I'm "realigning" my feelings towards Air Canada

If by "realigning" you mean weakening. Which is how Air Canada uses the word. In a seemingly never ending series of service degradations here is yet another unintentionally hilarious press release from good ol' Air Canada.

What's New!

Air Canada realigns checked baggage policy

Air Canada said today that it will implement changes to its checked baggage policy on flights within Canada, and between Canada and the U.S. including Hawaii, effective May 15, 2008 for travel on or after July 15, 2008.

Under the new policy, customers who purchase Tango and Tango Plus tickets may check one bag at no charge and a second bag for a $25 service fee. Tango and Tango Plus customers will continue to have the choice of customizing their fare including obtaining a discount when travelling without checked luggage.

...

There is no change in the checked bag policy for customers purchasing Latitude and Executive Class tickets. As well, Air Canada Elite, Super Elite and Prestige members in addition to Star Alliance Gold and Silver members maintain their current baggage allowance when purchasing Tango and Tango Plus fares. Baggage allowance for travel to and from countries other than Canada and the United States will remain unchanged. This includes North American flights as part of international travel. View complete details of new Air Canada's baggage policies.

Air Canada will continue to review its policies to determine what adjustments are to be made so that, against a backdrop of record high fuel costs, it continues to provide the products and services that respond to customer demand while offering every day low fares.

Comments to bold above:

"Realigns"??? Seriously? Call a spade a spade and say they are weakening their service offering.

"may check one bag at no charge and a second bag for a $25 service fee" - it should read something like 'you may no longer check two bags for free, you now have to pay $25 for the second one.' Also interesting AC puts a value of $25 on one checked bag (apparently the amount it costs in fuel to take 1 more bag) but then only gives you a credit for $3 if you don't check ANY baggage. If AC is so concerned about fuel loads why don't you offer me $25 for EACH checked bag I don't bring? Sounds fair right?

"against a backdrop of record high fuel costs, it continues to provide the products and services that respond to customer demand while offering every day low fares" - While fuel is expensive no question, AC already charges everyone a fuel surcharge which it rolled into its fare - "Fuel Surcharges: For travel within Canada and between Canada and the U.S., the fuel surcharge is included in the base fare."

What Air Canada didn't say is that they are just following the lead of US carriers who did the same thing in February of this year. Let us see if WestJet follows suit.

I'm surprised Air Canada didn't call this a "service enhancement" in that now you don't need to schlep 2 bags to the airport! Great news!