SoundHound's millionaire boss founded 3 software startups before even graduating—he tells Gen Z who want to be their own boss ‘throw darts randomly'
As someone who immigrated from Iran at age 17 knowing little English, becoming a tech entrepreneur one day may have seemed like a far-fetched dream. But Keyvan Mohajer always kept the mindset: You cannot hit big unless you try.
And try he did. By the time he walked across the stage at the University of Toronto to receive his bachelor's degree in engineering, Mohajer already had three software companies to his name. Each later became profitable and helped seed the voice-AI project he began in his Stanford dorm room in 2004—which evolved into SoundHound AI.
Today, the AI-voice communication company is worth more than $6.5 billion and has landed deals with clients including Nvidia, Snapchat, Mercedes-Benz, and more.
For Mohajer, who serves as CEO, failure has only ever served as motivation. And, it's a lesson Gen Z eager to launch side gigs can learn from: The willingness to go out on a limb and build a company from scratch may sound intimidating—but it only takes one good idea to explode into major success.
'Every attempt, you should think of it as this is the one that's going to succeed… Because if you just throw darts randomly at the target, for every attempt, there is the one that's going to get the bullseye,' Mohajer tells Fortune.
From dorm room to the boardroom
Mohajer grew up always fascinated by two things: movies and robots. So, after first seeing Star Trek, he always dreamed of how to bring computerized voice systems into the real world. But only after meeting his later cofounders, James Hom and Majid Emami, during his Stanford electrical engineering doctoral program did he realize he could be part of the team to make it a reality.
Their first product was simple: query by humming. Two weeks prior to Christmas, the team didn't leave their dorm room until they could build a product that could take their database of 20,000 media files and detect what song was being hummed. But by December 24, the code was cracked.'It was on Christmas Eve that I finally hummed this Godfather soundtrack, and it told me, 'You're singing The Godfather,'' he said to the Iranian Students of California's The Tale of a Success series.
His pitch to investors became simple: AI-powered voice is the future. 'In 20 years we will talk to computers and they will talk back to us and that will change computing.'
And while it took years for SoundHound to get up off the ground, he tells Fortune finding his passion, or what makes his 'heart beat faster,' has been core to his success today.
'You can do things and go through life and get by and check boxes and be average,' he says. 'But I really wanted to be excellent, and I wanted to push boundaries. I want to go to places others haven't gone before, and that gave me the drive to be an entrepreneur and just push the limits and combining the two.'
While SoundHound's market performance has had dramatic ebbs and flows, the stock price is up over 200% in the past year. This is thanks in part to a better-than-expected earnings report from earlier this month; the company's revenue is up 217% year-over-year. Its market cap is over $6.5 billion.
Founders who got their start in the dorm room
At a time when college students are questioning the value of a degree, SoundHound's founding story is another reminder of the innovation that often spurs across college campuses—even if it is just from cofounders meeting for the first time.
Companies such as Databricks, a $62 billion data software company, as well as Google, worth over $2.4 trillion, also planted roots in college. Both sets of founders met on Stanford's campus.
But there perhaps is no more famous company that spurred from the college experience than Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg met his cofounders, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes at Harvard University and built the foundation of the social platform now known as Meta (now worth nearly $2 trillion).
The billionaire returned to his alma mater in 2017 and said he never expected to be such an entrepreneurial success story.
'The thing is, it never even occurred to me that someone might be us,' Zuckerberg said. 'We were just college kids. We didn't know anything about that. There were all these big technology companies with resources. I just assumed one of them would do it.'
'We've all started lifelong friendships here, and some of us even families,' he added. 'That's why I'm so grateful to this place. Thanks, Harvard.'
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
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25 ways to get the most out of your smart home tech
How to get the best from your house tech Smart home tech has come a long way in the past few years. It's estimated that more than 130 million homes around the world have at least one smart speaker, according to Statistica, and that's set to rocket to 335 million by 2027. From Amazon Echo and Google Home to Apple HomePod, today's home hubs are faster and smarter than ever, but how do you choose from the vast array of tech out there? And how do you get the most from it? From surprising hacks and privacy protection to the latest innovations on the horizon, click or scroll on to discover which gadgets will enhance your home. Free voice-controlled smart home app A smart home hub, like Amazon Echo and Google Home, serves as a central control point for various smart devices in your home to control smart tech such as lights, thermostats and cameras. The best-known devices can cost between £19.99 ($25) and £299 ($372), but there is a budget-friendly alternative for anyone who owns an iPhone or iPad. The Apple Home app (also known as Apple HomeKit) is free to download and lets you control any compatible smart home devices without the need for a physical hub. It may not have all the bells and whistles of the main hubs on the market, but it'll let you control your heating and lighting with just a few words to Siri. Alexa has 100,000 skills and counting Launched in 2014, Amazon's smart assistant now has over 100,000 skills, apps designed especially for Alexa, that homeowners can use with voice commands. These include booking an Uber, playing your favourite Spotify playlists, finding your phone, making a donation to charity or even starting your car. Innovations are happening all the time, too. During the pandemic, smart security systems grew by 23% and it is predicted that 20% of households worldwide will own smart home technologies by 2025, according to The Tech Report. Apple doesn't rule in the smart home Interestingly, while Apple may prove popular when it comes to laptops and smartphones, smart speakers are a different story. Of the 10 countries surveyed, only China showed a preference for Apple HomePod, according to Statista. In 2023, Amazon Echo was the most popular choice of smart speaker in homes across the UK, US, Germany, Brazil, India and Canada. Sweden and the Netherlands preferred Google Home, while homes in South Korea opted for KT speakers. Home hubs aren't necessarily portable It's worth noting that the Amazon Echo and Google Home aren't portable speakers, they need to be plugged in at the wall. So if you want to use your voice assistant throughout the house, you'll need at least one separate unit upstairs or at different ends of the home. However, you can buy Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled portable wireless speakers that have a rechargeable battery, like the Ultimate Ears Megablast or Sharkk Boombox. But you can't use them to control other smart home devices. Smart speakers listen for their 'wake' word In the UK alone, almost 50% of 25 to 64-year-olds own a smart speaker according to Statista. It's thought that over 35% of American adults now own one, as reported by news site NPR. While not eavesdropping on your conversations, the Amazon Echo and Google Home are always listening for their wake words: 'Alexa' in the case of the Echo and 'OK, Google' or 'Hey, Google' in the case of the Google Home unit. They can react quickly to any command you give. Depending on your smart device, there are various ways to stop it from listening in, which range from turning off the microphone to turning the device off completely. Don't place your smart speaker near a window Once you've started with smart devices, there are a range of precautions you can take to keep your smart home safe. As anyone can control your Amazon Echo or Google Home hub with their voice, it's important to keep your unit away from any windows. Otherwise, an unscrupulous person could shout commands through your window or even make a purchase and then intercept the parcel when it's being delivered. Every smart home device is a potential invitation to hackers Any internet-connected gadget that isn't protected by a secure password could be accessed by a hacker, who could steal your data or take control of the device for nefarious purposes. If they managed to get into your Wi-Fi network through your router they could easily take over any other devices on the network that don't have a password. Remember, always change default passwords to your own secure ones, and always install software updates when they become available. Voice purchasing on the Amazon Echo is on by default One of the benefits of the Echo is that you can buy things from Amazon using just your voice. However, it does mean that anyone, including children, can shop through your device. As voice purchasing is automatically activated from the outset, you'll need to turn it off if you don't want your tiny terrors ordering 20 different Paw Patrol toys... Your wireless camera could be spying on you Wireless security cameras can be easy to hack as their passwords sometimes can't be changed, or they may not even be password-protected to begin with. This means someone could access your camera footage over the internet. Always choose a camera from a reputable brand and change the default password to a secure one as soon as it's installed. Not all smart toys are safe Some connected toys, which typically use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, are less than secure. Hackers can target wireless links or outdated software. In some cases, a device's data can be stolen, its camera or microphone can be accessed or it can be used as an entry point into your home network. It isn't just tablets, game consoles and smartwatches that are vulnerable. Toys that have been exploited in recent years include Furby Connect, the i-Que Intelligent Robot, CloudPets and My Friend Cayla as reported by All Tech Magazine. Experts recommend researching toys before you buy them, installing software and firmware updates as soon as they're released and supervising your child when playing with smart toys. Build a geofence Geofencing creates an invisible fence around your home. When you cross it while carrying your smartphone it triggers a pre-set routine. For example, you could use it to automatically turn off all the lights, lock the front door and start your car when you leave for work in the morning. Since your phone always knows where you are, you can set your devices to respond to certain cues throughout your day. So you can set your home thermostat to boost the heat or your air conditioner to cool things down when you leave the office, ensuring the perfect temperature to welcome you home. Wave goodbye to cold callers So there's plenty to think about with safety, but what can smart tech do to make our lives easier? The Video Doorbell from Ring, which is now owned by Amazon, sends you alerts via an app on your phone, tablet or computer when someone is at your door. You can then use the app to see who it is and you can speak to them without leaving the comfort of your sofa. The wired version starts at £49.99 ($62), while wireless models start at £99.99 ($124). Throw the ultimate parties with smart lighting The perfect gadget for creating ambience at a dinner party, smart bulbs, like the ones from Philips Hue, for example, allow you to change your lighting preferences with just your voice. Compatible with Amazon Echo and Google Home hubs, you can customise the colour and tone of your lights or pick one of the pre-set scenes. Google Home knows which calendar is yours If you own a Google Home Nest Hub, you can link up to six different voices with Voice Match, enabling the Google Assistant to recognise each person in your household. This means that when you say 'OK Google, what's my agenda for today?' it will tell you your schedule, not your partner's or roommate's. Smart gadgets can help you stay safe at home There are smart home products out there that work to keep you safe, rather than adding to your worries. Welcome to the world of smart safety and security which achieved 22.6% of the smart home tech market share in 2023, according to The Tech Report. The Vivint Smart Home security system is a full-blown home security system that gives you 24/7 monitoring and full control over door locks, cameras, thermostats and lights. Meanwhile, The Nest Protect alerts you through your phone if smoke or carbon monoxide is detected on your property. With a shelf life of up to a decade, it sounds an alarm on both the unit and your phone if unsafe levels are found. Robot vacuums have come a long way Robot vacuums have progressed since the first Roomba hit the market way back in 2002, says magazine Good Housekeeping. These days, the ingenious gadgets create a floorplan of your home and can avoid all sorts of obstacles placed in their path, they can even recognise things they shouldn't hoover up (like earbuds) and swerve to avoid them. The iRobot Roomba s9+ adjusts suction when it moves between hard floors and carpet, is self-emptying and you can give it voice commands to clean certain areas. At just three inches (7.6cm) tall, the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac can suck up even the hardest-to-reach fluff under your sofa, while the Roborock S7 can vacuum and wet-mop your floors simultaneously. Impressive! Do more than count steps with smart health tech The pandemic sparked an increase in home health and fitness tech and it continued to grow even after gyms re-opened. Lululemon Studio, a futuristic smart mirror, has partnered with Peloton so users have thousands of classes available in an instant, from dancing and boxing to pilates and weights. All you have to do is watch your instructor and literally mirror them to ensure you're using perfect form. Meanwhile, gizmos that would have sounded absurdly futuristic just a few years ago, think automatic pill dispensers, disinfecting UV lights, indoor air quality sensors and smart water filters that alert you to drinking water issues in real-time, are all very, very real. Window tech can improve privacy and security Once the height of luxury only seen in Bond films or the poshest hotels, remote-controlled curtains and blinds are now easier and cheaper to install in your home than ever before. Not only can you set a timer to open and close them to fit your schedule, you can also control your curtains from your phone, which means you could trick potential burglars into thinking you're at home while you're actually sitting on a beach in the Caribbean, sipping from a coconut. You can play with your pet remotely If you have a cat or dog at home, it might be worth looking into smart tech to improve their life (and yours). Furbo's 360 Dog Camera has colour night vision and it fully rotates to keep track of your dog in the room. You can talk to your pup, get real-time barking alerts and even toss them treats. They also do a cat version, with a feather wand toy to keep them out of mischief. And there's tech to help you clean up after them And to clean up after your pets the smart way, the Roomba j7 suggests extra cleaning sessions during your pet's shedding season and avoids any pet waste. Meanwhile, high-tech cat litter boxes like the one pictured can automatically separate soiled litter from clean, some incorporate night lights and automatic deodorising spritzers, something we're sure even the fussiest cats will appreciate! A smart home can help people age well If you think the home you live in or are about to move into, will be your forever home, it's worth planning for the future and considering what integrated smart tech could help you in later life. These days smart loos have multiple jets, a warm air dryer, in-bowl night light and infra-red user detection for an automatic flush and lid opening and closing. While it might seem like a fun gizmo, smart health and hygiene products, including smart showers, air purifiers, motion sensor lights, fall detectors and more, can be of huge help to those with mobility or other health issues. Robot gardeners are better than ever While we're busy filling our homes with all the latest tech offerings, it's easy to overlook our gardens. Modern mowers now have rain sensors and lawn sweeping capabilities. They don't even need boundary wires any more, you can just plot a virtual boundary on your phone. Outdoor smart plugs, spotlight cameras and automated sprinklers with weather-based scheduling tech are all available to make our garden that little bit easier to manage and enjoy. You can even get Wi-Fi-enabled gas barbeques that offer programmable smart recipes and LED lights for night grilling. You can have a smart home without the wires If you're intrigued about the idea of smart tech, but can't quite face the idea of a house full of ugly wires, there are plenty of solutions. You can conceal wires with cable trunking, which you can paint to blend into your wall or use cable clips to snake them up the back of furniture legs. Hide modems or speakers on shelves behind a row of false books or inside a basket. Keep the lid off as completely covering up electrical goods can pose a fire risk. Create a dedicated charging nook A wireless charging station like this one cuts the number of wires on your desk or bedside table from three to one, and there's a variety to choose from to suit your home, from futuristic designs to wood finishing. Otherwise, consider creating a dedicated charging nook, where everyone takes their devices to charge, rather than having several plugs scattered around the house. Mastering routines is the key to an automated home While all these gadgets are certainly fun, they really start to make a difference when they're integrated. Setting up automation might sound daunting, but it's simply a way of making all your smart tech work together, for you. You can set automation, also known as routines, via your device's app or a smart-home platform app, and it's simply stringing together various functions. For example, you could create a morning routine that opens the curtains, turns on the news and brews your morning coffee once the clock hits 7 am. Sign us up for that!
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Did Nvidia Make a Mistake by Selling SoundHound AI Stock? The Answer Might Surprise You.
Key Points SoundHound AI stock is generating blistering revenue growth right now, as some of the world's biggest brands adopt its conversational artificial intelligence software. Nvidia used to be a SoundHound shareholder, but the chip giant sold its entire stake towards the end of 2024. SoundHound stock is soaring right now, but that doesn't mean Nvidia made the wrong move. 10 stocks we like better than SoundHound AI › Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has become the world's largest company on the back of surging demand for its data center chips, which are the gold standard for developing artificial intelligence (AI) models. The chip giant occasionally puts its vast financial resources to work by investing in other AI companies, and SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN) was one of them. SoundHound is a specialist in conversational AI technologies, and its customers include some of the world's biggest brands. Nvidia first revealed its stake in the company in a 13-F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2024, but the chipmaker had sold its entire position by December. SoundHound's revenue tripled during its most recent quarter, and its stock is up by a whopping 40% in the past month alone. Did Nvidia make a mistake by dumping its position? Read on for the surprising answer. A leader in conversational AI SoundHound's conversational AI applications are popular in a variety of industries, but they are experiencing particularly high demand in quick-service restaurant chains and with automotive brands that want to include a powerful AI assistant in their new vehicles. In the restaurant space, SoundHound's Voice AI technology can accept customer orders autonomously in-store, over the phone, and in the drive-thru. It can also answer queries from employees, whether they need help making menu items or need clarity on a particular store policy. Chains like Chipotle, Krispy Kreme, and Papa John's are just a few of SoundHound's customers. In the automotive industry, companies like Hyundai and Stellantis (Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge) are using SoundHound's Chat AI software in their latest vehicles. It can give drivers information about the weather, stocks, and everything in between with a simple voice command, and manufacturers can customize its personality to suit their brand. Last August, SoundHound acquired another conversational AI specialist called Amelia. The joint companies recently launched a new platform called Amelia 7, which allows businesses to create custom AI agents that can assist customers with their inquiries or even help employees troubleshoot technical issues. Of course, these agents can be controlled entirely with voice commands. SoundHound's revenue is absolutely skyrocketing SoundHound generated a record $42.6 million in total revenue during the second quarter of 2025 (ended June 30), which was a blistering 217% increase from the year-ago period. The strong result gave management the confidence to increase its full-year revenue guidance for 2025 from $167 million to $169 million (at the midpoint of the forecast range), which would be a 99% increase compared to 2024. That would mark an acceleration from the 85% growth SoundHound generated last year, highlighting the significant momentum in its business. But that growth is coming at a significant cost, because SoundHound continues to burn truckloads of cash. It lost $74.7 million on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis during the second quarter, which was twice as much as it lost in the year-ago period. SoundHound did suffer a one-off, $31 million hit to its bottom line from a liability associated with one of its acquisitions during the quarter, but even after stripping it out -- along with every other one-off and non-cash expense -- the company still lost $11.8 million. SoundHound has a solid balance sheet with $230 million in cash on hand and no debt, so it can sustain losses of that size for the foreseeable future. However, the company will eventually have to prioritize profitability, or else it might need to raise capital, which could dilute existing shareholders. Cost cuts would almost certainly dent SoundHound's revenue growth, which is something for investors to keep in mind. Here's why Nvidia didn't make a mistake by selling SoundHound stock Nvidia never told investors why it sold SoundHound stock, but if I had to speculate, I think its valuation likely had something to do with the decision. Its price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is trading at an eye-popping level of 48.6, which is more than a 50% premium to Nvidia's P/S ratio of 29.9. It was even more expensive when Nvidia sold it toward the end of 2024, because its P/S ratio was hovering near 100. SoundHound will quickly grow into its current valuation if its revenue continues to increase at such a blistering pace, but the financial results of companies in the early stages of commercialization are notoriously unpredictable, so there's no guarantee it will. Moreover, Nvidia is one of the highest quality companies in the world with a track record of success that spans decades, a rock-solid balance sheet, and surging profits, so I don't think SoundHound deserves to trade at a premium to the chip giant. Nvidia held 1.73 million SoundHound shares, which would've been worth around $27.7 million at the current price of $16. Given the chip giant's market cap of $4.4 trillion, a total loss would've been a mere rounding error. However, holding a stock with such a steep valuation opens the door to substantial downside if the underlying company falters, so I don't think Nvidia made a mistake by closing its position. Should you invest $1,000 in SoundHound AI right now? Before you buy stock in SoundHound AI, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and SoundHound AI wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $663,630!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,115,695!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,071% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Anthony Di Pizio has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: short September 2025 $60 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Did Nvidia Make a Mistake by Selling SoundHound AI Stock? The Answer Might Surprise You. was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Travel Weekly
4 hours ago
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Canadian government forces Air Canada flight attendants back to work
TORONTO (AP) -- Canada's government forced Air Canada and its striking flight attendants back to work and into arbitration Saturday after a work stoppage stranded more than 100,000 travelers around the world during the peak summer travel season. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said now is not the time to take risks with the economy, noting the unprecedented tariffs the U.S. has imposed on Canada. The intervention means the 10,000 flight attendants will return to work soon. The government's action came less than 12 hours after workers walked off the job. "The talks broke down. It is clear that the parties are not any closer to resolving some of the key issues that remain and they will need help with the arbitrator," Hajdu said. Hajdu said the full resumption of services could take days, noting it is up to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. Meanwhile, Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees union, accused the government of violating the flight attendants' constitutional right to strike -- and decried Hajdu for only waiting hours to intervene. "The Liberal government is rewarding Air Canada's refusal to negotiate fairly by giving them exactly what they wanted," Lesosky said. Air Canada did not immediately have additional comments when reached Saturday afternoon. But Air Canada COO Mark Nasr previously said it could take up to a week to fully restart operations. It's likely that travelers will continue to see disruptions in the coming days. The shutdown of Canada's largest airline early Saturday is impacting about 130,000 people a day, and some 25,000 Canadians may be stranded. Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day. According to numbers from aviation analytics provider Cirium, Air Canada had canceled a total of 671 flights by Saturday afternoon, following 199 on Friday. And another 96 flights scheduled for Sunday were already suspended. Hajdu ordered the Canada Industrial Relations Board to extend the term of the existing collective agreement until a new one is determined by the arbitrator. "Canadians rely on air travel every day, and its importance cannot be understated," she said. Union spokesman Hugh Pouliot didn't immediately know what day workers would return to work. "We're on the picket lines until further notice," he said. The bitter contract fight escalated Friday as the union turned down Air Canada's prior request to enter into government-directed arbitration, which allows a third-party mediator to decide the terms of a new contract. 'Such little progress has been made' Flight attendants walked off the job around 1 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday. Around the same time, Air Canada said it would begin locking flight attendants out of airports. Ian Lee, an associate professor at Carleton University's Sprott School of Business, earlier noted the government repeatedly intervenes in transportation strikes. "They will intervene to bring the strike to an end. Why? Because it has happened 45 times from 1950 until now," Lee said. "It is all because of the incredible dependency of Canadians." Last year, the government forced the country's two major railroads into arbitration with their labor union during a work stoppage. The union for the rail workers is suing, arguing the government is removing a union's leverage in negotiations. The Business Council of Canada had urged the government to impose binding arbitration in this case, too. And the Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the intervention. "With valuable cargo grounded and passengers stranded, the government made the right decision to refer the two sides to binding arbitration," said Matthew Holmes, the executive vice president for the Chamber of Commerce. He added that "close to a million Canadians and international visitors could be impacted" if it takes Air Canada a week to be fully operational again. Hajdu maintained that her Liberal government is not anti-union, saying it is clear the two sides are at an impasse. Travelers in limbo Passengers whose flights are impacted will be eligible to request a full refund on the airline's website or mobile app, according to Air Canada. The airline said it would also offer alternative travel options through other Canadian and foreign airlines when possible. Still, it warned that it could not guarantee immediate rebooking because flights on other airlines are already full "due to the summer travel peak." Many travelers expressed frustration over Air Canada's response to the strike. Jean‐Nicolas Reyt, 42, said he had heard little from Air Canada just hours before his upcoming flight from France scheduled for Sunday. "What's stressful is to not hear anything from Air Canada," said Reyt, who is trying to return to Montreal, where he is an associate professor of organizational behavior at McGill University. He said he only received one email from the airline on Thursday warning of potential strike disruptions, but had no further information as of Saturday evening in Cannes, where he was visiting family. Reyt assumes his upcoming flight could be canceled -- much like the scores of other lengthy disruptions this weekend. "I'm just very surprised that Air Canada let it go this far," he said. "It's really a bit disheartening that they fly you somewhere abroad and then they just don't fly you back." Jennifer MacDonald, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, expressed similar frustration. She has been trying to help her brother and cousin get home to Edmonton, Alberta since the second leg of their Air Canada trip was canceled during what was supposed to be a one-hour layover in Montreal on Friday night. The two had to pay $300 out of their own pocket for a hotel, MacDonald said. All Saturday morning, they tried to look for rebooking options, but everything was sold out. Eventually, they opted to book a new flight for Aug. 22 out of Halifax, with another family member volunteering to make an eight-hour drive to pick them up in Montreal and bring them back east on Saturday. "It will be a multiday ordeal and a multi-thousand dollar trip," MacDonald said. But as stressful as the disruptions have been, she added that her family stands in solidarity with the flight attendants. "We hope that Air Canada lifts the lockout and negotiates fairly." Following the news of the Canadian government forcing arbitration on Saturday, Reyt also expressed concern for Air Canada's flight attendants. "I think the flight attendants are making some reasonable arguments," he said, adding that he hopes the intervention isn't "a way just to silence them." Sides are far apart on pay Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees have been in contract talks for about eight months, but they have yet to reach a tentative deal. Both sides say they remain far apart on the issue of pay and the unpaid work flight attendants do when planes aren't in the air. "We are heartbroken for our passengers. Nobody wants to see Canadians stranded or anxious about their travel plans but we cannot work for free," Natasha Stea, an Air Canada flight attendant and local union president, said before the government intervention was announced. The attendants are about 70% women. Stea said Air Canada pilots, who are male dominated, received a significant raise last year and questioned whether they are getting fair treatment. The airline's latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation, including benefits and pensions over four years, that it said "would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada." But the union pushed back, saying the proposed 8% raise in the first year didn't go far enough because of inflation.
