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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 543 Dec 16th, 2000, We first Published in October 1995
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
To get in touch with either editor/pilot our email address is
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. Welcome to -
Bert Young tells us that as he has moved from SUNNY COMOX BC to Oakville, ON
Jim Shaw retired from Air Canada to Australia after working in YYZ Avionics
email address is
Mona Agia retired Air Canada Manager, Corporate Sales Quebec & Ottawa
lives in Montreal, QC. email
'Spike' Turner living in Sardis, BC (still active at Air Canada)
worked in LHR ramp, load office and YVR in Station Agent, Baggage Agent,
Station Ops and now Ramp Training. Email
Paul and Tony (Hilary) de Courcy living in Brampton, ON
Tony worked in LHR and YYZ, now retired.
Ron Meldrum
Micheline Breton retired from Air Canada after 39 years and lives in Paris, FRANCE
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The following update has been received from Real Henri thanking NetLetter
readers for their recent support regarding Pension Petition. Vesta.
Hi Vesta:
From your 1100 readers I have received approximately 150 signed petitions,
so far I have accumulated over 300 signatures from persons contacted by phone, letter,
email or met at luncheons. To succeed in obtaining pension indexation I need a
lot of help from retirees who are willing to participate actively in my project.
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. News from the Air Canada Pionair districts.
Subject: YVR PIONAIRS RED HAT XMAS LUNCHEON
YVR District Pionairs Red Hat XMAS LUNCHEON
Held at Quilchena Golf and Country Club Friday December 8th was an
outstanding success as 150 AC Pionairs, all decked out in their Red and White
trimmed Santa Hats sipped on fruit punch, (or tipled at the open bar),
munched on all the usual Xmas fare, and finished up at the bountiful dessert
table. After coffee/tea the gathering was treated to a very informative talk
by Dave Stafford detailing the purposes and organizational duties of the Air
Canada Dreams Take Flight organization and all the very emotional details of
a typical very long days operation to Los Angeles and Disneyland. YVR Dreams
Take Flight was presented with a $1000.00 cheque by YVR Director Don Hancock
on behalf of all YVR District Pionairs.
Following a very rousing Carol Sing, with leader conductor/vocalist Donella
Robertson at the helm, was enjoyed by all. The luncheon concluded with a draw
for a number of prize/gifts and the taking of a very colorful group picture.
Music was provided throughout the occasion by Pionair Pat McEwan and guest
pianist Shirley Lee and assisted by volunteer Pionairs.
All in all a very super day and great time enjoyed by all present.
Don Hancock - Director From:
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. Found on the internet -
For sale: Boeing 727 jet, average mileage, will make a good home.
A Tennessee company has come up with the perfect solution for home buyers
wanting to put one over on the neighbours. The firm is buying old Boeings and
refitting them as homes.
Not only that, but they stick them on a 25 foot high column, fix it they move
in the wind and also, as a nice touch, put railings along the wings to stop you
falling off while gazing at the view.
The price? A cool us$350,000.00
Personal mobile phones might soon be usable in the air. The aircraft cabin is one of
the last refuges from the electronic bane of modern life. Being seated next to someone
rabbiting away on a mobile on a transAtlantic flight could test the patience to the
limit. Do we have phone rage yet?
OBESE PASSENGERS NEED SECOND, FREE SEAT:
The Canadian Transportation Agency wants airlines to provide a free,
second seat for obese passengers.
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. Star Alliance news -
A carry-on gym has been designed for air travellers. The all-in-one package
includes a rowing machine, exercise bike and running machine.
The contraption for sweaty fitness fanatics has been designed by engineers
at a development company owned by Lufthansa.
The easy-to-carry unit is aimed at well-heeled people travelling on business jets.
The only thing missing from the package is .... a shower!
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. Found on the internet.
Virgin Airlines has introduced a system enabling cabin staff to send messages
to passenger' seat back TV screens. It can be used to send special messages to
individuals or general information to all passengers on board. Another innovation
from the airline is a system allowing parents to block films and other in-flight
programmes they do not want their children to watch.
Members of British Airways' executive club telephoning a number provided
by the company found themselves talking to a gay sex chat line. The mix up
happened when Dutch passengers using the service in Britain logged on to
reclaim travel miles. Although they were in the U.K., the web site gave a number
in Holland which, when dialled on the British telephone system made the surprise
connection. A B.A. spokesman stated that the problem has now been resolved.
Revolutionary system a worlds first -
Baggage Direct, introduced by the British Airport Authority at Heathrow , allows
inbound passengers to transfer baggage from the airport to hotel, office or home
anywhere in the greater London area within 3 hours.
It is the first such facility of its kind in the world. Each item is securely sealed
upon receipt and has a radio frequency identity label attached for tracking purposes.
Customers are provided with a locator reference allowing them to pinpoint their
luggage at anytime via the Baggage Direct web site.
The cost is GBP26.00 for up to 2 bags, and GBP10.00 for each additional bag.
Baggage Direct reception is located immediately after Customs in the arrival
halls. This will save passengers lugging heavy suitcases about!
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. Edited from the YYZNEWS issued by Brian Dunn -
Air Canada will commence a new non-stop A319 service from Ottawa to San Jose California
on March 5, 2001. This will be the first trans-continental flight from Ottawa to the
U.S. west coast.
Air Canada and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) announced that they have
entered into a comprehensive letter of intent relating to Air Canada's operations at Pearson
airport in Toronto. The airline will sell to the GTAA certain specified assets located at
Terminal 2 for $90million in order to pave the way for Air Canada to occupy the
New Terminal (T1-New) scheduled to open in 2003. The airline has also sold to
the GTAA, the Canadian Airlines hangar on the south side of the airfield for $65million.
This will be torn down in order to allow for completion of the new Runway 24L/06R.
Air Canada will relocate its hangar operations to a new exclusive use replacement hangar
to be lease from the GTAA.
Air Canada to withdraw service between Quebec City and Baie-Comeau.
Air Nova will cease flying the route at the end of January.
Air Canada will switch on May 31st from an A340 to a 747-400 on the daily
Vancouver-London route for the summer peak period. This will represent the
first time that the Canadian Airlines 747-400s will be seen in Europe on a
regularly scheduled basis.
The Toronto-Munich route will be upgraded from a 767-200 to a 767-300
effective July 1st to meet growing demand.
Anyone out there who used to work for Nationair? Check out this website which
is run by ex-Nationair employees.
(<http://www.nationair-canada.com/welcome.html>http://www.nationair-canada. com/welcome.html)
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. We have all, no doubt, read some of the horror stories of travel on Air Canada
over the past months since the take-over.
Here is one with a twist!
From the 'Letters to the editor' of a national paper.
"I have just returned from a short trip to the U.K. flying Air Canada. My outward
flight departed and arrived exactly on schedule, my luggage travelled with me
and the flight was notable for the friendly banter between cabin crew and passengers.
My return flight was no better. We took off from Heathrow right on time,
enjoyed excellent in-flight service, and arrived in Ottawa 15 minutes early.
There was, however, a five minute wait before the gate was ready for our plane.
How long do we have to put up with this level of service from our national
airline?" Rod Phillips, Ottawa
(If the cabin crew can identify themselves - congrats. eds)
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. Terry's travel tips.
Brought to you by "Interlining Plus" formerly Canadian Interline Travel
50% DISCOUNT AT WALT DISNEY WORLD On-Site Resorts
Travel between January 01, 2001 and March 10, 2001
and get 50% off on Disney On-Site Resorts.
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort
Villas at the Disney Institute, Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas
Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort. Disney's Beach Club Resort
Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Disney's Port Orleans Riverside
and French Quarter
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's All-Star Music/Sports/Movies Resort
and Disney's Campsites
ALASKA is BACK!
Cruise to the Amazing ALASKA from $449 us Aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas
7 nights...North Bound Inside from $449 us Ocean from $799 us
September 7, 2001 *May 18, 2001 from $499 us
7 night ...South Bound Inside from $499 us Ocean from $899 us
May 25, 2001
WORLD CRUISE...The Best time of your life! from $132 us/day
72-day aboard the Royal Princess Best available from $9440 us
BEAUTIFUL HAWAII
Circle Hawaii Cruise 15-day aboard the ms Statendam
Inside from $1050 us Ocean from $1250 us January 12, 2001
RESERVATIONS call toll free 1-800-665-3100
All rates are per person based on double occupancy
- taxes + port charges not included.
Dargal Interline has to following offers -
*** RUSSIA RIVER CRUISES ***
Waterways of the Czars ~ 12 Nights ~ m.s. Litvinov OR m.s. Tolstoy
m.s. Litvinov: May 17 ~ $1011 June 12, July 8, August 3 & 29 ~ $1156
m.s. Tolstoy: May 23 ~ $1228 Jun 18, July 14, August 9, September 4 & 16 ~ $1373
Waterways of the Czars ~ 14 Nights ~ m.s. Litvinov OR m.s. Tolstoy
m.s. Litvinov: May 29 ~ $1228 June 24, July 20, August 15, September 10 ~ $1300
m.s. Tolstoy: June 4 ~ $1517 June 30, July 26, August 21 ~ $1554
Land of Cossacks and Tatars ~ 16 Nights ~ m.s. Litvinov OR m.s. Novikov Priboy
m.s. Litvinov: June 1 ~ $1300 September 24 ~ $1445
m.s. Novikov Priboy: May 11 ~ $1300 September 22 ~ $1445
*** EUROPE RIVER CRUISES ***
Through Portugal & Spain ~ 7 Nights ~ m.s. Douro Princess
March 17 ~ $1096 March 24 & 31, June 16, 23 & 30, July 7, 14, 21 & 28,
August 4 & 11, November 3 & 10 ~ $1174
April 7, 14, 21 & 28, May 5, 12, 19 & 26, June 2 & 9, August 18 & 25,
September 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, October 6, 13, 20 & 27 ~ $1252
Treasures of Northern Italy ~ 7 Nights ~ m.s. Michelangelo
April 13 ~ $1174 April 30, October 20 ~ $1252
June 30, July 25, September 12, October 7 ~ $1330
Treasures of Normandy ~ 7 Nights ~ m.s. Douce France
May 5 & 19, June 2 & 30, July 28, August 25, September 8 & 21 ~ $1252
Romantic Old World ~ 7 Nights ~ m.s. Swiss Coral OR m.s. Victor Hugo
m.s. Swiss Coral: June 2 & 9, October 6 & 13 ~ $1174
m.s. Victor Hugo: July 16 & 23, August 13 & 20 ~ $1174
Hidden Treasures of Northern & Eastern Germany ~ 7 Nights ~ m.s. Swiss Coral
OR m.s. Victor Hugo
m.s. Swiss Coral: May 26, June 16, September 29, October 20 ~ $1174
m.s. Victor Hugo: July 9 & 30, August 6 & 27 ~ $1174
Bohemia & Eastern Germany ~ 7 Nights ~ m.s. Victor Hugo
April 24, May 1 & 30, June 18 & 25, July 2, September 3 ~ $1096
Grand Cruise through Europe from Vienna to Amsterdam ~ 14 Nights
~ m.s. Queen of Holland
May 13 & 27, June 10 & 24, July 8 & 22, August 5 & 19 ~ $2192
September 2 & 16 ~ $2270
Holland in Spring ~ 7 Nights ~ m.s. Queen of Holland
April 8 ~ $1174 May 6 ~ $1252
Holland at Tulip Time and Belgium in Spring ~ 9 Nights
~ m.s. Queen of Holland
April 18 & 27 ~ $1566
Grand Cruise through Europe from Brussels to Berlin ~ 14 Nights
~ m.s. Swiss Coral OR m.s. Victor Hugo
m.s. Swiss Coral: May 26, June 16, September 29, October 20 ~ $2192
m.s. Victor Hugo: July 9 & 30, August 6 & 27 ~ $2192
Fall Foliage & Wine ~ 7 Nights ~ m.s. Queen of Holland September 30 ~ $1252
Holland & Germany ~ 6 Nights ~ m.s. Queen of Holland
May 13 ~ $939 June 2 & 10 ~ $1017 July 2, 8 & 30, August 5 & 27,
September 2 & 24 ~ $1095
Germany & Austria ~ 8 Nights ~ m.s. Queen of Holland
May 19 & 27 ~ $1252 June 10 & 16, July 14 & 22, August 11 & 19,
September 8 & 16 ~ $1330
Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy,
and subject to availability and eligibility. Applies to new bookings only.
Port charges and government taxes are additional.
For more information on these and other specials, contact us at:
DARGAL Interline 1-800-690-3223
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. Smilie.
Grope hope.
Any female flight attendant is likely to be able to give chapter and verse on
the lengths to which gropers go to satisfy their inflight fantasies. A popular play
is for a male traveller to spill his meal deliberately on his lap and ask a passing
female flight attendant if she would kindly mop it up.
But the girls at British Airways have a plan worked out in advance with certain
male flight attendants. They briskly summon a nice boy who gaily takes one
look at the soiled lap, drops his wrist in delight and coos:
"Are you the gent who requires mopping up then?".
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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
Our joint e-mail address is:
please add to your Address Books.
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of
news for the NetLetter.
Why not check out the Air Canada Retired Employees Web Site
http://www.acfamily.org/acrew/
Part of the ACFamily Network
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