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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.

Happy Mother's Day! Be sure to see the story below entitled "Not just a Mom".

Air Canada seems to have made a slight change in their ETS website address that is causing some concern for many retirees. It seems they have changed the ETS (Employee Travel Site) web address from https://travel.aircanada.ca that a lot of people had bookmarked to http://travel.aircanada.com

The first link gives a security error while the second link is OK. (Now you know).

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

A change in the way employees and retirees contact Employee Services (North America only). As many of you are aware, on June 6, a number of administrative functions carried out by People Services and other Employee Relations departments will be outsourced to Hewitt Associates, however, the development of new programs and policies will continue to be managed by Air Canada's Employee Relations team. Trained to provide you with personal service in a highly secure environment, Hewitt's service associates will be available from Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in all time zones in North America. To ensure your personal information is protected and to confirm your identity when calling the Employee Services Contact Centre, later this month, a letter containing a unique four- digit password will be sent to the home address of all active and retired employees based in North America.

From the http://travel.aircanada.com web site - When booking your travel, keep to one priority - We understand that travelling on standby can be nerve wracking when the flight loads are full or almost full. However, this is one of the prices we pay for the privilege of being able to travel so easily and at a significant saving. It's come to our attention that there has been an increase in the number of employees listing themselves with different priorities for the same flight and date (i.e.: C2/Y10 plus a C1/J10). Registering yourself under two separate priorities is NOT permitted. The final selection of your priority status for personal travel must be completed prior to your arrival at the airport. Airport agents will not make changes to your priority once you are at the airport. Please remember, one of the first rules of employee travel is to ensure the operation is not negatively affected by your travel arrangemen

Pulled from the ACFamily Network

Not Just a Mom

A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a..."Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother."

"We don't list 'mother' as an occupation... 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it, I do not know... The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another mother."

Motherhood...What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".

Author Unknown

Help wanted by Byron Dale

Over the past 40 years (28 on active service) I have flown hundreds of times, including 64 other airlines, visiting 5 continents and 45 countries.
My desire is to create an historic document for the family. I have lots of boarding cards, flight coupons, expense accounts, etc. to accurately complete the document.
I want to have a relational data base, with pull-down menues of:
a) Airports including 3 letter codes, for departure and arrivals,
b) Cities and countries for company business beyond airports,
c) Calendar, available for different "fields" inserts, d) Airlines - some now defunct.
e) mileage between airports ??

All those sub-programs have already been written so its a case of a programmer importing them into the database.
There will be an "Entry card" where the information can be initially entered.
Are there any colleagues out there who could create such a relational data-base for me?
Probably other Pionairs would want the program as well.

Byron Dale - R20903 - General Claims.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Obituary of an ex coworker (YYZXNAC) of mine and a long time NetLetter reader. Vesta.

GARY J. ROBERTSON
Suddenly, on April 28, 2005 in his 58th year. Dear son of the late William and Vera. Loving father of Karen, Suzanne and Graham. Dear brother of the late Wayne. Beloved husband of Pauline for 32 years. Gary will be forever loved and fondly remembered by his many friends and family.

Lufthansa is in no hurry to replace its fleet of 60 737- 300s/-500s even though the aircraft have an average age of 14 years.

Lufthansa will make an offer on Wednesday to the small shareholders of Swiss International Air Lines, which it is taking over

Flight attendants and mechanics at United Airlines both threatened to engage in strike action if the carrier's agreement to terminate its pension plans is approved by the US Bankruptcy Court at a May 11 hearing.

Bankrupt US Airways on Wednesday said it took a USD$91 million charge in its recently reported first quarter related to the termination of three benefit pension plans.

Singapore Airlines confirmed reports that delivery of its first A380 will be delayed from the original target of May 2006

All 18 air controllers on duty at Tokyo's Haneda Airport forgot a runway was shut for construction and one of them told a plane to land there, officials said, but the aircraft was safe as the stretch was clear.

Before you check out of your hotel, carefully examine your bill to make sure you were billed the quoted rate, particularly when your stay spans both a weekend and weekday, which are often billed at different rates. Mistakes are common (which is a good reason to avoid the express checkout service).

====================================
ALASKA CRUISES
====================================
Royal Caribbean - Radiance of the Seas - May 14 - 7 Nights
Alaska - Vancouver Roundtrip
Starting in Vancouver with stops in Inside Passage (Cruising), Juneau,
Skagway, Hubbard Glacier (Cruising), Ketchikan.
Inside: $649 USD, Oceanview: $699 USD, Balcony: $799 USD


Norwegian - Norwegian Dream - 10 Nights - May 19
Alaska Return: Vancouver to Seattle
Starting in Vancouver with stops in Cruise the Inside Passage, Ketchikan,
Juneau, Skagway, Cruise Hubbard Glacier, Anchorage, Cruise Gulf of Alaska, Sitka, Prince Rupert, Seattle.
Inside: $599 USD, Oceanview: $699 USD
Balcony: $1299 USD, Suite: $1999 USD


Norwegian - Norwegian Spirit - May 14- 7 Nights Alaska - Vancouver to Seattle
Starting in Vancouver with stops in Cruise the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Cruise Sawyer Glacier, Seattle.
Inside: $299 USD, Oceanview: $399 USD, Balcony: $499 USD


Celebrity - Mercury - May 20 - 7 Nights
Alaska - Vancouver to Seattle
Starting in Vancouver with stops in Juneau, skagway, Hubbard Glacier
(Cruising), Ketchikan, Inside Passage (Cruising), Seattle.
Inside: $400 USD, Oceanview: $500 USD, Balcony: $750 USD


Norwegian - Norwegian Spirit - May 21- 7 Nights Alaska Return - Seattle Roundtrip
Starting in Seattle with stops in Cruise the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Cruise Sawyer Glacier, Skagway, Prince Rupert.
Inside: $399 USD, Oceanview: $499 USD, Balcony: $599 USD


Norwegian - Norwegian Star - May 22- 7 Nights Alaska Roundtrip - Seattle Roundtrip
Starting in Seattle with stops in Cruise the Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway,Cruise Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Victoria.
Oceanview: $499 USD, Balcony: $599 USD


Norwegian - Norwegian Spirit - May 28- 7 Nights Alaska Return - Seattle Roundtrip
Starting in Seattle with stops in Cruise the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Cruise Sawyer Glacier, Skagway, Prince Rupert.
Inside: $499 USD, Oceanview: $599 USD, Balcony: $699 USD


Princess - Regal Princess - May 28 - 10 Nights Alaska - San Francisco Roundtrip
Starting in San Francisco return with stops in Victoria, Sika, Tracey Arm, Juno, Ketichikan. Inside: $949 USD, Oceanview: $999 USD


Norwegian - Norwegian Star - May 29- 7 Nights Alaska Roundtrip - Seattle Roundtrip
Starting in Seattle with stops in Cruise the Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway, Cruise Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Victoria.
Oceanview: $599 USD, Balcony: $699 USD


All cruise prices quoted per person based upon double-occupancy in USD.
Port Changes Included.


For information and reservations, please call
INTERLINE WORLD VACATIONS AT
1-866-279-8480 toll free or (604) 279-8482

While flying into Cheyenne one spring day the tower anounced to pattern traffic...
Tower: Piper 1234 be aware of a flock of birds off of runway 12.
Piper 1234: Tower, we have birds in sight off our right wing.
Tower: Piper 1234 can you deternime what kind of birds they are? ...Geese?
Cessna 567: Tower we have a flock of cranes off of our left wing.
Tower: Cessna 567, can you tell what kind of cranes? (pause)
Piper 1234: They appear to be ... unlit cranes.
Unidentified:... Had that one coming.

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!

(From the ACFamily Network)

We have found a place where you can create your own web site for reunions, weddings, etc. Please take a look if you're interested.

Most Internet users are familiar with Adobe Acrobat Reader. When web sites (and email lists) wish to share files with their readers it is not practical to have them download files that they are not able to open or which could be infected by viruses.

To solve this problem, Adobe Software provides a "Free" reader to allow anyone that downloads their viewer to read these files.

Click on the "Adobe Reader 7.0" image to download your free copy of Adobe Reader. Instructions for installing it are found using the link below. (The NetLetter does not provide support for installing the reader, but Nerds On Site do.) See the links to them on the left panel.

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!)