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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 470 April12th, 2000, We first Published in October 1995
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
<NEW> e-mail address is:
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. We welcome -
Captain Lawrie L. Paxton - joined TCA in Winnipeg on Mar 1/41.
Retired Air Canada Dec.1/78 in Vancouver.
Temporary sim. instructor for ELAL l978 - 86.
email:
John R.Lusher (Captain) Air Canada retired(Mar 1993)
living in Midhurst, ON e-mail:
email:
Retired Manager, Strategic Planning - Datalink
living in Whitby, ON
Hartley C Schwark retired B747 Captain lives in Winnipeg, MN
email:
Richard Sumislawski lives in Calgary, AB
retired Lead Stataion Attendant email:
Sam Gatelaro Superintendent, B747&L1011 Programs - Dorval
retired living in Kirkland, QC email:
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. Need to know.
Bring alternate tickets if you're travelling from Honolulu, Los
Angeles, or Miami. High passenger loads on flights from Honolulu, Los
Angeles, and Miami, particularly on weekends between now and the end
of April, create a strong possibility of denied boardings. In certain
instances, employees have waited days for a flight. Employees are
urged to purchase reduced-rate tickets on other carriers before
leaving their home base. Make sure travel partners are fully aware of
the travel partner program and remind them they can only travel on an
Air Canada or Regional Carrier flight when travelling without the
employee.
. The Rumour mill -
Rumour: Air Canada will participate in a computer purchasing program
for its employees.
Truth: AC is currently investigating this possibility. No decisions
have yet been made.
Rumour: AC has purchased F28 aircraft from Canadian Regional Airlines.
Truth: AC has no plans to purchase F28 aircraft from CRA
Rumour: AC plans to extend the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) to all AC
employees.
Truth: This is false. The AIP, which has been in existence for many
years, was extended in 1998 to all Management and Administration and
Technical Services (A&TS) employees, and was designed to reward
eligible employees only if Corporate financial targets have been met
or exceeded. In 1999, AC exceeded its financial targets, and as a
result, eligible employees received the incentive award.
Rumour: Canadian Airlines (CDN) will be receiving some of AC's
maintenance work in Calgary.
Truth: Workload will generally remain within each AC and CDN work
unit. If a particular work unit doesn't have sufficient work to ensure
profitability, work will be provided to that group. The source of
incoming work will usually be third-party or contract. Specific
workloads have not yet been finalised. Local union and management
leadership will be consulted prior to any division of work. Recently,
CDN performed a Boeing 747 landing gear change for AC in Vancouver.
Previously this work was done by Air France. The bottom line is to
ensure sufficient profitable work for each airline to ensure job
stability.
Rumour: All CDN unionised staff have received a $2.00 per hour raise
because of the merger between AC and CDN.
Truth: This is false. CDN employees are continuing to be paid in
accordance with their respective collective agreements, subject only
to recently concluded tentative agreements with the Canadian Auto
Workers (CAW) Union local 1990 and the Canadian Air Line Pilots
Association (CALPA).
Rumour: CDN employees will get an additional 6 months service time for
every year worked added to their seniority if seniority lists are
merged.
Truth: This is false.
Rumour: AC is transferring Customer Sales and Service Agents from
Halifax to other stations in Eastern Canada.
Truth: This is false. AC has guaranteed there will be no involuntary
transfers for a period of at least two years.
Rumour: If AC is unable to reach agreements with AC and CDN unions, AC
will then decide to have CDN fly West of Winnipeg and AC East of
Winnipeg.
Truth: This is false.
Rumour: There will be no Voluntary Separation Programs (VSP) available
for Technical Operations employees at Air Canada (AC).
Truth: The primary function of the VSP is to address imbalances and
surpluses caused by integration. Discussions with the International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), who represent
Technical Operations personnel, have not been completed on this
matter.
Rumour: Share Appreciation Units (SAUs) are now cancelled due to
integration.
Truth: This is false. AC has no plans to cancel this program.
Rumour: AC will begin flying to Amsterdam.
Truth: Effective July 3, AC will begin daily non-stop Boeing 767-200
service between Toronto and Amsterdam.
Rumour: AC will participate in a computer purchasing program for its
employees.
Truth: AC is currently investigating this possibility. No decisions
have yet been made.
QUESTIONS:
Q. Does Canadian Airlines (CDN) own Air Georgian? Why is AC
transferring flying to them?
A. CDN does not own Air Georgian. On April 2, Air Georgian became a
Tier-III operator, commercially aligned with Air Canada.
Q. CDN has some products and services that are better than AC's. Will
AC match?
A. We are looking at all products and services provided by each
airline. We'll introduce those products and services from one airline
to the other that make most commercial and economic sense.
Q. Is American Airlines (AA) talking to the government about buying
Canadian Regional Airlines (CRA)?
A. Media reports indicate AA has been talking with the federal
government about foreign ownership laws. However, no interested
parties have approached us about purchasing CRA.
Q. Is it expected that WestJet will pick up the slack out West?
A. AC and CDN still operate in Western Canada. While the Corporation
has rationalised many routes, we believe AC and CDN provide the most
comprehensive schedule in the West.
Send any rumours you've heard to Employee Communications
e-mail:
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. News from the districts -
YVR PIONAIRS SPRING LUNCHEON MARCH 22nd 2000.
YVR Pionairs enjoyed a Spring Luncheon at the Quilchena Golf and Country
Club on March 22nd.
Service BC and Pacific Rim was most interesting as he spoke at length of
the ongoing merging of AC and CP flight schedules, the challenges and
the opportunities, the new routes, new destinations, and the exciting
outlook for the future both within North America and Internationally.
Special guests were introduced including Pionair Jack Dyment, and
visiting from Victoria, National Executive 2nd V/P Kay Napolitano and
husband Syl, Margaret Cantwell, Bruce Gibson, and Nancy and Mervin
Walchuk. Also special guest Mike Evans Chair of YVR District CAIRE
(Canadian Airlines International Retired Employees), who spoke of the
goodwill, friendship, and cooperation developing between Pionairs and
CAIRE and that expectations for the future should involve the merging of
the two organizations at the earliest possible time. A special occasion
was recognized in that Estelle Laing was celebrating her birthday on
March 22nd. Many beautiful prizes were drawn for including a beautiful
hand painted ceramic bowl in memory of Ken Cantwell, a longtime AC
employee at YVRA. Background music during the meet and greet happy hour
and during the luncheon was provided by Pat McEwan and Shirley Lee. This
added much to the occasion. The importance of the upcoming AGM was
stressed and the availability of one event tickets was well received.
Pionairs Coffee Clubs have been established in four locations and meet
once per month at 1000am. White Rock 1st Tuesday Whitespot152ns St at
16th Ave, Tswassen, 2nd Tuesday Whitespot, 12th St at 56th Ave.,
Richmond, 2nd Wednesday, Whitespot, # 3 Rd at Save On Foods,
Ladner, 4th Tuesday, Rickys Restaurant, Trenant Park Shopping Centre,
Ladner Trunk Road.
A YVR Pionairs BBQ is scheduled for August 10, followed by the fall
Luncheon in late October and a Xmas Red Hat Luncheon in early December.
For further info E Mail Don Hancock
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. Rob Robbins sends us this story -
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Butch O'Hare.
He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South
Pacific.
One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was
airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had
forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to
complete his mission and get back to his ship.
His flight leader told him to return to the carrier.
Reluctantly he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.
As he was returning to the carrier, he saw something that turned his
blood cold. A squadron of Japanese Zeroes were speeding their way
toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie
and the fleet was defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring
them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the
approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow
divert the Zeroes from the fleet.
Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation
of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 calibers blazed as he charged in,
attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch weaved in
and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as
possible until finally all his ammunition was spent. Undaunted, he
continued the assault. He dove at the Zeroes, trying to at least clip
off a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as
possible and rendering them unfit to fly.
He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from reaching
the American ships. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off
in another direction.
Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to
the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event
surrounding his return. The film from the camera mounted on his plane
told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect
his fleet. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's
highest military honors.
And today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage
of this great man.
Robert M. Robbins" <
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. Our Chief Pilot - Vesta, found this one -
HE EVEN LIKED AIRLINE AND AIRPORT FOOD:
The aviation world lost one of its most passionate commercial air
travelers last week with the death of Charles P. English, in Adamstown,
Md., the Washington Post reported. English was only 48, but had accumulated
over a million miles aloft in 30 years of flying in airliners just for the
sport of it. He flew around the world on each of four successive weekends
last fall, and 24 years ago he was a passenger aboard Air France's first
commercial Concorde flight. His collection of ticket stubs filled four
suitcases. English had worked for the State Department since 1979.
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. Found on the internet.
RIDIN' THE RAILS, CIRCA 2000:
Baggage handlers at Memphis's airport got a shock recently when an
unidentified man popped out of the cargo hold of a Northwest Airlines
flight. The stowaway had traveled all the way from Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport in the heated and pressurized front section of
the cargo hold, where pets travel.
The man, who appeared to be in his 20s, fled on foot.
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. Terry's travel tips.
London/Paris Break-A-Way Vacation from $539.00
Departures Any Day Thru Oct 31, 2000
LONDON/PARIS BREAK-A-WAY INCLUDES:
Round-trip space available interline air transportation,
6 days/4 nights hotel accommodations (2 in London, 2 in Paris) with
private bath, continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service
charges.
London/Athens Break-A-Way Vacation from $639.00
Departures Any Day Thru Oct 31, 2000
LONDON/ATHENS BREAK-A-WAY VACATION INCLUDES: Round-trip space available
interline air transportation, 6 days/4 nights hotel accommodations
(2 in London, 2 in Athens) with private bath, continental breakfast
daily, hotel taxes and service charges.
Great Britain Sampler Motorcoach Tour from $1,049.00
Friday and Sunday Departures Thru Oct 27, 2000
See London, York, the Herriot Country, County Durham, the beautiful
Border Country, Edinburgh, the Royal Mile, historic Edinburgh Castle,
the lovely hill country, Lake District, Chester, Wales, the
Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Chiltern Hills.
GREAT BRITAIN SAMPLER MOTORCOACH TOUR INCLUDES:
Round-trip space available air transportation, 7 days/5 nights hotel
accommodations with private bath, continental breakfast in London,
full English breakfast and dinner in England while on the motorcoach,
sightseeing tours, all hotel taxes and service charges.
Scottish Masterpiece Motorcoach Tour from $1,029.00
Wednesday Departures Thru Sep 27, 2000
See London, Hardianís Wall, Berwick-0n-Tweed, Edinburgh, cruise on
lovely Loch Lomond, then through the Trossachs by Loch Farm and Crieff
to visit Scone Palace. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including
Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, journey southward to the
Lake District and Kendal. Travel through Cheshire and the Potteries
to Lady Godivaís Coventry.
SCOTTISH MASTERPIECE MOTORCOACH TOUR INCLUDES:
Round-trip space available air transportation, 7 days/5 nights hotel
accommodations with private bath, sightseeing tours, all hotel
taxes and service charges.
*NOTE: Prices quoted are per person, double occupancy and based on
using the least expensive air transportation. Prices do NOT
include U.S. departure taxes.
Contact 1-800-935-9444 for more details.
Tropi Rock, 2900 Belmar Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL United States 33304
Phone 954-564-0523 or 800-987-9385 Fax 964-564-1313
Website: http://www.tropirock.com
Reservations and rates
Reservations in advance by phone, fax or email.
Active airline employees and their relatives get a discount from
10-20% on room prices and bar purchases.
Based on availability. Must show valid id at check-in.
Ramada Inn Gulfview, 521 S. Gulfview Blvd. Clearwater Beach, FL
Phone 727-447-6461 or 1-800-770-6461 Fax 727-461-3165
Website: http://www.ramadainngulfview.com/
Reservations and Rates
Reservations in advance by phone, fax or email. 50% discount
offered to active airline employees. Based on availability.
Must show valid id at check-in.
(Rates reflect discount, standard room and are based on US Dollars.)
* Feb. 1 - Apr. 29, 2000: $74.50 * Apr. 30 - Dec. 25, 2000: $57.00.
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. Smilie.
John Baker from LHR sends this which he noticed in the national press -
Subject: 'Cleaning Agent'
The travel agent Going Places has asked some of its managers to help
with cleaning duties at its branches. The company admitted that private
cleaners have been laid off at some branches to save costs.
One manager, reluctant to be named, said: 'I'm embarrassed to say I
now have a new job title of Manager/Janitor'. The move will reportedly
save Going Places GBP500,000 a year.
Our man with the Marigolds (rubber gloves) and bottle of bleach snarled:
'Going Places is most definately going nowhere'.
Regards John
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