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_| TCA |_ B E T W E E N Y O U R S E L V E S
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>_./|\._< for Air Canada retirees
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Your crew is: Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson
Co-pilot - Terry Baker
number 237 date Feb 15th 1998
Published since October 1995.
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.News from the Districts -
From the Pionairs - USA Winter Newsletter -
The Semi-annual meeting held in Miami Nov 12th was attended by
23, rather a disappointing turnout for the organisers.
Chaired by Ina McMurray, Director Pionairs USA Chapter. Speakers
included Doug Lovat Director, Pensions & Employee Benefits -
Air Canada, Olie Moore, our National Pionairs President &
wife Mary, our National Secretary, and Pam Monk, Great West Life
represewntative.
Irene Vaszalinskas was unable to attend, but passed on some
information of concern to the USA Pionairs with regard to the delay
in processing charges for travel passes, which was due to a major
system problem.
Olie Moore provided more details on the Reduced Rate Travel
Committee, chaired by Bob Robbins, supported by Don Demeza and
Ron Vigars representing the USA. Current plans are to publish a
preliminary summary of the travel policies, along with forms
and instructions, prior to the Toronto AGM.
Doug Lovat explained to two new options introduced in July 1996,
for active employees. During March a mailing will be sent to all
retirees outlining options similar to those offered the active
employee. It was explained that the options are strictly voluntary
and retirees may choose to remain in the existing indemnity Plan.
Effective Jan 1st, Pionairs USA are now included in the commission
agreement with both Dargal Interline Cruises & Tours and Canadian
Interline Travel.
Similar to the agreement which exists with the National
Pionairs, where 1% of the cost of each tour or cruise will be paid
to the Pionairs. For USA Pionairs using either of there Interline
Groups, it is essencial the booking agent enters 'Air Canada
Pionairs - USA' on your file.
--=o0o=--
. Found on the Internet.
SAAB Aircraft of Sweden announced in 1997 that it would cease its
Regional Airliner production at the end of 1997. During the recent
DUBAI '97 air show, orders for (19) SAAB340B+ were received from
Meseba Airlines of the US and (14) SAAB2000 from Crossair, the Swiss
regional. The production line will now continue until the 2nd quarter
of 1999. - Never say never again!
Farnborough International Air Show 98 will see the Tupolev TU204-120
fitted out as an executive version for Sirocco.
New UK charter Air Scandic will operate (2) Airbus A300 from
Manchester and Newcastle to European holiday destinations.
Central American National Carriers form an alliance called
Grupo TACA -
TACA - El Salvador
TACA - Honduras
Nica Airlines of Nicaragua
LASCA the Costa Rican National carrier
Aviateca of Guatemala.
Our own Air Canada has confirmed an order for (5) Airbus A330-300
and (3)A340-300 for delivery in mid 1999, to be the first North
American carrier to operate the A330-300.
Continetal Airlines will inaugurate a daily non-stop New York
to Glasgow starting in July.
Emblazoned on the whole length of each aircraft in the fleet of
UK low cost carrier Easyjet is the airlines reservation phone
number.
BA will ban smoking on all flights from Mar 29th.
Are Canadi>ns fares fair to Canadians?
Air fare lunacy has struck again on the West Coast. Some YVR
business travellers are saving money by busing, driving or flying to
Seattle in order to catch the Canadi>n Airlines flight to the
Orient. The round trip airfare to Manila from YVR is CA$4,036, bt
the passenger originating in Seattle pays CA$2,542 for the same
destination. Ironically the flight from Seattle lands in Vancouver for
an aircraft change. Some passengers who bought the lower fare and
tried to board in Vancouver were charged the difference between fares.
--=o0o=--
. Interline stuff.
Celebration Cruise
Hosted by Gerry Philbrook (ex Air Canada Pass Bureau Manager)
14 day Spring Transatlantic on the Norwegian Crusie Line.
Departs Apr 18th from Miami, 2 days at sea, St,Marteen, 5 days at
sea,Madeira, Malaga, Marseilles.
Cost pp dbl: US$798 upper/lower, US$999 inside, US$1098 outside
US$1196 Deluxe.
Royal Olympic Cruise Line.
12 day Panama Canal - Stella Sollaris cost from US$750 pp dbl.
Mar 5th from Galvaston return.
Affordable Egypt tour.
9 days/8 nights with Nile cruise
Departs weekly on Sun & Thurs to Sept 20th.
Cost: CA$1119 pp dbl.
includes: 5day/4 night 5-star Presidential Nile Cruise,
2 nights at Flamenco Hotel,
2 nights sleeper train Cairo/Luxor - Aswan/Cairo,
Tour of Pyramids, Sphinx, Museum, Citadel & Bazaar,
All transfers & entrance fees,
19 meals.
Still chasing the sun? How about Tunisia - Africa.
Prices are pp based on half board for 2 people sharing, bath and
balcony, roundtrip airfare from Gatwick. Friends welcome -
7 days 14 days
Feb 26 - Mar 27 CA$712 CA$1025
Mar 28 - Apr 03 CA$801 CA$1185
Apr 04 - Apr 08 CA$937 CA$1421
Apr 09 - Apr 12 CA$1008 CA$1409
Apr 13 - Apr 23 CA$937 CA$1291
OR how about Tenerife - Canary Islands - same deal
7 days 14 days
Feb 26 - Mar 27 CA$848 CA$1249
Mar 28 - Apr 03 CA$889 CA$1333
Apr 04 - Apr 08 CA$1114 CA$1510
Apr 09 - Apr 12 CA$1114 CA$1421
Apr 13 - Apr 23 CA$937 CA$1362
Call 1-800-690-3223 for details and mention Pionairs.
--=o0o=--
. Smilie.
Sent to us by Gordon Dalziel.
Heard over the Southwest Airlines PA system -
"Welcome aboard Southwest Flight XXX, to XYZ . To operate your seat
belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight.
It works just like every other seat belt, and if you don't know how
to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised.
In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will
descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it
over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you,
secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling
with two small children, decide now which one you love more.
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds,
but they'll try to have them fixed before we arrive.
--=o0o=--
. That's it for this time, please we need your input, send
comments and email addresses of any others who may be
interested to Vesta with a copy to Terry.
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. BEAUTIFUL B.C. CANADA .
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