As contract negotiations continue between WestJet and pilots, many customers with booked tickets find themselves in limbo.
The airline's response thus far has been a promise to refund tickets in the event of a strike and until then, it's business as usual.
In the event your flight/and or WestJet Vacation package is cancelled due to the labour dispute, we will provide a refund. We remain at the bargaining table and are focused on a negotiated settlement. In the meantime, it is business as usual.
— WestJet (@WestJet) May 22, 2018
For customers with planned trips, the response has been less than satisfying.
WestJet's Twitter account has been flooded by messages from anxious passengers, many of whom pointing out a refund may not compensate ruined travel plans.
Flying @WestJet on May 22. If the strike happens will we be re-booked with an alternate carrier? We cannot be expected to book a new flight on-spot at an outrageous price! Defeats the purpose of planning a trip/budgeting ahead. Expect to lose a customer! @AirCanada can you help?
— Jenna Kara (@JKara15) May 14, 2018
@WestJet Why won’t you let me make other arrangements for my flight next week? I’m sitting here in limbo checking online every hour to see if there’s been any decision made. You won’t let me cancel without a penalty but can’t tell me if my flight will take off. #WestJetStrike
— Mandie Epp (@rusteedesign) May 19, 2018
The airline's pilots voted 91% in favour of strike action and could have walked off the job on Saturday, however the union promised to wait until after the long weekend.
According to WestJet, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) cannot immediately walk off the job and must provide 72 hours notice before taking job action and that negotiations are ongoing.
We are committed to reaching an agreement with management and will be at the bargaining table this week.
— WestJet ALPA Pilots (@WestJetALPA) May 21, 2018
WestJet's competitors have eagerly jumped at the opportunity to rescue Canadian travelers if the strike does go forward.
Low fair "no frills" airline Flair Air, a direct competitor of WestJet’s new low-cost airline Swoop, has also offered to “swoop in” stranded Canadians.
— FlairAirlines (@FlairAirlines) May 18, 2018
We’ve now added capacity on key transcontinental routes in response to the @WestJet strike vote mandate. More: https://t.co/13XSPijbAN
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) May 10, 2018
However, there is no word of pilot strike action as of Monday evening, meaning it remains "business as usual" for the airline.
While most of their timeline is questions about the #WestJetStrike I would like to thank @WestJet for a safe flight today. The onboard crew were awesome as well, like usual.
— Phillip (@mistermyall) May 22, 2018
