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Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995



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T H E                         _| TCA |_       
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N E T L E T T E R                 >  CANADA   <
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( For retirees of the )                    |
(new Air Canada family)


Number 466  March 31st, 2000,  We first Published in October 1995


Chief Pilot  - Vesta Stevenson   -    Co-pilot  - Terry Baker


<NEW>   e-mail address is:    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. We welcome -
Helen Smith-Narraway Flight Attendant lives in Portland, ON
email:          This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jean Chernenko retired Passenger Agent  living in Delta B.C.
email:          This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gerald J. Mitchell lives in Sooke, B.C. email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jeanne Helaouet retired and lives in Trois-Rivieres, QC
email:          This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Richard Corbeil email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
living in Boisbriand, QC. Customer Service Manager
Bob & Myra Currie email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Worked at Air Canada many moons ago and have many fond
memories and a lot of acquaintances there still.
My Name is  Lynn W. Evoy. I live in White Rock, B.C. and the last
time I  flew, August 30th, 1999, I was a Captain on the DC-10.
PS.  My two sons, Jim (A320/YYZ)& John (B767/YVR), fly for Air Canada.
email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I am N.J. (Jack) Logan, currently residing in Delta, B.C. and I
retired as Flight Operations Director, Vancouver base, in 1981.
My e-mail address is <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Carollyne Sinclaire email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Flight Attendant lives
in Abbotsford, B.C.
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will find Sarah Millar lives in
London, ON Spouse of James Millar (deceased)


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. Need to know.
From the RAPCAN newsletter issued by Duane Frerichs This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
REDUCED RATE TRAVEL WITH oneworld. (Affects Canadian Airlines)
A reminder that, with the departure of CDN/CRA from the oneworld
alliance, all oneworld pass travel for employees, parents, etc. will
end May 31.
Therefore, if your oneworld trip is not complete by May 31, you must
find an alternate route for the return.
We will provide updates on potential interline agreements with the
remaining  oneworld carriers, as the information becomes available.


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. We welcomed Herbert Butcher recently and he kindly sends this bio -
On Oct. 22nd, l945 I began work with T.C.A. in the Aircraft Statistical
Bureau, Wpg. I was age 17.  This was a department of Accounting but
later became part of Maintenance.  In 1963 I was transferred to Dorval
where I held the positions of Office Methods Supervisor and Office
Production Supervisor.  A few years later I was appointed Supervisor
Personnel Administration in the Office of the Vice President Operations,
PVM, Montreal.  After the company reorganization I was transferred to
Customer Service Headquarters, Montreal as Personnel Services Supervisor.
In 1972 I returned to Wpg. as Pension and Retirement Specialist in the
Personnel Branch.  Seven years later I joined the Finance Branch as
Administration Manager where I remained until I elected to take early
retirement in May 1983.  After working in so many different branches I
was fortunate to be associated with many fine people and I would be
pleased to hear from any of my past associates..
Herb Butcher  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Also Pab Wispinski sends this bio -
Really don't know how I ever had time to work?? a little about myself,
I sarted with T.C.A. in  Edmonton in 1949, (at YXD Airport,) Station
Attendant, then shortly after, to Ramp Agent Weight & Balance, then to
Ramp Supervisor, and ended my career with Air Canada in 1983 as a
Customer Service Manager. My 34 years all in Edmonton??  
The next 10 years career in financial Industry, and full retirement,
in 1993. Member of pioneers in Edmonton.
Current occupation? Winter - Computer & Woodworking and would appreciate
contact with any other Wood Craft Buffs & exchange Ideas?
Summer - is Golf and Gardening, and no time to relax??
Pab  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


. Ian Gardner sends this from OZ -
For interest of anyone heading Down Under to OZ a new Penguin Australian
Accommodation Guide has been produced - a hefty volume covering about
16,000 places to stay across Australia from serviced apartments to City
Hotels and B. & Bs. Further info available from publishers Web site at
www.jasons.com.au -  local price A$29.95. Possibly available also through
Penguin distributors in Canada.
Anyone coming to OZ should make sure that they visit this lovely Island
served by Ansett or their subsidiary Kendal Airlines from both Melbourne
and Sydney - remember the Olympics later this year.
best wishes and thanks for all the NLs - Ian Gardner
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. T2K coffee group -
Don't forget the upcoming coffee klatch on Tuesday, April 4th at the
Golden Griddle - Airways Centre on the airport strip at 1100.
Al Graham is hoping to attend as many people are expressing concern
about former retirees not being included in pension raises.
Several people have been discussing this since last November and feel
that perhaps it's time to engage a lawyer to look into the matter.
This would mean everyone kicking in an amount of money as a retainer.
So you might want to attend this klatch and pass the word along to all
other retirees.
Also I would appreciate you spreading the word about the party for
Sam MacDonald. Sam Macdonald has gotten her transfer to YSJ.
As a matter of fact, she has already gone. But she will return to pack
up and for a party in her honour. April 10 - 1500 hours
Port Credit Legion  $10 for present and some eats. Take QE west to
Mississauga Rd. Take Mississauga Rd. south to under the railroad bridge
and Post Rd. is on the left. Take Post Rd. and you'll see the Legion on
the left.....If you end up on the Lakeshore off Mississauga Rd.....
you've gone too far........
Cheers .. Janet (for Sheila)  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. Phil Pawsey sent this to the RAPCAN newsletter issued by Duane Frerichs
I have heard this before and think it is true but not completely sure.
Paying Attention
One of strangest "crashes" in aviation history, as related by noted
aviation author Ernest K. Gann, involved a PBY Catalina amphibian that
was being ferried to Europe by way of Greenland. Flying across the
Greenland icecap, the pilots were simply relying upon their view out
the windshield without watching and cross-checking their instruments.
The first indication that anything wrong was when they realized that
there was no sound of the plane passing through the air and that the
airspeed indicator read zero, even though engines were turning at normal
cruise power. Since the scenery as they flew over the icecap consisted of
nothing but white-on-white, their senses had fooled them into thinking
that they were flying straight and level when, in reality, they were in
a very slow descent.
The descent was so slow, in fact, that, at cruise power, they had
literally flown right onto the icecap. Their touchdown on a smooth,
snow-covered area was so light that they simply slid across the icecap
as the snow gradually reduced their speed until they came to a complete
standstill. The "landing" was so light and the slow-down so gradual that
neither pilot felt a thing.
When they realized what had happened, they shut down the engines and
jumped out onto the snow, laughing themselves silly.
Postscript: Their laughter didn't last long, though...because of all
the snow, they couldn't get up enough speed to take off again and spent
a couple of cold days waiting for a rescue party to arrive.
Phil Pawsey <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>


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. Bob Robbins sends us these memories -
Subject:  The Late Captain George Lothian
News of Captain George Lothian's death tugged my heartstrings.
He and I were members of Transatlantic Regional Operations Manager
Captain Maurice McGregor's management team.
Here's one happy memory:
In the early fifties Maurice often had Friday morning meetings of
the team.  He and George loved their cigars, and each usually consumed
at least one per meeting.
One Friday George and Maurice lit up their stogies, and the meeting
ground along as usual.  However on this morning Maurice seemed to find
that participation was steadily fading away.  It took him a while to
notice that all eyes were on George, and a little while longer to see
that they were focussed on the lengthening ash on George's cigar.
It was only after the ash was at least  four inches long, and it became
evident that George was puffing deeply and rapidly, that the meeting
collapsed in roars of laughter. George finally confessed, showing us
that he'd straightened a paper clip and buried it in the outer length
of his smoke!
Another memory of George....
One day in the fifties I was on the Dorval Trans-Atlantic ramp just
after a flight from the UK had arrived.  George was the Captain, and I
noticed that he seemed to be searching the ramp for something.
When I asked if I could help he said that he was looking for the Station
Attendant who signalled his aircraft onto the ramp.   I pointed out
Bob Sauberli, and then asked him if there was something wrong.
He said no, but that he'd been recently complaining about poor signals
by our Station,  and Bob had done so well that he wanted to recognize a
significant improvement -- after probably more than 20 hours up and a
North Star Atlantic crossing!  George was always a gentleman.
With fond memories
Bob Robbins  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. Alan Rust sends this info -
About the AC Family Network.
The AC Family Network is busy building a group of sites (a "Network" so
to speak) of special interest to the AC "Family".
The main site is at: www.acfamily.net with other complete web sites
beneath it. We "host" some of those other sites (for free) in order to
bring a broader range of content for all active or retired employees.
Some "sub" sites are independent from the AC Family Network and operated
by different administrators and webmasters who maintain separate member
lists for their own groups.
The NetLetter and A-Crew are part of the    overall system and although
independently operated, we work together as a team to bring information
to all groups of all ages.
I hope this explains the setup better.
For further information please go to: http://www.acfamily.net/who.html
Regards,Alan Rust  Web Administrator


Air Canada will commence daily non-stop service between Toronto and
Amsterdam. Flights on the new route will be operated with Air Canada
wide body Boeing 767-200 aircraft featuring the airline's acclaimed
Executive First and Hospitality service.


As of March 26, the Star Alliance members are:
Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Ansett Australia,
Austrian Airlines Group, Lufthansa German Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines
System - SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and
VARIG Brazilian Airlines. Singapore Airlines is set to join the
alliance next month, to be followed later this year by Mexicana Airlines
and British Midland Airways.
With the addition of the new members, the Star Alliance network will
cover more than 800 destinations in 130 countries.
Alan Rust  Web Administrator AC Family Network http://www.acfamily.net
mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. From the RAPCAN newsletter issued by Duane Frerichs This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
RUMOURS AND TRUTHS
Rumour: AC will merge AC and CDN seniority lists.
Truth: This is false. The Company is not the custodian of seniority
lists.
They're owned and controlled by the Unions and their  membership.
The final decision on whether to keep the lists separate or file
applications under the Canada Labour Code to merge them is ultimately
up to the Unions and their membership.
Rumour: Eighteen months after CDN migrates to RESIII, both AC and
CDN will revert to SABRE.
Truth:  This is false. However, AC's long-term goal is to align its
reservations system with Star Alliance members. No decision
has been made on which system will be used.
Rumour: Due to the integration of AC and CDN, AC will introduce a
Weight and Balance office in Vancouver (YVR).
Truth: This is false. Air Canada will not start up a Weight and Balance
office in YVR. Details on the CDN Weight and Balance operation's
integration into AC is still under review.
Rumour: AC will now perform CDN's passenger service handling in the US.
Truth: CDN and CRA will be contracting passenger service handling from
AC at Newark (EWR), Houston (IAH), LaGuardia (LGA), Los Angeles
(LAX), Miami (MIA) and San Francisco (SFO). At other stations,
CDN and Canadian Regional Airlines (CRA) will remain with their
current provider or contract their work to United Airlines.
Rumour: CDN employees will be offered retirement incentive packages
but AC employees will not.
Truth: This is false. Details of the Voluntary Separation Program
will be forwarded to all employees of both airlines in mid-April.

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. Vesta, our Chief pilot thought this may be of interest -
March 8, 2000 OTTAWA, March 7 /CNW/ - NAV CANADA and Air Canada are
pleased to announce the completion of successful transatlantic
communication trials that will significantly improve the communication
between aircraft flying across the North Atlantic and the Gander Automated
Air Traffic Control System (GAATS). The traditional method of communication
with aircraft over the North Atlantic is via voice communications using
High Frequency (HF) radio where the quality varies depending on atmospheric
conditions. The increasing growth in the number of flights over the North
Atlantic further emphasizes the problems of HF communications due to
frequency congestion. The communication system known as ``Controller Pilot
Data Link Communications'' (CPDLC) replaces voice communication with a
digital communication link whereby a coded message, such as a position
report or a clearance, is transmitted. Messages are relayed between the
aircraft and controllers via satellites, air-ground stations and ground
networks. CPDLC introduces into the cockpit a communication system that
will provide faster, more reliable communication and help reduce pilot and
controller workload.



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. Terry's travel tips.
Royal Antiguan Beach and Tennis Resort,  Deep Bay P.O. Box 1322
St. Johns, WI Antigua & Barbuda   Phone 800-345-0356 or 268-462-3733
Majestically situated at breathtaking Deep Bay, the Royal Antiguan Beach
and Tennis Resort offers you an escape from the everyday.
Features:
Air-Conditioned acommodations; Early morning coffee; Rum Punch party;
Daily Snorkeling, Sunfish siling, Windsurfing and kyaking; Freshwater
pool with Swim-up bar; Eight Championship tennis courts;
Electronic Casino; Live nightly entertainment; Satellite TV in your room;
Direct-dial telephones in your room; Childrens playground;
Shopping arcade; Beach chairs; Four bars to choose from;
three Restaurants for Dining; Fitness center; Tour desk;
Your Royal-Inclusive Vacation Features All of the Above Plus:
All Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Beverages (house-brand liquors,
house wine by the glass, Caribbean beer, tropical coolers and soft drinks.
All Taxes, Gratuities and Service Charges
Reservations and rates. Reservations 14 days in advance by phone, or fax.
Active and retired airline employees eligible. Must present valid
ID at check-in.
Rates: All-inclusive Summer $89.50 USD, Winter $99.50 USD per person,
per night based on double occupancy.
European Plan Summer $29.50 USD, Winter $39.50 USD per person,
per night based on double occupancy.
All rates based on availability.


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. Smilie.
Gord Dalziel sends this one -
Funny Captains
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In Boston our flight was delayed at the terminal for about an
hour.  When the plane finally taxied onto the runway the captain
came on the intercom to apologize.  Making light of the issue,
he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to apologize for the
delay.  It is crucial to the company that we provide the same
service to all of our customers.  The ground crew was on break and
we had to wait for them to return to insure that the right number
of bags were sent to the wrong location."


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. DID YOU KNOW?
That you can read or retrieve back issues of  "theNetLetter" ?
Just visit our web site at:                 
http://www.acfamily.net/netletter
and click on the "Archives" button.
This area is only open to "the NetLetter"  subscribers and you will
need the following password to enter -
User Name: netletter  Password: vesta


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Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is courtesy of Alan Rust administrator of
the "AC Family Network" at: http://www.acfamily.net
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