­
Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995


The NetLetter #895
$Account.OrganizationName
The NetLetter
Since Oct/95 August 13, 2005

 

Number 895

About us!

Must know...

Found on the Internet

Air Canada News

Reader Feedback

News from the Districts

Star Alliance News

Terry's Travel Tips

Luxury Condo in Kauai, Hawaii for rent

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.



 


Please visit our Sponsors

 



Dear NetLetter,

For our new readers

We now estimate that the NetLetter is read by over 2700 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


  • Must know...
  • Vesta

    Flights are full this summer - make your travel plans accordingly. As we’re facing record levels of customers this summer some destinations are proving especially problematic for stand-by travel. For instance, in Paris, a high volume of contingent passengers are waiting for space on flights, and in some cases, people have been waiting for several days. Also, with the 2005 Canada Summer Games ready to take place in Regina from Aug. 6 – 20 we anticipate heavy loads with many athletes and visitors making their way to and from the games. Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans. Remember, if you want to attempt travel on another airline you should travel with ZED tickets. Your airport colleagues' first priority is to care for our revenue customers and in a busy airport no last minute ZED tickets will be issued to employees.

  • Found on the Internet
  • American Airlines said it was concerned that a plan to expand US daylight-saving time could disrupt international flight schedules and make it tough to compete with foreign carriers.

    Continental Airlines announced modifications in its free checked-bags policy for international travel, to reflect new weight limits of 50 lbs. each for up to two pieces.

    WestJet, the low cost Canadian airline want to obtain a 180 minute ETOPS (Extended Twin Engine Operation) clearance from Transport Canada so that they can operate their B737 on longer routes, such as Halifax to London UK or Vancouver to Hawaii.

  • Air Canada News
  • In June, the Phantom Works/Chorus Motors team, in cooperation with Air Canada, installed an electric motor drive on an Air Canada 767 and conducted a series of tests. Air Canada pilots performed ground maneuvers on slopes and terrains typical of those at airports around the world, including driving in reverse from a gate and taxiing forward to a runway. Tests also were performed at ramp temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit and at loads of up to 94 percent of the maximum takeoff weight for the airplane.

    ACE announced it will follow its move to divest of part of its loyalty program Aeroplan with a similar spin-off of its wholly-owned regional unit Jazz. In addition to the 60 Embraer regional jets which Air Canada has recently begun inducting into its fleet at the mainline carrier, Jazz is receiving its own 50- and 75-passenger regional jets from Bombardier and will have a fleet of 73 jet aircraft by mid 2006, along with a more valuable role in the now profitable Air Canada network.

    Coming...Eventually...to a Seatback Near You
    Air Canada recently received the second of its three new regional workhorse models it will use to expand capacity in North America and introduce new trans-border routes to the U.S. With the aircraft, an Embraer 175, Air Canada unveiled its new interiors, to be rolled out fleet-wide over the next couple of years.

    Replacing the airline's green interiors, which have adorned the fleet for about a decade, will be new blue cloth interiors in business and economy class. But the new interior's biggest feature, its seatback television system, will not be installed until the fall.

    The new interiors will be installed on other aircraft as soon as the inflight entertainment system is ready. Originally to have been delivered, the hardware now will be installed in November with system software installed in December, Air Canada says.

    Following the Embraer 175s, the new interiors will be rolled out on the airline's Airbus narrowbody fleet, followed by its Boeing 767s and its Airbus A330s/A340s, a process that will take about two years.

  • Reader Feedback
  • Regarding Herb Noble's comments on North Stars in NetLetter #893

    The M-1 North Stars were still active in TCA service after March 1948. I started in August '48 and clearly remember working on them for some time after that. Especially using EC801 sealant to fix Wing Tank fuel leaks. I can't remember clearly but, didn't one of them (possilbly 188) get into some kind of a problem on a landing at Sidney, N.S. and get written off.

    Maybe other some of the other Ol' Codgers from those early days can help. On the other hand, there's probably not many of us left.

    And, I'll bet none of you have a 25 gallon North Star Engine Oil Tank for a pet, like I do.

    All the best to all, Jack Russell. (Retired since '83).

  • News from the Districts
  • News from the districts - David Hempsall sends this reminder;

    The Victoria Pionair's summer picnic will be held August 17, 2005 at MOUNT DOUG Park. The picnic will start at 11:00am. The cost is $2.00 per person. Please bring your lunch, folding chairs and join us for a day of socializing, fun and games.

    Directions to the Park - Coming from Royal Oak you would take Cordova Bay Road thru Mount Doug area and then just before entrance to Ash Road make a left hand turn into the Park area.

    Coming from Shelbourne when you come to Cordova Bay Road and Ash Road you drive right into the Park area. The picnic spot is on the left hand side can't miss it only area there - lots of parking along the side.

  • Star Alliance News
  • Bankrupt United Airlines has said it would delay the filing of its reorganization plan and accompanying documents, a move that also could delay its Chapter 11 exit to next year.

  • Terry's Travel Tips
  • Discounted Rate Voucher for your employee groups - Banff/Canmore

    Bow Valley Bedfinders in Canmore extending the following discount to all employees/retirees. Receive 25-50% Off Rack Rates On All Room Types When you book your getaway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. You can download a voucher and print it from - Interline Virtually Anywhere tm.

    Dublin Airport to the North
    Wyc & Ruby Livingston have recently come back from Dublin and had a great holiday in Ireland, North and South! There is a new bus service which leaves from the Arrivals level and travels to Belfast. Makes a few stops on the way at larger towns and on return you can get a transfer to the downtown Dublin hotels. It is 7 euros single and 12 euros return. (or 5 pounds sterling and 10 pounds return). Very comfortable and at such a reasonable price it's a great trip.
    Hope someone will find this info helpful.
    Ruby Livingston - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Deals from Travel Industry Services (UK) - 2 Night Mini Break

    Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Cruise Line
    06 Aug 2005
    Departs from/Arrives into: Dover
    Vists: Amsterdam
    from GBP159 Balcony LIMITED AVAILABILITY


    7nt Stay in Palma and 7nt Med Cruise
    16, 30 Aug 2005
    Ocean Village
    Flights from UK/Palma/UK
    Cruise departs from: Palma
    from GBP724
    Ocean-View from GBP774
    Includes flights, 4*hotel for 1st week Half Board, transfers & gratuities!
    Alternative cruise available on 23 Aug


    13 Night Europe
    20 Aug 2005
    Century, Celebrity Cruises
    Departs from: Amsterdam/Arrives into: Barcelona from GBP462

    7 Night Bahamas
    21 Aug 2005
    FAMILY AND FRIENDS OFFER
    Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Cruise Line
    Departs/Arrives into: New York
    from GBP404
    Ocean-View from GBP461

    20 Night Canada and New England
    30 Aug 2005
    Queen Elizabeth 2, Cunard
    Departs from/Arrives into: Southampton
    from GBP899

    8 Night Caribbean
    2, 10, 18 Sep 2005
    Carnival Legend, Carnival
    Departs from/Arrives into: New York from GBP288

    Travel Industry Services (UK)
    Cruises: 0870 041 1600
    Flights: 0870 041 1100
    Hotels: 0870 041 9106

  • Luxury Condo in Kauai, Hawaii for rent
  • This year Norm and Joan Randall do not expect to be using their luxury condo weeks on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii, and would be willing to rent them out.

    We have two units that sleep 6 people each. Both are 2000 sq. ft. in size. They may be available either as 2 units consecutively, or possibly both units for the same week, i.e. for a large family gathering; or one week at a time. We would have to apply for the dates requested. The availability depends on dates requested in the complex by other owners.

    The complex is called Pahio at Ka'Eo Kai and is located in the community of Princeville on the north end of Kauai - the garden island, where many movies have been filmed, including South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, and Jurassic Park.

    For further information, visit: www.pahio .com/kaeokai.asp this will bring up the home page for these units.
    On left side of page see;
    - Directions
    - Amenities
    - Floor plans (there are 2 different 2 bedroom units each 2000 sq. feet)

    On right side of home page see;
    - Garden Island Description
    - Island Activities

    We would like $1150.00 CDN dollars per week for each unit – for 6 people this is about $28.00 per day per person.

    For more info- regarding dates etc; contact Norm or Joan Randall @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – or phone 604-261- 4308

    Note: this ad has been placed here in return for a donation to the ACFamily Network to help pay for the costs of this NetLetter.

    Click here to visit the Pahio at Ka'Eo Kai
  • 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
  • New Pionairs Members can now sign-up Online!
  • Are you an Air Canada retiree? If so, are you a member of the Pionairs yet? If not, you can now sign up to the Pionairs Online and even pay by Credit Card.

    The Pionairs members are retirees of Air Canada, Canadian Airlines International and its constituent airlines.

    As a member you will be entitled to the full privileges offered by Pionairs, including periodic bulletins from the District in which you reside and from the National Executive Board.

    You will also have the opportunity to attend coffee meetings, luncheons, and the Association's Annual General Meeting.

    Pionairs represent the interests of its members in matters related to pensions, group health benefits, and travel privileges.
    Your membership will help keep you in touch and strengthens the Pionairs' voice as your official representative to Air Canada.

    Membership: $12.50 a year

     

    Learn More about the Pionairs
    email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

     



    NetLetter Subscription

    Please fill in the form below to subscribe.
    Airline
    Referral

    Thank you. We hope that you enjoy The NetLetter.
    ­