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About us!
Since October 1995, Vesta Stevenson and Terry Baker have been issuing an email newsletter for those ex Air Canada types who have provided us with their email addresses. The Newsletter was created by Vesta, who gave the name 'NetLetter' and added 'Between Ourselves' - a TCA periodical with which you are probably familiar with from the 50's and 60's. It was then changed to "Between Yourselves" to avoid confusion when "Horizons" resurrected the name. Then finally simplified to just "The NetLetter".
We believe that our NetLetter, which originates from Vancouver Island, was the FIRST to use this medium to disperse information for retirees of Air Canada.
The NetLetter contains airline related information such as anecdotes or stories supplied by some of the recipients, Internet tips, travel news, cheap... excuse me, "inexpensive" accommodations, tours, interline travel, and, in some small way, we help keep our Air Canada family together and in touch.
Our 'NetLetter' is NOT sponsored by any Pionair group, nor are we seeking any financial support, only the Internet email addresses of those who would like to receive our 'NetLetter'. Please forward this to other retirees who can then subscribe right from the forwarded link at the bottom of this email.
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Events and Donations
Air Canada Heritage Poster
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Dear NetLetter,
We now estimate that the NetLetter is read by over 2710 retirees when counting our email distribution and those that print the NetLetter and give them out to their friends.
To get in touch with either the Editor/Pilot or Co- Pilot our email address is still This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To make changes to your e-mail address or to unsubscribe, please see the links at the bottom of the page for "Update Profile/Email address" and SafeUnsubscribe. This is now automated so that you can remove yourself from the list or change your email address (or name) without our assistance. We will still do this manually if you have any difficulties.
Many of our members are having difficulty finding these links. You will need to scroll to the bottom of the page, the link in similar to the following image. (The image below doesn't work but your links at the bottom will).
Thank you
Alan Rust - ACFamily Administrator
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Nice to know...
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Air Canada announced the introduction of the only non-stop flights between Fort McMurray and Toronto, with same plane service continuing to St. John's, NFLD. beginning April 8, 2006.
Starting June 17 this will be ramped up to daily service.
The arrival of our new, state-of-the-art Embraer jets allow us to pursue new market opportunities.
They include:
- Calgary-New York (JFK): daily non-stop service starting March 1 with 93-seat Embraer 190
- Edmonton-Los Angeles: daily non-stop service starting May 1 with 75-seat Bombardier 705
Recently launched routes include: Vancouver-San Diego, Vancouver-Las Vegas, Calgary-Las Vegas and Calgary-Abbotsford.
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Interesting Air Canada facts - London
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Our London operation is a busy place. We recently expanded our simplified fare product to the United Kingdom so our customers can choose from a selection of five simplified fares for flights to and from London Heathrow and Manchester. The U.K. has always been a popular destination for Air Canada customers, and now we've made getting there easier and more convenient.
Did you know?
The names of the five simplified fare categories are:
- Tourist (Air Canada's deep discounted special promotional fare),
- Leisure (everyday discounted round-trip fares),
- Latitude Plus (fully flexible one-way fares),
- Premium Economy (make yourself comfortable),
- Executive First (maximum priority, comfort and freedom).
To scan each fare's distinguishing features visit http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/onew ay/uk/index.html?src=ad_lb
We have about 800 employees based in the U.K. who work in the following areas: Passenger Sales, Commercial, Ground Handling (incorporating passenger, baggage, ramp and cabin services), Commissary and Catering, Ground Support Equipment, Aircraft Maintenance, Human Resources, Finance and Administration, Accounts, Cargo, Contract Services, Real Estate and Resource, Material Logistics, Strategic Purchasing and Manpower Planning.
We offer more non-stop daily flights between the U.K. and Canada than any other airline - we offer up to 14 flights per week to Canada from the U.K., or 98 flights per week in the summer.
Stations that offer service to the U.K. are: St. John's, NFLD, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. In the summer we offer service to Manchester.
With our Star Alliance partner BMI, our customers can connect to other parts of the United Kingdom from Heathrow.
Our flights operate from Terminal 3 in London Heathrow and our main administration offices are based at Radius Park, on the eastside of Heathrow Airport.
Air Canada has been flying to the U.K. since 1943. The first flight into the U.K. (Prestwick) was operated by a converted Lancaster bomber.
Note: Fin nr 100 CF-CMS The aircraft was a converted Lancaster bomber by Victory Aircraft Co. at Malton Ont. Under the command of Capt. R.F.George, the inaugural flight on July 22nd., 1943 for Trans-Canada Air Lines was on behalf of the Canadian Government Trans-Atlantic Air Service (CGTAS) and was from Montreal (Dorval) to Prestwick via Reykjavik. Carrying 4 tons of mail the flight was made in a time of 12 hrs 26 mins.
In June 1945 CF-CMS was destroyed by fire - eds.
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Reader Feedback
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Subject: re Mexico start-up in NetLetter nr 916 - Just some feedback on the exchange of Mexico and Quebec services in the 50's..The pilots of the first flight up the north shore were capt. Hal Bennum and F/O Ed Hill just to add something interesting..
Can anyone beat the time of 16 min..ramp to ramp..YUL to YOW?
Thanks ed hill <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of OLSON, Kitchener Edward on Feb. 12, 2006.
Kitch was born in Winnipeg in 1916, he had an illustrious career with TCA/Air Canada spanning over 39 years. His service was from 1939 to 1977. Retiring as a Vice-President Purchases & Facilities in 1977 in Montreal. Retiring to Victoria, BC, he enjoyed many years of golfing and boating. (We send our condolences to the family - eds)
Keith Ohman <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> has passed us this information -
Malcolm McNaughton July 13, 1918 - February 2, 2006 Passed away peacefully at Saanich Penninsula Extended Care Hospital after a lengthy illness. Predeceased by his loving wife, Isabel in October 2002. Malcolm had an interesting life as a radio operator and radio technician with then Trans Canada Air Lines, later to become Air Canada, from 1940 to 1970. In 1970 he left Air Canada and went to work for Eastern Provincial Air lines for another seven years. After he retired Malcolm and Isabel moved to Sidney where they enjoyed their retirement years. In his spare time he was very active with his ham radio and did volunteer work for Mount Newton Centre and also found time to help anyone with radio or electrical problems.
(We, at the NetLetter, extend our condolences to the family - eds)
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Found on the Internet
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The Globalflyer makes the record - Steve Fossett had already flown more than 25,000 miles and was descending from 50,000 feet to his planned landing site in England Saturday evening when a generator failed in the Virgin Galactic GlobalFlyer. Fossett diverted from Manston to Bournemouth and landed safely, succeeding in his quest to complete the longest-ever flight in an aircraft, with no stops and no refueling ... and injuring or killing at least one bird (not considered part of the record). Fossett coped with the bird strike on takeoff, cockpit temperatures up to 130 degrees, and severe turbulence over India that at its worst adjusted his altitude in 1,000-foot increments. "It was a scary time and I had my parachute on and I was prepared to bail out in case a wing broke," Fossett said. In all, he flew 26,389.3 miles in 76 hours 45 minutes.
As in last year's round-the-world trip, Fossett again had trouble with the GlobalFlyer's fuel system. About 750 pounds of fuel was lost overboard early in the flight. The loss meant that finding the best tailwinds and carefully managing the fuel burn were that much more critical. When Fossett landed in England, he had 200 pounds of fuel left in the tanks. The flight exceeded the current record for the longest airplane flight held by Burt Rutan's Voyager aircraft, which flew for 24,987 miles in 1986, as well as the longest flight by any kind of aircraft, 25,361 miles flown by the Breitling Orbiter balloon in 1999.
Airbus is downplaying test results in which an A380 wing undergoing static testing failed slightly before the required design limit. The wings are supposed to take 1.5 times the design load limit but this one failed at 1.45 times, about 3.3 percent shy of the certification requirement.
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Terrys Travel Tips
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SEA WORLD NARA RESORT SPECIALS GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
Fantastic travel industry rates starting from $150 per room per night. Receive 2 for 1 Full Buffet Breakfast & 2 for 1 Sea World Entry when staying from 7 February to 31 March 2006.
Sea World Nara Resort is Australia's Number One Theme Park Resort, renowned for its excellent accommodation, superb facilities and friendly staff. Situated on Queensland's glorious Gold Coast, the secluded and luxurious resort is bordered by a world famous surf beach and the idyllic Broadwater. A low rise Resort set amongst beautiful tropical gardens featuring attractive rainforest atriums, the property consists of 405 rooms in three different accommodation wings. Sea World Nara Resort's unique features include a monorail link to Sea World, absolute waterfront conference and meeting facilities, a popular Kid's Club, heated lagoon-shaped swimming pool and award winning restaurants, just to name a few. We invite our guests to experience the most enjoyable, relaxing and exciting holiday possible, making it a memorable stay.
Sea World Nara Resort, Sea World Drive, Main Beach, QLD 4217, Australia
Phone: +61 7 5519 1863
Fax: +61 7 5591 0047
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web Site: www.seaworldnara.com.au
Total Solar Eclipse, Desert Safari & Felucca Tour 12 Days - Egypt
See a total solar eclipse in the land of the pharoahs. Includes Great Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo, Citadel of Salah El Dien, Train to Aswan, Philae Temple, Felucca cruise to Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, Valley of the Kinds, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Luxor & Karnak Temples, Train to Alexandria, Greco-Roman Museum, Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa, Pompeys Pillar, Marsa Matrouh, Elsaloum, Eclipse, Bahareya Oasis, Black Desert, Agabat Mountain, White Desert, many meals included.
Mar 22 until Apr 2 - $1599 USD per person/double occupancy. Call for details.
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SPRING BREAK TOUR IN EGYPT
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Spring Break Tour - 2 Days Cairo, 4 Days Nile Cruise, 4 Days Hurghada, 10 Days - Egypt
This deluxe tour shows you the highlights of Egypt along with a delightlful Red Sea beach resort holiday in the renowned Hurghada area. You will see the Great Pyramids of Giza, tour Memphis and the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.
An overnight train trip to Aswan will take you to your Nile cruise. Includes Elephantine Island, Agha Khan Mausoleum, High Dam, Temple of Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Temples of Karnak and Luxor. You will transfer to Hurghada a world famous resort on the enchanting Red Sea waters - famous for snorkel and scuba adventure. Many meals included.
- From Mar 1 until Apr 30 - $1450 USD per person/double occupancy.
Call for details - Ask about the optional Mt Sinai & St Catherine's 2 Day Excursion.
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FIRST CLASS QUALITY INTERLINE TOUR OF INDIA
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RAJASTHAN, "The Land of the Kings"
10 Day Tour of India
See India at its exotic and colourful best. This terrific tour includes stays in royal palaces, forts & castles. You will see Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Hawa Mahal, Jodhpur, Manvar, Meheragarh Fort, Rohet, Ranakpur, Udaipur, White Marble Temples at Ranakpur. Includes buffet Breakfast & buffet Dinner at all hotels Includes economy class airfare within India.
Call for departure dates.
Valid Until Sep 30/06 - $3595 US, per person.
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All prices are in US dollars, based on double occupancy for new bookings only and apply only to eligible Airline Personnel and their certain family members. Proof of employment and/or relationship to employee required. Certain terms and conditions may apply For information and reservations, please call
INTERLINE WORLD VACATIONS AT 1-866-279-8480 toll free or (604) 279-8482 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Smilie
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AUSTRALIANS SQUASH AIRBORNE TOMATO THREAT
While the U.S. is having trouble keeping people from pointing lasers at airplanes, it seems the Australians have convincingly dealt with another type of threat to aviation: flying tomatoes. Southport Magistrate Alex Chilcott put Anthony Douglas Donohue, 35, of Sorrento, in Queensland, on two years of probation after the man admitted threatening to bring down a helicopter by shooting tomatoes from a "homemade bazooka." Donohue became annoyed over the helicopter's repetitive survey flights over the house he shares with his parents and called in the threats to Air Services Australia, the government agency that regulates civil aviation. "I have a homemade bazooka and if that helicopter is here again tomorrow I will fire the bazooka at this guy," Donohue was quoted by prosecutors as saying, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The court was also told his ammunition of choice was tomatoes.
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AC Heritage Poster
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Enjoy this visual display of Air Canada’s historic fleet from its beginning in 1937 to the present including aircraft from:
- Trans-Canada Airlines
- Canadian Airlines
- Pacific Western
- Eastern Provincial
- Nordair
- Transair
and Wardair
This 68 x 96 cm (27 x 38 inch) poster is printed in full colour on high quality paper and depicts over 300 aircraft and liveries flown by Air Canada throughout its history.
The cost of the poster is $24.99 plus tax and shipping where applicable. This is a great gift for reunions, retirements and birthday gifts, etc.
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More info here |
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Submissions
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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments for the "The Netletter" please send to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Please add to your Address Books).
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us Terry & Vesta (exclusively) will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of news for the NetLetter.
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NetLetter Archives
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The archives of the NetLetter are kept on the ACFamily Network Forums area. They are in plain text format so you can print them from there if desired. If you are not a member of the ACFamily Network yet, we encourage you to join us there. Non members can Register here. (It's Free!)
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NetLetter Archives Link |
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