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Vivig

03-11-2005, 01:25 AM

The news on CFRB just announced that Jetsgo is seizing all service beginning immediately.

I wanted to ensure that fellow diser's be made aware asap.

IF you have paid with a credit card then call your credit card company and they should be reimbursing for services not rendered.

Pixie Dust to you all,

Vivig

03-11-2005, 01:30 AM

Here's the article...

Jetsgo ceases operations, tells travellers to make other plans
Updated at 0:46 on March 11, 2005, EST.
A ground crew worker guides the first Jetsgo flight arriving at Dorval Airport in Montreal on June 12, 2002. (CP/Paul Chiasson)
MONTREAL (CP) - Discount airline Jetsgo announced early Friday that it is ceasing all operations effective immediately and told stranded passengers to find their own way home.

The company issued the stunning announcement shortly after midnight on Friday. Jetsgo said travellers should make alternative arrangements before heading to the airport since there will be no Jetsgo staff or flights available. The shutdown comes at the start of March break for many school systems across Canada, when hordes of families flock to Florida, Cuba and other sunspots served by the airline - one of the busiest travel times of the year.

Travellers with a return ticket to fly home were told their tickets were no good to make other arrangements.

"We deeply regret that this had to happen. The decision to cease operations was only taken after difficult deliberation," said Jetsgo president Michel Leblanc.

"We are very concerned about our customers and the significant hardship that this action causes. In the meantime, we encourage our passengers to contact their travel agent or an alternative airline."

Jetsgo had at least 18 flights scheduled to leave Toronto's Pearson's Airport - Canada's transport hub - on Friday morning, including domestic, U.S. and Mexican destinations.

There were at least 10 flights scheduled to land at Pearson on Monday morning from Canadian cities coast to coast.

At the time the company issued its release, its website was active with no note to travellers on the situation.

In its statement, Jetsgo said it would be asking that Quebec Superior Court immediately grant it protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

Jetsgo said that difficult market conditions and competitive pressures led the company to discontinue operations and ground all of its planes.

The company said consumers who have paid for Jetsgo tickets should communicate with the Canadian Transportation Agency.

Leblanc founded the privately held company in June 2002 from the ashes of Canada 3000 Inc., which collapsed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks battered its business and it faced rising competition.

Leblanc had run a successful charter carrier, Montreal-based Royal Airlines, but he sold it to Canada 3000 and became a senior executive with the expanded company before leaving in a dispute with Canada 3000's management.

The Canadian Press, 2005

Scratch42

03-11-2005, 06:26 AM

It's unfortunate, but can't say that it surprises me.

Pixie Dust to all those booked!

Scratch

Hockeychic

03-11-2005, 07:08 AM

I just heard as well and I have a friend who was flying out this morning with her family....wow

Pixie Dust to all.

cdnmickeylover

03-11-2005, 07:19 AM

More pixie dust to those flying Jetsgo.

Someone in our office is flying to Florida this morning but luckily they weren't flying Jetsgo.

teanbean

03-11-2005, 07:44 AM

Belle1997

03-11-2005, 07:50 AM

I felt so sorry for all who are taking Jetsgo. My first thought was I hope no one is going the WDW today for the beginning of March break. My heart just sank for all of you and hope you can get new flights and of course your money back.

Grumbo

03-11-2005, 08:00 AM

Sheesh....
I got one of their 1 cent sale emails yesterday. Didn't read it but probably was the asking price of the airline :rotfl:
I had flown with them before and they were "OK".
Glad we booked with Air Canada this summer.
Also booked with Air Transat for Europe. God hope they don't go under too :rolleyes:

Not into pixie dust, but hope all works out for those that are stranded, and/or have trips booked through them.
If you booked via travel agent, as opposed to directly are you more likely to get some of your money back?????

Cheers,
Grumbo

Cass

03-11-2005, 09:00 AM

You pay peanuts - you get monkeys.

I am extremely wary of these types of companies - I was a travel agent for 10 years and have went through many a disaster with compnaies folding suddenly.

I love the part where LeBlanc encuorages people to call their travel agent - the travel agent can't do anything except help with new reservations that have to be paid for, there is no refund on the lost flights.

Now people call their credit card companies and eventually the travel agent gets stuck in the middle.

It is particularily callous that they did this at March Break, so many families will be affected, terrible terrible thing :(

Amberle3

03-11-2005, 09:40 AM

I'm going to take this opportunity to remind people that this is an excellent reason to always make sure you purchase travel insurance! It won't cover all cases of bankruptcy, but I've just checked Travelguard's website and Jetsgo it NOT one of the "we won't cover" companies listed.

If you were booked with Jetsgo and have travel insurance, either call your travel agent immediately or - if you didn't book with a travel agent - call the insurance company immediately. Depending on the company they will help you with making other arrangements.

As for whether or not a travel agent would be beneficial - chances are that yes they can be. Yes, you would probably have to pay for another ticket (unless you had travel insurance). However using a travel agent means that instead of YOU stressing out and spending hours trying to make alternate arrangements, you have someone else doing that for you.

And speaking of making alternate arrangements, Westjet is stepping in. From one of their press releases:
"WestJet has implemented a plan to aid Jetsgo's stranded customers. Until
12:00 a.m. on March 14, 2005, WestJet will provide stranded Jetsgo
customers with special fares on confirmed seats in all markets served by
WestJet and Jetsgo, before its announcement of its cessation of
operations. These special fares are subject to availability and WestJet
will assess the need to extend these fares on a day-to-day basis."

Grumbo

03-11-2005, 09:42 AM

Guy in our office has a daughter who is stranded now. Had bought her round trip ticket and is scrambling to get her back to school in Halifax by the weekend.
We made up this in the office this morning for him.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid160/p78c8b507724752d339285e4ba698870c/f4dde841.jpg

Cheers,
Grumbo

Snowwark

03-11-2005, 09:45 AM

Grumbo

03-11-2005, 10:01 AM

That's pretty good, Grumbo!! :teeth:

I'm only laughing at the pic, I realize this is a mess for a lot of people. :(

Teanbean, would it be possible to bump your departure up a day, to the 14th? Just reading what Amberle posted, and realized you said you were departing the 15th.

I agree Snowwark.. I fell terribly for the people and am so thankful I'm not dealing with this.

The photo IS funny though, and thought it would give a few folks a smile.

Cheers,
Grumbo

Amberle3

03-11-2005, 10:15 AM

Teanbean, would it be possible to bump your departure up a day, to the 14th? Just reading what Amberle posted, and realized you said you were departing the 15th.

Depending on the kind of response they get I can see that they might extend the dates. Frankly it never hurts to call them and try now.

TimNDansMom

03-11-2005, 10:41 AM

My heart goes out to all those affected by the Jetsgo news. :(

:wizard: that everyone is able to make alternate arrangements to continue on with their travel plans! :wizard:

Hippychickali

03-11-2005, 10:46 AM

This is terrible news! I'm sorry to all of those who this affects. It's really too bad. Now I won't be able to fly home for $20 any more.

Ali

pjpoohbear

03-11-2005, 10:50 AM

I hope all who are away from home and booked on Jetsgo are able to find alternative travel.

I checked both Southwest and Jet Blue out of Buffalo and they are booked solid for the next three days. And there are no sale fares on Jet Blue, and Southwest has a couple of lower, not lowest fares in the middle of next week, but they should be gone with in the hour.

For those at the airport, good luck and I hope you still get to enjoy your time off and your family!

Penny

Scratch42

03-11-2005, 11:25 AM

I agree Snowwark.. I fell terribly for the people and am so thankful I'm not dealing with this.

The photo IS funny though, and thought it would give a few folks a smile.

Cheers,
Grumbo

Yeah, only those of us lucky enough not flying JETSGONE!

:rotfl:

Scratch :wizard:

Amberle3

03-11-2005, 11:47 AM

What I find unbelievably rude about the whole thing is the way that Jetsgo handled it. I mean up until they shut down the website they were *still taking reservations*. Knowing that they would never be able to fullfill the terms, they were still taking reservations. The website was up and running when they released the news to the media (according to CTV).

Of course the website is totally gone now. No "sorry, thanks for the years of business". No note telling people what to do. Not even a copy of the press release - it's just totally gone.

You know, every year for my birthday and Christmas for the last 2 or 3 years my DFi has asked me what I want. And every year I say "Well, you could always buy me some Westjet stock". He's never done it yet - and this morning it jumped 40%.

Hippychickali

03-11-2005, 11:52 AM

What I find unbelievably rude about the whole thing is the way that Jetsgo handled it. I mean up until they shut down the website they were *still taking reservations*. Knowing that they would never be able to fullfill the terms, they were still taking reservations. The website was up and running when they released the news to the media (according to CTV).

Of course the website is totally gone now. No "sorry, thanks for the years of business". No note telling people what to do. Not even a copy of the press release - it's just totally gone.

I agree! That's not the way to do business even if you are going out of business.

Ali

princess pooh

03-11-2005, 12:05 PM

mbb

03-11-2005, 12:11 PM

What I find unbelievably rude about the whole thing is the way that Jetsgo handled it. I mean up until they shut down the website they were *still taking reservations*. Knowing that they would never be able to fullfill the terms, they were still taking reservations. The website was up and running when they released the news to the media (according to CTV).

Of course the website is totally gone now. No "sorry, thanks for the years of business". No note telling people what to do. Not even a copy of the press release - it's just totally gone.

...................

ITA::yes:: Talk about take your money and run!!

Pixie dust to those going through this!! :wizard: :wizard:

:sunny:

offwegotoneverland

03-11-2005, 01:02 PM

Snowwark

03-11-2005, 01:07 PM

I cried when I heard the news. I was supposed to be leaving for Orlando next Friday with my mom and brother, and Jetsgo was so much cheaper then the other airlines. I feel so stupid. Now I ruined everyone's vacation :guilty:

I wonder if I'll even be able to get my money back? I have to call American express when I get home.

Princess Pooh, it's not your fault. You didn't ruin the vacation, Jets Go did!! Don't give up yet! Make some calls (re: the info on this thread, and the "Help!!" thread, and see if you can make some new arrangements. Don't feel stupid, okay? :hug:

I feel very fortunate. I had originally booked (3 seats) with Jets Go for my whirlwind trip next week, but cancelled them due to a cost miscalculation on the part of my TA, and rebooked with Air Canada. I can't tell you how happy I am that my TA was having an off day!! Whew....

Amberle3

03-11-2005, 01:13 PM

Just a semi-update - I've had the news station on all morning and now they're saying that Westjet will try to accommodate people (special fares) who had booked on Jetsgo up until the announcement was made.

There's been no update on the Westjet site about it, so it could be the media just getting things wrong (again). Or it could be that Westjet has extended their policy.

If you were booked on a Jetsgo flight, by all means call Westjet and see if they can help you.

I notice that Westjet was also offering special standby fares ($35) to Jetsgo's stranded crew - it's not just the travellers that were affected! Can you imagine working for a company, you're in another city (maybe even another country) and being "you're out a job and you're on your own to get home"?

Tantor

03-11-2005, 02:15 PM

My best friends hubby works as a mechanic for Jetsgo. Got the phone call this morning from one of his fellow employees. He had no idea. They did get a paycheck yesterday though. He had to go in and get all his tools today. I feel so sad for them. His wife called me this morning and is in shock.

Yzma and Kronk

03-11-2005, 02:26 PM

We are booked to leave on the 15th of March on Jetsgo--stupid, stupid, stupid. Anyway, how do I book out of Buffalo and which airline should I go with????? Help!!!!!!!!! I have to make a decision today.

You could check the direct websites of Southwest, JetBlue (non-stop) and Air Tran (connections thru Atlanta). This will tell you who has seats available and how much.

Good Luck!

I can't imagine what all the JetsGo passengers are going through.

:wizard: PD to everyone!

princess pooh

03-11-2005, 03:06 PM

My brother called up Air Canada and found us two seats leaving the same day as our Jetsgo flight. It's a lot more money, but the schedule is more convenient and we'll have more time at Disney. I would have booked with West jet originally but there were no seats available. I thought I was going to have to cancel the trip so I'm very happy now :goodvibes

Plus, I just called American Express and we're getting our money back :banana:

From now on when something seems too good to be true...

Amberle3

03-11-2005, 06:48 PM

Okay, I have to say this:

If Michel Leblanc (President of Jetsgo) ever opens up another airline, run.

I thought I remembered something about him... I found this from 2002:
"Leblanc is the former CEO of Royal Aviation, which he sold to Canada 3000 for $84 million in stock less than a year before Canada 3000 went bankrupt. "

Okay, so he couldn't make a go of Royal and "sold" it to Canada3000 (was bought out by) in exchange for a bunch of stock... in an airline that went bankrupt.

So if you count Royal's demise by being eaten by C3K, and then C3K's death, and now Jetsgo - doesn't that make 3 strikes?

The Jetsgo website is back and has their final statement on it. Although in it they say "Jetsgo intends to keep its stakeholders, including its employees and customers, informed of the development of its restructuring process."

RESTRUCTURING? Please tell me they don't intend to try and come back from this! I mean honestly, how many people that have been "inconvienence" by this are going to book with Jetsgo again?

They also have this bit of information:
"If you are a customer of Jetsgo and have paid for a flight that is no longer scheduled, you may wish to communicate with the Canadian Transportation Agency: by telephone, 1-888-222-2592, by fax, 1-819-953-5686 or on its website at www.cta.gc.ca"

Tantor

03-11-2005, 06:56 PM

My hubby remembers when Royal used to advertise their fare to London, England on the side of the jet. That alone tells me to stay clear................................

Pixie

03-12-2005, 11:57 AM

A co-worker and her daughter had booked with JetsGo and now they might miss this trip that we planned together. I'm flying American Airlines, we couldn't all get on that flight so she booked with JetsGo. When I think about the look on her face when we heard the news yesterday, I feel like crying. We're trying to get her booked on another flight but it seems everyone and their brother is flying tomorrow.

bunnyfoo

03-12-2005, 12:42 PM

I feel sorry for all of their stranded passengers, especially the children who were looking forward to the March break vacations. I also heard that Jetsgo pilots had to pay $30,000 for their training which they aren't likely to get back :(

Is there any kind of insurance that would cover this kind of situation... if you're left stranded and you need to purchase replacement tickets.

Amberle3

03-12-2005, 03:53 PM

bunnyfoo

03-12-2005, 04:19 PM

Yes, travel insurance with cancellation/interruption would. They sometimes have a limit on the amount, and they wouldn't be valid if the insurance company said that Jetsgo wasn't covered for bankruptcy when the insurance was purchased.

Even for trips within Canada I often recommend cancellation or package insurance. You can never tell what might go wrong. The problem is that many of the people who booked with Jetsgo booked their own tickets, online, and didn't give a second thought to travel insurance. As a TA we're trained that you always offer travel insurance, even if it's just to remind people that it exists.

Thanks for the help Amberle3! Is cancellation/interruption insurance available for people who book tickets through an airline's website? I think I've booked through Air Canada's site a couple of times and I can't remember if that was an option or not? What about if I booked tickets through Aeroplan? Could I get insurance then? :)

Amberle3

03-12-2005, 09:41 PM

For the most part airlines don't offer the insurance on their websites. You'd need to find a website that sells it or call a travel agent to purchase.

It's one of the things I find sad about the online travel business. Most often travellers are never reminded about travel insurance, so if they wind up in a situation where they need it - ooops, too bad.

And now my own self-serving PSA - please check with a travel agent... any travel agent... when planning any trip. Even the quick little in-Canada trips to Edmonton to shop the West Ed Mall or to TO for "culture". If the travel agent's price is the same as online - consider booking with the travel agent. You'll have an extra line of defense when things go wrong, someone dedicated to working for you to set things right, and most importantly someone to remind you of the things like travel insurance that you might overlook.

For instance: Did you know that most provincial health care plans may not fully cover you out of the province? On the other hand a multi-trip annual health plan, valid for up to 8 days each trip, can be purchased for as little as $41 per person per year. Family plans will cover 2 parents and up to 5 kids. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind, but something most people never think about.

Debbie

03-12-2005, 10:16 PM

Family plans will cover 2 parents and up to 5 kids. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind, but something most people never think about.

::yes:: We have that and I love that I don't worry when I head over the to the States for a few hours of shopping, or when my kids head over the border with the choir, or. . .well worth the money IMHO.

PanamaMike

03-13-2005, 09:51 AM

For the most part airlines don't offer the insurance on their websites. You'd need to find a website that sells it or call a travel agent to purchase.

Travel insurance protects you in the event that you have to cancel your trip (illness, schedule conflict, etc) and is well worth the few extra dollars.

In Ontario however, if you book your trip through a travel agent, you are protected under the Travel Industry Compensation Fund in the event your airline, cruise ship, resort, etc, ceases operation before your vacation.

Consumers who booked through registered Ontario travel agents can claim compensation of up to $5,000 per traveler directly from the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund. The reimbursement is limited to $5-million per major event.

The fund is fully industry-sponsored through contributions by travel agents and wholesalers.

Quebec and British Columbia have similar protection.