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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 642 Dec 12th, 2001, 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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. Need to know.
Industry Travel advises -
Please note that effective January 1,2002 the U.S. International and the
U.S. Departure taxes are both increasing to $13.20 usd (from $12.80).
The tax code for both of these taxes is "US".
There is still no resolution for retirees to get amny discount with FedEx.
(Best seek out a willing employee! - eds)
FedEx Holiday Hours. Effective Dec. 3 to Jan. 5, 2002,
Federal Express shipping hours in Vancouver are10 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. and in Richmond Mon. to Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The
change in hours applies for all customers, not just airline
employees using discounts. As you may know, Federal Express
offers reduced rate shipping on all personal goods for airline employees. To
send your personal Christmas goodies you or your spouse must present your
employee identification card and cash, personal cheque or a credit card at the
FedEx office.
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. News from the districts.
From Eric van der Holt -
The Comox Valley Pionairs had its Christmas Dinner on Dec 6th at the
Kingfisher Ocean Resort and Spa, which was well-attended and thoroughly enjoyed
by participating Air Canada and Canadian Airlines retirees. Murray Phipps
announced his resignation as Co-Ordinator/Representative for the Comox Valley
Pionairs and myself as his replacement.
Visitors to the area are always welcome to attend our regular luncheons which
are held on the last Thursday of the month at a different location. Information
about the luncheons can be had by phoning Eric van der Holt at 250 897-0322 or
emailing
Regards,
Eric
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. Found on the internet -
Comments regarding a meeting held in Ottawa during a Senate hearing -
The miserly nourishment doled out to air passengers was the sleeper issue
during a
recent Senate hearing on Canada’s sick airline industry.
Sharp minds from the Chamber of Sober Second Thought raised the food
situation
five times with Transport Minister David Collenette and Air Canada executives
during a
two hour meeting. One senator lamented the disappearance of free Scotch.
Senator Laurier LaPierre chastised Air Canada for serving peanuts on
flights when
some might be allergic to them, only to be informed that snacks of the nut-like
seed had
been discontinued three years ago.
The munchy backlash surprised Mr Collenette who is grappling with
jump-starting
competition in the airline market that has seen six carriers fold in the past
five years
during his tenure.
“I will take the rap for a lot of things, Senator, but not for the
pretzels on planes” he
responded.
*********** AIRBUS STARTS BUILDING IN HAMBURG **************
Airbus has begun construction of the first major component assembly hall
for the new A380. Today, the first foundation pile for the A380 hall on the
Mühlenberger Loch site in Hamburg was put into place. Over the coming weeks
more than 2,100 foundation piles will be driven into the ground to support
the new building.
The major component assembly hall will be roughly 230 m long, 120 m wide
and 26 m high. The laying of the foundation stone for this new A380 hall is
scheduled for March 2002 and the hall will be completed by early 2003. The
forward and aft fuselage sections of the new A380 superjumbo will be built
(structural assembly) and the aircraft will be equipped with all its
flight-essential systems (equipment assembly) in this new hall. Major
component assembly (MCA) for the first A380 aircraft will therefore begin
on schedule at the Hamburg site in early 2003. Cabin equipment halls, paint
shops, workshops, ground running test facilities and a delivery center will
also be built.
Airbus has obtained 97 firm orders and commitments from nine customers for
the A380, which will enter service in 2006.
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. FRIENDS OF FRONT ST. FOREVER (FOFF)
Shirlee Schacter sends us this information -
For the past several years, a small group of former 151 Front Streeters have
met for lunch in December.
This year we felt we would the word out to ALL former 151 Front Streeters who
might be interested in joining their former colleagues at this yearly reunion.
In keeping with the tradition of the "old days", it's back to the tried and
true Strathcona Hotel at 60 York St. in Toronto and lunch goes from about 12
noon to 3'ish. Those who are still working are on a tighter schedule than
those of us who are retired, of course.
(This years lunch was attended by at least 30 on Dec 6th. If you feel you are
eligible
for this group, send your email to Shirlee who will advise you of the next
event - eds)
"shirlee schacter" <
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. Vesta our Chief pilot sends us this warning -
'GONER' COMPUTER VIRUS DISABLES DEFENCES
A new computer virus is spreading around the world through e-mail. The
worm, named "Goner," is activated by clicking on an attachment promising
a screen saver program.
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. Story from our own D.B.Cooper!
I always get a chuckle when I read about my namesake. I claim to be the
AC original D.B.Cooper. I worked in Engineering and was with Ernie Hand
and some Maintenance guys in L.A. Walking out on the ramp to board a
flight back to YUL, a U.S. security guy came was sharp enough to read
the Dynatape name on my briefcase. Well that took a few minutes to sort
that out, particularly as I was at that time using a British passport.
But I don't think the other D.B.C. would have ended up working in AC
Engineering with the amount of money he is alleged to have got away
with. His escapade did however make Boeing modify the rear door access
steps so that they could no longer be lowered in flight. He must have
had knowledge of that fact when he planned the hijacking. I wonder how?
Incidentally, the F.B.I. never contacted me even though they must have
had my fingerprints in their archives. I had to have them taken at the
U.S. Embassy in London in 1957 when I applied for a visitor's visa to
the U.S. It was a bit of a joke, as at the same time I had to swear on a
bible that I was not a communist! As if any communist would have
admitted to being a member.
Regards and Season's greetings to all my fellow retirees.
Dave Cooper. (aka the Castrol man
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. Terry's travel tips.
DARGAL is pleased to bring you these great Interline rates for all-inclusive
Club Med!
BUCCANEER'S CREEK, Martinique ~ Village for Everyone
December 1 - 14 & January 12 - January 18: $109 CDN per person/night
(approx. $71 USD)
December 22 - January 4: $159 CDN per person/night (approx. $103 USD)
January 5 - January 11 & January 19 - March 8: $129 CDN per person/night
(approx. $84 USD)
CANCUN, Mexico ~ Village for Adults
December 22 - January 4: $159 CDN per person/night (approx. $103 USD)
January 5 - January 11, January 19 - January 25 & February 9 - February 22:
$109 CDN per person/night (approx. $71 USD)
January 12 - January 18, January 26 - February 8 & February 23 - March 1:
$129 CDN per person/night (approx. $84 USD)
LA CARAVELLE, Guadeloupe ~ Village for Families
December 1 - December 14, January 5 - January 25, February 2 - February 15 &
March 2 - March 8: $109 CDN per person/night (approx. $71 USD)
January 26 - February 1: $129 CDN per person/night (approx. $84 USD)
CRESTED BUTTE SKI VILLAGE, Colorado, USA ~ Village for Families
December 15 - December 21, January 5 - January 25 & February 23 - March 8:
$109 CDN per person/night (approx. $71 USD)
February 9 - February 15: $129 CDN per person/night (approx. $84 USD)
February 16 - February 22: $159 CDN per person/night (approx. $103 USD)
COPPER MOUNTAIN SKI VILLAGE, Colorado, USA ~ Village for Adults
December 1 - December 21: $169 CDN per person/night (approx. $110 USD)
December 22 - January 4, February 9 - February 22: $219 CDN per person/night
(approx. $142 USD)
January 26 - February 8, February 23 - March 8: $189 CDN per person/night
(approx. $123 USD)
IXTAPA, Mexico ~ Village for Families
December 1 - December 21, January 5 - February 8 & February 16 - March 8:
$109 CDN per person/night (approx. $71 USD)
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic ~ Village for Families
Set on a beautiful beach, ideal for water sports, the Village of Punta Cana
is a great choice for families.
December 1 - December 21, January 5 - February 15, February 23 - March 8:
$109 CDN per person/night (approx. $71 USD)
December 22 - January 4: $159 CDN per person/night (approx. $103 USD)
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas ~ Village for Families
December 1 - December 21 & January 19 - March 8: $109 CDN per person/night
(approx. $71 USD)
December 22 - January 4: $159 CDN per person/night (approx. $103 USD)
SANDPIPER, Florida ~ Village for Families
December 1 - March 8: $109 CDN per person/night (approx. $71 USD)
TURKOISE, Turks & Caicos ~ Village for Adults
December 1 - December 21, January 5 - February 1 & February 9 - March 8:
$109 CDN per person/night (approx. $71 USD)
December 22 - January 4: $159 CDN per person/night (approx. $103 USD)
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Rates are quoted in Canadian dollars per person (based on double occupancy)
for 1 night and are land only. USD rates are approximate based on exchange
rate at time of printing and may vary. Rates are subject to availability,
eligibility and subject to change without notice. Does not include
membership fee.
For more information on these and other specials, contact us at:
DARGAL Interline 1-800-690-3223 (North America)
International: (Country Code)-800-2832-7425
Fax: (250) 861-3283
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. Smilie.
Ted Tierney sends this one -
A lady arrives at the airport check in, pushing weight, accompanied by her 9
children...all aged under 11.
Customs agent asks " Madam, do you have any weapons, contraband or illegal
drugs in your possession?"
Lady wearily answers "Sir, if I had any of those items I think I would well
have used them by now!"
Anon.
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