scheduled for 0 digests of the list
at 16:41:33 on 2 Apr 2004.
The text of the message follows:
From: <
To:
Reply-To:
Subject: [The NetLetter] NetLetter nr 820 Apr 02/04 - The NetLetter
Date: Fri, 02 Apr 2004 16:32:59 -0800
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
=================================================================
|
|\^/|
T H E _| TCA |_
_|\| AIR |/|_
N E T L E T T E R > CANADA <
>_./|\._<
|
( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 820 Apr 2nd., 2004. We first published in October 1995.
Circulation: 2700+
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
To get in touch with either editor/pilot our email address is
================================================================
. Need to know.
Employee travel overseas is difficult. Regardless of which overseas destination
you’re thinking about visiting, it’s important for you to know that employee
travel will be difficult. From April 1 - 15, flight loads to such destinations
as Paris, Frankfurt, London, Munich or Tel Aviv are full. While we don’t want
to discourage you from making travel plans, you need to be prepared for the
possibility that you may not make it to your destination, or you may make it
but not be able to return home with ease. Flight loads on all airlines during
this holiday period are high. As a result, you’re encouraged to consider
shopping around for other travel choices for this period of time.
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
. Nice to know.
Air Canada expands its Latin American network; Havana flights boosted to daily
service. On March 24th, we announced the introduction of non-stop flights from
Toronto to Caracas, Venezuela; Bogotá, Colombia and Lima, Peru. With this
expansion, we become the only airline offering scheduled, non-stop service
between Canada and these three South American countries. In addition, effective
July 1, we will boost our non-stop flights between Toronto and Havana, Cuba to
daily service operated with Airbus A319 aircraft. In the meantime, we have
introduced a larger Airbus A320 aircraft on the route in response to customer
demand. Service to Caracas will begin June 15, and to Bogotá on June 16.
Flights for Lima will commence Nov. 2.
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
. From the eMailNews issued by Duane Frerichs,
From: Malcolm Ellingworth [mailto:
Sent: Monday, 22, March, 2004 12:19 PM
Subject: 405 Sqn 1943
405 Squadron Halifax HR918 L-Q-G crashed on the night of August 23/24 1943 in
Dolzien Forest north of Haldensleben. All crew members were buried in Satuelle
and are now interred at Heerstrs Berlin.
I am trying to urgently trace relatives of the following 405 Sqn crew members
(mostly Canadians) who were killed in Halifax HR918 L-Q: G. My half-brother P/O
L.R.King DFM was the flight engineer on this aircraft. I have located the crash
site and we have been invited out to Germany at the beginning of May by the
local villagers who are going to host us and introduce us to witnesses etc.. We
plan to lay a wreath at the site and also in Berlin. If there is any
possibility of getting in touch with relatives in Canada, I would appreciate
any help you can give me. Thank you.
This info from the Air Force Association of Canada. J5655 F/O Frank Albert
Harman, pilot...home town St Catherines, ON
J15169 S/L William Henry Baldwin, DFC, navigator, ....home town Ottawa, ON
J20912 / R122231 P/O Philip John Ashworth Magson, bomb aimer....hometown was
Quesnel, BC
R112570 Sgt Allan Menzies, air gunner .......home town was Toronto, ON
R151487 Sgt James Arthur Miller, air gunner......home town MacTier, ON
I am also trying to trace relatives of Sgt. S. Cugley in the UK.
My home address is: M. Ellingworth, "Sunnybank", 63 Rockwell Green, Wellington,
Somerset,
TA21 9BX, UK. Tel: 01823 663933
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
. News from the Districts.
Stephanie Mandzie, District Director, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, sends us the
following:
Place: Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue -- Merrie Monarch Room.
Date: April, 22nd, 2004
Time: Cash Bar opens at 11:45 A.M., followed by a Hot Smorgasbord Lunch at 1:00
P.M.
Cost: $ 14.00 Per Person which includes taxes and gratuities. Cheques may be
made out to " Air Canada Pionairs " and sent to Attention: S. Mandzie, 591
Campbell St. Winnipeg, M.B. R3N 1C2
Tickets can be held at the door for your Pick-up. Deadline for receipt of
cheques is April 16 th, 2004. My telephone Number is: 489 - 3060. Please don't
forget a TIN FOR THE BIN - any non perishable food is acceptable. Monetary
donations are also most welcome.
Guest Speaker, will be a member from the Pension & Benefits Committee, to bring
us up to date on what's going on.
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
. May Day!
Need help re trip to Ireland, June 25 to July4, 2004, the Pionair Trafalgar
Tour. Anyone who has travelled to Ireland during this time of the year,
how is the load,
is it advisable to travel on pass,
alternate travel arragements?
how is the weather,
what to bring,
do you know of any B & B's either in Shannon or Dublin,
I will be travelling from YUL, or YYZ, any help, info would be truly
appreciated as I have not travelled overseas for some years.
Anyone who has signed on for this trip do contact me as it would be nice to
know fellow travellers.
Maureen Ryan Swiednicki
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
Vancouver Air Canada Technical Services and Air Canada Maintenance employees
lend their knowledge to Aerolineas. Recently, Engineering, Cabin
Reliability and
Stores teams helped Aerolineas out of a tight spot. While the carrier was
performing system configuration checks on its recently acquired B747-400 -
previously an Air Canada aircraft - it encountered passenger entertainment and
service system problems. The Argentine carrier then turned to Air Canada for
assistance. Cabin Reliability and Engineering responded immediately by
suggesting that they replace the cabin’s Passenger Entertainment System
Controller. Vancouver Stores located the required black boxes and shipped the
units. Within two days, Aerolineas was able to launch its maiden flight from
Buenos-Aires to Madrid. According to Jeff Feldman, Cabin Reliability Engineer,
this was a winning situation for Air Canada as we will reduce inventory and
sell off a few surplus components. (News Source Air Canada Technical Services
Hot Sheet)
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
. Found on the internet.
Canadian bomber found intact off Irish coast.
Karl Kjarsgaard wants to raise a Halifax bomber located nearly a mile (1.6km)
below the surface of the North Atlantic and put it on display at the Nanton Air
Museum in Alberta. It's not an idle fantasy.
In 1995, Kjarsgaard, an Air Canada pilot who lives in the Ottawa region, led
the successful effort to raise a Halifax bomber from 230 meters (754 ft) below
the surface of a Norwegian lake. More than 6,000 Halifaxes were built but no
complete original specimen exists.
The plane brought up in two pieces from the bottom of the Norwegian lake is
being reconstructed at the RCAF Memorial Museum in Trenton, Ont., and is
regarded as the most authentic and complete Halifax in existence. The Yorkshire
Air Museum has a Halifax on display but it's a composite of several planes. Two
other British museums display pieces of wrecked Halifaxes.
Kjarsgaard believes the plane in the Atlantic -- Halifax LW170 -- is
intact.
What's more important, he said, is its historical significance -- it was an
RCAF plane and flew 28 combat operations over Germany and France from May to
August 1944.
He notes that of the 39,000 bombing missions flown by Canadian squadrons during
the war, 28,000 were flown in Halifaxes. He said he also wants the plane to be
a memorial to nearly 800 Americans who died while flying for Canada, almost 10
percent of those who enlisted with the RCAF when the war started.
"That airplane is a symbol of our contribution to the war effort," he said.
"That's the Canadian experience -- flying a Halifax in combat. This is a
national symbol. One that should be a tribute to the young men who flew to hell
and back in the cause of freedom."
"The American connection has been totally forgotten," the 53-year-old said.
"I feel badly for them and their families. They were not really remembered in
the States because they weren't part of the American air force and, in Canada,
they were grouped with the Canadians. They end up sliding through the cracks,
and have never been given proper credit."
Kjarsgaard said the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum is the ideal home for
Halifax LW170 because it is the only museum in Canada dedicated to the Second
World War bomber command.
"I can't think of a better bomber command memorial than the Nanton museum," he
said. "Their main concern is that these young men shouldn't be forgotten."
Bob Evans, volunteer curator at the Nanton Museum, welcomes the potential
donation.
"We are prepared to accept it and to eventually restore it," said Evans.
"The addition of a Halifax bomber, especially one used by 6 Group, the RCAF
Bomber Group that was commanded and crewed primarily by Canadians, will be a
prestigious acquisition. To have examples of the two most famous World War II
British four-engine bombers under the same roof here will be unequaled
on this continent."
The first of the more than 6,000 Halifax bombers built during the war
started flying in late 1940. Although later overshadowed by the Lancaster,
which could carry a heavier bomb load, some aviation historians believe the
Halifax was a better multi-purpose plane. Besides dropping bombs, it was used
to haul freight, drop agents and supplies behind enemy lines, patrol sea-lanes
and tow heavy gliders.
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
. Terry's travel tips.
Island Explorer Vacation Rentals
The Gulf Islands of British Columbia are located midway between Vancouver and
Victoria in the Strait of Georgia. Also known as Canada's tropical paradise,
this group of islands create a backdrop of rugged and beautiful landscapes
which are home to a rich blend of rustic and sophisticated lifestyles.
Island Explorer Vacation Rentals offer a large inventory of short to long-term
rentals, with views and waterfront locations on SaltSpring, the Penders,
Galiano, Mayne and Saturna. Depending on the property, your stay can be as
short as three days, or as long as one year.
ACTIVITIES
Most homes are within an easy walk or drive to shops, arts and crafts
boutiques, restaurants, tennis courts, and kayak or bike rentals. Marinas
abound in the southern gulf and you'll find the islanders a friendly and
welcoming people.
Seair Seaplanes has regularly scheduled flights leaving the Vancouver
International Airport. Contact them at 1-800-447-3247 for schedules and rates.
CONTACT
Reservations
Telephone: Salt Spring - 1- 877-537-1676 / Outer Islands - 1-800-774-1417
Fax: Outer Islands - 250-654-0231
Visit our website: http://www.island-explorer.com
Lobster Express with Fraserway RV Rentals
One-way from Vancouver, B.C. to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
$299.00 CAD - 14 Days
Need to be in Halifax by May 20, 2004.
Some conditions apply. Call us for details.
Package includes:
6000 KMS
Housekeeping Packages
Preparation Fee
CONTACT
Reservations at Fraserway RV Rentals - Mention that you are a Star Alliance
Airline Employee.
Telephone: 1-800-661-2441
Toll Free: 1-800-661-2441
Hacienda San Miguel
Personalized service at its best !
Hacienda San Miguel is located in down town within a walking distance from the
main square. It is near to the commercial district and just half a block from
the waterfront.
All studios and suites have been decorated with rustic Mexican wood-carved
furniture including a full equipped kitchen (stove with oven, family size
refrigerator, coffee maker, bottled purified water and kitchen utensils).
These gorgeous accommodations also feature:
Private bathroom with shower (hot and cold water)
Individually controlled air conditioning.
Cable color TV with remote control.
Safety deposit box.
Hair Dryer.
Bathrobes and amenities.
Studio with full equipped kitchen and daily continental beakfast included.
Effective until August 30/04 - $50.00 USD + tax, per night, single or double
occupancy. You must mention that you are a Star Alliance Airline Employee.
Call Alejandro at 52+987+872-1986
www.haciendasanmiguel.com
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
. Smilies.
Vesta found this one -
On her first cross-country with friends after passing her private pilot
checkride (back in the late Paleolithic...), she was in the runup area,
working through the pre-takeoff checklist. An uncharacteristically subdued
voice said from the rear seat, "If she still has to read the directions, I
don't think I want to go!"
and this one too!
An airline's passenger cabin was being served by an obviously gay
flight attendant, who seemed to put everyone into a good mood as he served
them food and drinks.
As the plane prepared to descend, he came swishing down the aisle
and announced to the passengers, "Captain Marvey has asked me to
announce that he'll be landing the big scary plane shortly, lovely people,
so if you could just put up your trays that would be super."
On his trip back up the aisle, he noticed that a well-dressed rather exotic
looking woman hadn't moved a muscle. "Perhaps you didn't hear me
over those big brute engines. I asked you to raise your trazy-poo so the
main man can pitty-pat us on the ground."
She calmly turned her head and said, "In my country, I am called a
Princess"
and "I take orders from no one."
To which the flight attendant replied, without missing a beat,"Well,
sweet-cheeks, in my country, I'm called a Queen, so I out rank you.
Tray-up!
|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
. DID YOU KNOW?
ARCHIVES for NetLetters.
NetLetters are now located in ACFamily.net/forums area
Just go to: http://www.acfamily.net/forums
- Log in (if you aren't already)
- scroll down to Member Services
- Click on NetLetter
You will be able to find ALL netletters.
And there is a research engine to help you.
================================================================
Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is a service of the ACFamily Network
**************http://www.acfamily.net
**************
================================================================