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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.

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

Effective November 1st 2005, the ZED agreement with the following airlines is cancelled - Martinair(Holland), Surinam Airways, Tarom Romainian Air Transport, Air Berline, Air Caledonie International, Air Europa Lineas Aereas SA, Air Malawi, Air Malta, Air Nambia, FlyBE, Gulfstream International Airlines, JAT Airways.

Montreal DTF team set off for Disney World in the wee hours of November 2nd, 150 sleepy but excited special needs kids from Montreal, its surrounding cities and Quebec City assembled at Dorval Base at 4:30 a.m. to prepare for their Dreams Take Flight journey to Disney World. This special flight, the Boeing 767 pulled away from the hangar at about 6:30 a.m. – the return flight returned around midnight.

For the Constellation affectionados - A Lockheed Constellation in Lufthansa colours is on display at Kermit Weeks' Fantasy of Flight Air Museum at Polk City, west of Orlando, Florida. Admission is us $24.95 To view everything could take a full day.

Update on Canadian Registered Pension Plans - Air Canada has paid $59.6 million representing its 2005 third quarter contribution to its Canadian Pension Plans. In 2005, the company’s contribution to the plans will total $239 million. As many of you have seen, through media reports and the Industry News updates in The Daily, several U.S. airlines have chosen a dramatically different approach in dealing with their pension plans and the devastating effects this has had on both their retired and active employees. Against this industry backdrop, we took a different approach to the way we restructured our company, and the payments made recently are a reassuring reminder of Air Canada’s commitment to the preservation of our pension plans – and our future.

Ten new gates to open in T1 in Toronto next week. On Nov. 1, 10 new international gates will become operational at Toronto Pearson Airport’s Terminal 1. The addition of these gates will allow us to operate European, Pacific and Latin American long- haul flights from Terminal 1 – for the time being, seasonal Caribbean and weekend destinations will continue to operate from the Infield Terminal IFT. This is great news for customers flying to and from Toronto and for connecting customers since their flight connections between those international operations and Air Canada domestic flights will now take place under one roof, thus eliminating one of the most aggravating interim processes during the extensive airport renovation at Pearson – the infield- to-terminal bus ride.

Pillows and blankets – get all the facts. Like most North American carriers who once offered pillows and blankets to customers upon demand, we’ve made changes to this product offering. As a cost savings measure we’ve removed pillows and blankets from our daytime North American flights only. It’s important to note that pillows and blankets will continue to be offered free of charge on overnight North American flights and all international flights. Beginning November 1st, on those daytime domestic flights where we have removed complimentary pillows and blankets, we are now offering customers the option of purchasing a take- away kit for the nominal fee of $2 Cdn/US – they may be reused on future flights, at home or in the car. We are the only airline to be offering customers this option.

Our Onboard Café product with a difference launched Nov. 1 marks the completion of our Onboard Café product expansion in Hospitality Class on all flights over 1.5 hours in Canada and the Continental U.S. While several other airlines in North America also offer for- purchase meal products, what makes ours different is the emphasis on quality, brand and choice. As an added benefit to our Latitude and Latitude Plus fare customers, we’re offering a complimentary snack selection on our short haul flights between 1.5 and 2 hours, and a complimentary sandwich and snack selection on flights of more than 2 hours.

Update on binding arbitration decision and Boeing widebody order. On November 1st., the Company received a binding decision by arbitrator Martin Teplitsky, resolving the matter of pilot costs and other issues relating to the airline’s acquisition of Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. "We are pleased with Mr. Teplitsky’s decision which provides us with the certainty required on pilot costs relating to the acquisition of new Boeing widebody aircraft," said Montie. "With the successful resolution of this matter, we can now re-engage Boeing to conclude an agreement on the acquisition of new widebody aircraft and move forward with plans for the airline’s future." Mr. Teplitsky’s decision upholds the terms of the tentative agreement on the matter reached by the Air Canada Pilots’ Association and Air Canada on June 9, 2005.

Air Canada Cargo has entered into a marketing agreement with AirBridge Cargo, the scheduled freight arm of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, covering flights from Amsterdam and Frankfurt to Asia and CIS.

Rescue mission to Cancun update. Last night, our second rescue flight returned from Cancun to Toronto bringing more people home from the devastated resort areas of Mexico. Flight AC 2257, a Boeing 767 with 222 seats, had 217 tired but relieved passengers on board. The vast majority were ACV customers, but there were also some employees and a number of customers of other airlines – we were able to offer seats to any travellers at the airport seeking to return to Canada. As a large group of ACV customers were continuing on to Montreal, we upgauged their connecting Rapidair flight to accommodate them so that they could get home as quickly as possible.

Dave Hempsall sends this - The Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands district.
VICTORIA’S CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON The Christmas luncheon will be held on Tuesday December 06, 2005 in the West Ballroom of the Harbour Towers Hotel, 345 Quebec Street Victoria. Social hour 11:00am and Roast Beef and Turkey Buffet at 12 noon. There will be lots of Door prizes and a 50/50 draw. Our Guest speaker will be Ms. Erika Kanczula from Emergency Social Services, a Division of Emergency Measures Organization. Her topic will be "Are you Prepared".
Cost per person including tax and gratuity is $24.00 Send cheque payable to AIR CANADA PIONAIRS to Marjorie Thorpe, 1769 Astra Rd., Comox, BC V9M 4B6. NO LATER THAN November 28, 2005. Please bring non-perishable food items for the food Bank.

The Comox Valley Pionairs on Vancouver Island send the following - We are booked at the Old House Restaurant in Courtenay for December 21 (Wednesday) at 11:30 for lunch.

Make a note on your calenders and more info will follow.

Passengers travelling on Qatar Airways flights between Doha and Cairo are being offered a unique service to assist in speedy process through immigration at Cairo. A high ranking Egyptian official on board will stamp the passports during the flight. This arrangement has been implemented to cope with the rush of summer traffic.
(Food for thought with the 2010 Olympics in YVR - eds)

From The Internet's Aviation Magazine & News Service
PROPOSED AIR SHOW REGS WORRY EAA
Proposed revisions to air show regulations could not only make the shows a lot less interesting, they could make the photos in magazines and newspapers a lot more pedestrian. EAA has responded to FAA Draft Order 8700.1, Chapter 49, with a shopping list of requests to eliminate rule changes that don't seem to help achieve the stated goal of improving safety. "For example, a proposed rule mandates that flight directions during air shows 'shall be in one direction only,'" an EAA news release quotes the revisions as stating. EAA spokesman Earl Lawrence says the rules could take substantial sizzle out of air show routines, especially warbird flybys. "What might seem to be minor changes could have substantial negative operational and financial implications on air show operations without a corresponding increase in safety," he said. Another rule would require credentialed photographers to shoot from behind the fence, just like the paying customers, which Lawrence says fixes a non-existent problem.

CANADIAN AIR SHOW MAY BE OVER
Although unnecessary regulations can hamper air shows, it's usually economics that kills them and that may be the case of a large Canadian show which might, unfortunately, be remembered for the deaths of two of the best aerobatic pilots anywhere. The Saskatchewan Air Show, in Moose Jaw, ended July 10 when Jimmy Franklin and Bobby Younkin collided while performing their Masters of Disaster routine. Franklin and Younkin died instantly and the third airborne member of the team, Jim LeRoy, landed safely. Last Friday, Moose Jaw Mayor Al Schwinghamer said the air show committee has been disbanded and the show cancelled for 2006 and possibly forever. He said the fatal crash wasn't a factor in the decision.

WITHOUT YOUNKIN, FRANKLIN, X-TEAM FLIES ON
The Masters of Disaster are gone forever but the show must go on. The X-team, of which Younkin and Franklin were members, offered a replacement show called Tribute to the Masters to its bookings for the balance of last summer. It's now getting geared up for a return to the spectacular performance that had been thrilling air show audiences. According to the X- team Web site, the Masters of Disasters name has been retired out of respect for Franklin and Younkin and the new routine will be called Masters of the Xtreme. It will also feature three aircraft, a jet truck and pyrotechnics.

INTERNATIONAL AIR RALLY DRAWS 38 AIRCRAFT
A diverse group of GA pilots from North America and Europe, flying Cessna 172s, a turbo Maule on floats, a Piper TriPacer, a Pilatus PC-12, and more, gathered in Canada in August for a week of competitive flying. The fliers covered 2,200 nautical miles, visiting Hudson Bay, Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec. The rally has been held every summer since 2001. This year's rally was unique, organizers said, for its North Canadian experience, hospitality from the Cree Communities, and the successful cross-border experience into Maine. The 2006 rally, to be held Aug. 3-12, will launch in Minnesota and will take pilots to remote territories of Ontario, Quebec and Labrador.

DHC8-102 C-FDOJ fin 895 c/n 128 now in service with Air Service Gabon. DHC8-102 C-GABH fin 810 c/n 211 now returned to CIT Aerospace. Boeing B747- 475 fin 881/381 c/n 24883 C-GMWW sold to Pegasus Aviation reregistered N987PG.
Vickers Viscount CF-TGI c/n 40 fin 601 is presently preserved at Pina County Air Museum in Tuscon, but not in Trans-Canada Air Lines or Air Canada colours. Reregistered as N225N.
Douglas DC-8 C-FTIL fin 868 c/n 46034 is now with HeavyLift International in Sharjah U.A.E.registered A6-HLA

CALLING ALL COMPUTER & SYSTEMS SERVICES (C&SS) ALUMNI -
The 4TH Annual "Friends of Front St. (FoFS)" Reunion Lunch is happening on Sat. Nov. 26, 2005 at the Royal Canadian Legion, 948 Sheppard Ave. W, Toronto, ON
Shirlee Schacter This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Recently, our co-pilot took a couch tour of Europe, here are some stories -

Thursday Sept 8th
Today is the official start of our European tour. Our flight leaves from Toronto terminal 1. After breakfast in our room, we checked out of the Carlingview Airport Hotel, and took their shuttle to the airport. Interline rate was $85.00 We had a bite to eat before going down for our flight which leaves at 22.15. The gate, 521, is in the middle of the airfield, and requires a bus to get to the waiting room. We traveled in Hospitality, we have not been in that for quite a long time, but we were on a package tour, part of the tour cost, and had good seats. The meal was enjoyable and we managed to get some shut eye before arriving at London Heathrow.

Friday Sept 9th
Arrived at Heathrow about 10:00. We used our UK passports to avoid the delay passing through immigration that ‘others’ suffer. But our travelling companions beat us through with their Canadian passports anyway - there’s no telling! We located out luggage OK. and affixed the special tags to identify us as Trafalgar tourists, then went into the throng in the arrivals hall to locate the agent. He found us and assembled us, with some others, before sending us to catch the small coach which will take the group to our various hotels. The weather was clear and sunny and very warm.
The traffic was relative light and we made good time. We dropped a couple off at their hotel and a little very elderly lady, adorned with a fur hat and a wool suit staggered to the front of the coach to ask the driver which hotel she was going to. He checked his list and told her to stay on . At the next hotel the little old lady got off before the driver could stop her. She was decidedly disoriented, shaky and very elderly. The driver walked her around the bus to help stabilize her before getting her back on the bus. The next stop was this lady’s hotel. The driver helped her off, and placed her luggage with her in front of the revolving door of the hotel entrance. We last saw her looking quite perplexed at the revolving doors and we could imagine her going around for several days before issuing out.
This lady should never be allowed to travel by herself. At last we arrive at the Jury Clifton Ford hotel in Welbeck Street a block behind Oxford street. Our rooms were not available, so we left our luggage in the foyer and went out into the street.
Just down the street was a pub, and we had our first refreshment there this trip was the first time that our travelling companions had left the north American continent!
We had obtained a visitors brochure for London, and used the 20% discount coupon for the 'Slug and Lettuce' restaurant - excellent supper.

Saturday Sept 10th
Today we had a coach tour of the city, driving alongside Hyde Park past Kensington Gardens and the Palace, to the Albert Hall where we stopped to view the Albert Memorial. Then we drove down alongside the Albert Hall onto Brompton Road, to pass by Harrods, into the area of the embassies, the US one looking like an armed fortress. We drove over the bridge and viewed, just, the London Eye. Back over Westminister bridge along by the Houses of Parliament, behind Westminister Abbey, threading our way along narrow roads to the fore court of the Abbey. We then were let off at Westminister Abbey. Many of the surrounding roads were closed off as there was a film unit filming a sequence of The Da Vinci code. We did not go inside the Abbey, only into the shop and made a few purchases. Back on the coach and on to Buckingham Palace, in time to see the changing of the guard. We had a spectacular view, and it was the first time for all of us.
Then the group walked down the Mall and into St. James Palace yard, where we were in time to see the changing of the single guard there. Back on the coach and we were showed some more sights such as Trafalgar Square before dropping us off in Sloane Street, to make our own way back to the hotel. We walked along and into Harrods, just to say we had been there, then crossed the road and went in for a lunch. After lunch we walked passed the Albert Hall and into Hyde Park and then into Kensington Gardens. We were looking for the Peter Pan statue and Diana’s memorial. We missed both, and ended up on the north side of the gardens. We decided, at this point, to take the tube to see St. Paul’s cathedral. The ticket agent told us a cheaper option with the tickets and we went to the train, for our friends first ride on the London underground train.
It had started to rain when we got to St. Paul’s, but we had a good visit in the cathedral. St. Paul’s is not our favourite cathedral, the Westminster Abbey is much more interesting.
We returned to our hotel and went around the corner, later, for a fish and chip supper.
Next city to visit is Amsterdam which we will tell you about later.

UK Passports
Cost for the U.K. passport is ca$166.00 plus ca$15.00 for courier postage. Payment can be made by credit card Visa or Master Charge or money order BUT not personal cheque. Forms and credit card authorization can be downloaded from the web site www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk If you are a British passport holder and were born on or before September 2nd., 1929, you qualify for the gratis scheme and are eligible for a FREE passport.

The 12th Annual World Airline Ski Week
Gentle reminder, and a date adjustment, the dates are actually March 26 to the 31st. The 12th Annual World Airline Ski Week hits the slopes in Banff from March 26th inclusive to March 31st, 2006.
This year's package includes:
- All Deluxe transfers aboard Brewster coaches from Calgary to the Chateau Lake Louise.
- 5 nights accommodation at the Chateau Lake Louise.
- Welcome Reception.
- Your choice of skiing three World Class Resorts ~ Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Banff Mount Norquay.
- Fun Race, Après Ski Party and a Torch Light Banquet Dinner.
- Commemorative Ski Week T-shirt & Bandanna.
- All taxes and gratuities.
Prices start at: $664.00 per person Double Occupancy - CAD$
Hop onto www.RumRabbit.com for more information where you can securely reserve online! Over the past eleven years we have raised more than $30,000.00 for Alzheimer's Charity.

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!

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