Westjet Review

Yesterday I had my first opportunity to travel on the Canadian carrier Westjet (http://www.westjet.com) from Tampa to Montreal via Toronto. I booked my one-way ticket through Expedia (http://www.expedia.com) and it cost only $140 U.S., about $60 less than I had paid for my trip down.
My general impression was favourable, given the rigours of air travel today. Most appealing, there is no additional charge to check a bag. I have become used to having to pay $25 or so on most airlines in North America. Both planes were newer versions of the Boeing 737, and while leg room was close to non-existent, seats were comfortable.
Westjet does charge for almost everything on board, and since the airline has gone cashless you could become a very hungry camper if you did not happen to have a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) with you. The only thing available for free is juice or soft drinks and a tiny package of pretzels or a cookie. I sampled one of the sandwiches (turkey and brie) for $6.50 and found it soggy but otherwise OK. I did not try the inflight entertainment (which costs extra,) but was able to catch part of the hockey game on the screen of a guy in front of me.
In Toronto I found the transfer process a little less difficult than it had been last summer with Air Canada. You still need to go through customs in Toronto, then schlep your bag to another area for re-shipping. The area is not very well marked and would be easy to miss.
My flight to Toronto arrived ahead of schedule, and when I got to the boarding area for my Montreal flight another Westjet flight to Montreal was taking on passengers. I asked about getting on it, and was told I could but there would be a $56 charge and I would still have to wait for my bag to arrive on the next flight. I decided to wait for the next flight myself.
Westjet isn't Air Canada's Rapid Air (with almost hourly flights between Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa and easy re-booking,) but it doesn't cost as much either.
For greater savings on Westjet flights, become a Facebook friend or a Twitter follower and look for the special deals offered on Thursdays until they sell out.