 The NetLetter
For Air Canada Retirees
(part of the ACFamily Network)
October 16, 2011 - Issue 1183
|
|
| |
|
First Issue published in October 1995!
(over 5,400 subscribers)
|
Donation Information
|
Send cheques payable to "ACFamily Network" to:
ACFamily Network
#800 - 15355 24th Ave, Suite 523
Surrey, BC V4A 2H9
or
Pay by Credit Card
|
| Sponsors |
 |
|
|
| Greetings! |
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!
The NetLetter is an email newsletter published every weekend 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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!
Terry & your NetLetter Team
|
| CAHS Upcoming Events - Compiled by Alan Rust |
|
|
Pionair Meetings and Events - Compiled by Alan Rust
|
|
 The Air Canada Pionairs have ongoing Coffee Club Meetings in the following Districts; Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Okanagan, Edmonton, Calgary, Man-Sask, SW Ontario, Central Ontario, Ottawa, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia - P.E.I., Newfoundland, UK - E.C. and the USA - Caribbean. For full information, click here.
Meetings provide an opportunity to meet old friends, learn the latest news regarding Air Canada and your pensions or hear a variety of guest speakers speaking on topics of interest to retirees.
|
| Our first 70 years - Compiled by Terry Baker |
|
1956 - December - Order for 20 Vickers Vanguard aircraft announced for delivery in 1960.
1957 - February 1st - Introduction of Viscount aircraft on Montréal-Quebec City route.
|
Star Alliance News - Compiled by Terry Baker
|
 ANA will commence the first long-haul international route to Europe using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on 21 January, 2012 when it begins its Haneda to Frankfurt service.
|
| Air Canada Related News - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 A 5-year contract has been issued to Delta Techops to provide repair and overhaul of 22 PW4060's in support of nine B767's. |
| Quarter Century in Aviation Club - Richmond, B.C. |
|
 Retirees Welcome!
The October meeting of the Quarter Century in Aviation Club is on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The club includes airline employees from all areas of aviation meeting as friends to share their experiences and memories.
If you wish to join the club, you must have 25 years in aviation (any airline, any job). The membership fees are $20/year. Guests are welcome, and you are not required to join the first time you attend. Come check us out, we have a very friendly crowd and guest speakers every month.
When: October 18, 2011, Socials - 17:00 hours, Dinner - 18:00 hours
Dinner: Roast Beef (buffet style) coffee, dessert, tax and tip is included.
Cost: The cost is $23 per person including tips and taxes. Beer, wine is extra.
More information at: www.quartercenturyclub.ca
|
|
|
| |
| Reader Submitted Photos - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Reader Submitted Photos - The photos and information below was sent to us by our faithful readers. If you would like to send us some old photos you have lying around. we will consider them for publication in a future NetLetter. We prefer good quality airline related photos, with descriptive text included with the submission. |
|
 Brian Dunn (YYZNEWS) has sent us two photos taken at Toronto by Jeff Hickinbotham.
L1011 TriStar is CF-TNA fin 501 which was leased to Eastern Airlines every winter season from 1973 - 1981 and registered N312EA.
|
 This photo of an F28 operated by Transair was caught during 1974. |
 These photos were taken during a visit to the Viscount at BC Aviation Museum on 07 Sept. 2011 as part of the ARTEX reunion tour (ex members of International Air Transport Section / National Safety Council / Executive Committee - Executive Committee) all retired Airline Ground Safety professionals.
Attending were: Norm Hogwood - Vickers Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd. / TCA / New Zealand National Airways / Air New Zealand. Bill & Dese Simpson - Pan Am / US Air / Piedmont / Landmark Aviation, Geoff & Nina Hayes - BOAC / Gulf Air / PWA / Canadian / Air Canada, Tony & Janet Walsh - Air Canada, Norman Hogwood was a co-worker at LHR with the NetLetter's chief pilot Terry Baker - TCA / Air Canada, who took the opportunity to meet with Norman after a gap of some 51 years. It was in the 60's that Norman left LHR and moved to New Zealand, his present location, and was visiting YVR. |
 |
 |
 Front row: Geoff Hayes, Nina Hayes, Janet Walsh, Dese Simpson, Back row: Norman Hogwood, Tony Walsh, Bill Simpson, Terry Baker. |
| TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, an Air Canada publication from years gone by, and various in-house magazines.
|
|
Issue dated - January 15th 1957
Gotten from the "Between Ourselves" magazine -
|
|
 LONG SERVICE awards were presented to some of our Cleveland personnel at a District Staff Meeting.
The principals are left to right: R. F. Corsiglia, DSM Cleveland; R. W. Affleck, Cargo Sales Rep. who received a 15-year award; W. W. Baker, Airport Counter Supervisor, 10-year pin; D. R. Henderson, City Traffic Manager 10 year pin; A. L. Knapp, Reservations Manager, 5-year pin, and W. R. Campbell, Central Regional Sales Manager who made the presentations.
|
|
 A STILL SHOT from our Company's new film 'Red Carpet" is seen here. The pic shows the climax of the movie where the central character, a V.I.P., boards the aircraft while every person involved with his flight-station personnel, flight and maintenance crews, and even the porter and chef-roll out the red carpet for him. The Viscount in the photo is CF-TGR.
(Does anyone know where this film can be found and if these are company employees; Do we know identities? - eds)
|
|
Issue dated - February 15th 1957
|
 Here we have found this photo of the Airline Terminal at Torbay Airport, serving St. John's, Newfoundland.
|
|
 STEWARDESSES DISPLAY part of a quarter of a million dollar fur shipment which we carried from Toronto to Miami, Fla., for the annual Canadian appreciation week. The Furs - including an alI-für bathing suit (not modelled) - were shown to vacationers in Miami during the Salute to Canada.
The stewardesses are Rose Mary Kipsey, left, and Faga Blitstein, both of Toronto.
|
|
 Six monthly refresher courses for Flight Attendants was introduced in 1957. Here is a photo of a group busily writing their test sheets.
Shown clockwise around the table are Louise Normandin, Kathy Krul, Doris Driver, Anita Toupin, Mae Cyr, Lucille Monin, Pal Tanner.
|
 Post meeting and discussions on problems are held and everyone voices opinions on the best solution to solve them.
From left, are Helen Sentesi, Lynn Zuccetto, Gordon Kay, Marie Clancy, Peggy Boyd.
|
|
Issue dated - June 8th 1974
Pried out of the "Horizons" magazine -
|
 Two L1011 TriStars are leased for six months each year in connection with Eastern Airlines from Haas-Turner.
The aircraft are repainted each visit at a cost of $30,000 each time and sport a thin blue line running along each side and red Maple leaf adorns the white tail fin. Air Canada's symbol and signature appear above the stripe towards the front. The only change when with Eastern is the name and emblem.
|
|
Issue dated - June 17th 1974
|
|
 When services from the new passenger terminal building at Sudbury airport were officially inaugurated, the first passengers to check in were presented with a suitable memento, and the ladies were pinned with a corsage.
On hand to get the first flight on its way were, from the left foreground: Station Attendant Dave Deforge, Captain Howard Schwindt, Station Attendant Randy Striemer, and Airport Customer Service Manager Bud Chapman. Back ground, Flight Attendants Lois Moore and Helen Gordon, and First Officer Jack Bannon.
|
|
 Top honours in Vancouver's first Air Cargo bowling league went to Art Prier and his team. There are currently six teams in the league, formed last September.
From the left are: Darryl Ashton, Donna Salter, Lorne Salter, Art, Doug Russell who presented the trophy, Lesley Anderson, and Brian Anderson.
|
| Alan's Space - by Alan Rust |
 |
| Alan Rust |
Trans-Pacific Flight (1953) - submitted (first) by Ken Pickford
(From Ken) Came across this 15 minute National Film Board documentary dated 1953, covering a Canadian Pacific Air Lines DC-6B flight from Vancouver to Tokyo (with a fuel stop at Shemya Island in the Aleutians although the video doesn't include that). It includes interviews with the captain, navigator and one of the stewardesses (as they were known then). Click the full screen button for a better view.
Many readers will remember the interviewer, Fred Davis, host of the long-running CBC quiz show "Front Page Challenge" for almost its entire 38 year existence (1957-95). He died in 1996 at age 74.
This short documentary from the On the Spot series (1953) - "National Film Board's up to the minute report of what's happening somewhere in Canada" - invites us aboard a transpacific flight. Host Fred Davis, on his way to shoot stories in Japan and Korea, interviews the pilot, navigator and stewardess.
I found it interesting during the interview with the Captain that they mention "PNR" which for most airlines means "Passenger Name Record". He never explains exactly what "PNR" stands for during the interview, but he means "Point of No Return" which most passengers would rather not know about.
The video is about 15 minutes long and very interesting to watch.
|
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 it's "ancestry" of contributing airlines. |
|
On March 24th 1987 it was announced that Canadian International Airlines LTD would be the integrated name of Pacific Western and Canadian Pacific Air Lines.
Two B737-200 aircraft were leased by PWA from Monarch Airlines in November 1983 until May 1984 for charter work out of Toronto.
PWA took delivery of their first B767, number 36 off the production line, March 4th 1983 the second arrived April 1983, and both inaugurated service on May 9th 1983.
|
|
Issue dated - July 1984
Extracted from "PWA Flightlines" magazine -
|
 The 8th Annual Yellowknife Flite Nite held on April 14th, these four seemed to be enjoying themselves, they are from the left Paul Steeves (YZF), Judi Ross (YZF), Charlene Hanson (YYC), Rod Brind (YYC). |
 Twenty-five year employee dinner held at the Delta Bow Valley Hotel in Calgary June 13th 1984
Back row (left to right) - Johannes Veen, YYC; Bill Porter, YVR; Aubrey Petit, YYC; Murray Olson, YXD; Peter Lema, YXD; Don Hardy, YVR; Ken Gray, YXD; Gordon Petri. YVR: Arthur Bar, YWG; Tom Ross, YYC.
Middle row (left to right) - Scotty Schira, YVR; Wendell Clark, YVR; Adolph Frebrowski, YYC; Eldon Morton, YYC; Louis Eigner, YYC; Joyce Goodall, YVR; Wally Klassen, YWG; Dennis Merrigan, YYC; Mike Cwihun, YVR; Bob Otto, YXD; Ken Williams, YVR;
Front (left to right) - Fred Macphail, YVR; Emma Haight, XYD; Dave Oxley, YXD; Betty Peebles, YVR; Heimuth Fester, YXD; Joan Andries, YWG; Jim Anderson, YVR; Jan Vinke, YYC; Bill Milne, YVR.
(Absent from picture, John Hedemark, Margaret Demars). |
| 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. Ruth Burton sends us this photo and information - In the last issue (NetLetter nr 1177) there was a picture of Gord Gaffigan with his 1 employee back in 1955 or 56 ... can't locate net letter to be sure of date. This picture was taken in late 67 just after AC started flying to LAX ... Gord worked the southern California area for years without an airplane or a lot of staff. The day  AC's 1st aircraft landed in Lax was a great day for Gord and the staff - most of us came from large stations YYZ YUL CHI and had been in LAX for 2 weeks with no aircraft needless to say.
The excitement of a new station with just 1 flight a day was a start to what is now a very large operation in Southern California.
Names - back row - Ron Miles, Art Berger, ? , ? , Maynard Bartlett, ? , Larry ? , Len Zak,
Front row: Barb Pearce, Don Thomas, Fay Huntley, ? , Myrna Lawrence, ?, GORD GAFFIGAN , Ruth Carhart Burton, Mimi Parent, Ozzie Borden, ? , ? , Karen ? .
Thanks Ruth
(Anyone care to supply the missing names - eds)
The eagle eyes of Ken Pickford spotted this information on the photo of the two Stewardesses in the article in Alan's Space NetLetter nr 1181 -
Just a minor correction re the 1968 LIFE magazine cover in Issue 1181. You say it pictures two Pan Am flight attendants. If you read the caption on the left side of the cover you will note that it shows a Pan Am flight attendant on the left and an Aeroflot flight attendant on the right.
Pan Am and Aeroflot began their New York-Moscow service the same day. The aircraft tail in the background is an Aeroflot Ilyushin 62 which had only just gone into service then.
Regards, Ken
(Alan - thanks Ken, I knew something didn't look right but couldn't put my finger on it. It's obvious now).
Ruth Zurcher, referring to the article under Alan's Corner in NetLetter nr 1181, shares her thoughts.
It's so good of you all to do all this work to keep us informed ! Thank you and I am sure all of us who read your News are grateful.
Now re PAN AM, I was looking forward for the series and even cancelled a dinner in order to stay home for the first episode. Unfortunately, myself and many of my friends have been very disappointed ... the whole thing is somehow a bit stupid and flying was certainly not like that ... I will write to the network also! I shall not view it anymore!
I started my career with TWA in Paris in 1958 and life then was certainly glamorous but in no way Pan Am depicts it.
In 1959 I started working for TCA / Air Canada, for the last 14 years as a FSD and retired in 1994.
Our Life certainly was a bit different and I only hope that the General Public who watches those silly Episodes does not take it seriously. Once more thanks! Sincerely Ruth Zurcher.
(Alan - I agree, I wasn't too impressed either, I like the depiction of the 60's and aircraft and background shots, but the story line is very weak in my opinion).
|
Odds & Ends - Compiled by Terry Baker
|
 Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes! Brian Walsh has sent us this message - Here is a neat animation that I'd like to share with other NetLetter subscribers.readers. It's called Airport.
 |
| Airport |
|
|
 Alan Evans from South Africa sends us this photo of a unique watering hole -
This is the bar of 55 Squadron officers mess near Fuka in 1941. The WW2 desert campaign in North Africa certainly lacked modern amenities, but also certainly did not lack for spirit and enthusiasm.
|
Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker
|
 |
| Terry Baker |
Interline travel - changes in ZED fares. ZED airline members have recently completed their annual review of ZED fares. Effective October 1, 2011, when you book for travel on Other Airlines, you will notice a change in the fares. For more information, visit the Employee Travel Website. The new Fares Grid can be found under Policies > Personal Travel OAL.
Brian Walsh sends us this suggestion -
There are a few websites that share many ways to find reasonably priced accommodations. Just Google "travel hacking guide". As retirees, we can ignore the section on cheap flights. Cheers, Brian Walsh, YYJ.
|
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.
|
 This cartoon by F.G.Freeland was in "Between Ourselves" magazine issued March 1957.
Caption is "Blimey! and I've been canceling flights right, left and centre account fog"
|
|
|
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.
|
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!
Sincerely,
Your NetLetter Team
|
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
To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
|
|
| |
|
