 The NetLetter
For Air Canada Retirees
(part of the ACFamily Network)
April 30, 2011 - Issue 1162
|
|
| |
|
First Issue published in October 1995!
(over 5,400 subscribers)
|
Donation Information
|
Send cheques payable to "ACFamily Network" to:
ACFamily Network
#800 - 15355 24th Ave, Suite 523
Surrey, BC V4A 2H9
or
Pay by Credit Card
|
| Sponsors |
 |
|
|
| Greetings! |
We welcome you to allow the NetLetter to be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC, Wardair. etal. and share your experiences with us!
The NetLetter is an email newsletter published every weekend and contains a mixture of nostalgia, current news and travel tips. We encourage our readers to submit their stories, photos and/or comments from either days gone by or from present day experiences and trips. If we think that the rest of our readers will enjoy it, we will publish it here
We also This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.
The NetLetter, which is free, is open to anyone that wishes to subscribe but is targeted to retired employees from Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and all the other companies that were part of what Air Canada is today. Thanks for joining us!
Terry & your NetLetter Team
|
| CAHS Upcoming Events - Compiled by Alan Rust |
 We have a listing below of all the CAHS (Canadian Aviation Historical Society) upcoming events that we are aware of. If you are at all interested in Canadian aviation history, then we encourage you to attend a meeting or visit their web site at: www.cahs.ca |
|
CAHS National Convention
Edmonton - June 22th to 26th - Mark your calendars for the CAHS 48th annual convention where they will explore the rich aviation history of Edmonton, the province of Alberta, and Canada's North.
Presentations will range from civil and military aviation topics, to how regional heritage institutions are promoting this fascinating history, to creative ways authors are bringing these subjects to new audiences.
See: www.cahs.ca/events/convention.html for complete details.
|
|
 Vancouver Chapter
Date: May 10, 2011
Time: 1900 hrs
Guest Speaker: TBA
For more info call Jerry Vernon at (604) 420-6065
|
|
 Toronto Chapter
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011
Time: 1300 hrs
Guest Speaker: Charles Petersen,
"Freedom's Wings Canada" Providing people with disabilities the opportunity to fly,
|
|
 Ottawa Chapter
Date: May 26, 2011
Time: 1930 hrs
Guest Speaker: TBA
|
|
 Calgary Chapter Date: May 19,2011
Time: 1900 hrs
Guest Speaker: Bruce Gowans, "The Prairie Air Mail: 1930-1932".
|
|
 Montreal Chapter Date: May 19, 2011
Time: 1100 hrs
Guest Speaker: TBA
|
|
 Manitoba Chapter
Date: May 26, 2011
Time: 1900 hours
Guest Speaker: TBA
|
ACRA Upcoming Events- Compiled by Alan Rust
|
|
 Retirees Welcome!
The following events are available for retirees through ACRA, the Air Canada Recreation Association.
|
|
Retirees Welcome!
|
|
 Are you aware of an ACRA Event that is open to retirees? Please use the online form by following this link to submit your ACRA Event. (ACRA Events only please)
|
|
|
| |
| Time Air Reunion - July 23, 2011 - Compiled by Alan Rust |
  Calling all former Time Air employees! Integra Air is pleased to announce we are hosting a reunion BBQ at the Alberta International Airshow this July 23, 2011 in Lethbridge. The BBQ will take place at our new head office facility being constructed at the Lethbridge Airport. We are incorporating an original WWII era hangar that saw service as Time Air's hangar along with a modern all metal building that was constructed for building manifactured homes for Triple M homes. This will give us the perfect venue for the reunion which will also be attended by the airshow performers including the Canadian Forces Snowbird pilots and crews. Follow this link for more information. |
| Our first 70 years - Compiled by Terry Baker |
|
1973
- DC-8 fin 822 destroyed by fire at YYZ.
- April 29th - DC-9 service replaces Viscount service to Sept-Iles.
1974
- January - Planned occupancy of a new building at Dorval to house the C & SS department.
- June 1st - L1011 Tri-Star service between Toronto-Halifax-St.John's NF inaugurated.
|
| Air Canada Related News - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 AIR CANADA CARGO has awarded a two-year contract to Wallenborri Group to provide international road-feeder services covering 40 airports in 14 countries. The collaboration agreement covers Air Canada's major European gateways of Frankfurt and Heathrow, as well as markets such as Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. The deal will also see Wallenborn provide offline-handling services for the airline in Germany.(source Skyport-LHR). |
| Reader Submitted Photos - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Reader Submitted Photos - The photos and information below was sent to us by our faithful readers. If you would like to send us some old photos you have lying around. we will consider them for publication in a future NetLetter. We prefer good quality airline related photos, with descriptive text included with the submission. |
 Ken Pickford sends this information -
I came across an interesting photo in a website covering aviation history in New Brunswick. It shows then Senator John F. Kennedy arriving at Saint John (YSJ) in October 1957 on a TCA North Star. |
Jack Stephens received this photo from Dave Peters who sent this unique photo from the Mayor's Dinner, April 9 2011. CF-THG sits very proudly in her relatively new hangar at the British Columbia Aviation Museum, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada. |
| TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, an Air Canada publication from years gone by, and various in-house magazines.
|
|
Issue dated - June 1st 1955
From the "Between Ourselves" magazine -
|
 The new stores building at YWG is ultra modern.
Looking over some of the many parts that are contained in the Purchasing & Stores building on Stevenson Field Winnipeg (WPG) are from then left Cy Paige, Jim MacKay, Wally Snyder, Ross Smith. |
 This ultra modern complex required a sophisticated delivery system. Here we have Wally Haverstock operating such a system. |
 FIRST GROUP TO COMPLETE second stage in Air Freight training, a comprehensive Five-day general course, from left are: (Standing) J. S. Dunwoody, VR; J. T. Lineker, VR; R. Eng, NY: I. Bruce, YZ; V. Mancini, WG. (Seated) C. Lima LHR; H. Gaynar, UL; H. C. Butters, UL Training Asst., P. Mackenzie, NY. |
|
 TORONTO SUPPLIED all the talent for the third Lead Agents' course this year.
From left back row they are: R. T. Hogg, G. C. Huffman, J. Gartshore. Middle row: R. V. Davies (Instructor), W. Jardine, D. H. Butchard, C. Dann. Seated: Misses M. MacDonald, M. E. Hornell and E. M. Sinclair.
|
 SECOND AIR FREIGHT group at the year to complete Course No. 2A are from left: (Standing) J. Paulos, NY; L. Gignac, NY: H. C. Butters (Instructor); H. Medensky, YZl; L. E. Shaver, HAT. (Seated) R. Stokes, LHR; A. W. Laing, BR; R. Lahey, WG; and W. Smithers, VR. |
|
 THESE NEW EMPLOYEES recently completed basic training for duties as Passenger Agents (Tel).
From left they are: Back row: D. Bratt, QR; D. J. Mulcahy, CG; R. Jameison, YZ; Miss B. Stewart, YZ; G. E. Barr, QT. Front row: R. V. Davies (Instructor); Miss V. L. Laurin, UL; Miss E. Townley, UL; Miss L. M. Belisle, UL; and H. S. Wood, XF.
|
|
Issue dated - July 4th 1973
Extracted from "Horizons" magazine -
|
|
 A tour of the new cargo terminal facility in Vancouver was one of the highlights of the latest System/Regional cargo sales & service management meetings, held in that city in May. The terminal was built at a cost of $1.2 million and was officially opened May 15.
Shown from the left, front row: Art Jones, Dick McCullough, Steve Rabbitts, George Meride, George Steele, Gord Thorvaldson, R.L. Goran, AIf Bertin Jim York, and George Odowichuk.
From the Ieft rear: Clift Dobson, Fred MacDonald, Fred Pope, Jim Howett, Hank Ernst, Dory Russell, Alfred Drechsel, Ted Nichol, Pierre Laforest, John Dozois, and Lewis Cardin.
|
|
 Class of '63
Graduates of the Company's first bilingual stewardess training course talked up a storm of old times over dinner at the Berkeley Hotel in Montreal.
Of the 19 original class complement, 11 turned up, six of whom are still flying. Many chose marriage over a career in the sky at a time when Company regulations did not permit employment of married stewardesses.
"Ten years ago we talked about boyfriends, now it's kids," said one stewardess as photographs of children went round the table Flight Service Instructor, Kay Mcintyre who trained the girls, still remembers them all ten years and many training courses later. "This particular class had a special personality and for some reason, the girls' names have stayed in my mind," said Kay.
Shown at the reunion are, from the left, back row: Madeleine Trutschmann, Joyce Hansen, Carole Bo land and Joan O'Connell. Front row, stairs: Grace Leblanc and Lorette Desmarchais, right. Beside the stairs: Jocelyne Rouleau and Flight Instructor, Kay Mcintyre, right. Latecomers not shown in the photo graph were: Shirley Cormier, Nicole Rochon and Lise Schwirid.
|
 Helping out on display day of the L1011 Tri-Star at Halifax were, from the left: Gary Hersey, Paul Emmerson, Ralph Wilcox, Shirley Hill, Bud Fogarty, Gene Burden, Charles McLellan, Dave Murdock. and Pete McCarthy. |
|
 "It was a big day for Sept-Iles", said District Manager Paul Cormier when regular DC-9 service replaced the former Viscount flights. The Sept lIes city council was on hand to meet the first flight April 29.
A number of employees showed up for the occasion and are seen in the photo. From the left are: Jean Claude Gaudreau and Eddy Dionne, Station Agents; Richard Bisson and Richard Lariviere. Cargo Agents; and Edward King, Station Agent. In front are Airport Customer Service Supervisor Guy Casista, and District Manager Paul Cormier.
|
|
 A new building to accommodate the Computer & Systems Services Branch is presently under construction at Dorval Base.
The building, to be situated in the area East of the Flight Operations Training Center, will house most of the Branch's offices and equipment, presently located in various areas throughout the Base and Headquarters.
The integrity and independence of the "Real time" computer operation will be protected by a highly reliable and pollution free "total energy system". This system will provide the critical electrical power plus the heating and air conditioning requirements of the building. It will he the first such total energy system installed in Canada. Occupancy is scheduled for January 1974.
(your Chief Pilot's "home" for ten years - eds)
|
| Alan's Space - by Alan Rust |
 |
| Alan Rust |
Float plane history in Seattle - submited by Stoney Jackson
With water all around Seattle, the float plane offers incredible freedom. This video is about the history of seaplanes at Lake Union, which is unique because it is in the middle of Seattle and hosts a variety of watercraft all sharing the lake. Enjoy this video on a fascinating form of aviation set in the scenic beauty of the NW....
A full sized model of the B&W (mentioned in the video), Boeing's first production airplane that was created for Boeing's 50th anniversary celebration, now hangs in the Great Gallery of the Museum of Flight.
Watch full screen for best effect.
 |
| Seaplanes of Lake Union |
|
Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events
- Compiled by Terry Baker |
 News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and it's "ancestry" of contributing airlines. |
|
Issue dated - August 1997
Extracted from the "Canadi>n Flyer" magazine -
|
|
 CP Flight 7 bound for Hong Kong and Manila on June 29, 1997, with a nearly full passenger load and under the command of Capt. Perry McKinnon, departed on time. But this was no ordinary flight.
This was Capt. McKinnon's last flight. After 35 years, originally with Canadian Pacific Airlines and then Canadian, Capt.McKinnon was "calling it a day." But there's more! This CP Flight 7 was Canadian Airlines' last flight into British Hong Kong. it was June 30, 5:30 p.m., as CP Flight 7 touched down in Hong Kong, six and a half hours before the handover of the colony to the Chinese mainland after 156 years of British rule. (Here we have a photo of the crew members but, unfortunately, there are no identifications - can anyone help here? - eds)
|
 Soccer team carries Canadian flag
The Canadian Airlines Vancouver Ramp team, actually consisting of employees from various areas of the company, placed third in a division of five teams at an AMR soccer tournament in Toronto in late May. Known to local fans as the 'Dream Team" and often mistaken for Italy's national club, members of the team are (back, left to right): Coach Silvio Leo, Ramp Services Manager; Par Bajwa; "Swervin' Mervin Roper, Station Attendant, Ramp; Frank Lombardo, Station Attendant, Cargo; Tony Manetta, Lead Station Attendant, Ramp; Lucky Bajwa, Steve Van Holtum, Station Attendant, Ramp; and (front) Gord "One Touch" Kulcec; Director, Interactive Products; Victor Chrzaszcz, Station Attendant, Cargo; Bryan Hagymasy, Station Attendant, Toronto Ramp; "Dirty" Darren Price, Supervisor, Distribution Services; Jamie Paxton, Station Attendant, Ramp; and Paul Cook, Lead Station Attendant, Ramp. |
| Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker |
Every week we ask our readers for their stories or feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently. In NetLetter nr 1144 and 1145, we ran an article regarding the female pilot of the Concorde.
Mike Judkins has sent us this follow-up - I was just canceling out some old NetLetters from my computer when I saw this info about the lady Concorde pilot.
Anyway, a bit of interesting and sad news. The lady was Barbara Harmer, her obituary was in the Daily Telegraph of Monday 18 April, 2011. She actually died on February 20, 2011 of cancer, aged 57. She started as a hairdresser, then air traffic controller, then took up private flying with a £10,000 bank loan. Joined British Caledonian in 1984 flying BAC 111 aircraft and then the DC10. BCAL merged with BA in 1987 and she became a pilot of BA Concorde. She was also a qualified commercial offshore yacht master and won several races. Although she knew she was seriously ill she was still planning to take part in the 2013 transatlantic yacht event.
|
Odds & Ends - Compiled by Terry Baker
|
 Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes! INDIAN PROBE NETS 19 FAKE PILOTSSo far 19 airline pilots, including six captains, have been fired as a result of a government investigation into India's corruption-plagued aviation oversight system and the probe is only half complete. The Indian government is trying to restore confidence in its burgeoning air transport sector with the probe, which has uncovered widespread bribery, cheating and falsification in pilot testing and records. |
|
 From the B.A. staff magazine issue March 2011 -
Mobile app for staff travel.
Executive Club members can now download their mobile boarding pass directly to their Blackberry, iPhone or Android using the free BA app. The mobile boarding pass can be used on flights (including staff and duty travel - once seats have been confirmed) from most UK and major European and Canadian hubs, at security, in the lounges and when boarding the aircraft.
The airline has continued to add a number of other features which will help take the stress out of travel. iPhone users can now email their itinerary, see their gate number and add bookings to their Executive Club account. More features are planned to be released shortly. (source BA "Up to speed" staff magazine).
|
Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker
|
 |
| Terry Baker |
At the recent Pionairs A.G.M, Reine Khantchand, Manager Employee Travel - Montreal, provided the audience with some very interesting responses to both written and oral questions. Some that we have recalled are as follows, and will be covered by the "E & O E" statement! - The following information is not sponsored by the Pionairs, but supplied by an attendee and not intended to be verbatim.
Question from the floor -
- Why is the Family Affaire fares not posted on the E.T.S.? Right now the employee at the Call Centre spends quite a lot of time checking the various fares for a planned flight, thus taking up the employees time which could be used for answering calls from the public. Could the fare be shown through the E.T.S. web site?
Response -
- This item was actually on my objectives for this year, and I thank you for making me look bad in front of my V.P. who sits next to me (laughter) The Family Affaire is a marketing tool, and this suggestion does have merit, and is being followed up with the Marketing division.
Question from the floor -
- Airport procedures. It is about checking baggage through a connection AC to AC providing there is space for the employee to travel. But as soon as you retire you are automatically a suspect and you must travel on the same flight as your baggage.
The problem is that you arrive early and an earlier connecting flight is wide open but you are unable to travel as your bags would not make it in time, and later flights are tight for space..
Response -
- Would you please put this situation in writing and send it to me and it will be investigated. I am not sure if having the baggage on the same flight as the employee is an AC rule or a Transport Canada rule.
Question from the floor -
- If you are an employee and have a spouse, and haven't used all your award passes the policy used to be that if the employee passes away the spouse could travel on them. Now I have been told that it is no longer the case. Is this true.
Response -
- Yes it is true. Every year our rules and procedures are looked at. One of the things that came about was that being allowed to transfer those passes to the spouse - the answer is no. Service award passes are not transferable as they are awarded to the employee, and never have been transferable.
Question written -
- Why can't there be alerts for a specific flight posted against the flights when checking through the E.T.S. web site.
Response -
- The weight and balance is almost a last minute exercise for the flight and it is not possible to get the web site updated in that instance. However general alerts are posted on the home page when high revenue volumes for flights are anticipated.
If we are aware of high cargo loads, such as experienced out of China, this would be posted, but not to a specific flight, only as a general warning. We will check with Operations Division to ensure any restrictions are passed on to us, however the smooth operation of the flights will prevail.
Question written -
- Can an employee on a service award pass be bumped by a full revenue passenger upgrading.
Response -
- Unless there is an IROP (irregular operations) event, there will be no bumping, you are treated as a regular passenger, and Business class is not oversold so you would not be bumped for another revenue passenger.
Question written -
- Are 50% ID fares still available.
Response -
Yes, 50% ID off regular fares are still available, you need to contact the Call Centre to make reservations. However, as mentioned before, you may wish to compare the fares with Family Affaire and GOAC. The advantage of the GOAC is that you get an additional 10% or 15% discount off the best available fares available to our customers. You are treated like a regular customer and can make a seat selection.
Question written -
- What is the incidence of incorrect service charges being made.
Response -
- To my knowledge there have been no incorrect charges made, however, if your feel you are charged incorrectly, then contact us and we will arrange for a correction. For example, traveling to Cuba recently a paper pass is required for the return, which takes 40 days to reach us for billing. In the meantime a paper pass is not now required, and if another such trip was made then during the 40 days, then the billing can be out of sequence which could be confusing as the system thinks you are still in Cuba on your first trip..
Question written -
- Why is there no seat selection for Family Affaire.
Response -
- The Family Affaire is approximately 55% discount off the regular fare, and Marketing wish to reserve the seat selection option for the higher revenue passenger. However, we will approach the Marketing branch in this regard.
Question written -
- My son, an active employee, has offered to give me a ZED fare, Is this legal.
Response -
Yes, absolutely Parents are entitled to travel under ZED fares.
Question written -
- When traveling on a C pass, with no room except in economy at time of flight, why can we not be charged for the class traveled.
Response -
- You are billed for the C pass and not the class you actually traveled. We are not able to make any adjustment.
Question written -
My 25 years old step-daughter is attending university, can she use my passes.
Response -- A 25 year old daughter becomes a non dependant child and no longer entitled to partner passes, but can use Family Affaire Comments from Reine: - The rules and regulations listed on the Employee Web Site show only what you are allowed and does NOT spell out what you are not allowed to do. If in doubt the E.T.S. should be contacted for clarification of any situation you are not sure about. - a future enhancement will be for the assigning of a tracking number to any email enquiry made, thus allowing for the originator the facility to track the progress, and final resolution, of the query. - When planning your flights, it is suggested that you check the fare with Family Affaire, which is a revenue fare, usually 55% off the regular fare, and then the Tango fare, on www.aircanada.com , not forgetting to apply your 10% or 15% as applicable, before you decide which fare to pay. However, be aware that the Tango fares are "flash" fares and can be quite dynamic, as they are a marketing tool directed at the public. If the Tango fare suits your travel planes, go for it right away. Should you mull over and decide to use a Tango fare and get back to the web site., that previous "flash" fare may have changed, and not necessarily in your favour. Your GOAC makes you completely transparent on the flight, you are considered as a regular passenger. - The 25, 30 and 35 year service are awarded to the employee. Be award that, should the employee become deceased, and some or all the award passes have not been used. The awards are not passed to the surviving spouse or common-law partner. - Any time you receive an error message while using the E.T.S. web site, please copy down the full error message and include it in any email to send to us for a resolution. Remember, in future, your query will be assigned a tracking number. - Retirees will soon be audited by the Company over the next several years, not everyone at once and every third years thereafter. This to authenticate the existence of the recipient. There have been retirees who have passed on and their families or executors who handle their affairs have not advised the Company of their passing, consequently pensions are still being paid, and therefore this is a pension to which there is no entitlement. So please complete then return the form as soon as possible. If the form is not received by the company then the pension is withheld. Once a recipient realizes the pension has been stopped, they will no doubt contact the company accordingly and, should there be an entitlement for the pension, then any monies withheld will be issued. This also applies to pass privileges which will be withheld until such time as the audit has been completed and adjustments made accordingly. Comments on any of the above information should be directed to the E.T.S. and NOT the NetLetter.
British Airways has introduced a gbp4.50 fee for economy bookings made on credit and charge cards via travel agencies. Bookings made with Mastercard and Visa debit cards will remain free.(source BA "Up to speed")
Whilst the U.K. government has delayed the implementation of the revised Air Passenger Duty (APD) at LHR. If and when in place, it could increase the cost for a UK family of four traveling to Florida; paying gbp240. Their Irish and French equivalents would pay gbp11 and gbp 15 respectively. (source BA "Up to speed")
Looking for a hotel? Try www.dhr.com for a site of world wide hotel discounts.
|
Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker
|
As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.
Vern Swerdfeger sent us these exchanges -
British Airways flight asks for push back clearance from terminal.
Control Tower replies: 'And where is the world's most experienced airline going today without filing a flight plan?'
-----------------------
ATC: "Al Italia 345 continue taxi to 26L South via Tango - check for workers along taxiway."
Al Italia 345: " Roger, Taxi 26 Left a via Tango. Workers checked - all are working"
-----------------------
Nova 851: "Halifax Terminal, Nova 851 with you out of 13,000 for 10,000, requesting runway 15."
Halifax Terminal (female): "Nova 851, Halifax, the last time I gave a pilot what he wanted I was on penicillin for three weeks. Expect runway 06."
-----------------------
Lost student pilot: "Unknown airport with Cessna 150 circling overhead, please identify yourself."
-----------------------
Tower: Have you got enough fuel or not?
Pilot: Yes.
Tower: Yes what?
Pilot: Yes, sir!
---------------------------
Frankfurt Control: 'AF1733, You are on an eight mile final for 27R. You have a UH-1 helicopter three miles ahead of you on final; reduce speed to 130 knots.'
Pilot: 'Roger, Frankfurt. We're bringing this big bird back to one-hundred and thirty knots fer ya.'
Control: (a few moments later): 'AF33, helicopter traffic at 90 knots now 1-1/2 miles ahead of you; reduce speed further to 110 knots.'
Pilot: 'AF thirty-three reining this here bird back further to 110 knots.'
Control: 'AF33, you are three miles to touchdown, helicopter traffic now 1 mile ahead of you; reduce speed to 90 knots.'
Pilot (a little miffed): 'Frankfurt, do you know what the stall speed of this here C-130 is?'
Control: 'No, but if you ask your co-pilot, he can probably tell you.'
--------------------------
ATC: 'Cessna 123, What are your intentions? '
Cessna: 'To get my Commercial Pilots License and Instrument Rating.'
ATC: 'I meant in the next five minutes not years.'
--------------------------
|
 From the "Between Ourselves" issued August 1955. |
|
|
Disclaimer: Please note, that neither the NetLetter or the ACFamily Network necessarily endorse any of the airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers. We would be interested in any feedback (good or bad) when using these companies though and will report the results here. We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link.
|
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!
Sincerely,
Your NetLetter Team
|
First published in October, 1995
- Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
- Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
- Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
|
|
| |
|
