Sunwing Pilot Found Passed Out Drunk In Cockpit At Calgary Airport

[EagerBeaver]

I actually never heard of this Sunwing Airlines, it's apparently an airline for the budget-conscious Canadian traveller and by the looks of it, they are getting what they pay for:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/02/world/canada-pilot-arrested/index.html

 

[str8flash]

I actually never heard of this Sunwing Airlines, it's apparently an airline for the budget-conscious Canadian traveller and by the looks of it, they are getting what they pay for:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/02/world/canada-pilot-arrested/index.html

Sunwing is the most popular airline in Canada. More people travel with Sunwing than any other company, including Air Transat, Air Canada and West Jet.

 

[westwoody]

I have flown Sunwing and they are great.

EB I think you are making an unfair assumption here.

 

[jalimon]

Sunwing is the most popular airline in Canada. More people travel with Sunwing than any other company, including Air Transat, Air Canada and West Jet.

Where do you take that stats? You probably mean largest vacation charter airlines? As for most popular by flights it's AC, Westjet, Porter than Air Transat.

Cheers,

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

I just came back from a Christmas Sunwing holiday in Mexico, the flight was great and we booked into a great resort ( Grand Palladium Kentenah ), holiday went very smoth. Outside of Canada they are called Nexus.

 

[EagerBeaver]

I never heard of Sunwing but have never flown either to or within Canada in my life. All of my flights originate from NY, CT or RI, as I can choose from 6 different airports which are within striking distance. I like JetBlue and Southwest Airlines.

The Sunwing pilot they found drunk in the cockpit should be fired. I always worry about the pilot and whether he/she is having a good or bad day and is totally focused on what they need to do.

 

[str8flash]

Where do you take that stats? You probably mean largest vacation charter airlines?

Yes, that's what i meant, thanks for the precision !

 

[EagerBeaver]

I just came back from a Christmas Sunwing holiday in Mexico, the flight was great and we booked into a great resort ( Grand Palladium Kentenah ), holiday went very smoth. Outside of Canada they are called Nexus.

From what is reported in the CNN article, the drunken pilot was flying from Calgary to Cancun for Sunwing. You may have caught him on a sober day.

 

[jalimon]

I never heard of Sunwing but have never flown either to or within Canada in my life. All of my flights originate from NY, CT or RI, as I can choose from 6 different airports which are within striking distance. I like JetBlue and Southwest Airlines.

The Sunwing pilot they found drunk in the cockpit should be fired. I always worry about the pilot and whether he/she is having a good or bad day and is totally focused on what they need to do.

Unless we go to platsburgh or burlington we do not have access to low cost air line like you do in the states. I would go to mexico or florida much more often if I could get cheap flight like you do.

Cheers,

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

F the drunken pilot was flying from Calgary to Cancun for Sunwing. You may have caught him on a sober day.

We flew out of Montreal, suprised that a pilot would try and get away with that, severe problem or what.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

Unless we go to platsburgh or burlington we do not have access to low cost air line like you do in the states. I would go to mexico or florida much more often if I could get cheap flight like you do.

Cheers,

Plattsburg is not that far of a drive, a few of my relatives make the drive whan they fly to Vegas.

 

[ssj3]

He should not only be fired EB he should be facing jail time..I believe in the US it's a jailible offense if I'm not mistaken? Not sure what it's like in Canada though.

 

[jalimon]

Plattsburg is not that far of a drive, a few of my relatives make the drive whan they fly to Vegas.

True if you live on the south shore. For those living on the north shore crossing montreal nowadays can take more time then the flight to vegas

Cheers,

 

[K Douglas]

I flew Sunwing recently to the Caribbean. I don't think I would fly it again. Bargain basement, no in flight entertainment system. No food other than overpriced sandwiches for purchase. The plane was manufactured somewhere in Eastern Europe or Russia. My seat wouldn't even recline. And to boot the flight attendants were butt ugly.

 

[jalimon]

The plane was manufactured somewhere in Eastern Europe or Russia.

But Sunwing operates only Boeing 737, have they started to buy or rent other types of plane? I doubt that. They have a big pool of pilot (some from eastern europe as in this case) ready to step in as they are trained for that popular plane.

For the rest of your comments, well I had a wonderfull flight to the carabean, but then again, I knew the type of service it is so I was prepared

Cheers,

 

[westwoody]

We flew out of Montreal, suprised that a pilot would try and get away with that, severe problem or what.

There are so many people along the way who could report him/her.

I have seen a few really stressed out pilots.
Their employers can treat them like crap.
There are rules about hours of rest and max flying time all intended for safety. The airlines often try to weasel around them to save a buck on overtime or hotels.

 

[westwoody]

But Sunwing operates only Boeing 737

As an airport worker and plane spotter, this is correct.

Their fleet is excellent.

 

[electrolux]

For me, Sunwing is the best for a good vacation in Cuba.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Bargain basement, no in flight entertainment system. No food other than overpriced sandwiches for purchase. The plane was manufactured somewhere in Eastern Europe or Russia. My seat wouldn't even recline. And to boot the flight attendants were butt ugly.

Look at the bright side, should it occur that in addition to the above you have a substance abusing pilot who falls asleep at the switch. As the jet goes into the death spiral to the depths of the Caribbean Sea below, you will go to your maker knowing you saved a few bucks. Since we all will die one way or the other eventually, you will at least have the peace of mind to know that they didn't beat you up on airfare.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

Look at the bright side, should it occur that in addition to the above you have a substance abusing pilot who falls asleep at the switch. As the jet goes into the death spiral to the depths of the Caribbean Sea below, you will go to your maker knowing you saved a few bucks. Since we all will die one way or the other eventually, you will at least have the peace of mind to know that they didn't beat you up on airfare.

Sunwing is not a low budget airline, they are a travel agency that is on par with Air Canada and West jet. I chose Sunwing because they had the resort I was lookng for and the dates were available. The airplane I was on was a 737 with entertainment and for an under 4 hr flight who needs a meal, a couple of cocktails and all is good. Pretty sure KD is embelishing a little as they have no planes manufactured in eastern Europe or Russia plus they all have an entertainment system. https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Sunwing-Airlines
Sunwing is a popular vacation agency, with Air Canada now out of Toronto and Montreal you have to use Rouge to go down south, not as good as previous AC planes, less leg room and sub par entertainment. Can not blame what one pilot did either on an entire airline.
Yes I do wish we had US airline prices and service here but we are stuck with AC and WJ who fix prices on a regular basis.