8:45 PM

Westjet crews are currently parking in P2. We have not been told about a plan to move us. This economy lot news is new to me! And if there's no shuttle, that won't fly with our crews.

WS only has the P2 parkade until the international terminal is complete, then P2 becomes a regular lot only and Westjet will have to move its Flight Crews to the new lot over by the Economy lot. AC and JAzz crews are currently using the economy lot and there is no shuttles provided.

Its also kind of funny that WS parks by concourse A and then walks to over to D, passing by their Jazz counterparts in going the opposite direction.

YYCguys

Jul 28, 2011, 8:56 PM

Thanks for the heads up Cage. Perhaps Westjet will provide its own shuttle service from the economy lot to the terminal for its crews like it did when we parked at our hanger and were transported over to the terminal.

But by the time the new terminal is built I will have moved to Toronto so it won't affect me personally.

freeweed

Jul 28, 2011, 10:36 PM

Except that it's not only a few bucks...it's a significant amount of money compared to the alternatives!

$50 is chump change compared to the hundreds I'm already spending on the flight for me and her. Call it a convenience fee - I'd gladly spend $50 to not have to deal with some of the horror stories I've heard of, especially as I'm prone to landing on very late flights (ah, midnight Vegas arrivals).

LO 044

Jul 29, 2011, 1:38 PM

Must be some good loads on the YYC-AMS route for such an early adjustment for summer 2012.

Amsterdam – Calgary
eff 06JUL12 Increase from 5 to 6 weekly, Airbus A330-200 operating

http://airlineroute.net/2011/07/29/kl-s12update3/

Bigtime

Jul 29, 2011, 1:56 PM

Good news, but I will miss not having the MD-11 over the summer. So nice to have it around.

CalgaryLankan

Jul 29, 2011, 9:11 PM

Today, AC 1159 and AC 134 operated with 777-300.

Surrealplaces

Jul 29, 2011, 9:21 PM

Count me in as well. IIRC the airport parkade rates weren't much more than P&J.

I'm probably the only person here who'll spend the extra few bucks and park right at the airport. No waiting around in the cold, no half hour anything - just walk and drive.

Innersoul1

Jul 29, 2011, 9:31 PM

There is a site called workabove.com that specializes in aerial photography. There is a shot looking at the airport from the NW and you can see the runway construction. Here is the link: http://workabove.com/onthefly/category/construction-progress/

That's a sweet link! There is a pic up of the roof of the Bow. Very awesome angle.

Bigtime

Jul 30, 2011, 12:03 AM

Today, AC 1159 and AC 134 operated with 777-300.

AC 1159? Was this a replacement flight for a mechanical bird or something?

tarapoto

Jul 30, 2011, 4:15 AM

Yeah, must have been an upgauge to make up for an earlier flight that was canceled (AC121)

Cage

Jul 30, 2011, 6:47 PM

The 77W flight is related to AC121 cancellation. 2 A320s full up would require a 77W to operate a rescue mission.

1. Option is that AC121 went mechanical and the 77W was available as the maintenance spare.
2. Option is that AC has run out of pilots with available hours for narrowbody fleet and needs to consolidate flights inorder meet Transport Cda requirements for monthly flying. This happens all the time in late July when there are numerous flight cancellations early in the month due to weather. Essentially pilots get stuck inside the aircraft during weather delays and this causes them to utilize their full up alllotment of 90-100 hours of stick time. If the weather event is early in the month and occurs in USA Eastern seaboard and Central Canada, the entire pilot group for Embraer and Airbus will max out on hours. In this instance flights have to get trimmed back because there are no pilots to fly the aircraft.

My best guess is that we are witnessing option two. In order to get the 77W in the air AC would have to call in a separate crew of FAs and pilots, not something that can be done on short notice when there is an unexpected mechanical. If nthis is occuring at AC, the crew scheduling can't wait for August 1 to come fast enough. Come August 1 every pilots hour counter will reset to 0 and they can pull from the reserve list.

Blader

Jul 30, 2011, 8:05 PM

^^^
There is another possibility - availability of equipment due to Eastern seaboard airport congestion, thus tying up aircraft. Yesterday,July 29, there were an inordinate number of delays in ACs operation into and out of Pearson - most varying from 45 min to over 2 hours - very few cancellations (means that there were crew available). So perhaps, unplanned increased aircraft idle time, for whatever reason, at a period of peak demand and tight scheduling, was enough to force a limited number of cancellations/consolidations and many delays. If it was due to crew shortage I would have expected more cancellations (there were few) and consolidations where possible. This is sheer speculation on my part - no insider sources.