Canadian Airlines in Jeopardy - CBC The National

[eliskander]

CP Air/Canadian was Canada's best airline, its sad, and stupid that the federal gov. chose to support the worse airline and not the better one. Sad and stupid. I will never fly Air Canada.

[0814ma]

Great clip. Thanks for posting. This aired on Monday, November 25, 1996.

O.J. Simpson's civil trial began in October 1996 and ended in early February 1997.

From an article published Nov. 26, 1996:

''Time is running out fast'' for a solution to the company's cash crisis, Benson said. The executive said he wants a rescue plan in place by Wednesday or the company may have to start preparing to close.

''As of Nov. 30, there are payments to be made or the entire company is at risk,'' Benson said.

[stads24]

well the unions have dug in their heals... they are going to be unemployed... are they stupid?

[0814ma]

Great clip. Thanks for posting.

This is actually from November 25, 1996 - note the reference to "O.J. Simpson on the stand." His civil trial was held from November 1996 to February 1997.

[somewhatlongdong]

amazing how 12 years later they bailed out GM and Chrysler.

[oilersman95]

so to create a discussion, why when Canadian was goin under the govt didnt help, but wheb Air Canada was goin the govt gave the airline enough to come out? hmmm.......Interesting isnt it, a little money under the table?

[Edmonchuck]

There is more than that to this story oilersman....high fuel prices, a non committal government, Buzz being stubborn, and of course the unions demanding the government bails out the airline. I love the union rhetoric in re-regulation and bailouts...wow...

[maxcontinuous]

@oilersman95 Please tell us or give details of any government bailout for Air Canada. Since it went public in 1989, it has not seen a dime in subsidy. Post 911, most American airlines which are Air Canada competitors, received subsidies. Subsidies were given to European airlines in the wake of the volcano. So please, give us a credible reference to your claim.

[bladeere14]

@oilersman95 Canadian was a private company for its entire existance, Air Canada was formed by the government and its been a symbol of Canada for 80 or so years (could be more or less), the government wouldnt allow it to go bankrupt

[ROXYLUCY]

The pay cuts didn't work, AC is still trying it yet paying their CEO $40 MILLION a year in bonuses, which is what hurts the company... the pay cuts would NOT have saved the company and they already had taken cuts, if a company cannot make it pay cuts aren't going to help it's only a bandaid. Get a grip!

[garlex134]

How are you so sure?

[sdrawkcab96]

Wouldn't take the pay cut and in the end they got f&cked in the ass!

Canadian was such a great airline!

[maxcontinuous]

@sdrawkcab96 Actually no. Canadian was merged into Air Canada and they all got raises. Until of course Air Canada was dragged into CCAA.

[misterspiffy2008]

I might. Let me check.

[benoncambie]

thanks for checking - my dad would probably really appreciate it - he was the pilot rep during this time.

[benoncambie]

This is awesome retro stuff. My Dad is one of the people interviewed in this program - do you happen to have the whole edition of the "magazine" section? That would be great if you did!