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_| TCA |_ B E T W E E N Y O U R S E L V E S
_|\| AIR |/|_ N E T L E T T E R
> CANADA <
>_./|\._< for Air Canada retirees
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Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson
http://www.acra.ca/between/vesta/
Co-pilot - Terry Baker
http://www.acra.ca/between
number 355 date April 6th, 1999 1st Published in October 1995
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. Subject: 1999 Pionairs Annual General Meeting (AGM 99)
The following message is from Roy McCormack, Treasurer, for the benefit
of those who have not registered for the AGM and may still wish to go.
"With a little over two weeks to go until AGM 99, advanced registrations
have been made by approximately 400 Pionairs. Up until now, registrations for
only individual events were not accepted in order to first accommodate
those who wished to register for the complete AGM program.
Now it is possible to accept registrations for those Pionairs who wish to
attend only one or two events. The date of these events and the costs per
person are as follows:-
Welcome Reception: Sunday, April 25th, 6 - 9 PM;
CA$ 30.00; US$ 20.00
Dinner/Dance: Monday, April 26th, 7 PM - 1 AM;
CA$ 55.00, US$ 37.00
Banquet: Tuesday, April 27th, 7 PM,
CA$ 55.00, US$ 37.00
Full AGM Program: Sunday April 25th thru Tuesday April 27th.
CA$ 135.00, US$ 91.00
Business Meetings: Monday & Tuesday, 9 AM till Noon.
No Charge.
All payments should be by cheque, payable to Air Canada Pionairs.
All Pionairs should check-in for the AGM at "Action Central" in the Beluga
Room of the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel, 1088 Burrard St. in Vancouver. Those
attending individual evening events are asked to check-in no later than 5 PM,
since Action Central will be closed at 6 PM. Attendees who have not pre-paid
should check-in at the Non-Pre-Paid Check-in Desk to make the appropriate
payment for the event they are attending and receive an envelope with the
corresponding admission tickets.
See you all there - Roy McCormack Treasurer 705-445-8485
E-Mail: roy
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" ' "
. We welcome
David Giesbrecht can be reached on
retired captain living in Langley, BC.
Ross L. Graham Email:
living in Green Valley, On.
Gilles Lafreniere retired captain lives in Drummondville, Qc
Email:
Email:
Bob Wilson living in Delta, BC.
Nick Boere retired from Air Canada and now works as the
Manager of Air Operations for West Canada for UPS.
email for Nick is
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" ' "
. Where are they now?
Norm Savill has moved his email address to
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" ' "
. This may give you a chuckle, from your co-pilot Terry -
This is a story which crossed my desk in the 70's, thought it worth
repeating, editted. Author unknown!
The CIA could have done no more research. I had worked out the best
day, weather conditions, non-stop flights, ethnic and religious holidays,
aircraft
types and passenger loads. It was perfect. I would fly on a pass for a short
vacation. I have my last first class pass.
I had started planning a week before, 3 separate phone calls to
reservations. I knew exactly how many first class seats were empty, ecomomy
was oversold and how many cons listed. Exact numbers, no show factors ...
I had it all. I had the pattern of the flight, and my decision was made.
Everything was perfect.
'Goodness' I thought. "It's great to work for an airline.'
The expressway was busy, and very likely there would be even more
empty seat as passengers were delayed enroute.
I arrived at the airport 40 minutes before flight time. Smarter than
most revenue passengers, I carried only a flight bag with essentials .. no
lost baggage for me. I was crisp in a suit and tie, not wanting to miss an
opportunity to be in first class.
I presented my pass and settled in across from the gate. I straightened
my tie and watched the passengers check in, noting those smartly dressed
which would indicate other hopeful cons, and assessed their priority in
relation to mine.
Then I heard it. I turned full around to look at several ticket agents
talking. I'd picked up the one word: 'Mechanical'.
A non-rev feels the word in the pit of his stomach even before it
registers in the ears. It's a hot knife which carves delay, lost time,
cancelled plans, disaster. The earlier flight had been cancelled. Passengers
off the first flight were being put onto my flight. MY flight!
I searched for any threatening non-revs who hoped to board. I saw
her as she eased he way to the gate, everything screamed staff, she was too
well
dressed to be a revenue, bulky carry-on means no suitcase. Her eyes skimmed
over me as she approached the desk. Why, oh why, did the agent have to be a
guy? Why couldn't it have been a girl!
She smiled at him with everything she had, not even subtle. She
laughed all the way to the seat. Naturally she had a skirt with a slit that
went all
the way up to there when she crossed her legs. And it didn't go unnoticed.
She glanced in my direction, long enough to size up the situation,
bulky carry-on, suit, tie who else but an interliner would wear such clothes.
I wondered if she had a business pass. That could be bad, but if she was from
a competitor airline that could be good.
The were boarding now. Goodness where did all those kids come from? I
hate those cheap fares. The last babble of voices were distant now, we were
alone. She avoided my eyes. What? They called her! She made it! She swept up
the boarding pass and something died in me, I think it was hope. I think I
was the only passenger in the whole airport. I could hear the shuffle of the
tickets being counted. I was completely ignored .. invisible.
'Oh why do I work for an airline and put myself through this everytime
I want to travel' I think ' From now on I'll never .....'. Me? You called me?
The last seat? Sure, sure economy is just fine. I made it!
Everyone is seated. They are all looking at me as I walk further until
I reach the toilet door. Not a seat in sight. He's speaking to me: 'Mix up
in seating... terribly sorry.. please bring your carry-ons and follow me'.
I feel guilty, it isn't worth it, never again.
We stop at first class. Oh buddy, please don't embarrass me in and tell
me I am off-loaded, please lets just leave the cabin. What, wrong class, I'm
supposed to be in first class?
I'm seated right next to the girl and she does have a beautiful smile.
I return it and relax. I order a Manhattan and sink back in my seat.
We taxi off and my hand tightens around the glass. It was worth it,
it's great to be working for an airline, the only way to travel.
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" ' "
. This, the 30th year anniversary for the Prestwick Close Golf Tourney, the
annual tournament held by members of Flight Ops, and is being held in
P.E.I. on Sept 9th thru 10th.
Sept 7th - Arrive early for lobster dinner
8th - Breakfast, golf and hip of beef dinner
9th - Breakfast, golf and Chez Yvonne restaurant for dinner
10th - Breakfast and golf.
Cost covers 3 nights accommodations, 3 continentl breakfast, 3 dinners
and 3 rounds of golf with carts.
A total of 47 golfers and 13 non golfers have signed up so far, and very
little room left. Included in the group are Dave & Chris Mann, Jim &
Karen Bush of United Airlines all from Knoxville, Tennessee. Tom &
Carolyn Spratt
and Ralph & Brownie Jones from Eastern all from Atlanta, Georgia and,
all the way from Melbourne, Australia, John & Barbara Dorward who was with
Ansett.
Very limited space remains - only 8 at this time.
Ralph and Heather Tisdall are the driving force behind this group. If
anyone wishes to get any information or names of attendees so they can
ooh and ahh, email them at
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" ' "
. 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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