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About us!
Since October 1995, Vesta Stevenson and Terry Baker have been issuing an email newsletter for those ex Air Canada types who have provided us with their email addresses. The Newsletter was created by Vesta, who gave the name 'NetLetter' and added 'Between Ourselves' - a TCA periodical with which you are probably familiar with from the 50's and 60's. It was then changed to "Between Yourselves" to avoid confusion when "Horizons" resurrected the name. Then finally simplified to just "The NetLetter".
We believe that our NetLetter, which originates from Vancouver Island, was the FIRST to use this medium to disperse information for retirees of Air Canada.
The NetLetter contains airline related information such as anecdotes or stories supplied by some of the recipients, Internet tips, travel news, cheap... excuse me, "inexpensive" accommodations, tours, interline travel, and, in some small way, we help keep our Air Canada family together and in touch.
Our 'NetLetter' is NOT sponsored by any Pionair group, nor are we seeking any financial support, only the Internet email addresses of those who would like to receive our 'NetLetter'. Please forward this to other retirees who can then subscribe right from the forwarded link at the bottom of this email.
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Air Canada Heritage Poster
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Dear NetLetter,
 Welcome to the 953rd issue of "NetLetter". We now estimate that the NetLetter is read by over 2740 retirees when counting our email distribution and those that print the NetLetter and give them out to their friends.
The "NetLetter" is written by Vesta Stevenson and Terry Baker from Vancouver Island (see sidebar) and also with articles and comments from "you" our readers. It is published courtesy of the ACFamily Network at www.acfamily.net
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Must know
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Passport requirement for travel to the United States. Effective January 23, 2007, passports will be the ONLY acceptable form of identification for Canadian and U.S. citizens travelling by air to the United States.
The requirement to carry a passport for ground and sea travel will be applicable at a later date.
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Nice to know
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From: "Conrad Karsen" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> Subject: Fedex
Just to comment, we have had recent occassion to send packages, one from Canada (PEI) and one from the States (Virginia) to Poland via FEDEX. Absolutely no problem with discount and FEDEX staff very pleasant and accomodating, as always.
Cheers,
(Be aware that shipment can be refused at some agencies for Fedex - eds)
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Air Canada News
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Air Canada said new aircraft entering its fleet will continue to drive operating costs down.
Costs were down across the board in the first nine months of 2006, Executive VP and CFO Joshua Koshy said yesterday in New York at the Calyon Securities Airline Conference, which was available via webcast.
Koshy noted that AC will begin taking delivery of 18 777s on firm order next year. "The 777 is 26% cheaper on a CASM basis than the A340-500s" the new planes will be replacing, he said. He added that E-190s, of which it has ordered 45, have "18% cheaper costs per trip" than the A319s those jets are replacing. In addition, 14 787s on firm order to begin delivering in 2010 are 30% less costly to operate than the 767-300s they will replace.(Source ATW)
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More Air Canada "firsts"
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Air Canada became the first commercial airline to enable passengers to send and receive e-mail on their laptops while in flight, as well as surf websites.
Air Canada was the first, and continues to be the only North American operator of the A340-300 and A340-500.
During the mid-1990s, Air Canada repainted an Airbus A319 in the Trans-Canada retro livery.
Air Canada is the official carrier of the Toronto Raptors basketball team. One of its Airbus A320s was repainted to honour the team with the raptor dinosaur logo on an all-black fuselage, earning it the nickname "Dino-bus".
Air Canada unveiled a new aircraft colour scheme, and blue uniforms, on 19 October 2004. A Boeing 767- 300 was painted in a silvery colour with a blue tint. The green tail has been replaced with the same silvery paint, but retains a version of the red maple leaf.
Air Canada was the winner of Best North American Airline in the 2005 World Airline Awards
Air Canada is the creator of the Dreams Take Flight program which flies children with special needs to Disneyland for a day. |
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Star Alliance News
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United Airlines and Continental Airlines each declined to confirm numerous US media reports that they are discussing a potential merger.
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Found on the Internet
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Green Coat volunteers, who provide directions and information to visitors at YVR, consists of 232 members, who speak 22 languages among them. Up to 15 Green Coat volunteers work each day.
So long BWIA -<br> BWIA West Indies Airways, which has continued to lose money, is now set to shut down operations on December 31st, and be replaced by a new carrier Caribbean Airways. BEIA assets, including aircraft and aircraft leases will be transferred to the new airline, but current employees will not retain. New employee contracts will be issued. |
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News from the Districts
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Some 46 retirees and spouses attended the Mid Island Luncheon held in Parksville for the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands Pionair district.
The meal provided was very well received and the 50/50 prize was won by Carol Humphrey. Several bottles of wine, Pionciana plants and a lamp were given out as door prizes.
The Director, Harold Thomas, encouraged those present to get their bookings in early for the 30th AGM being held in Victoria next year, and also sought volunteers to assist in the organisation of future lunches and events in the Mid Island area.
Final Coffee Klatch of 2006 for Nanaimo BC & area retirees held on Dec 13th was attended by Terry Baker (AC), Leo Goulet (AC), Arlene & Cec McCulloch (AC), Betty & Lyle Robinson (AC), Claude Hamel (CP), Carol & Bryan Humphrey (AC), and Peter Hartman (AC).
Next meeting will be Wednesday January 11th., 2007. |
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Reader Feedback
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From: Ron Peel <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Subject: Books
Like many RCAF veterans I wrote a personal account of "My Time At War...And A Little Bit More". This included some details of navigating the Lancastrians of the Canadian Government Trans Atlantic Air Service across the Atlantic and TCA's other early involvement in overseas operations. My second book "Air Navigation As Practiced By TCA And Air Canada" provided a more technical account of the systems, methods and procedures employed by our Company since its infancy until today to ensure that its aircraft reached their destinations in the safest and most efficient manner possible.
The latter book was distributed free of charge to organizations and individuals whom I assumed would be interested in an authoritative account of the methods used by Company pilots and navigators throughout its history.
Although I no longer have copies for distribution I am prepared to e-mail excerpts from "Air Navigation...." to retirees or employees who might be interested in specific chapters. A list of the 39 chapters in the 136 page illustrated book is available on request from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
and
Ross Smyth provides details of his new book -
My new book is now available - "ONE WORLD OR NONE - How Canadians Can Take the Lead to Abolish War and Democratize the UN". As aviation has shrunk the world, there are many references to flying and recent Canadian history.
We should be very concerned about the world we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. Aviation has made people in far away countries our neighbors. We must strengthen the UN to give citizens of the world a voice in our future. It is important now to make the UN more democratic.
From the days of Lester Pearson, Canada has played a key role in promoting global peace and justice. We must give higher priority to make the UN a global democracy. As this book is a small step in that direction, my publisher has sent over 400 copies to every Canadian MP and Senator to influence our foreign policy. Please help this cause and contact your elected representatives.
This 198 page book can be most easily obtained by sending a cheque for $16.95 (plus $3 postage) to publisher, Price Patterson Ltd., 310 Victoria Ave., Westmount QC H3Z 2M9. It will be aalso available via the internet at www.chapters.ca , etc.
Let us all play a role for more peace and justice in the world. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Sincerely, Ross Smyth, Montreal This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Terry's Travel Tips
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Arlene Mcculloch <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> sends us this information -
Subject: South Florida transportation Checked out this rail system
www.tri-rail.com
Check it out ! Proven to be a good alternative to Ft. Lauderdale departures.
For example the cost one way from Miami International Airport is just us$3.00
Some of the deals offerred by KVIInterline -
Royal Caribbean has just opened up virtually ALL of their Holiday & New Year's sailings and will allow you up to five (5) cabins at Interline rates on the selected sailings listed below.
7-Night Christmas and New Years Specials
Grandeur of the Seas - Dec 30 7-Night Exotic Caribbean From: Inside: $449 Oceanview: $549 - New Orleans, Louisiana; George Town, Grand Cayman; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; New Orleans, Louisiana
Rhapsody of the Seas - Dec 31 7-Night Exotic Caribbean From: Inside $549 Oceanview: $599 Balcony: $1,299 Suite: $1299,- Galveston, Texas; Key West, Florida; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Galveston, Texas
Splendour of the Seas - Dec 23 & Dec 30 7- Night Exotic Caribbean From: Inside: $619 Oceanview: $709 Suite: $1,599 - Galveston, Texas; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; Key West, Florida; Galveston, Texas
Mariner of the Seas - Dec 24 7-Night Exotic Caribbean From: Inside: $649 Balcony: $1,099 Suite: $2,049 - Port Canaveral, Florida; CocoCay, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Port Canaveral, Florida
Mariner of the Seas - Dec 31 7-Night Exotic Caribbean From: Inside: $649 Oceanview: $899 Balcony: $1,099 Suite: $1,899- Port Canaveral, Florida; Labadee, Hispaniola; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Port Canaveral, Florida
Navigator of the Seas - Dec 23 7-Night Exotic Caribbean From: Inside: $649 Oceanview: $749 Balcony: $1,849 - Miami, Florida; Labadee, Hispaniola; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Florida
Freedom of the Seas - Dec 24 & Dec 31 7- Night Western Caribbean From: Inside: $749 Oceanview: $849 Balcony: $2,449 - Miami, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Labadee, Hispaniola; Miami, Florida
Vision of the Seas - Dec 31 7-Night Mexico From: Oceanview: $799 - Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Mazatlan, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA
Serenade of the Seas - Dec 23 & Dec 30 7- Night Eastern Caribbean From: Inside: $1,399 Oceanview: $799 Balcony: $919 Suite: $3,249- San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John's, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; San Juan, Puerto Rico
Explorer of the Seas - Dec 24 7-Night Exotic Caribbean From: Inside: $799 Oceanview: $1,409 - Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Nassau, Bahamas; Miami, Florida
Navigator of the Seas - Dec 30 7-Night Exotic Caribbean From: Inside: $1,139 Oceanview: $2,249 Balcony: $2,249 Suite: $3,599 - Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Nassau, Bahamas; Miami, Florida
To book or inquire about any of the above or any other product, please contact me directly - toll free- at 888.336.6476 or E-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Smilie
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Overheard while flying practice approaches at Sioux City, Iowa:
Tower: "Skylane Eight Seven Charlie, cleared for the approach; caution, waterfall in the area."
Short silence, presumably while the Skylane pilot questioned passengers on the transmission.
Skylane: "Eight Seven Charlie, say again?"
Tower: "Skylane Eight Seven Charlie, cleared for the approach; caution, waterfall in the area." Again, short silence.
Skylane: "Ah, cleared for the approach, but what do you mean by the waterfall caution?"
Tower: "Waterfall, you know: Ducks and geese...Waterfoul."
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A great Christmas Gift!
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Order now for Christmas Gift giving!
Enjoy this visual display of Air Canada’s historic fleet from its beginning in 1937 to the present including aircraft from:
- Trans-Canada Air Lines
- Canadian Airlines
- Pacific Western
- Eastern Provincial
- Nordair
- Transair
- Wardair
This 68 x 96 cm (27 x 38 inch) poster is printed in full colour on high quality paper and depicts over 300 aircraft and liveries flown by Air Canada throughout its history.
The cost of the poster is $24.99 plus tax and shipping where applicable. This is a great gift for Christmas, reunions, retirements and birthday gifts, etc.
A donation is made to Dreams Take Flight for each poster that is sold. Any other profits support the operation of the ACFamily Network which brings you this newsletter.
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More info here |
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Submissions
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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments for the "The Netletter" please send to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Please add to your Address Books).
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us Terry & Vesta (exclusively) will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of news for the NetLetter.
To make changes to your e-mail address or to unsubscribe, please see the links at the bottom of the page for "Update Profile/Email address" and SafeUnsubscribe. This is now automated so that you can remove yourself from the list or change your email address (or name) without our assistance. We will still do this manually if you have any difficulties.
Many of our members are having difficulty finding these links. You will need to scroll to the bottom of the page, the link is similar to the following image. (The image below doesn't work but your links at the bottom will).
Vesta, Terry and Alan thank you for your co- operation.
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NetLetter Archives
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The archives of the NetLetter are kept on the ACFamily Network Forums area. They are in plain text format so you can print them from there if desired. If you are not a member of the ACFamily Network yet, we encourage you to join us there. Non members can Register here. (It's Free!)
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NetLetter Archives Link |
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