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Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995


The NetLetter #903
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The NetLetter
Since Oct/95 Nov 12, 2005

 

Number 904

About us!

Need to know...

Nice to Know

Air Canada News

Reader Feedback

Other News

Coffee Meetings

Terry's Travel Tips

Sponsors

NetLetter Archives



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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Dear NetLetter,

In Memory - Herb Noble was one of our readers, and his family sends us this;

It is with much sadness that we need to tell each of you that our dad, and husband Herb has passed away at home.
Surprisingly he did not have a wrench in his hand. He and Mom had been in Calgary Christmas shopping, and had his favorite dinner at Whitespot with his Grandson Curtis, Laurie and Dot. He drove back to High River, listened to his usual routine of "the National", sent out his last emails for the night and went to bed.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For our new readers

We now estimate that the NetLetter is read by over 2701 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


  • Need to know...
  • Vesta

    Non-revenue ticket refunds. If you have a non-revenue ticket (e.g., ZED and ID tickets) that needs to be refunded, please follow the refund procedure as it is stipulated in our existing refund policy. Effective November 6th, you should submit your original ticket, along with a short request, to Winnipeg Finance, Refund Services for processing on a deferred basis. Refunds will be completed within one week of receipt. Send it by co-mail to YWG 3859 or by regular mail to Air Canada Refund Services, P.O. Box 6475, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3V2. For details, refer to the Employee Travel Website at http://travel.aircanada.ca

  • Nice to Know
  • New routes introduced include: Hamilton- Montreal, Hamilton-Ottawa, Vancouver-Las Vegas, Calgary-Las Vegas, Edmonton-Regina and Edmonton- Saskatoon. The remaining EMBRAER 175 and CRJ-705 deliveries will allow further route expansion in the coming months including the start-up of service between Vancouver-San Diego, Abbotsford-Toronto, Abbotsford-Calgary, Calgary-Newark and Calgary- Orlando.

    Looking to lose weight and save money – ‘polished’ look tested on B767. Air Canada is considering taking a new polished look to its B767s to further reduce weight from its fleet and offset record fuel prices. The Toronto Paint Shop is currently conducting tests by stripping primer and paint from C-GDSP FIN 613’s fuselage, which will then be polished and buffed to give its aluminum coating a shiny finish – the aircraft will keep its Air Canada logo and the new tail design. The removal of primer and paint reduces the aircraft’s weight by approximately 360 pounds, which translates into fuel savings of more than $24,000 per year for each aircraft. "Based on our evaluation of C-GDSP FIN 613 over the next few weeks, we’ll determine if we’ll proceed with other B767s," said Jon Turner, Vice- President, Air Canada Maintenance. Watch for more details in the December issue of Horizons. (Several European airlines removed paint during the last fuel crisis, except American Airlines of course! - eds)

    Diamond will fly its D-Jet to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh next summer for its North American debut. Actually the folks around London, Ontario, will be the first to see it in flight as Diamond has decided to move development and construction of the five- place single-engine aircraft to its North American headquarters in Canada. "America is where the market is," sales and marketing spokesman Bernie Toller told AVweb on a brisk walk between the hotel and convention center in Tampa during AOPA Expo. The Williams engine has arrived in London and first flight is planned for March. The plane's public unveiling will actually be at the Berlin Air Show May 16 to May 21, next year.

  • Air Canada News
  • Did you know? Jazz is Canada’s fastest growing airline. Since the commencement of the third quarter, Air Canada has added 14 aircraft to its fleet: one Airbus A340-300 aircraft, two Boeing 767-300 aircraft and the first 11 of 15 EMBRAER 175 aircraft on order. The remaining four EMBRAER 175 aircraft on order will be in operation by January 2006. The airline will begin taking delivery of 45 EMBRAER 190 aircraft in November 2005.
    Air Canada Jazz continued taking delivery of 75-seat CRJ-705 aircraft in the quarter, following the arrival of the first of 15 aircraft in May.
    Fourteen CRJ-705s are currently in operation and the remaining aircraft will be in service in November 2005. Jazz also entered into a four year lease agreement with GECAS for an additional 8 recent production CRJ- 200 aircraft. By mid-2006, the Jazz fleet will be at 133 aircraft including 73 Bombardier Regional Jet aircraft and 63 Dash 8s.

    New Air Canada check-in area opens at Calgary Airport. Air Canada’s domestic and international check-in facilities at Calgary Airport have relocated to their new area. Customers will now find Executive Class check-in, Express Baggage Drop- off, Ticketing and Groups in close proximity to each another. Check- in for U.S.-bound flights remain in its current location due to U.S. Customs and Immigration pre-clearance requirements. "The check-in area and baggage system has been under construction for almost a year."

    Air Canada concludes agreement for Boeing 777s and 787 Dreamliners. ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., the parent company of Air Canada, today announced that the carrier has concluded an agreement with The Boeing Company for the acquisition of up to 36 Boeing 777s and up to 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
    Air Canada recently re-engaged discussions with Boeing after having obtained a satisfactory outcome with the airline’s pilot group on costs and other issues that allowed the carrier to move forward on a sound economic basis with the modernization of its international wide-body fleet. The agreement includes firm orders for 18 Boeing 777s, plus purchase rights for 18 more, in a yet-to-be-determined mix of the 777 family’s newest models: the 777-300ER, the 777-200LR Worldliner (the longest range airplane in the world), and the newly announced 777 Freighter. Delivery of the first six 777 aircraft is scheduled commencing in March through to July 2007. The agreement also includes firm orders for 14 ultra- efficient new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, plus options and purchase rights for an additional 46 aircraft. Air Canada’s first 787 is scheduled for delivery in 2010. "The finalization of an agreement on the Boeing 777 and 787 is truly welcome news for our customers, employees and investors," said Robert Milton. "The superior customer comfort and operating economics of these aircraft will place Air Canada in a leadership position among North American international carriers and allow us to compete alongside the leading European, Middle East and Asia Pacific carriers." The operating cost of the 777 and 787 will be significantly less than the airplanes they will replace. Air Canada estimates the fuel burn and maintenance cost savings alone on the 787 to be approximately 30 per cent versus the 767s they will replace. For complete details on the agreement, please refer to the Flash available on ACaeronet, www.achorizons.ca

    After seven years, a merger, C.C.A.A., two livery changes and input from four CEOs, the dream to capture the history of Air Canada in a poster became a reality for Paul Bouchard, Incharge Flight Attendant, and Phillip Avis, Multi-media Production Manager.

    Titled A Proud Heritage, the poster is a 27" x 38" colour depiction of the airlines and aircraft that make up the history of Air Canada. Each aircraft is to scale and drawn in detail — a result of Paul’s passion for computer graphics and Phillip’s background in graphic design.

    The poster retails for $24.99 plus applicable taxes and shipping. A portion of each sale will go to Dreams Take Flight. If you wish to purchase a copy, contact Design Par Avion at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. directly or your local Dreams Take Flight chapter.

  • Reader Feedback
  • Paul Cormier has sent us this story -

    Hello all my Air Canada friends and co-workers. I've worked mainly in the eastern Canada, such as Moncton, Halifax, Sept-Iles, Bagotville , Quebec, Montreal and have had 9 bosses such as Kelly Edmison, George Good, Bob Williamson, Herb Seagram, to name a few. Quite a few of them took advantage of our magnificent fishing facilities.

    Air Canada took over Sept-Iles, and Quebec City, Val- D'or, etc. Nov.1, 1955, and I was asked to come to YZV for two weeks. And after much travel, we are back here as I married a local girl in 1956. Back then, Sept-Iles had a 5000 population, it is now over 30,000 with the largest aluminum plant in the America's, and the capital of the Iron Ore industries. The road was not finished until the late 50's, so it was not rare to have 5 North Star freighters, Bristol Freighters, or Vanguards. Sept-Iles also served as a alternate for transatlantic flights, beginning with Super Constellations, with wing tip tanks that we remember having to fill to 500 gallons, with a hose at 50 gallons per minute. Many other airlines stopped in YZV for our services, as Goose Bay was often closed. We are still served by Air Alliance.

    Some will remember a few of the original employees such as Sam Samoisette, Jean-Pierre Leroux, Claude Thibodeau, etc.

    Bye, bye for now, Paul Cormier This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    Tel. 418-968-4808

  • Other News
  • Gambling May Replace Air Fares At Ryanair
    Ryanair believes revenue from inflight gaming and gambling could eventually replace the need to charge air fares, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said recently.

    Symphony Aircraft Industries says a host of small problems (lining up suppliers, ensuring parts quality, etc.) and one large one (setting up the shareholders agreement to satisfy investors and take advantage of liberal tax incentives offered by the Canadian government) bogged down production in 2005 and it will only push 13 aircraft out the door of its Trois Rivieres plant by Dec. 31. With the problems all but solved, Symphony CEO Paul Costanzo said they're hoping to build 70 airplanes in 2006 and get full certification for the glass-panel version of the aircraft by late January. Costanzo said the aircraft is popular with individuals and flight schools, who want the glass version for use as a technically advanced aircraft (TAA) trainer. "We're positioned to be the undisputed king of the two-place market," Costanzo said.

  • Coffee Meetings
  • At the Nanaimo Vancouver Island Koffee Klatch meeting November 9th, the attendees -
    The next meeting will be December 14th at 10 am ABC Restaurant, Nanaimo North.

  • Terry's Travel Tips
  • Self-service check-in kiosks have been added to airports in Kelowna,Victoria, Los Angeles, Newark and Paris. These additions bring to 14 the number of non-Canadian airports where Air Canada has kiosk check-in available.

    *Interline World Vacations -
    For information and reservations, please call *1-866- 279-8480*
    CALL NOW TO BOOK at 1-866-279-8480
    NO PROCESSING/BOOKING FEE

    Interline Specials
    New Interline Hot Pricing on NCL just released.
    =================================
    HOT DEALS
    =================================
    NCL - Norwegian Crown - 14-Day Chilean Fjords Nov 20 - Inside $599

    NCL - Norwegian Dream - 7 Nights Houston return Stops in Raotan & Belize
    Nov 11 - Best available outside $199
    Stops in Cozumel, Raotan & Belize
    Nov 19 - Inside $299 Outside $349
    Nov 26 - Inside $249 Outside $279

    Stops in Cozumel, Raotan, Belize & Cancun
    Dec 10 - Inside $279 Outside $299
    ===================================
    WINDSTAR SPECIALS
    ===================================
    Windsurf - 7 Nights from St. Thomas to Barbados St. Thomas with stops in San Juan, St. Martin, French Antilles, ST. Lucia, Granada Barbados. Nov 27 - Cat B outside $865 Suite $1565

    Windsurf - 7 nights Barbados return
    Stops in Tobago Grenadines Dominica St. Lucia Grenadines Barbados.
    Dec 4 - Cat B outside $865 Suite $1565

    Windsurf - 7 nights Barbados return
    Stops in Nevis St. MArtin St. Barhelemy French Antilles St. Lucia, Barbados
    Dec 11 - Cat B outside $865 Suite $1565

    HOLIDAY CRUISE
    Windsurf - 10 nights Barbados return
    Stops with stops in Tobago Grenadines Dominica St. Lucia Guadaloup, French Antilles, Barbados
    Dec 18 - Cat B outside $1385 Balcony $2385

    ===================================
    HAWAII CRUISING
    ===================================
    NORWEGIAN - Pride of Aloha for 7 Nights from Honolulu
    HAWAII - Starting in Honolulu with stops in Nawiliwili, Hilo, Kona, Kahului.
    Nov 20, 27 - Inside: $299 Oceanview: $399
    Dec 4 - Inside $599 Outside $699
    Dec 11 - Inside $399 Outside $499
    Dec 18 - Inside $599 Outside $759
    ---------------------------------------------
    NORWEGIAN - Pride of Aloha for 7 Nights from Maui
    HAWAII - Starting in Kahului, Maui return with stops in Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Hilo, Kona.
    Nov 19, 26 - Inside $299 Outside $399,
    Dec 3, 10 - Inside $399 Outside $499
    Dec 17 - Inside $499 Outside $599
    Dec 24 - Inside $649
    ---------------------------------------------
    CELEBRITY - Summit- 15 Nights Los Angeles return HAWAII - Los Angeles, Lahaina (Maui), Nawiliwili (Kauai), Napali Coast, Kauai,Hilo, Honolulu (Oahu), Kailua Kona, Ensenada, Mexico, Los Angeles December 18 - Inside $1500 Outside $1950
    ----------------------------------------------
    PRINCESS - Island Princess - 15 Nights Los Angeles return HAWAII - Los Angeles, At Sea Hilo, Kona, Maui (Lahaina), Kauai (Nawiliiwili), Honolulu, Ensenada, Mexico, Los Angeles Nov 7, 22 - Inside $1399, Outside $1499
    Dec 7 - Inside $1199, Outside $1299

    ==================================
    MEXICAN RIVIERA CRUISING
    ==================================
    DAWN PRINCESS - 10 Nights San Francisco return MEXICO - San Francisco, Catalina, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego, San Francisco Dec. 30 - Inside $899 Jan 9, 19, 29 Feb 8, 18, 28 - Inside $599 Outside $899
    Balcony $1099
    All cruise prices quoted per person based upon double-occupancy in USD.
    *PORT CHARGES INCLUDED. Government taxes extra. Rates are capacity controlled and are subject to change without notice. All prices are in US dollars, based on double occupancy for new bookings only and apply only to eligible Airline Personnel and their certain family members.
    Proof of employment and/or relationship to employee required. Certain terms and conditions may apply For information and reservations, please call
    *INTERLINE WORLD VACATIONS at 1-866-279-8480 toll-free* or (604)279-8482

    Holland America Sale
    You just can't make it through the chill of December without taking advantage of one of these great Holland America Cruises. For a limited time only, choose from one of the popular Caribbean itineraries or a more exotic South America and Antartic Holiday Experience and receive an additional Aero-Marine discount on top of the already low interline price.

    $30 off for sailings priced up to $699 pp
    $40 off for sailings priced from $749-$899 pp
    $50 off for sailings priced from $949-$999 pp
    $60 off for sailings priced from $1049-$1499 pp
    $100 off for sailings priced from $1549 and up pp


    Offer is valid on remaining 2005 sailings until cruises are sold out or no longer offered at Interline Rate It's not too late to get away for the Holidays!
    Aero-Marine Interline
    voice: 800-255-2376
    Discount is per person based on cruise fare and port charges. Government tax and $10 per person HAL document fee is additional. New bookings only.

  • Sponsors
  • The mailing and formating of the NetLetter for HTML format is provided by 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!

    Please support the ACFamily Network
  • NetLetter Archives
  • 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!)

    NetLetter Archives Link
    email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

     



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