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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.

This is back issue from March 11, 2006 that was published on the ACFamily Network but never sent to the mail list as I was away.

NetLetter number 920 will follow shortly!

We now estimate that the NetLetter is read by over 2712 retirees when counting our email distribution and those that print the NetLetter and give them out to their friends.

To get in touch with either the Editor/Pilot or Co- Pilot our email address is still This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 in similar to the following image. (The image below doesn't work but your links at the bottom will).

Thank you

Alan Rust - ACFamily Administrator

New online Leisure Hotel booking site now available. Just in time for the beginning of a busy travel period for customers and employees alike comes the convenience of our Leisure Hotel website. Effective immediately, all active and retired employees who are planning personal trips can make their hotel reservations online using our new Leisure Hotel website on the Portal (ACaeronet) or through the Employee Travel Site ( http://travel.aircanada.com). With this easy-to-use Web tool, you can browse through a selection of hotels or selected properties around the world that offer discounted rates to ACE employees and retirees. Now, along with our Business Travel link which was launched last year, the Leisure Hotel site can be found under the 'Hotels' button on the Employee Travel Site - select 'Personal AC.' Please note: To access the Leisure Hotel website, you'll need to use your Internet Explorer browser as the site cannot be accessed using Netscape.

Refunds for Non-Revenue tickets - The refund policy for all non-revenue tickets - ZED and ID tickets - requires that they must be submitted to YWG Finance - Refund Services for processing on a deferred basis. Refunds will be completed within one week of receipt. Submit your original ticket for refund along with a short request note to Air Canada Refund Services, P.O. Box 6475, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3V2.
Be sure to keep a photocopy of any tickets submitted for refund.

ZED Fare Refunds - Please ensure you allow sufficient time to return unused ZED FARE Tickets for refund. These tickets must be returned prior to one year from the date of issue. The one year period is calculated using the date on which the ticket refund application is processed, NOT the date on which you send the ticket to Air Canada. To be safe, tickets should be mailed at least 4 weeks prior to expiration of the one year period of validity.

HANDY PHONE NUMBERS
CANADA OR THE UNITED STATES EMPLOYEE TRAVEL - PIN RESETS - 1-800-413-1113

EMPLOYEE TRAVEL - PROFILE/POLICIES 1-866-473- 4732

INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE TRAVEL - PIN RESETS 1 204 941 2887

EMPLOYEE TRAVEL - PROFILE/POLICIES 1 732 694 2021

Non-stop service on Embraer E190 jet launched between Calgary and New York (JFK) and Edmonton and Montreal on March 1st. Effective June 2, we will introduce daily non-stop service serving Salt Lake City using 75-seat Bombardier CRJ-705 aircraft operated by Air Canada Jazz.
On July 1, we will offer the only non-stop service to San Diego from Toronto with the re-introduction of daily non-stop service using 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft.

This is the story by Trev Trower, purser on a Super Connie flight -
A LONG FLIGHT
It took us fourteen hours and one minute to fly to London from London that day and when we landed at London Ontario we were all very relieved. Our Captain, Mickey Found, told us that that flight had been a duration record of some kind.

There was nothing really unusual about the flight. We departed London Heathrow on time with a full load of passengers. We were destined for Toronto with a stop at Montreal. The flights were always long and tiring in those days, and the sound of the engines hour after hour added to ones fatigue. My god, the noise, and because of our lower altitudes often turbulence would add to ones discomfort.

This day we had been advised that the weather on the Eastern seaboard was nasty, with low cloud, fog and freezing rain. We planned a direct flight to Montreal with alternates of Halifax and St. John. We also had loaded as much extra fuel as was possible as reserves. After several hours we were advised that the East Coast weather was worsening and it was necessary to revise flight plans. It was necessary for the cabin staff to be kept up to date on flight progress as this airplane had eighty four people to be catered for.

It was normal from a flight operation standpoint to fly this plane type at a 'constant speed' for a balance of fuel economy and schedule. This meant that as the plane burnt off fuel it increased speed, and the pilots would reduce power to maintain speed at the same time saving fuel. The news that East Coast weather was now below limits meant our flight plans must be changed, Halifax and St. John were no longer available as our alternates.

Now it was necessary to reduce power to maximize our range. We pressed on for Montreal.

Hours later the captain made an announcement to the effect that we were passing over Quebec City and would be descending to Montreal shortly. People began to gather up their gear and put on their coats etc preparing to deplane at Montreal. We prepared for our landing knowing that the weather was doubtful. We were almost on the ground when the freezing rain started again and we were forced to abort our approach and landing. We increased power and climbed, heading for Toronto with just enough fuel to get there with a little fuel left over for a margin of safety. We had been flying for twelve hours and our destination was ninety minutes away. By now many of our passengers were showing signs of anxiety. The passenger call buttons were constantly ringing and the attendants were doing their best to re-assure the passengers that everything was in order. We commenced our approach and again we were warned by the control tower that visibility had become zero and we were forced to abort our Toronto landing.

The enormous weather system that was causing problems for airliners in the general area was moving to the east and advice indicated the tail end of it was almost over London Ontario Airport. We climbed to five thousand feet and squeezing the last of our fuel headed west and a few minutes later were able to begin our approach with the weather clearing nicely. Finally everything was going our way. When the undercarriage was lowered the Engineer (Boyd Moore) reported to the captain that the nose-gear was indicating "unsafe", the locking pin indicator light showed red. Very quickly Capt. Found adjusted his controls and climbed to two thousand feet flew past the control tower to confirm whether a visual check was possible.
This was not in the cards. Climbing to four thousand feet, with our gear down, we arranged to do a visual check from within the aircraft.

This was quickly organized. Boyd opened a hatch in the cabin floor about eighteen by twenty four inches. He, myself and the other male flight attendant (Rudy Saretsky), climbed down into the baggage area while the stewardess stayed in the cabin, in this way communication was relayed between the cockpit and the engineer. Boyd, followed closely by myself, proceeded forward in that cramped and noisy area until Boyd was able to lean out through the open nose-wheel door, checking that the nose-wheel was safe. My role during this maneuver was to hold him by the belt in case he should fall out. After some use of the relay system, messages to and fro, the undercarriage was declared safe. We immediately started our approach while we scrambled out of the bowels of the plane taking our places for the landing.

What a relief. The buffeting of the air flowing over the fuselage and open nose-gear door of the plane at one hundred and fifty miles an hour was to say the least, frightening, and the noise was almost deafening. I was looking out of the window as we crept closer and closer to the runway. I could see now that we were passing over the threshold of the runway at about fifty feet. Suddenly there was the familiar sound of the big main gear tires biting into the concrete surface. With complete smoothness we made contact with the runway and safety, and then a loud roar of approval came spontaneously from the throats of those tired and anxious people.
About a minute later the outboard right engine quit and we watched that big four-bladed prop just sitting there seeming to remind us how close we were to having been in serious trouble, while we taxied up to the terminal building.

Mickey thanked us for our efforts during that trying flight and advised us that it's duration had been fourteen hours and one minute. We hung around for an hour or so while we re-fueled, then loaded up and off to Toronto.
The final leg of our flight was twenty five minutes. Another perfect landing and our day's work was done, a few hours late, but safe and sound.

- Trev Trower

CF-TCC Frank Pedder advises - The Lockheed L10A has not been touring the last two years due to the cost of maintaining the aircraft and the surge in fuel prices.

(Note: you can see past photos and videos of CF- TCC at: www.acfamily.org/tcc)

Volunteer employees and retirees from across Canada and the United States are preparing for another year of fun-filled adventures to Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Eight flights are planned for 2006:
Winnipeg - April 5
Edmonton - May 3
Toronto - May 10
Halifax - May 17
Ottawa - Oct. 4
Vancouver - Oct. 17
Calgary - Oct. 18
Montreal - Nov. 8

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, check the Dreams Take Flight website for more information: www.dreamstakeflight.ca.

Spring Motorhome specials now available Vancouver to Calgary, Halifax, Toronto and Whitehorse Packages start at $199.00 for seven days (depending on trip destination).
All May departures.
Please view at www.rumrabbit.com HOT DEALS/Canada/Motorhome Rentals

World Airline Club Association (WACA) has the following trip - Jamaica Jump Up.

THUR-JUNE 01
All day transfer from MBJ Airport to GRAND LIDO RACO
1500 REGISTRATION AT FRONT DESK
1830 - 1930 Welcome Get Together - Piano Bar
1930 - 2100 Dinner - Victoria market
2100 - 2200 Show time/Staff & Guests Talent Show
2230 Disco

FRI- JUNE 02
0730-1030 Buffet Breakfast
1030-1430 Optional Tour to Dunn's River Falls (Visit Tour Desk), or Relax or romp on the beach and enjoy the Jamaican sunshine
1230-1430 Buffet Lunch
1430- 1800 Beach Games
1900 - 2230 Street Party/Buffet Dinner in Village Square
2230 Pajama Party - Disco

SAT JUNE 03 0730 - 1030 Buffet Breakfast
Optional Tour from Tours Desk or bask in the beautiful sunshine
1230 - 1330 Buffet Lunch
1330 - 1730 Pool Party
1800 - 1900 "Boo Hoo" Farewell Cocktail Party
1900 - 2230 Dinner/Cabaret Show
2230 Reggae Party Time - Disco

SUN - JUNE 04
0730-1030 Buffet Breakfast
All Day Transfer to Donald Sangster Int'l Airport.

Package includes:- - 4 days/3 nights accommodation All activities, meals and drinks (consumed at hotel)
- Transfers to and from MBJ Airport

PACKAGE COST: US$475.00 (per person/ dbl Occupancy)
US$865.00 (Sgl Occupancy)
For Service Charge Passes on Air Jamaica, please contact the following:-
MIA/FLL MIASSJM Annette Foster
BWI BWIKKJM Lorna Henley-Black
JFK JFKSSJM Carlton Thomas
EWR EWRKKJM Stephanie Viigilotti
ATL ATLKKJM Joan Williams
PHL PHLSSJM Yvonne Reid
LHR LONSSJM Gabriel DiCio
ORD ORDKKJM Donna Aris
LAX LAXKKJM Ralph Jones

For more information please contact:<br> - Sara Long-Spence - KINIBJM
JM Pass Bureau This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact Persons:- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 876-92-48331-6:- Ian Philpotts (Ext. 3532) Jacquie (Extn 3634) Andrea Lyseight (Extn 3054) In the U.S:- Annette Foster - 305 670 3222 Extn 8592 PLEASE NOTE THAT GRAND LIDO BRACO IS AN ADULT RESORT FOR PERSONS OVER 18 YEARS OLD.

HOW TO RESERVE: Completed Application signed by your local interline club representative and yourself with deposit check of $225.00 per person payable to JAMAICA INTERLINE CLUB
Please mail to:
Jamaica Interline Club
C/o Annette Foster
P.O. Box 996100
Miami, FLA 33299
Deposits must be received before April 15, 2006.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: - Neither the Jamaica Interline Club nor the World Airlines Clubs Association shall be liable for any personal injury, damages, loss, accidents, delays or irregularity during this event. Interliners must accept these conditions and agree to omit any legal action against either the Jamaica Interline Club or the World Airlines Clubs Assn.
A cancellation fee will be charged to no-shows and registrations will not be accepted without a deposit. DEPOSITS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO JAMAICA INTERLINE CLUB AND MAILED TO JAMAICA INTERLINE CLUB AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS. JAMAICA

Enjoy this visual display of Air Canada’s historic fleet from its beginning in 1937 to the present including aircraft from:
- Trans-Canada Airlines
- Canadian Airlines
- Pacific Western
- Eastern Provincial
- Nordair
- Transair
and 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 reunions, retirements and birthday gifts, etc.

The hosting, and mailing of the NetLetter as well as the conversion to HTML format is provided compliments of the ACFamily Network and Nerds On Site. Content is researched and submitted by Vesta Stevenson and Terry Baker. Thank you for letting us into your homes!

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.

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!)