On tonight's segment of In Focus with Melanie Risdon, we chat with Free to Fly co-founder Matt Sattler regarding the October 1 lifting of mask mandates and the remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions on airlines and the uphill battle that continues. .Tune in to the Western Standard on Monday, October 3 @ 7 p.m. MDT for In Focus with Melanie Risdon and catch the full interview..In a statement published September 26, Craig Landry, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer at Air Canada said the air carrier "welcomes the removal of these restrictions, acknowledging that air travel is safe and that the measures were not justified by science.". Statement from Air Canada .WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech also provided a statement that same day acknowledging the airline was consistent throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and "advocated for health and safety measures that were grounded in science and data.". Statement from WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech ."Today’s announcement aligns with the travel policies of other major nations, reflects our industry’s outstanding commitment to safety, and recognizes that air travel is no less safe than any other consumer activity," said von Hoensbroech. ."As Canadians and international visitors look to make travel plans, the long-awaited removal of all remaining measures effective October 1, 2022 will further expedite recovery for our industry and the Canadian economy. We are relieved our guests can finally travel with additional confidence and certainty, knowing they can make decisions that are the best for them, and their travel plans won’t be interrupted.". The following day, Free to Fly took to Twitter and called out both Air Canada and WestJet for what it called "gross hypocrisy."."@AirCanada: explain now why you acted BEYOND GOVT REQUIREMENTS, refusing exemptions, placing employees on unpaid leave, costing them millions collectively in lost income, lost homes, failed marriages, mental health issues, and more," said Free to Fly in the post which included the statement from Air Canada. ."Why did you exceed Transport Can reqmts, place employees on unpaid leave, FIRING anyone who did not reveal private medical info?" said Free to Fly in the tweet. ."Those employees? STILL fired & you refuse to bring them back unless they cede rights to justice.".Free to Fly also posted some of the conditions WestJet employees face while looking to return to work after being put on leave without pay or being terminated. ."Even now (after lauding changes to mandate policy) these remain the internal demands at @WestJet for employees fired for not disclosing private medical info who want their jobs back. Please show some strength of character and change this.".According to a screenshot included in the tweet from Free to Fly, West Jet employees must "forego a claim for back pay during your absence," agree to being placed on leave of absence again should the restrictions be brought back, and provided attestation of vaccination status, among other requirements. . Conditions for unvaccinated WestJet employees .Sattler, a pilot for more than 17 years, said he is excited about getting back in the air, but knows the battle is far from over. Free to Fly has retained lawyer Umar Sheikh "as we seek justice and assurance this will never happen again," reads its website. ."As a registered not-for-profit, we have the infrastructure, public standing and connections to coordinate a collective campaign that will resonate throughout Canadian aviation."."Far from being limited to select companies or union members, this campaign will encompass those terminated, on unpaid leave and employees working but coerced into vaccines, across the entire aviation sector.".Free to Fly will seek restitution under these four umbrellas:.reinstatement, back-pay and damages for employees placed on leave without pay, or terminated;severance, back-pay and damages for employees placed on leave without pay, or terminated who cannot or do not want to return to work;a remedy for employees who have felt compelled to retire early because of the proof of COVID-19 vaccination mandate and have had their pensions reduced; anda remedy for employees who were coerced to comply with the proof of COVID-19 vaccination mandate..As of October 1, all travellers arriving at a Canadian airport, regardless of citizenship, will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination through the ArriveCAN app or website, undergo testing before and during arrival, quarantine, or wear face masks while travelling.
