The NetLetter
For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)
January 2, 2014 - Issue 1287
|
|
| |
|
First Issue published in October 1995!
(over 5,400 subscribers)
|
|
NetLetter Past Issues
|
 |
|
Donation Information
|
Send cheques payable to "ACFamily Network" to:
ACFamily Network
#800 - 15355 24th Ave, Suite 523
Surrey, BC V4A 2H9
|
|
Sponsors
|
 |
|
|
| |
Welcome to the NetLetter!
We welcome you to allow the NetLetter to be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC, Wardair, etal and share your experiences with us! 
Happy New Year!
from
Terry Baker, Alan Rust, Bill Rowsell and Lisa Ruck
- the NetLetter Team
|
| Star Alliance News |
 Star Alliance has agreed to extend Avianca's membership of the Alliance to include its partner Avianca Brazil. The unanimous decision marks the first step in Star Alliance's strategy to secure its position in the Brazilian market following current member airline TAM's decision to leave the Alliance as a consequence of its merger with LAN. |
| TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Below we have musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, Air Canada publications from years gone by, as well as various in-house publications. The NetLetter has been fortunate enough to have our readers donate vintage Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada publications from as far back as 1941 to share with you. These have been scanned and are being prepared for presenting in a special area of the ACFamily Network for archival and genealogy research.
|
Shirlee Schacter has sent us this report and photos - The 9th Annual FoFS (Friends of Front St.) Reunion Luncheon took place on the 30th of November, 2013, at Hooter's in the YYZ Airport Strip area.
This get-together, with 36 attendees this year, has become a tradition with good food, good friends, a lot of reminiscing and a "HOOT-ing" good time all around as these pictures will confirm. (Note: If you would like to get in touch with any of the people in the FoFS group, please let Shirlee Schacter know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
Here we have some photos -  from left to right: Bob Newson, David Slobod, Charlie Lennox, Shirlee Schacter, Rose Bankley, Tim Mallory. |
Ted Zubek, Roman Klein, Evangeline (Joyce) Kubin, Stu Duncan, John Mumedjiam.
|
 Tony Bruch, Carol Reid, Rick Morris.
|
 Tim Mallory, Jackie Murdoch
|
 Wayne Holmes, Shirlee Schacter, Munro Smith.
(We have a few more photos in NetLetter nr 1288 - eds) |
|
|
| |
Several retirees from C&SS Dorval have been exchanging greetings, some with photos.
 Thought we would let you see them.
Left to right: Eric Watt, Art Shibuya, Terry Baker, Alain Le Garrec, Joe Mallory, Ray Valois, and Terry Ramsay.
|
 Ron Hergert |
 Jim Pearce |
 Rodger Rouse |
 Karl Eliason
|
 Al Kurys |
 Ken James
Missing are Jim Fitzmorris, Richard Carter, Peter Symes. |
|
Issue dated - June 1978
Some items gleaned from the "Horizon" magazines.
|
 Toronto Captain John Arnell's last flights before taking up retirement were AC960/967 on May 22, 1978 commanding DC-8 CF-TIK c/n 46033 fin 867.
In Barbados, John and Mrs. Arnett are shown with,
from the left: Trevor Squires, Customer Service Supervisor; David Burke, Airport Customer Service Manager; Bunny Manning, Sales Rep. and John While, Station Agent.
(We know who the people are on the ramp, but who is the flight attendant at the top of the stairs? - eds)
|
|
Issue dated - October 1986
|
 Air Canada EXPO86 pavilion staff are, from the left: Alain Grenier, Suzanne Thibault, lrene Roussel, Kathy Marcino and Trudy Mullen.
|
| Alan's Space - by Alan Rust |
 100 Years of Commercial Aviation!
On January 1st, 1914, Abram C. Pheil, former mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, made a decision that would change the world - to become the first ever paying passenger on a commercial flight.
On that landmark day, pioneering pilot Tony Jannus flew a bi-wing airboat across the bay from St. Petersburg to Tampa, Florida - on a 23-minute journey that would mark the birth of the global airline industry.
Since that historic moment 100 years ago, commercial aviation has transformed the world in ways unimaginable in 1914. It has re-united loved ones, connected cultures, expanded minds, opened up markets, saved lives, and allowed people worldwide to dream of a bigger, brighter future - and turn it into a reality.
And today, over 3 billion passengers and 50 million tonnes of cargo reach their destination through the wonder of flight every year, supporting over 57 million jobs and $2.2 trillion in economic activity.
A new website has just been created at www.flying100years.com to celebrate the 100 years of Commercial Aviation. It is an interactive site where you can view a 100 year timeline or share your perspective (or first flight as we've done here at the NetLetter).
Note: Upon arrival back in St. Petersburg, Jannus dropped his flight goggles, breaking the glass. Ten-year-old Judy Bryan ducked under the rope holding back the crowd. Running up to Jannus, she asked if she could have the goggles. Without hesitation, he gave them to her. Then he removed one of the brightly lettered Benoist pennants from the wing and handed that to her also.
Click here to read the full story of the flight and to find out what happened to those goggles and pennant.. (or you can just Google for goggles). (joke)
 |
|
First Commercial Flight - 1914
|
|
Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events
- Compiled by Terry Baker
|
 News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and its "ancestry" of contributing airlines. |
|
Issue dated - September 1990
Extracted from the "Info:Cargo" magazine -
|
 Great emphasis was placed on training cargo agents. Here are the instructors - Training team YYZ/YUL,
back row from the left: Norm Kearns, YUL; Tony Herben, Doug Burek, Glen Thomas, YYZ Instructor/Developers.
Front row from left: Jose Bansil, Carlos Geraldes, Max Corsi, YYZ Instructor/Developers.
|
 The training team YVR, from left: Michael Farrell, Manager; Philip DuQuesney, Instructor/Developer.
Front row from left: Bob Campbell, Joe Steinberger, Randy Abel, Instructor/Developers.
Missing are Norm Smith, Dan Herrera, Rick Sedola.
|
| Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker |
Every week we ask our readers for their stories or feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently.
|
Here is the conclusion of the EXPO86 road race started in NetLetter nr 1285.
Fueled with coffee and donuts, the runners set out on the homeward stretch. Len Scarbach of Toronto received special applause as he departed. His parents who live in Victoria had driven down to cheer the team on. The weather conditions were very favorable throughout the 48-hour journey. The cool temperatures were quite a novelty for Neville Walker of Montego Bay, who is accustom to running in hot, humid weather. Guenter Veeser of Oslo was in top operating condition, outfitted with the latest in runner's gadgetry.
 Here we have this photo of Dan Murphy with Guenter.
|
 Here we have Kathy Varsek recharging her batteries.
At 0800 on Monday, September 1st, the entire "fleet" departed from the YVR maintenance hangar and, following a brief fuel stop, arrived at the Expo 86 site and entered the Plaza of Nations where thousands of people had assembled to witness the Air Canada Day celebrations. At nearby Canada Place, the "fleet" assembled for a farewell banquet.
Duncan introduced two special guests - Pierre Jeanniot and his wife. Pierre made a speech and praised the team effort and community spirit. Jeanniot then presented each participant with a signed 50th anniversary lithography. Time to recognize the key organizers - Duncan Rokahr, Bill Oliver and Jacques Pare, each of whom received a framed print of a west coast scene. People who had not known each other 48 hours earlier chatted and laughed. All agreed that the event had been a tremendous success and one which they would want to repeat. |
 This trio of Marie Miller, Peter Peschke and Tricia Dusting seem to be enjoying themselves. |
 Dennis Midgley is being chased by Elaine Watson on his right and Barry Scott on his left. |
Alan Joy refers to NetLetter nr 1284 -
The NetLetter states that the PWA B737 began operations through YXD Edmonton Industrial Airport in 1979.
"The Boeing 737 came into service at the City Centre Airport in 1979 with Pacific Western Airlines, and was retired from Air Canada's service in 2005". In 1969, I personally flew the PWA B737 through YXD in 1969 and the very first PWA B737 operated through YXD in 1968.
Captain Alan Joy (retired) PWA-Canadian Airlines-Air Canada
|
Several responses to the gremlin error in NetLetter nr 1284 regarding the passenger capacity on the Super Constellation from Lockheed, 1954-1962, the Super Constellation (63-751); of course, this should have been 63 - 75.
Robert Arnold sent this message - I note a small oops for the seating on the Connie. No doubt it was a type-o. It is typed as 65-751 passengers. I guess that is why it was called the Super Connie! Only kidding. As always a great read. Cheers for now, Robert
Norman Hogwood's comment - I would love to see a Super Connie with 751 seats.
Ken Pickford - I hate to think how cramped the seating must have been on that 751 passenger Super Constellation.
|
Odds and Ends.
|
|
 Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!
|
|
BACKLOGS (aircraft ordered but not delivered) as of November 2013.
(source SpeedNews Dec 13/13)
AIRBUS
A319 - 23, A320- 3,022, A321 - 1,084. A330-200 - 68, A330-200F - 15, 330-300 - 168, A350-800 - 79, A350-900 - 549, A350-1000 - 86, A380 - 140
TOTAL: 5,434
BOEING
737-700 - 125, 737-800 - 1,372, 737-900ER - 320, 737 MAX - 1,639, 747-8I - 28, 747-8F - 26, 767-2C - 4, 767-300ER - 1, 767-300F - 43, 777-200LR - 3, 777-200F - 43, 777-300ER - 272, 777X - 45, 787-8 - 393, 787-9 - 396, 787-10 - 120
TOTAL: 4,830
London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been identified as possible sites for new runways to boost airport capacity around London.
Despite describing Heathrow as full in 2010 and Gatwick due to be at full capacity by 2020, the Commission pointed out a new runway would need to come into operation by 2030. At Heathrow, commission officials have identified two options; the construction of a new 3,500 meter runway to the northwest of the airport, an idea mooted by Heathrow's owners in July, and an independent option, produced by the Heathrow Hub group, extending the airport's northern runway, lengthening it to at least 6,000m and enabling it to be operated as two separate runways for departures and arrivals.
(source atwonline Dec 17/13)
|
Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker
|
|
 Continued from NetLetter nr 1286, more information on airport codes - ORD (Chicago O'Hare International Airport) - The biggest airport in Chicago is named after Edward O'Hare, a WWII flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient. The airport code, however, has nothing to do with Mr. O'Hare.
When the airport was constructed in 1942-43 to build aircraft for the war effort, there was a need for a very large tract of land. An area known as Orchard Place was chosen and the airport was known from then until 1949 as Orchard Field Airport and bore the IATA code of ORD. The code went unchanged when the entire facility was later renamed.
Bonus fun fact: Chicago O'Hare is one of only a few airports that currently utilize Automated Passport Control, a technology developed by YVR that speeds up the US Customs process by having passengers screened electronically.
YCD (Nanaimo Airport) - The passenger terminal for Nanaimo is known as the Collishaw Air Terminal, for Nanaimo-born war hero Raymond Collishaw. But much like ORD, there is no connection between the war hero and the airport code, which came much earlier. After leading with the Canadian standard airport prefix of Y, see article link above, the CD is derived from the home of the airport: Cassidy, British Columbia, which is just south of Nanaimo.
Bonus fun fact: At 25 minutes, the trip from YVR to YCD is one of the shortest we offer.
CDG (Paris) - The code for the biggest airport serving France's capital city of Paris is taken from the initials of Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French forces, founder of the French Fifth Republic and former President of France. The airport is one of the busiest in the world (second in Europe after London Heathrow and 10th in the world), having served more than 61 million passengers and handling almost 500,000 aircraft movements in 2012.
Bonus fun fact: CDG is also known colloquially as Roissy, as part of the airport, but none of the terminals are located in Roissy-en-France, a commune in the northeastern suburbs of Paris.
OGG (Kahului Airport) - The airport code for Kahului Airport on the island of Maui pays homage to Bertram J. Hogg. Hogg was an aviation pioneer in Hawaii who flew amphibious aircraft from island to island in the 1960s. The code HOG was already taken by an airport in Cuba so OGG was decided instead.
Bonus fun fact: The route between HNL (Honolulu) and OGG is one of the busiest in America (13th in 2004 with 1.63 million passengers). (source YVR newsletter) (to be continued in NetLetter nr 1288 eds) |
| Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker |
As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.
|
|
|
 Dave Mathias cartoon found in the "Between Ourselves" magazine issued November 1955.
|
|
The NetLetter is an email newsletter published (usually) once a week and contains a mixture of nostalgia, current news and travel tips. We encourage our readers to submit their stories, photos and/or comments from either days gone by or from present day experiences and trips. If we think that the rest of our readers will enjoy it, we will publish it here.
We also welcome your feedback in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.
The NetLetter, which is free, is open to anyone that wishes to subscribe but is targeted to retired employees from Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and all the other companies that were part of what Air Canada is today. Thanks for joining us!
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!
Sincerely,
Your NetLetter Team
|
|
Disclaimer: Please note, that neither the NetLetter or the ACFamily Network necessarily endorse any of the airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers. We would be interested in any feedback (good or bad) when using these companies though and will report the results here. We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link.
E&OE - (errors and omissions excepted) - The historical information as well as any other information provided here is subject to correction and may have changed over time. We do publish corrections when they are brought to our attention.
|
First published in October, 1995
- Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
- Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
- Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
- Stewardess - Lisa Ruck, Brooklin, Ontario
To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
|
|
| |
|
