SOBC

[Koastal Karl]

I heard alot of people complaining today on the SOBC. "Typical BC Ferries", "They charge a fortune to get on the boat then another $7 bucks to get in a lounge" stuff like that. I guess maybe cause it was really crowded today people start complaining. I mean they have taken way too many seats off the SOBC. Like on the SOVI they have those extra seats by the chief stewards office, and by the buffet and also up top by the doors that go outside by the upstairs lounge. I personally think they should get rid of the Seawest lounge and just make it a normal lounge. SOBC is way to crowded now when it's busy. Not that enjoyable when it's busy and crowded now.

[Doug]

There's always the car decks. ;D

[Political Incorrectness]

well your are right karl they should get rid of the seawest lounge and make that a back lounge maybe have a coffee bar there

[Curtis]

Better yet. Make it free to get in and then pay for the stuff you get in there

[Mac Write]

This is exactly what BCF wants. It pushes people into the Pacific Buffet™ and SeaWest Lounge™ which generates revenue.

[Curtis]

Your right they shouldn't of gone private now they have to focus on money they should have stayed public but then they wouldn't of focused as much on customer service except for the Coquitlam being in refit when they were public they're a better company now they just don't have the money for everything

[YZFNick]

BC FERRIE$ Always looking to make a buck of the citizens of BC. Us common folk can stand around like cattle while the POINT GREY FAT CATS can sit in quiet and comfort.

[Low Light Mike]

Looks like Nick has been reading some books by Marx......

[YZFNick]

What else is it than an executive lounge to get away from the common folk? You could say that it's a place for people to work in peace. However, someone who can't afford to lose 95 mins of work would fly rather than kill 1/4 of their day on a boat. And if you don't like crying kids, sit in your freakin car!!! Next companies will be sponsoring voyages! "This 11:00 sailing brought to you by Telus, your neighborhood for-profit telephone company." All this privatization of public companies sounds all fine and dandy when the economy is in high gear, but what happens when we go into a recession? It's not all sunshine and lollypops when you're working for minimum wage and you're spending a 1/4 of your daily earnings to take the ferry home.

[Curtis]

To get away from kids thats what a enclosed children's play area is for but if you are on a ship that doesn't have one and you want peace stay away from the Freakin play area. I've seen on the upper passenger decks of the Spirits that it isn't that crowded just go there and you've got instant space

[YZFNick]

ssh, they might charge money for the upper lounge.

[Koastal Karl]

Well the kids play areas on the Spirits arent enclosed but on the Queen of the North it is!

[QSaanich]

I think the seawest lounge is CRAZY and are thay going to put a seawest lounge in the SOVI.

[Koastal Karl]

I know, they are gonna ruin the SOVI like they did the SOBC.

[Doug]

I thought you liked the change Karl...you seem to be getting negative about the new look of the "C" Class too....

[Koastal Karl]

I do like the new look on certain ships. But I dont like it when all the C class are lthe same. I like a variety between the ships. It's not that exciting when all the ships are the same. I I dont think they should be doing it to the Nanny. The SOVi they can refurbish, but dont do the same as the SOBC. I dont think they should put the SeaWest Lounge on the SOVI. Keep the Lantern Coffee Bar. Just update the SOVI.

[NMcKay]

first of all, they still have the lowest fares in canada for a ferry even with the hedge, and you have top realise that they need a level revenue stream to pay for all these new ferries that they are buying

[Doug]

Karl: pretty much all ships in the fleet were previously the same with the old '60s seats and what not. The Cowichan was changed in '96, but before that? Surrey and Oak Bay were the same. Coquitlam and Cowichan were the same...at least they still have their exterior variety.

[Koastal Karl]

yeah that's true. I just have to get used to it. I havent even been on the Oak Bay yet since her refit.

[Dane]

There are differences between the C Class, you just have to a. find them, b. appreciate them, c. follow them overtime.

All the ships were standardized when they built them, too.

[CN2972South]

I like the Seawest Lounge and use it whenever I get on the Spirit of BC. So I guess that makes me a POINT GREY FAT CAT. I don't mind paying $7 for some peace and quiet and hey, it's cheaper than renting a stateroom.

[Doug]

Ya, speaking of staterooms...where were all the people to complain about THOSE when the ships were built?

[YZFNick]

The NIP used to have 4 state rooms on it, back when it ran up to Port Hardy.

Where are the state rooms on the SOBC? They're probably tucked away in a place that would otherwise be storage. A conference room is a different matter alltogether.

I guess I have no right to complain about a feature on a privately run vessel. But if it's ever returned to government management, it's outta there!

[Koastal Karl]

The Staterooms are on the upper passenger deck near the front of the ship toward the bridge and conferance room!

[cascade]

Karl - this business - the David Hahn style - is about making money and lots of it. Get rid of a few lounge seats - and then charge people $7 to sit in them on the other side of a wall.