Flying the LAST WestJet Link Calgary Flight

[@realjonny8]

11:30 Wholesome moment with the pilot waving.

[@mpetrino7330]

Alex thanks for catching this I remember it oh so well. You are exactly correct the "Costco Terminal" is constructed on the existing tarmac $$$. For some reason every time I walked and walked and walked it I was looking for a $ 1.50 hot dog. Thanks

[@amtrakharry]

LMFASO :):):)

[@jessevermeulen7446]

I worked for Sarnia Airport YZR during our Air Canada days and man does this mirror what happened to us. Air Georgian had horrendous reliability, like 50% cancellation rate in August 2018, and our pax numbers slipped despite having a peak of 7 flights a day. When the Beech's got axed we had 3 Dash 100's a day and it was perfect, in fact our pax numbers began to stabilize. Then the retirement of the 100's came and we had one Dash 300 a day scheduled at the absolute worst time where no one could make sensible connections to or from YZR in YYZ. Then the reliability issues returned. Anytime a dash went down for maintenance our tail would get swapped and then cancelled, or anytime there was a flow into YYZ we were the first to get axed. Our numbers tanked and AC announced the suspension of our route 5 months after upgauging us to the 1x daily 300. I fear for YQL and YXH. Small airports within 3 hours of a major hub can only be sustainable with high-frequency, low capacity, RELIABLE flights, otherwise the bleeding will be unsustainable. Canada desperately needs an Essential Air Service program like the US to keep small airports viable.

[@afcgeo882]

Why do you need them viable? Wouldn’t a train service these communities better?

[@jessevermeulen7446]

@@afcgeo882 we do have a 1x daily train to Toronto, but it takes 6 hours and is incredibly inefficient when trying to travel beyond Toronto/Montreal/Ottawa. With Canada being such a large and vast country the only viable way to connect all of our populations is through air travel, so when people fly out of small regional airports they’re catching a connecting flight that goes beyond the scope of train travel.

[@afcgeo882]

@@jessevermeulen7446 A 3-hour drive takes 6 hours by train??? That’s insane.

[@jessevermeulen7446]

@@afcgeo882 yeah it sucks. The train is the local “milk run” and takes the back routes through Kitchener/Waterloo and is often held back for freight trains that have priority. I would love faster trains, but until VIA Rail and the Fed government gets their act together flying is faster and offers better connectivity.

[@afcgeo882]

@@jessevermeulen7446 I wonder why the provincial government doesn’t get in on that. The US has Amtrak routes that are paid by state governments.

[@williamharris8367]

I flew between Calgary and Medicine Hat via Air Canada in about 2015. This was one of the most enjoyable short-haul flights ever; we were low enough to really enjoy the scenery. That said, I will not miss the Beech 1900; it was like a transit bus with wings!

[@brianmutcher9585]

At least you didn’t have to worry about getting stabbed , like some of the passengers on Winnipeg transit

[@williamharris8367]

I have taken public transit in Winnipeg (and many other Canadian cities) too. The bus drivers there were extremely helpful in terms of directions and assistance. It felt no less safe than some other places that I have been (e.g. Edmonton, Vancouver).

[@LostSonOfPluto]

As someone who flies Pacific Coastal a couple times a year, we used to occasionally have the Saab 340s moved to some of the Beech1900 routes on busier days. But this pretty much stopped entirely when the WestJet Link deal started. It'll be nice having that extra capacity back under Pacific Coastal for smaller communities around BC when they aren't just doing the YVR > YYJ and YVR > YLW trip constantly Edit to add: As an aside, Pacific Coastal Pilots are some of the nicest and most skilled I've ever met

[@57Jimmy]

Love PASCO! Been on the 1900-C, Saab 340 AND The Shorts 360! That Shorts was a very unique aircraft and I was surprised as to how much room there was inside! YYJ-YVR-YZZ-YVR-YYJ several times when the wifes parents were still alive🥲💕

[@Hydraulic-em6uz]

Alex thank you for your devotion to aviation over the years. Your journeys have always been informative and adventurous.

[@juliussokolowski4293]

Used to be a technical instructor on the 340 here in Sweden. We had a bunch of different customers in the sim over the years but the airframes they were flying were the same. Seeing how there is nothing on the market in that size, those airframes will go on for a good while longer.

[@kevinheard8364]

Alex: My wife is Canadian and I can certainly appreciate that "a three hour drive to an airport" may well actually be "beyond the means" of so many folks (6+ hours of gasoline, meals, etc.... just to both depart & "arrive back" ---- hardly "qualifies", does it [back referring to 3 hours from where you arrived "back" at]....... always sad when an airline fails..... Thanks for all you do.

[@89cw]

Thanks for this Alex - I played a small part in WestJet Link below the wing. This is a nice sendoff and a lot of people who were/are involved in PASCO will hold on to this video as a reminder of the better times.

[@andrewluymes2977]

Thanks for the video Alex. As a pilot for a Canadian regional airline I really appreciate the always positive spin you put on the flights you take regardless of the airline or aircraft you travel on.

[@highlevelbandanas]

This was so far the best time in my career. I’m so proud to have flown the Saab & will miss everyone greatly. 💗

[@AndrewUnderwood-sm7qd]

From a pilot perspective, if you mastered the Saab, the rest of your career will be easy! Onward and upward. Good luck!

[@lukac13]

I love waking up in the morning and watching your videos. Thank you for making these kind of videos. Have an amazing week.

[@AndrewUnderwood-sm7qd]

Thanks for that, Alex. I was among the original pilots that launched that service. What a time! I eventually became a Captain and then the pandemic hit, medical was lost and now I no longer fly... but it was fun while it lasted. The early days were filled with some drama from Encore and I guess it ended the same way.

[@kevindigo22]

Alex, thanks for this. I had noticed that Encore was flying Q400's to Lethbridge recently and wondered about the change, not realizing the Pacific Coastal contract had ended. I have never flown on a Saab 340, didn't even realize they were 2+1 seating with 34 seats, which means you have a flight attendant. The thermometer on the back wall (it does get cold in the back so I can see why they have this). I had always thought the Saab 340's were the same as the Beech 1900's. I have flown on the Air Georgian Beech 1900s a few times back in the day - 19 seats in 1+1 layout, no flight attendant, with the cockpit door open during flight so you get a good view of the pilots in action. I live on the south side of Calgary, and I can't tell you how many times lying in bed at night I would hear the 11:30 pm Saab 340 flight on climb-out going to Cranbrook. I could almost set my watch by it. End of an era.

[@jaydeehere1918]

Years ago i worked underground mining in Thompson Manitoba. Flew many times on Calm Air when they had Saab 340's. I really enjoyed those planes. Such a solid workhorse.

[@ajmomoho]

I fly the King Air doing medevac rotations out of Thompson. Yup, no more Saabs, just the ATR now

[@chrisparker2010]

When Westjet started service into Medicine Hat it was an amazing event. These planes were great when compared to the Air Canada offering. Its sad that almost all air travel out of Medicine Hat has come to a halt.

[@JonathanPeterson-Elliott]

As someone who lives in Lethbridge, lots of the time, the flights between YYC and YQL were canceled at the last minute because of lack of passengers. I know people who have been on their way to the airport when the flight is canceled.

[@Mis-fe9fc]

Wow! 3 whole vending machines! 😂 In all seriousness though, very fitting message by the Captain. I’m sad to see these Saab’s go in Westjet colors, hopefully I can grab a seat on Pacific Coastal sometime soon.

[@kevinkelly1576]

Thank you for the great review I’ve been a pilot for Pasco flying Link for the past 2 years absolutely loved it!

[@tomfrank6794]

I feel for the residents and businesses in the Lethbridge area. Dependable air service is critical to the economic vitality of the community. Best case now is for Lethbridge, would be to have a late flight in that overnights, then an early out back to Calgary for morning connectivity. Then people have to use it and hopefully more frequency returns.

[@yvr2002rtw]

Perhaps as an alternative to just one round trip flight a day each from Calgary to Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, Westjet can consider offering a two triangular routes per day? Calgary-Medicine Hat-Lethbridge-Calgary, and Calgary-Lethbridge-Medicine Hat-Calgary? This way passengers can have the choice of an earlier or later flight.

[@Aggressive_Splooge]

I love your videos, always entertaining and informational.

[@susanableton8647]

Thank you for providing this "last flight". It really saddens me to see the gradual lessening of service to smaller cities within Canada by our Canadian airlines.....perhaps the government should be providing some sort of subsidized service as both rail and bus services have all decreased.

[@nickkarvelas4082]

Your videos never ever disappoint. Great job.

[@jonathankleinow2073]

The view of the four-across seating in the back row reminded me of something from my childhood. I don't know if it was Comair or Northwest Airlink, but I remember flying on one of them as a kid, with my mom sitting in that "infinite legroom" seat. The flight attendant came on as we were approaching our destination and asked everyone to make sure their seat belts were buckled. Apparently my mom had missed the message (or chosen to disregard it for whatever reason), because after a moment, she added, "that means you in the back, too, ma'am!"

[@brianaviation3072]

thank you captain spencer all the best to you.

[@therandomytchannel4318]

Great Saab 340 review! I never had a chance to fly in the 340, in the past I flew Air Canada Dash 8 100/200 series from Edmonton to Calgary when they were utilizing those aircraft

[@stanleovart]

Proper farewell for such nice event

[@DrSloth78]

I flew Link to both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, and boy, they sure were two of the flights of all time.

[@donmacaskill5022]

Probably flew on this plane between MSP and YQT back in the day when you could fly West without flying east. Also flew the 340 on several Calm milk runs.

[@690_5]

I flew out of Cranbrook last year, Saab 340B is my favourite aircraft… heartbreaking to see it getting cut.

[@jay-rus4437]

Worked for NW Airlink back in the early 90s. So to say the least, Ive worked around a bunch of Saab 340 aircraft. And on a couple occasions got to fly jump seat into Memphis

[@F1travels]

Super cool to see you fly to my city, The Hat!

[@derekroulston1977]

Its nice that we now get tha Saab's back to Trail but unfortunate that my fromer flight instructor Holden has now moved from the Saab with PaCo to the Embraer 195 wit Porter

[@airman9624]

Thank you for serving those communities these past few years PASCO!

[@tk-5268]

I live right beside the medicine hat airport, and those SAABs are so loud!

[@BoBandits]

Cool looking planes, those SAABs.

[@karlranta292]

Another great video Alex!!!

[@firegamer3795]

Nice video like always! Thanks for making these!

[@Robert-ug5fp]

Very cool video, man, I am also from Calgary, and recently had the luxury of touring the westjet hangar. Sad to see westjet link go

[@thebigdog360]

I flew on GPCI in that exact seat 12A a year ago from Lethbridge. I was originally farther forward, but due to there being only about 9 people on board we were asked to spread out for W/B. Im glad I was able to fly on a Saab at least once, although the flight was delayed about 4 hours lol.

[@BaguetteBread1]

That plane looks really cool!

[@Snakepit92]

Made sure to fly out to Cranbrook for a day back in August after I heard these were going away. I get why they made the decision, these were always down for maintenance. But it's always a shame to see a type go away. I'm just glad they ended up finding places for all the pilots to go

[@ryanmcnally7032]

I remember flying the Saabs from YQT to MSP on Northwest…good memories.

[@F1travels]

I took the Saab 340 from YXH to YYC a few times, great little planes.

[@zinger2967]

Use to live in Medicine Hat. Flew on the WestJet Link Saab planes quite frequently due to fly in/fly out work. Sad to see the flights per day get reduced. Hopefully more flights get added to these smaller cities in the future.

[@Big_blue]

Wow, I just missed you by one day! Haha. I was on WS3041 one of the last SAAB 340 flights to Cranbrook (YXC) on September 29th.

[@ethancampbell6076]

4:54 Turbo kicks in on T/O 🔥🔥🔥

[@NotBray]

I wanted to come see this flight but I couldn't unfortunately :/ thanks for recording this however, I've never really seen anyone vlog at the small airport in my city!

[@derekbryce2632]

I've heard that boarding area used by Westjet Encore referred to as 'the walk of poverty' - ironic when you consider the fares often charged!

[@rafaelwilks]

Considering the CT7-9B that powers the Saab 340B is very reliable, all the cancellations must have been airframe or crew related.

[@paulshields2220]

I use to leave from Waco, TX to California and would either take a flight to Dallas or Houston before continental merged with United. Continental used the Saab 340 and I always enjoyed the flight to Houston with them. When United took over Waco lost its Houston flights. Dallas flights also reduced when American retired the ATR 72 it use to be around 7-8 flights a day then it changed to the ERJ 145 4-5 times a day and now they are on the CRJ 700 2-3 times a day. It’s about a 2 hour driver to DFW international or a 4.5 hour drive to IAH. I really wish small regional turboprops would come back.

[@MDH2181]

I always liked flying out of Calgary Airport's "basement" 😂

[@raistlinvanspronsentravel]

Our small airport had service from WestJet Link, however, WJ decided not to offer an Encore service, leaving us with no service from any of the airlines. We now have to drive 45 minutes to the nearest airport to get a flight to Calgary or Vancouver. Here's hoping an airline will begin a service connecting a major city to our small town of Dawson Creek.

[@CraxyGAMES23]

THIS IS AMAZING

[@PeterNGloor]

my past flights on a Saab were with Champagne service, but that was definitely NOT in Canada.

[@atche8004]

I live in YXH and i was curious why the saab stopped flying over and the much larger dash 8 was back, thanks for this information.

[@TheRDUspotter]

Finally Alex posted again🎉🎉🎉🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@tjmackymac9228]

I worked the last flight through YQF-YYC. I've been waiting to hear the return of commercial service to either YVR, YYZ, or YYC. But after Lynx collapsed idk if that's ever gonna happen

[@PilotLieutenant1]

Those seats look so tight! That pain would feel terrible- especially on a flight!

[@richardmichael9538]

Other than not being tall enough to have a headrest, they are actually more comfortable than the Encore spine boards.

[@amtrakharry]

I flew on these planes two years and the leg space was tight for me 6'6" I made a round trip from Vancouver to Nanaimo while on holidays. It was cool but the 20 minute flight was all about I could handle...

[@Dc10_123]

WestJet Saab 340 was the most iconic Saab 340 Livery

[@JUVI9596]

I worked for westjet for 13 years from 2007-2020. I sent out many a Link flight from the Calgary airport

[@flyoma]

Unfortunately I missed my round trip planned on one last month because WestJet (mainline) was late. Unfortunately because they wouldn't sell my itinerary as one ticket I had a separate ticket for the WestJet Link flights, and even though WestJet caused me to miss it, said it wasn't their fault and forfeited the fare.

[@lwhlwh9701]

Calgary to RDU on Westjet starting next June-don’t miss the inaugural flight. Tix on sale now.

[@AntiMemeslay4r1.]

Freaking love this guy

[@jaharireggae4296]

I live in a moderately sized town halfway between Saskatoon and Lloydminster it’s about an hour and 10 minutes to both cities by car I’ve flown out of Saskatoon many times but I’ve always wanted the chance to fly out of Lloydminster but now with WestJet link no longer in service I fear I will never get that chance, I did hear there were talks about bringing some type of airline service back to Lloydminster but honestly I don’t see that happening.

[@JamesBond009]

Maybe Westjet should get some ATR-42-600's for these routes and put in an order for the Heart ES-30 hybrid aircraft currently being developed. Air Canada, United Airlines, and a few others have placed firm orders.

[@seancurrie1836]

Hey I see my house in this video!! Was likely asleep lol.

[@obbj6440]

hi where do you plane spot in calgary because runway 35L doesn’t seemed to be in operation not that much

[@jessemillington5988]

I was laughing at the Costco name, I have never been in that part, that I can guarantee was just put over the old surface. Did they check your ticket with a highlighter haha. Now I want an ice cream cone or hot dog.

[@PhillyN]

Sad day! I flew out of Cranbrook countless times on the SAABs. Will miss the frequency of flights that Link offered. Will not miss the mechanical issues canceling flights.

[@BensticaShamos]

Make a short video about the 14 Dash 8s WestJet Sold to QantasLink and the insane 11 stop journey they will take.

[@mississaugaicedogs]

YXH and YKA regional airport terminals look the same, did Transport Canada standardize designs for different types of airport terminals? Like YWG and YOW have similar designs too

[@geoffreylee5199]

Where I grew up in Northern Ontario, there was AC service five times a day. When DC9 service began, three times, then two … now gone Dash-planes are the aeroplanes now …

[@donmacaskill5022]

YQT has 2 x AC Airbus A319 a day and Porter is adding the Embraer E195 in addition to West Jet & Porter Q400 flights. I don't think anyone here is pining for the return of five times a day service by Vickers Viscount!

[@joesutherland225]

I really like these planes get one out of powell river occasionally

[@oasjk]

Sad to see them go tbh. Although I have never been to Canada, having others deal with such schedule cuts in really remote parts of canada surely isn't great. Well, at least they have a tiny bit more comfort now, if you can even call that comfort.

[@Benjamin_Rowley78]

The last time I took WestJet link they cancel my flight from Calgary to Lethbridge and had to take bus back to Lethbridge

[@andrewdunlop9930]

Service reliability with Pasco was abysmal. They were always short either a plane or crew. It was a pretty regular occurrence for your fight to be cancelled, where you would have to make a frantic drive to Calgary to make your connection. The late arrival and early departure they are switching to for both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat is the best possible scenario with only one aircraft per day. But is it enough? Because of the reduced schedule and increased cost (eg: time plus hotel), I am driving to Calgary for my next flight in about a week (with Porter I will add - no need for Westjet loyalty any longer). If others are doing likewise, scheduled service may not last much beyond Christmas.

[@jayladusterhoft737]

I'm going to miss working for Pasco and flying as a Link FA

[@aselwyn1]

loss of frequency is a real pain point been a issue all over when these smaller planes keep getting retired.

[@mccoyaviation1002]

Hey Alex do you have the full startup video still, and if you do could you post it on one of your socials?

[@gavinsaviation]

Lucky me I caught it in my planespotting videos I didn’t know it ended service for Calgary 😢

[@jnrfalcon]

absolutely didn't know this... so where do pacific coastal fly their 340s after that...? I'm a Saab fan and really want to try their 340 or 2000 at some point, just never found that point yet...

[@codywiebe34]

"Babe, wake up. Alex praglowski just posted "

[@mattwelch6819]

Hey Alex, how do you figure out when a "last flight" is gonna happen? Paying attention to flights om a day by day basis? Loved the video as well, keep it up!

[@mjtt12]

As someone who lived in Medicine Hat for five years, this definitely blows for the community. There is no bus service only a few daily shuttles that is typically around 80-100 per person which is really unfourable for lots of people. If flix bus made a route from Calgary to strathmore, brooks, and medicine hat, it would be fine but not without alternative service.

[@askarmuk]

Does this mean that Saab seat leg room is the same as on CRJ-200?

[@OneAviation]

You just earned a sub😅

[@Zakna]

I was wondering where they all went :o

[@tanismarshall8501]

Do you know why that large thermometre was on the end wall of the cabin?

[@AndrewUnderwood-sm7qd]

We put that there because the wall between the baggage area and the cabin is a wall in name only-it's very thin. The aft cabin would get incredibly hot in the summer or incredibly cold in the winter. We started tracking temperatures back there and since the Saab does not have a temperature sensor there, we didn't know what numbers were were getting. In short, we needed data!

[@Michael_Livingstone]

How do those little planes ride? Like are you feeling every little bump or are they as smooth as 737?

[@gregj3515]

The SAAB 340 is a tough old plane.

[@ScottRothsroth0616]

That looks like a riding lawn mower, at timestamp: 10:27 .

[@dudeurodude3845]

It is you can see in a previous frame when he is boarding the plane it’s on the right.

[@danmack3173]

I always hated working those saabs But at least they were super light loads, never more than 20 bags

[@mississaugaicedogs]

Playing AVIA (where you can manager your own airline), I try to buy the model similar to the Saab 340

[@viscount757]

How did you get the nighttime footage of the Saab 340 taxiing away from the terminal at YXH when you were on board the aircraft?

[@slavco65]

That was me 🙋‍♂️ I'm a rampee at YXH and approached Alex to offer my footage

[@_-_-_-_-_-_-_-__-]

it's been a LONG time since westjet link flew to YXS/YQL

[@andreforcier97]

No waving 👋 Alex hand pulling out? It’s too bad for the smaller communities, hopefully some smaller operators will fill the void. 🤞🤞🤞Perfect for the Dash8-100s to have a second life.

[@ZOMb2010]

GREAT VIDEO...Another CANADIAN Airline connector gone