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Post by Kahloke on Sept 30, 2014 11:38:54 GMT -8
And our friend George Capacci will be talking about LNG on Day 2 of the Conference:
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 30, 2014 12:22:39 GMT -8
haha, here's the interesting panel: I needed a good laugh this morning, just having one of those days, when I logged onto our venerable 'Forum' and found this little gem! Minister Stone at that conference??? Oh dear, now more of the world will know what kind of incompetency we live with every day north of the 49th! I can't wait to hear comments from the conference's participants as well reactions from members of the assembled media reporting on that specific conference session.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Oct 13, 2014 0:18:35 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2014 8:12:02 GMT -8
Whats so funny??
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 13, 2014 9:40:46 GMT -8
Yes, I read through this National Post article & on the whole its okay. I think that the writer, however, missed identifying the true 'villain' in this piece, the 'Liberal' Government of British Columbia, the ones who created Franken-Ferries, and the ones who continue to keep it going. On the whole this government seems to be totally incapable of admitting that they have made 'mistakes' and working to correct them.
Perhaps articles in 'influential' national newspapers (that no one could ever pass off as being 'left wing') just might help bring this government to its senses, and this 11-year-long BCFS boondoggle might finally be put to rest.
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Post by northwesterner on Oct 23, 2014 22:44:27 GMT -8
A couple of good points in this article... First, about a month ago, I posted in another thread that one of the biggest failures of the current administration of BC Ferries is their total inability to accept basic economic principles. I felt validated to see a prof. of economics quoted in this article saying the exact same thing. Please note that even if BCF went back to a Crown Corporation (or some type of fully gov't controlled structure), this is an issue in their pricing policy that needs to be addressed. Second, I liked the analysis of their misguided marketing campaign. I don't pay close attention to their marketing attempts, but reading the analysis in this article made me remember how we got stuck with the crappy names on the newest six ferries in the fleet. BCF marketing wanted names that would inspire travel and tourism. Unfortunately, they are ignoring their primary duty as a transportation provider AND trying to compete (especially on the northern routes) with Alaska cruise passengers, who can take an actual cruise, with better service, and more amenities, for less money. This is not a winning strategy. While Corrigan seems to be a nice enough guy (certainly doesn't have the arrogance of Hahn), if BCF is to remain in its current structure (which I don't think is so horrible, really), then they need to address these critical business strategy issues. I'm not sure if Corrigan is the guy that can affect that change.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2014 15:58:37 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 13, 2014 9:41:58 GMT -8
Vancouver Island man’s rant against BC Ferries goes viral
Vancouver Island resident Sean Smith’s rant against BC Ferries’ cruise ship-like operations has gone viral on Facebook. Smith, who is a Canadian war veteran, published his rant just two days ago. At the time of publishing, the post has received nearly 4,000 likes and 3,300 shares. The post targets the ferry corporation’s vessel amenities and marketing strategies, even though it is an essential service between the Island and the mainland.
This comes after the quick demise of last week’s revealed plan that both the ferry corporation and provincial government were considering to axe the major route that runs between West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo’s Departure Bay.
This article comes from VanCityBuzz.com. To see the complete article, and accompanying comments section, go here.
I am always amused by some of the comments; my favourite so far:
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 13, 2014 12:04:41 GMT -8
Vancouver Island man’s rant against BC Ferries goes viral This post of mine is in response to the "Sean Rant" story, not to member Wett Coast's comments on it: I'm still thinking that this here West Coast Ferries Forum is the home of intelligent discussion on ferries issues. Maybe not all of the time, but at least for most of the time. However, to effectively participate in intelligent discussion, people are required to educate themselves on the system and issues, instead of just blowing-off in a rant. Sadly, it's the rediculas-ranters that get most of the attention, while us learned folks get far less attention for our commentary. - and we've seen that the rediculas-ranters have a hard time fitting into our forum style. And I'm still amazed that people can take the entire 28-page PT4 Efficiencies Report and reduce it down to 1 buzz-line of axing a route. I'm glad for this here forum, and the discussions we can have here. Much more productive than the rediculas-rants. ------- ps: I know that "rediculas" isn't a real word. Just in case you were questioning my intelligence....
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Post by Starsteward on Nov 14, 2014 7:04:59 GMT -8
Vancouver Island man’s rant against BC Ferries goes viral This post of mine is in response to the "Sean Rant" story, not to member Wett Coast's comments on it: I'm still thinking that this here West Coast Ferries Forum is the home of intelligent discussion on ferries issues. Maybe not all of the time, but at least for most of the time. However, to effectively participate in intelligent discussion, people are required to educate themselves on the system and issues, instead of just blowing-off in a rant. Sadly, it's the rediculas-ranters that get most of the attention, while us learned folks get far less attention for our commentary. - and we've seen that the rediculas-ranters have a hard time fitting into our forum style. And I'm still amazed that people can take the entire 28-page PT4 Efficiencies Report and reduce it down to 1 buzz-line of axing a route. I'm glad for this here forum, and the discussions we can have here. Much more productive than the rediculas-rants. ------- ps: I know that "rediculas" isn't a real word. Just in case you were questioning my intelligence.... 'Amen' Mr. Horn
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Nov 14, 2014 10:32:36 GMT -8
Boy, it sure doesn't take much to have something go 'viral'. Are people really so easily impressed? Just goes to show that reacting is a lot easier than thinking.
When BC Ferries' Rhonda Daye suggested that this chap could get more information in the annual reports... something tells me he probably won't.
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Post by Mike C on Nov 14, 2014 12:20:37 GMT -8
Boy, it sure doesn't take much to have something go 'viral'. Are people really so easily impressed? Just goes to show that reacting is a lot easier than thinking.
When BC Ferries' Rhonda Daye suggested that this chap could get more information in the annual reports... something tells me he probably won't. I always regret commenting on heated discussions on the internet. I thought, "This time it will be different, Michael. This time they will listen." They did not. I was chastised for my idea that BCFS has been backed into a corner fiscally, and that this was one of their only successful methods of offsetting costs. Crazy concept, right? I hate to bring this up, but you wonder how many of those ill-informed Facebook bandwagon activists used their democratic voice to land us in this predicament in the first place...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2014 15:55:07 GMT -8
I always regret commenting on heated discussions on the internet. I thought, "This time it will be different, Michael. This time they will listen." They did not. I was chastised for my idea that BCFS has been backed into a corner fiscally, and that this was one of their only successful methods of offsetting costs. Crazy concept, right? I hate to bring this up, but you wonder how many of those ill-informed Facebook bandwagon activists used their democratic voice to land us in this predicament in the first place... I can see where you're coming from. I commented on the VanCity Buzz article, then had second thoughts about it later. In the end, I decided to leave it up as it was just my own thoughts written out. The CFA is what it is I guess.
PS to all BC Members 18+ - if you haven't voted yet, get out and vote tomorrow.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 16:31:34 GMT -8
Here's the News Release on the proposed Fare Flexibility changes. For discussion on this issue, including excerpts from the Application to the Commissionner, please view this thread: Fare Flexibility
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 14, 2015 21:25:21 GMT -8
I don't know who the main BC Ferries PR rep is these days, but whatever they're being paid, it can't possibly be enough.
In a recent article in the Vancouver Sun, Stephen Hume remarked, "You can't make this stuff up", when referring to the fact that BC Ferries was officially privatized on April Fool's Day, 2003.
Now, BC Ferries has been caught improperly charging emergency medical services for tiny delays in scheduled sailings. Mike Corrigan calls it a 'misunderstanding', among other things.
Could that black cloud of public perception that follows BC Ferries around get any darker? Who knows. Maybe next week. You can't make this stuff up...
globalnews.ca/news/1772430/bc-ferries-policy-of-charging-ambulances-for-ferry-delays-under-scrutiny/
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Post by Starsteward on Jan 15, 2015 7:55:27 GMT -8
I don't know who the main BC Ferries PR rep is these days, but whatever they're being paid, it can't possibly be enough.
In a recent article in the Vancouver Sun, Stephen Hume remarked, "You can't make this stuff up", when referring to the fact that BC Ferries was officially privatized on April Fool's Day, 2003.
Now, BC Ferries has been caught improperly charging emergency medical services for tiny delays in scheduled sailings. Mike Corrigan calls it a 'misunderstanding', among other things.
Could that black cloud of public perception that follows BC Ferries around get any darker? Who knows. Maybe next week. You can't make this stuff up...
globalnews.ca/news/1772430/bc-ferries-policy-of-charging-ambulances-for-ferry-delays-under-scrutiny/ Mike Corrigan must truly believe that the general public are complete idiots as he tries to explain-away the charging of additional tariiffs to BC Ambulance for sailing delays as a 'misunderstanding'! I ask, a 'misunderstanding' of what? According to the Global News report by John Daly, BC Ambulance must route their 'delay' request through the BC Ferries Operations centre rather than directly to the vessel, where the Master would make the call as to the length of time the delay could be granted. This is an operational policy with waiting time fees attached. BC Ambulance service and their paramedics are FIRST RESPONDERS, attempting to get someone requiring hospitalization to their destination, and we're charging them for that? Damn unconscionable! Mr. Corrigan seems to think he can justify this practice as a 'misunderstanding'? What's next? BC Ferries charging additional fees to respond to marine radio, channel 16 calls?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2015 13:26:36 GMT -8
Mike Corrigan must truly believe that the general public are complete idiots as he tries to explain-away the charging of additional tariiffs to BC Ambulance for sailing delays as a 'misunderstanding'! I ask, a 'misunderstanding' of what? According to the Global News report by John Daly, BC Ambulance must route their 'delay' request through the BC Ferries Operations centre rather than directly to the vessel, where the Master would make the call as to the length of time the delay could be granted. This is an operational policy with waiting time fees attached. BC Ambulance service and their paramedics are FIRST RESPONDERS, attempting to get someone requiring hospitalization to their destination, and we're charging them for that? Damn unconscionable! Mr. Corrigan seems to think he can justify this practice as a 'misunderstanding'? What's next? BC Ferries charging additional fees to respond to marine radio, channel 16 calls? Haha, I was also surprised at this new fee, especially when I saw the anecdote that they would charge $2000 for delaying ten minutes. But I can understand the company doing this, with all the bad press about fares, and the public complaining about it. No stone is being left unturned, and I think some discretion is still left to the Master, as to whether to charge a 2000 fee or not. If the public is seriously unhappy about this setup, then I would encourage everyone to vote at the next provincial election, in May of 2017. In 2013, voter turnout was a mere 50-52% depending on how you look at it.
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mrdot
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Post by mrdot on Jan 15, 2015 21:25:43 GMT -8
:)if BC ferries were officially privitized, we would never know what hit us, as cuts would look like the target stores, and only the most profitable runs would be in place, and not at any 'unprofitable hours' unless crusty needed a hi-end taxi ride! :)mrdot.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 15, 2015 22:08:52 GMT -8
:)if BC ferries were officially privitized, we would never know what hit us, as cuts would look like the target stores, and only the most profitable runs would be in place, and not at any 'unprofitable hours' unless crusty needed a hi-end taxi ride! :)mrdot.You're probably right... we should be thankful for small mercies, in this case, that the privatization was a sham, and that some of the more corporatist elements of the Liberal party didn't get to do what they really wanted to do.
And, boy, how about Target, eh? Haven't we always been told that it's government that doesn't know how to run a business? (I thought of inserting a 'smiley' here, but the fact is, there are a lot of people losing their jobs.)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2015 16:16:51 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 20, 2015 14:05:04 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 20, 2015 17:11:38 GMT -8
I thought that if you arrive late, you are not to be penalized by missing the sailing. Shouldn't BCFerries re-tie the ferry and lower the ramp again, and make everyone else wait? I don't like this crazy world where people are expected to take personal responsibility for themselves and where we are expected to act like adults. ------- In various reports on this video, the tantrum is said to have happened in the morning on December 31st. Assuming that this was a potential Route-1 passenger (gulf islanders are much more laid back than that, and Duke Point doesn't serve princeses) there would have been a next sailing 1 hour later, or at least 2 hours later. An opportunity to relax and chill.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2015 17:33:13 GMT -8
Thank you, FH. Even if this was a winter Saturday, and she missed the last sailing to Duke, all she had to do was go to HSB.
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Post by Scott on Jan 22, 2015 21:26:35 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 30, 2015 18:47:59 GMT -8
A jumper on a Queen of Oak Bay sailing, today. He was recovered, alive. A sad situation that is tough on the crew. And hopefully the jumper finds peace. News story HERE- check out the photo credit.
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