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From: Terry Baker <
To:
Reply-To:
Subject: [The NetLetter] NetLetter nr 653 Jan 15/02 - The NetLetter
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 10:42:17 -0800
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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 653 Jan 15th, 2002. 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.
ANNUAL C1-J10
(For information only - check YWG Employee Travel Service for latest
information.)
DEFINITION
Effective September 1, 2001, one yearly space available
C1/J10 trip pass ticket is offered to each active employee
and eligible family members for personal travel
Effective January 14th, 2002, Retired employee and widow-er are eligible.
ELIGIBILITY**
Active Air Canada employee with 6 months service
employee on leave of absence
laid off employee
spouse - legal & common-law partner
dependent children (See note)**
retired employee (holding C2/Y10 priority)
widow/er (holding C2/Y10 priority)
**children must be accompanied by employee and/or spouse
also on the C1/J10 trip pass
TRAVEL PERMITTED AS FOLLOWS
Air Canada yes
Tango yes
Tier 2 yes (at C4/Y10 priority level only)
Tier 3 no
ACV yes
Air Canada/Lufthansa joint venture yes
Ststar Alliance no
Other airlines no
ENTITLEMENT
ONE YEARLY EACH AS PER ELIGIBILITY
**children must be accompanied by employee and/or spouse
also on the C1/J10 trip pass
RESERVATION
Contact the YWG Employee Travel Service if in North America.
Contact local reservations office for outside North America.
--NOTE--
Date of ticket issuance determines from which allotment year the C1/J10
entitlement will be decremented
SERVICE CHARGE
ZONE 1 $ 70.00
CDA/USA SHORT-HAUL
MAN TO/FM GLA (DIRECT FLT)
SAO TO/FM EZE (DIRECT FLT)
ZONE 2 $100.00
CDA/USA LONG-HAUL (EXCL. HAWAII) / MEXICO / CARIBBEAN
ZONE 3 $160.00
HAWAII / TRANSATLANTIC / TRANSPACIFIC / S.PACIFIC / S.AMERICA
PER CIC*80/20 - GROUP B
SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE TAXES
AIRPORT HANDLING
--UPGRADE--
Eligible for * C1/Y10 * if accompanied by employee/spouse
holding a C1/J10
- Partners - maximum 2
- Parents - ugraded regardless of number of partners
note: spouse/children must hold their own C1/J10
--DOWNGRADE--
Anyone registered/holding a C1/J10 trip pass ticket wishing
to use the C2/Y10 priority instead must first cancel the
the registration and re-register accordingly with the YWG Employee Travel
Service call centre at least one day prior to the original travel date and
a new C2/Y10 trip pass ticket must be issued and presented.
**NOTE: NOT permitted at airport check-in or gate
LIMITATION
It is considered a misuse of travel privileges if a priority
C2/Y10 trip pass ticket is presented on a C1/J10 registration
and is subject to the conditions as per misuse.
Air Canada Resumes Service Between Montreal and Reagan
National Airport.
January 14th, we resumed service between Montreal and Washington
D.C.’s Reagan National Airport. Due to the airport’s unique
location, resumption of service is subject to special security measures with
which Air Canada is fully compliant, including the presence of armed RCMP
agents. Two daily round trips will
operate between Montreal and Reagan National Airport using 50-seat Canadair
Regional jets.
Air Canada launched non-stop service between Vancouver-
Cancun and Vancouver-Puerto Vallarta. Flights on the new routes
are operated with A319 aircraft. Our schedule has been designed
to ensure maximum convenience in Vancouver to/from many Western Canada cities.
What's the matter with the processing of our Air Canada Trip Charges?
Over the last few months, retirees have become increasingly aware of a
problem in the processing of their trip pass charges. The problem involves
the deduction of "old" trip pass travel charges and incorrect deductions
from a retirees pay statement. Our processing offices have been
inundated with queries from retirees looking for answers to their
questions and a resolution to the issue.
Stated simply, the system was not designed to handle today's volumes. We
know what needs to be done to correct the problem but it is a question of
not having the funds available. At a time of financial restraint every
project has to be prioritized and we have to add this one to the queue of
requests. Until we are able to make the necessary changes, please bear with
us.
In most cases retirees have been both patient and understanding but there
have been several incidents of rude behaviour towards our Payroll and
People Services staff. While we understand that you are frustrated at the
delays there is no excuse for this type of behaviour. Your colleagues want
things to work just as much as you do. Everyone's trying to do the best job
they can with the tools available to them.
We hope the following questions and answers will provide retirees with the
information they need in order to understand the magnitude of the problem.
Q: It seems, a large number of my colleagues are receiving incorrect trip
pass charges. What is the problem?
A: The "Uwrite" system, implemented in October 2000, has presented a
number of challenges from a data processing perspective. The trip pass data
feed to our Payroll department has a 4% error factor that results in the
wrong retiree being charged. This error factor is created by retirees
who incorrectly complete their passes with wrong or illegible retiree
numbers, or through keying errors within the data processing centre. To help
avoid any unnecessary delays or mischarges, please make sure you imprint all
the information clearly.
Q: What do I do if I am incorrectly deducted for a Pass Charge involving a
flight I never took?
A: Check your records carefully to ensure the charges are actually incorrect.
With the current processing backlog, many of the charges are quite old and
you may simply have simply forgotten about them. If you are certain that the
charges are not yours, advise Pensions at the address below. They will fax
the information to Payrolls along with a copy of your Pay Statement detailing
the incorrect charge.
Q: How will the incorrect Pass Charges be refunded?
A: Payrolls will compare the ticket number associated with the incorrect
charge on your Pay Statement, to the actual lift coupon. If the charge is
incorrect it will be immediately refunded. Values in excess of $100 will be
refunded and sent to the employee's home address via special cheque. All
others will be entered into the system for payment on the next available pay
cheque.
Q: When should I expect a refund?
A: The present volume of pass charge refunds has stressed the Payroll team
to the limit. Additional staffing has been assigned to address the volumes.
Guarantees are difficult with such a volatile issue, (300 - 400 queries each
week) but Payrolls is attempting to investigate the errors within one week of
receipt. Refund cheques, or next pay period adjustments, will follow.
Q: What can I do to help?
A: All retirees are asked to spend a little more time completing their trip
passes so legibility is not a problem. In addition:
If you are waiting for a refund, please be patient. If you have questions
about your refund contact the Pensions office at the address below. They have
access to
the Payroll system to determine when the refund will be paid.
Please do not phone Payrolls. Every call takes the staff away from the
important task at hand and delays the issuing of refunds to your fellow
employees.
Q: Is the Company doing anything to "fix" the problem before it gets on a
pay cheque?
A: Using additional resources to take care of incorrect deductions is not a
productive use of staff and is only a short-term solution. In the medium term,
the Company is changing the process to perform an audit of the data prior to
input to the Payroll system. This should catch many of our problems.
The longer-term solution involves replacing the hand written documents with
an electronic data capture system at the departure gate. This is being
studied and a decision is expected shortly. Implementation of such a system
will take three - six months.
Q: Why is there such a delay between my trip and my trip pass charges?
A: When we introduced the new policy in October 2000, we had to change
the way we determined the service charges. Under the previous policy, the
charges were based on intended travel whereas it is now based on actual
travel. The data used for verifying the charges is not passed to Payrolls until
one of the following conditions is met:
the travel itinerary is completed - the origin city matches the
final destination
all six coupons are used
110 days have elapsed from the first date of travel - the trip
pass ticket is only valid for 90 days
Q: There was a service fee of $25 for employees/retirees who completed passes
incorrectly. Is the Company going to reintroduce such a fee?
A: Not at this time.
Q: Can Payrolls tell me how much of my Travel Partner allotment I have
used?
A: No - that information is the responsibility of the employee to track. A post
audit will be conducted by Employee Travel and Recognition with any
necessary action being taken by that office.
Contact in the Pensions Office:
Pensions & Estates Administration - People
P.O. Box 768, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 2N2
Fax Number (204) 941-2498
Pensions & Estates Administration Manager
Bernice Paul (204) 941-2550
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. Eric van der Holt sends this message
Subject: Reg Little
I should like to add to Ken Starnes' remarks (Netletter 652) about J.R.
"Reg" Little, who recently passed away. During his retirement in the
Comox Valley, perhaps his best-known contribution to the community was
his being the primary founder and supporter of the Crime Stoppers
organization, C.O.P.S. (Citizens On Patrol) in the Comox Valley. He was
also popularly known for his many controversial, thought-provoking and
often amusing letters to the Editors of the local papers on a number of
community issues. We shall miss him at the Pionairs luncheons.
Eric van der Holt.
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. From Employee Communications -
After Thirty-five Years Of Faithful Service,
The Last DC-9 Retires.
Saturday Jan 12th 2002, marked the final voyage of our last DC-9-32, an
aircraft that joined our fleet in 1967. Flight 711 from LaGuardia
to Toronto brought the DC-9 full circle from its inaugural flight
on April 6, 1966 from New York to Montreal. The Douglas-built
DC-9 was once considered the backbone of the short haul fleet
and at its peak we had over 50 of them flying the skies. Some
key timelines: On Jan. 7, 1966, Air Canada received the first of
six DC-9-14 aircraft to service the heavily competitive New York
to Toronto/Montreal routes and the Montreal/Ottawa to Winnipeg routes. By 1974,
Air Canada owned 44 of the 32 series aircraft,
which were equipped with more efficient wings and engines to
allow for longer flights. By the mid-seventies, the 727-200 fleet began
replacing the DC9. In 1981, six of the 32 series were sold
to Pacific South West and New York Air. The remaining 35 aircraft were flown
throughout the eighties until the delivery of the
A319s. While customers who sat in the last row of the aircraft
may not have appreciated the DC-9, many of our pilots, mechanics
and financial planners enjoyed the quality of the aircraft.
Farewell old friend!
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. Don't hold your breathe!
From: Wilfrid (Bill) Willows
Subject Computer deal from IBM.
Thought I'd share the latest communications I've had with the folks in
H.Q. regarding this subject matter.
Quote
I have had several people ask me about the Computer Purchase
Program Air Canada hopes to release with IBM.
I have spoken to a contact and it seems that Air Canada and IBM
are still talking about such program, through which AC
employees could buy a computer at a discount from IBM.
Unfortunately, there are no further developments and no one
seems to know exactly when the program will materialize.
I am sorry I could not be of more help. If you have any further
questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Elena Giatras
Employee Communications
Unquote
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" ' "
. Linda Reverchon sends this information -
Subject: Car rental in Europe
It must have been a couple of years ago that I read in the NetLetter about Auto
Europe. My husband and I finally gave them a try last spring on a trip to
France. We have been going to France every year for the past 12 at least,
renting a car each time. We've tried Budget, Hertz, Avis, and leasing directly
from Renault. However, we've never been as satisfied as we were this time with
Auto Europe. We arranged our rental from home, not forgetting to ask for the AC
discount. Once overseas, and after returning the car at the end of the rental,
we decided we needed a car again in a different region. I called the French
toll-free number and, getting the North American office of Auto Europe, made
new arrangements. The new rental was billed in Canadian dollars to my credit
card, and we once again got the AC discount. Neat!
We highly recommend Auto Europe and plan to use their services again this
coming spring.
Linda
(Auto Eurpoean Worldwide Car Rental, active/retired employees. call
1-800-223-5555
or
European Cars Service - Toronto 416 - 366 - 2413 www.european-cars.net - eds)
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" ' "
. Terry's travel tips.
Visiting the UK?
Try the BritRail pass -
If you're going to be centered in the Southeast area of England, which is
home to London, this is an ideal pass. Take in the sights of St. Paul's
Cathedral,
the Westminster Abbey and of course Big Ben.Then, travel throughout England's
Southeast and see the Cliffs of Dover and Windsor Castle, to name a few.
You get:
Three pass durations to choose from:
either 2 days unlimited travel in a 8 day period
or, 4 days unlimited travel in a 8 day period
or, 7 days unlimited travel in a 15 day period
Choice of 1st or 2nd class train travel
Discount at the Jorvik Viking Center in York
(upon presentation of a validated BritRail Pass
and coupon from the 2002 Best of Britain Guide
at the JVC ticket office) until December 31st, 2002.
Adult Adult Child Child
1st 2nd 1st 2nd
Class Class Class Class
Any 2 days in 8 $122 $83 $43 $30
Any 4 days in 8 $199 $146 $43 $30
Any 7 days in 15 $265 $199 $43 $30
Any 4 days in 8 $199 $146 $43 $30
Any 7 days in 15 $265 $199 $43 $30
Please Note: Child fare is for children 5-15 years of age.
Children under 5 are free. Many local trains in
England, Wales and Scotland have 2nd class
accommodations only.
This allowed for in the 1st class pass price. Railpass not valid to Bath or
on other services via Reading operated by Great Western Trains out of
Paddington Station. Travel on the London Underground is
not included with this pass. You must begin using
your pass within 6 months of the date of purchase. Prices are in Canadian
dollars and are subject to change.
Purchase prior to leaving Canada from a local tourist office or from the
britrail web site.
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. Smilie.
Since a terrorist was caught recently with Semtex in his sneakers, some
passengers are being asked to remove their footwear for inpection - imagine if
the terrorist had hidden the Semtex in his underwear - don't even think about
it!!!!
(If that were the case, then load factors would perobably improve - eds)
Art Kupchanko sends us this oldie but goodie!
Subject: The Blind Man
: The Blind Man
A man named Mr. Smith was flying from San Francisco to LA.
Unexpectedly the plane stopped in Sacramento along the way. The flight
attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers
wanted to get off the aircraft, the plane would reboard in 30 minutes.
Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman who was blind. Mr. Smith
had noticed him as he walked by and could tell the blind man had flown
before because his Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front
of him throughout the entire flight. Mr. Smith could also tell he had
flown this very flight before because the pilot approached him, and calling
him by name, said "Keith, we're in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you
like to get off and stretch your legs?" Keith replied, "No thanks, but maybe
the dog would like to stretch his legs".
Picture this: All the people in the gate area came to a complete quiet
standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with the
Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses.
People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, they were trying to
change airlines! Have a great day and remember, things aren't always as
they appear.
Art K
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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
Our joint e-mail address is:
please add to your Address Books.
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of
news for the NetLetter.
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