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Vesta's Corner
 Why not allow the NetLetter to be your platform and opportunity to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal?
Share your experiences with us! The only woman in the world qualified to fly passengers faster than the speed of sound is Senior First Officer Barbara Harmer of British Airways (Concorde Division). |
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Air Canada - our first 70 years
1997- May 14th - AirBC withdrew service from Campbell River, BC and Comox BC. The service is taken over by Central Mountain Air under an Air Canada designator flights. 1998 -
This aircraft is now operating with Iberia.
 On December 9th, 1956 a TCA North Star CF-TFD crashed on Mount Slesse, near Chilliwack, BC becoming Canada's worst air disaster. There is a book of the event "Disaster on Mount Slesse" ISBN978-1-8947-5921-2 available in Chapters ca$16.68 |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.Musings from "Horizons" In early 1997, recognizing the importance of retaining memories of the airline's history, Lamar Durrett, President and CEO, decided that the 60th anniversary year presented the perfect opportunity to mount an exhibit of Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada artifacts. Fraser Muir, President of Pionairs got involved and, using the vast network of retirees, gathered together items from the past. The project was then assembled into an exhibit, which was made transportable, and was moved around to various system activities. Alas this exhibit is no longer, having been removed from Air Canada's possession and into the dusty depths of a government archive. Issue dated October 1997. Farewell Mirabel. The final Air Canada flight was B747 flight 870 to Paris on Sept 14th 1997. The first international flight from Paris to Dorval since 1975 was flt 871 on Sept 15th 1997 under the command of Capt. Bob Tucker.  We have this photo from the flight desk.Issue dated November 1997  As a reminder of Air Canada's involvement with the "Children's Miracle Network", an Airbus A320 fin 205 C-FDRP c/n 122 was painted with children's faces.Issue dated February 1998  During 1997, several US destinations were being set up for inaugural service, here we have the team which were at Cleveland during December.  High fliers for the on-time performance during the summer of 1997 were St.Louis and Charlotte both with 93%.   Well, at least the Vancouver crowd look happy. Under the heading "Hats off to the Employee Call Centre", Diane Carignan informed us of the work at the Winnipeg call centre who handled approximately 640,000 calls during 1997.  The agents were dedicated to handling personal, business, family affaire and various travel needs of the employees and retirees. Here we have this photo. |
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Air Canada News
Air Canada to launch non-stop Montreal-Geneva service year-round non-stop service between Montreal and Geneva. Daily flights will begin June 1, 2009 (first flight departs Geneva June 2, 2009), with same-plane service continuing on to/from Toronto.
Star Alliance NewsThe carrier's Star Alliance partner, Swiss International Air Lines, will offer seats on a codeshare basis on the new route.Air Canada will operate the new Montreal-Geneva non-stop service using 211-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft offering a choice of Economy Class and Executive First service featuring 24 lay flat bed suites. Whether you plan to head home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or even New Years, check out United's Holiday Sale Calendar to see where you can save the most money. Heading abroad? There's international air deals to choose from too! Travel Deal: $49 & Up (OW) Holiday Sale | All U.S. Air Deals Provider: United Airlines Expiration: Book by Nov 26 | Travel Through Jan 5 |
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Bytes and Pieces
 World's longest air flight - Dec 4, 1958 - Nearly 50 years ago, on December 4, 1958 Robert Timm and John Cook took off from McCarran Airfield, Las Vegas, NV in N9172B. Sixty four days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds later, they landed back at McCarran Airfield on February 4, 1959. By continual airborne refueling they managed to fly the equivalent of six times around the world.
 The flight was part of a fund raising effort for the Damon Runyan Cancer Fund. Food and water were transferred by matching speeds with a chase car on a straight stretch of road in the desert, and hoisting the supplies aboard with a rope and bucket. Fuel was taken on by hoisting a hose from a fuel truck up to the aircraft, filling an auxiliary belly tank installed for the flight, pumping that fuel into the aircraft's regular tanks, and then filling the belly tank again. The drivers steered while a second person matched speeds with the aircraft with his foot on the vehicle's accelerator pedal. Engine oil was added by means of a tube from the cabin that was fitted to pass through the firewall. Only the pilot's seat was installed. The remaining space was used for a pad on which the relief pilot slept. The right cabin door was replaced with an easy-opening, accordion-type door to allow supplies and fuel to be hoisted aboard. Early in the flight, the engine driven electric generator failed. A Champion wind driven generator (turned by a small propeller) was hoisted aboard, taped to the wing support strut, plugged into the cigarette lighter socket - and served as the aircraft's source of electricity for the rest of the flight.  The pilots decided to end the marathon-flight because, with nearly 1500 hours continuous running during the record-setting flight plus several hundred hours already on the engine beforehand (considerably in excess of its normal overhaul interval), the engine's power output had deteriorated to the point that they were barely able to climb away after refueling.  The aircraft is on display in the passenger terminal at McCarran International Airport. Photos and details of the record flight can be seen in a small museum on the upper level of the baggage claim area. |
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.  Pickings from the "CP Air News" magazine donated by David Welham.From the May 1979 issue we have this photo of CF-CPY prior to being restored and positioned as a gate guard at Whitehorse Airport. From the August 1979 issue September 19th marked the 30th anniversary of CP Air service to Tokyo and Hong Kong. The flight aboard a Canadair IV took 33 hours 30 minutes elapsed time from YVR-HKG via Anchorage, Shemya and Tokyo. In 1979 the B747 takes only 13 hours 45 minutes.  The signing of a collective agreement was celebrated at YVR by these pilots and other CP Air officials. Skybus service is being expanded to Montreal (Mirabel) and Winnipeg, effective October 28th. YVR-YMX ca$104.50, YWG-YYZ ca$51 and YWG-YVR at ca$59.50 all one-way fares. From the October 1979 issue The first DC-10 to fly in CP Air colours was delivered to YVR on Nov 2nd 1979 and will be named "Empress of Alberta". After pilot training it will be assigned to the Toronto to Rome sector on Dec 11th. John Hopkins sent this along. I thought I would share a photo of a moment in my career with CP Air that I am particularly proud of and an article from the CP Air News dated July, 1982 page 4 under the headline "JA is getting young people involved in business". As reported in this story CP Air was a sponsor of Junior Achievement in Richmond, BC and Toronto ON. In 1982 our Richmond BC JA company "Richco" was named Junior Achievement of BC's "Company of the Year", and later that year the Canadian Chamber of Commerce chose "Richco" from among 400 companies in 67 cities across Canada as the "Junior Achievement Company of the Year 1982". CP Air employee advisors included myself from Treasury Dept as Finance Advisor, Mavis Mittelsteadt from Marketing, Flight Attendants as Executive Advisor, Tom Buecking from Sales Development as Marketing Advisor and Colin Taylor, from Maintenance Production Control as Production Advisor. Dave Dobson, who was then Executive Assistant to the President (Ian Gray), was CP Air's representative on the Board of Junior Achievement of BC. I know that at least one of the  teenage members of "Richco" went on to a career with CP Air and Canadian Airlines as a gate agent, as I recognized her many years later when I was checking in for a flight. The photo includes, standing in front of a CP Air B737, (front row) on the left the Canadian Chamber of Commerce representative making the presentation, and on the right Dave Dobson, and (back row) left to right; unknown JA representative, Tom Buecking, Mavis Mittelsteadt, Colin Taylor, John Hopkins, unknown "Richco" student representative, and unknown JA representative. I don't know what became of the rest of my colleagues on the Advisory Board and I would be pleased to hear from them if they see this. Several years later I ran into Mavis working a DC-10 flight from YYZ to YVR, and I heard that Tom eventually left the Company to work for Cathay Pacific in Vancouver. Keep up the good work with the "Netletter" (John is a Past President, Air Canada Pionairs 2005 - 2007 - eds)  A special commemorative issue dated March 30th., 1987 provided a schematic of the 17 different airlines which, since 1947, made up Pacific Western Airlines prior to the purchase of Canadian Pacific Air Lines. Here we have a photo of a Skyvan SC-7 landing at Hall Beach, N.W.T. in 1969, Nordair began operations as Boreal Airways Ltd in 1947 and was a pioneer in northern aviation. |
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Readers Feedback
 Every week we get responses from our readers regarding the NetLetter. We welcome your feedback on what we did right, what we did wrong or just general comments.Robert Mitchem - In NetLetter #1042 we made mention of Robert Mitchem's song Thunder Road. We received corrections from both John Ward and Laszlo Bastyovansky, both obvious Robert Mitchem fans, that corrected the statement that Robert Mitchem only made one recording.  In NetLetter nr 1037 we had this photo of an A310 of Wardair sent in by Viv Rivers. We received this information from Bob Gartshore.Some time ago, I believe you requested info on the ex WD/Canadian A310 sold to the Canadian Air Force which was doing a run-up in YVR when it ran over its chocks and into a fuel shed next the Canadian hangar. My son (an AC pilot) witnessed the event and sent me the following: Hi Dad The A-310 had just had a fresh set of engines hung on the wings and was doing a run up. There was another maintenance engineer in the cockpit doing other checks in accordance with the manual which entailed pulling circuit breakers to trick the A/C into thinking it was in the air. When the final c/b was pulled the computer, now thinking it was in the air, released the brakes and the aircraft lurched forward like it had been shot out of a cannon! No brakes and no reverse. The c/b was reset, the power was retarded and the brakes applied but too late to stop it from burying itself into a storage shed. The aircraft was very nearly written off, but it was flown unpressurized to France where they turned it into a combi. Airbus had to pay for full costs as the crew was doing everything in accordance to procedures set down by Airbus. Brian Yours truly, Bob Gartshore (Ex WD/Candian pilot who flew this aircraft with son Brian). From NetLetter nr 1043, the conclusion of Sigrun Cowan's memory of the Silver Broom. They did and I went to Regina... my what a party. The whole town was geared to curling and the atmosphere was electric. Again I was representing the Swedish boys and by now the coach and executives knew me. What a privilege to be chosen twice. Traditionally they (Air Canada) always choose one of the girls to present the Silver broom trophy from the previous years participants. To my great delight I was asked to be trained to bring in the trophy. In 1984 the event was in Duluth, USA and I had the Canadian team. I also watched Janice Miller who was the head flight attendant and presenter. There was much to organize in other years I had never thought about the actual ins and outs of the event. Then came 1985 my year..... it was in Glasgow, Scotland and I had my 5 min of fame...I had to bring in the 40 lbs silver broom... in full uniform with high heals on ice.  I had to pause in the middle while presenting the broom and then proceed to the other end and put the broom into it's bracket. The sheet of ice was lined with Scottish bag pipers and they piped me in.... As I began my walk down the ice (knees shaking) they stopped playing and it was very still in the arena. I made it and after that every day before the games began the BBC had a clip of me walking... they send me the tape and it is one of my most precious possessions. Unfortunately it was the last year of the Air Canada sponsorship and the game of curling has thrived it is now an Olympic sport and it is played on all continents of the world. For me during curling season I am a curling groupie....I watch every game I can and I hope that during the Olympic games in 2010 I can be of some assistance as a volunteer . I retired this past June after 41 years and I had a great carreer with Air Canada. Sigrun Cowan YVR John Hopkins Past President, Air Canada Pionairs 2005 - 2007 has sent along this information. I very much enjoyed The NetLetter #1040 dated October 25, 2008, especially the photo taken in 1974 of the first B-747 and the last DC-3 both painted in the famous CP Air Orange and Red colours. That incongruous looking DC-3 on the ground (no longer flying then) was one of the first sights that greeted me at the Operations Centre when I joined the Company in the Treasury Department in 1974. About 12 - 15 years earlier, one of my first flight experiences as a young teenager had been to fly in a RCAF Dakota (the military name for the DC-3) while attending an Air Cadets summer camp at Sea Island, so seeing that DC-3 really struck a chord with me in 1974, and it still does.  Alan Gray thought you would like these photos from a 1992 trip to China.Yes that is the flight crew cleaning the snow off the aircraft.  Sweeping Snow (They even sweep off snow in Toronto, as shown in this photo - eds) |
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This & That
Jim Griffith has sent us these two photos and as the 100th anniversary of flight in Canada is imminent, we thought we would publish them.  The first photo, courtesy of Jack Minor, is the Silver Dart at the front of the Russell Group's hangar at Niagara Falls and the photo below, courtesy of Jaro Petruck, shows Astronaut Bjarni Trggvason shaking hands at the RAG Hangar with the grandson of J.A.D. McCurdy, Mr. Gerald Haddon, also our most recent addition to the work team.  (and yes that is the nose of a Me 109 in the left background. )For updates visit our website at: www.silverdartreplica.com Jim Griffith. William J. Cameron has sent us this information. This summer I was fortunate in being able to visit the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame, located at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum of Transportation in Wetaskiwin, AB.. About 45 mins south east of Edmonton. The occasion was an excellent Air Show, jointly organized by the Hall of Fame, the RAMuseum, and the town of Wetaskiwin. The CAHF Aviation Hangar is located adjacent to the runway at Wetaskiwin airport. Over the two days of the Air Show, Saturday and Sunday, there were approximately 50,000 attendees. Displays included the CAF Snowbird Display team. The CAHF facility is quite amazing, with the display of information about Inducted Members, and the display of aircraft both in the hangar and in the storage facility. Together with the very large Reynolds-Alberta Museum of Transportation, the CAHF Hangar displays are certainly worth a destination trip for anyone interested in cars, agricultural machinery and especially airplanes. The existence of the CAHF is not at all well known, and there is a real need for a wider participation by the Canadian aviation community in supporting the Hall.  Canada's Aviation Hall of FameThe CAHF url is www.cahf.ca On February 23, 1909, John Alexander Douglas McCurdy, a twenty three year old engineering student, flew an aircraft called the "Silver Dart" off the ice of the Bras d'Or, at Baddeck, Nova Scotia - and for a distance of one half-mile. This was the first flight of a piloted, heavier-than-air aircraft in Canada, and the first controlled flight of an aircraft flown by a British subject anywhere in the British Empire. This upcoming February 23rd will mark the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada, and plans are underway to celebrate this important milestone with a variety of different events all across the country. In the time that has passed since that momentous event on Bras d'Or, Canadians have embraced aviation with great enthusiasm and passion. The vast expanse of our country; in particular the northern regions, has challenged Canadian aviators in every decade since the earliest period of flight, and in spite of hardships, and sometimes primitive equipment, great successes have been achieved. Canadian aviators have flown and fought with great distinction in two world wars, numerous other conflicts, and in other military missions around the world since that first flight. As well as these early challenges, the current Canadian Armed Forces continues to this day to be a highly respected, world-class Air Force. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during the Second World War was an incredible achievement of the Canadian Government and people, and the Royal Canadian Air Force - so much so that President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States called Canada - "The Aerodrome of Democracy". The stories of over two hundred outstanding individuals are, today, enshrined in Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. They include pilots, engineer/mechanics, entrepreneurs, designers, and builders. Along with the men and women honoured in the Hall a number of organizations have also been recognized with the Belt of Orion Award of Excellence. Those of us who were fortunate in having had a long career in the aviation industry, should be proud that Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame honours a great number of our colleagues of the past - those who created the various airlines that we now know as Air Canada, and those whose ingenuity and skills have made our air industry among the most successful and safest in the world. These also include men and women of Trans-Canada Air Lines; Canadian Pacific Airlines; Wardair; and many others - from coast-to-coast in Canada. (We will continue this information in the next NetLetter - eds) |
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Terry's Travel Tips
 Some deals offered by Caesar Hotels Airways Vacations -Hawaii Year End Blowout!- 3 Nights Honolulu with confirmed air from $349* - Oahu 3 Nights at the Aqua Waikiki Beachside and round trip confirmed air from LAX or SFO 3 Nights Maui with confirmed air from $399* - Maui 3 Nights at the Kaanapali Ocean Inn and round trip confirmed air from LAX or SFO*per person based on double occupancy. Valid for travel Nov 1 - Dec. 17, 2008 Airline taxes are additional Golf in Ireland! LEGENDS EAST from $1789* Includes: 6 Nights Accommodations, Car Rental & 4 Rounds of Golf! The East coast is rich in golf history with the likes of Portmarnock Golf Club. The Jameson's golfed here as early as 1858, having founded a distillery in Dublin in 1780. Dublin is the ideal base for a weeks vacation including 4 rounds of golf at Portmarnock Golf Links, Portmarnock Hotel Links, The European Club and St. Margaret's Golf Club which are all courses providing a tremendous variety of shot values. During the evenings relax and enjoy true warm Irish hospitality at pre-booked Bed & Breakfasts. Including: 6 nights B&B Accommodation Upgrade to First Class hotels available Standard Full Size Car Rental with Unlimited Mileage Upgrade to Automatic Car or Chauffer Available Full Irish Breakfast Daily 4 Rounds of Golf at: Portmarnock Golf Club Portmarnock Hotel Links European Club St. Margaret's Golf Course Golf in Scotland. LEGENDS HIGHLANDS from $1769* Includes: 6 Nights Accommodations, Car Rental & 4 Rounds of Golf! Travel north through the Scottish Highlands and encounter true Scottish links golf. Royal Dornoch offers tradition along with its wonderful links courses; its Championship Course is rated 5th in the world. The Nairn Golf Club is nestled on the shores of the Moray Firth and is one of the world's finest links. The Nairn Dunbar Golf Club is a Scottish links championship course representing a formidable challenge for all golfers. Finally, overlooking the Dornoch Firth, Tain Golf Club offers the finest hole designs by Old Tom Morris. Experience exceptional Scottish hospitality by staying in quaint Scottish B&B's in the local area. Including: 6 nights B&B Accommodation Upgrade to First Class hotels available Standard Full Size Car Rental with Unlimited Mileage Upgrade to Automatic Car or Chauffer Available Full Scottish Breakfast Daily 4 Rounds of Golf at: Royal Dornach Golf Club Nairn Golf Club The Nairn Dunbar Golf Club Tain Golf Club Book now these deals sell out quickly 1-800-422-3727 More information and other deals at www.airwayvacations.com |
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Vesta's Corner
Why not allow the NetLetter to be your platform and opportunity to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal?
Share your experiences with us!
Blaise Russaouen sends this observation from my item in NetLetter nr 1044... Just a slight correction with regards to BA having the first woman to fly the British/French Concorde when it was in service. Air France had at least two and Braniff, the American carrier which leased the airplane to fly the New York - Dallas segment perhaps had another one. This latter point is to be verified.
Best regards, Blaise Russaouen (My article was from the "Airliner World" current edition - Vesta)
Sri Lankan Airlines recently appointed its first female Captain. Anusha Siriratne who has served as Second Officer on L1011, and as First Officer on A320, A330 and A340.
She and her husband Captain Hermantha Siriratne made history as Sri Lanka's first husband and wife pilot duo.
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Air Canada - our first 70 years
Where are they now.
BAe146-200 C-FBAB c/n 2090, C-FBAE c/n 2092 and C-FBAF c/n 2086 are now in operation with Air Congo of Kinshada Zaire, Last revenue flight for A340 C-GDVW fin 909 was YYZ-YUL November 19th 2008.
Final revenue flight for the A340 fleet was flt 865 LHR-YUL on November 20, 2008.
From "Between Ourselves" during 1966
Here are some of the headlines -
 Inaugural DC-9 flight to Miami Aug 1st 1966 by Capt's Leek and Gale.
 Nov 1st 1966 inaugural DC-8 to Copenhagen/Moscow with Capt. W.R.Bell, Stewardesses G.Vilstboll and V. Bjolseth.  Here is a photo of CF-TJP fin 816 c/n 45679 in front of the terminal atReciprocal service same day by Aeroflot Tupulov TU-114 registration CCCP-76490.
Nov 1st 1946 TCA DC-3 service Victoria to Seattle inaugurated the first flight between the B.C. capital and the American city.
Sept 16th 1946 TCA Lancaster landed at LHR from Prestwick which marked the start of regular service from Canada
to London, England. Air Canada news.
Weekly flights between YUL and St. Lucia with A319 equipment planne to commence Feb 2nd 2009.
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Albert Siegmann sends us this picture of a DC8 overhaul crew in Dorval, circa 1967-68. Unfortunately I could not get more names.
 A lot of people remember the faces but not the names. Maybe you could get a few more names with all the peoples you reach with Your Netletter.Regards. Albert Siegmann Musings from the "Horizons" Issue dated January 1998 was full of photos celebrating our 60th anniversary. Here is a selection of them.
 Here is a variety of different uniforms worn over the years.  The staff in Antigua with their celebration cake.  At Ottawa three of the staff sport their TCA colours.  Our staff in Paris,  and at Kingston. |
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Star Alliance News
 Australian Competition and Consumer Commissionrejected a transpacific Air New Zealand/Air Canada code share pact. ACCC issued a draft determination denying authorization for the two airlines to code share on AC's Sydney-Vancouver services and ANZ's Auckland-Vancouver flights, claiming it would lessen competition.
The airlines argued that neither operates on the other's routes and both would promote each other's services, bringing more tourists to Australia and New Zealand.
Bmi will discontinue long-haul operations from Manchester next year and transfer the two A330s currently based at MAN to London Heathrow. It will stop flying from MAN to Chicago O'Hare on Jan. 14 and to Las Vegas, Barbados and Antigua following the mid-April Easter holiday.
Lufthansa announced that it would be taking control of BMI in January 2009, they already have a 30% share and this will rise to 80% with SAS holding the remaining 20%.
Lufthansa opted not to wait for a decision on a foreign partner for the restructured Alitalia and will be launching its own subsidiary at Milan Malpensa, called Lufthansa Italia, in February. |
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Bytes and Pieces
YWG to YEG Airmail Re-enactment, Dec 1-3, 2008I would like to pass along this info gathered from John Chalmers, Board of Directors, Alberta Aviation Museum As a member of the Board of Directors of the Alberta Aviation Museum (AAMA) I am writing on behalf of the AAMA and the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society (EAHS). We have some exciting news regarding the Centennial of Flight in 2009! We have just acquired a vintage-style open cockpit biplane, to be flown from Winnipeg to Edmonton on December 1-3, 2008. In 2009, Canada will celebrate 100 years of aviation, beginning with the flight of the primitive "Silver Dart" at Baddeck, Nova Scotia on February 23, 1909. We will use our biplane at a number of special events throughout 2009 to celebrate 100 years of aviation in Canada. However, even before that, we have another anniversary to celebrate. On December 10, 1928, air mail service between Edmonton and Winnipeg was inaugurated with flights between both cities. This weekend we will take delivery of our biplane, a Kelly-D model, and it will be flown from Winnipeg to Edmonton, carrying special letters from civic officials. It will mark the 80th Anniversary of air mail between the two cities. The flight from Winnipeg to Edmonton will make several stops en route, including locations of former wartime stations of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan where airmen of the Royal Canadian Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces received training during the Second World War. To commemorate the air mail service, the biplane will also carry letters from civic officials, recognizing the early days of air mail service and the importance of aviation heritage in Canada's history. The flight in the biplane, shown above, will be made in the pioneer spirit that typifies the development of aviation in western Canada. On Friday, November 28, two representatives of the Alberta Aviation Museum Association and the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society will drive to Winnipeg to take possession of the Kelly-D biplane which will be flown back to Edmonton. They are Dr. Rod Macleod, president of the AAMA, and Mr. Art Breier, president of the EAHS. They will be accompanied by the two pilots who will fly the biplane back to Edmonton. They are Tom Hinderks, executive director of the Alberta Aviation Museum and co-pilot Curtiss Peters. Rod and Art will drive back to accompany the pilots as they fly. The flight from Winnipeg to Edmonton will take place on December 1-3. Attached is a schedule of the flight. We hope to see you at the start, finish, or at a stop along the way of the flight from Winnipeg. We realize that we are giving you short notice of this, however, the opportunity itself to acquire the aircraft has arisen with little advance notice. Furthermore, with the present good weather we are enjoying and the impending approach of winter conditions, we have had to move quickly. I welcome your inquiries for more information at any time, by phone or e-mail. My contact information is below. Sincerely, John Chalmers, Board of Directors, Alberta Aviation Museum. Res. phone 780-435-8194, Cell phone 780-453-8194  At left, pilot Paul Calder receives the mailbags from postmaster Fred Smith, prior to flying with the mail to Winnipeg on December 10, 1928. Edmonton Journal photograph was shot in the early morning using a flashlight for proper exposure. At right is a Fokker Super Universal, the type of aircraft used in a flight bringing the mail from Winnipeg to Edmonton, later the same day, on December 10. This aircraft was restored and flown by Clark Seaborn of Calgary, then placed in the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg. Photo by John Chalmers.  This is a photo of the plane being used to recreate the flight.More information about this historic flight can be seen at: http://spirit.aviation.ca  PDF File describing the 1928 flightPDF file with the Schedule for the recreated flight |
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Pickings from the "CP Air News" magazine
Issue dated November 1979 At a dinner held in the Vancouver Ops Centre employees representing 700 years service.
 Presentations of 25 years pins were made. Here is a photo of the employees. Issue dated December 1979 Under the heading "Good time gambling junket" are details of a fun-packed week-end on the employee charter to Las Vegas, Jan 25-28. From YVR includes return airfare, transfers, two nights accommodations,all meals and more.
(An opportunity never to be seen again! - eds)
 Here we have a photo of the Passenger Agents, Cargo and Res groups in Amsterdam. From issue dated March 1980  Final flight of DC-8 fin 602 "Empress of Buenos Aires" after logging 38 million miles, she is being retired and flown to Miami area scrap yard on March 17th. This aircraft has the distinction of being the first commercial air carrier to exceed the speed of sound in 1961 whilst with Douglas Aircraft Company prior to delivery to CP Air.  Here we have this photo of the Data Entry Group in YVR.From issue dated June 1980 Just 10 days before the inauguration of the service between YYZ and YHZ planned for July, the government withdrew permission.
 Raul Cifuentes sent us a scan of "Info:Cargo" dated June 1990. We extracted this photo from the article "Capt.Kirk & Space Control"providing an insight to the C4 Cargo Control of the CP Cargo Department.
and from the issue dated August 1989 we have this photo of three agents in the cargo department Calgary.
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Readers Feedback
Jim Griffith made this comment regarding the article on CF-TFD North Star in "NetLetter nr 1044 "Our first 70 years"
The book you mentioned re: TCA flt 810 09/12/56 , still leaves the cause of the crash as a mystery. I have been researching this event for four years and have found just about every document published on the subject except for two items
If anyone knows of the existence of either of the voice tapes from either TCA or Air Traffic Control of the flight I'd be very interested in reviewing them.
I have three transcripts of the conversations from various investigations and they all differ slightly but enough to cast doubt on just what went wrong.
I feel that there was such a mix up that night in communications that only listening to the tapes would resolve the issue.
If anyone knows where those tapes might be I'd be obliged if they could let me know
. Jim can be reached at
Fred Coyle has sent us an update on the "Connie" project -
 Bob Bogash sent me the attached pictures of the restored TCA Super Connie that I thought your readers might be interested in seeing.Bob told me a couple of weeks ago when I visited him and Dot in their home in Washington that when the restoration is completed, it will be given a place of honour beside the JFK/LBJ Airforce One (707) that is there on the ramp outside the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field.
There is also, on the same ramp, the first 737 and 747 ever built as well as a 727 and a BA Concorde which was flown in and donated to the Museum of Flight at the request of Bob Bogash.
He is a remarkable man.
He also took me to Paine Field in Everett to see a B247D which was one of Carl Burke's original three aircraft that made up Maritime Central Airways' fleet when they began operation on December 7, 1941, a familiar date for other reasons as well.
Seeing that airplane was the primary purpose of my visit to Bob and Dot. I started out my career with MCA in Charlottetown. (Dot had worked with MCA and Nordair away back when).The airplane is now painted in UAL livery of 1934 and is still airworthy. It is a beautiful sight! The web site on the Connie starts here:
http://www.rbogash.com/connie.html Fred Coyle The Nordair Convair 990 was mentioned in NetLetter nr 1038 and we asked for any information -
Leslie Bovell sends us this information:
 Here is some info on the ND Convair 990. Nordair leased three CV990's from Modern Air of the USA, Nordair used these aircraft on long haul routes including Caribbean and European charter flights. Nordair was established in 1957 by a merger of Mount Laurier Aviation and Boreal Airways (founded in 1947). Nordair operated from the Dorval International Airport in Montreal Canada and had a fleet of Boeing 737-200s, Fairchild Hiller FH-227s, Lockheed Electra L-188s and some leased aircraft including this Convair CV990. Canadian Pacific Airlines acquired Nordair and Nordair Metro in January, 1987. Canadian Pacific Airlines (Canadian Airlines International) was acquired by Air Canada.
Nordair played a huge part in helping build the "DEW" line (distant early warning radar) in North Eastern Canada. Sizes and weights
L Bovell
Ken Swartz has sent us this information -
Many members of the Air Canada family began their aviation careers with airlines that flew de Havilland Canada aircraft produced at Downsview since 1929.
This past weekend, the Toronto Aerospace Museum honoured
DHC pioneer George Neal on his 90th birthday. George Neal completed the float plane certification of the famous DHC-2 Beaver in 1949 & 1948 and made the first flight of the famous DHC-3 Otter in 1951.
You might be interested in reading about George's career on our museum web site at http://www.torontoaerospacemuseum.com
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This & That
Here is a continuation of the information from NetLetter nr 1044 by William J Cameron
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame was originally established in Edmonton, Alberta in 1973, and remained there for eighteen years; until finding a permanent home in 1992, within the aviation hangar at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. The aviation hangar features large display panels describing the lives and aviation achievements of every Inducted Member including J.A.D. McCurdy; Gordon McGregor; Grant McConachie, "bush pilot with a briefcase"; Max Ward, founder of Wardair; Mel Knox; Rex Terpening; Claude Taylor; S/L Len Birchall - "The Saviour of Ceylon", and Rosella Bjornson - the first woman to be promoted to Captain with a major Canadian Airline; and the names and stories of more than two hundred other outstanding people of Canadian Aviation. The contributions made by Canada's flying elite are preserved in the Hall of Fame through the display of personal biographies, records, artifacts, and aircraft. Along with the member's panels there are twenty significant aircraft on public display within the Aviation Hanger, and a further eighty historical aircraft not currently on display in the collection storage facility of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum - including one of two full-scale mock-ups of the CF-105 Avro Arrow. Unfortunately, the existence of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame is all too little known by the general public of Canada; and even more regrettably is almost unknown to many of us who worked with, and whose lives were touched by some of those who are honoured in Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame today. Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to preserving and publicizing the names and deeds of those people who have made a significant contribution to Canadian Aviation. Some grants and corporate contributions assist in the financial operation of the Hall of Fame, but to ensure the future long-term viability of the Hall of Fame there is a great need for a wider participation by all Canadians - especially those of us who have been fortunate to have directly participated in Canada's 100 years of Aviation history. The Board of Directors of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame invites you to become a "Friend of The Hall" - for a one-year donation of $50.00 CDN, and receive a one-year subscription to The Flyer, Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame newsletter. Contact: Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame P.O. Box 6360 Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 2G1 Telephone (780) 361-1351 Ext. 241 Email - (submitted by William J. Cameron, Okotoks, AB - AC Retiree) |
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Terry's Travel Tips
 Information from the U.K.Pionairs newsletter for British tourists Tony Etheridge has sent us a newspaper clipping which advises that British tourists will soon have to get permission to enter America at least three days before they leave home. Travelers will have to apply online to the US department of Homeland Security from 12th January 2009. The measure is to combat terrorism. You will need to give name, passport number, birth date and destination. Mike Judkins has advised that you can pick up the details on www.cbp.gov/esta. Confused by the different carry on sizes by different airlines?
The U.K.'s Department of Transportation has their guide lines -
56cm x 45cm x 25cm. With that in mind here is how some of the
U.K. airlines line up.
Weightwise
Ryanair is 10kg EasyJet has no restriction as long as the pax is able to stow the piece in the overhead bin without assistance by the cabin crew.Virgin is 6kg Air Canada 10kg for each carry on.
Moral is - check the web site of the airline(s) prior to traveling.
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includes: 6 Nights at 3 bedrom luxury Adare Manor Villas Standard full size vehicle Round trip confirmed air from JFK from us$499* Family & Friends eligible. But hurry, these prices won't last! This Confirmed Air & Land Package includes: Experience one of Ireland's most exclusive properties at an unbeatable price with 6 nights at the lovely Adare Manor Villas, located in the heart of 5 star Adare Manor's 840 acres of lush green countryside. The Villas are an idyllic base for friends and family to share the perfect upscale vacation with easy access during the day to visit Limerick, Bunratty, Galway, Killarney, Waterford, Cliffs of Moher, Blarney castle and much more. Take advantage of this special offer and treat yourself to the best of Ireland's beauty and charm. Ireland Deluxe Resort Package (5 star) from us$499* Package price is based on 4 people traveling but it is also available for 2, 3 and 5 travelers. Travel between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2009 From $599 April 1 - April 30 From $799 May 1 - May 31 From $899 June 1 - August 31 Must book by Dec.10, 2008! *Airline taxes are additional These deals move quickly...CALL TODAY! 1 800 422 3727 |
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Smilies
 "Remember no one is perfect except the captain!" anon |
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Donation Request
 Can you help? - It's been over a year since we have requested donations. The costs involved with sending out the NetLetter each week have been increasing. We estimate that it costs over $800/year to produce our "NetLetter", which is kindly funded and sponsored by the ACFamily Network. If you would like to donate (any amount) to help to defray our costs it would be greatly appreciated. (Click on image below to donate by Credit Card) or send a cheque made out to the ACFamily Network to: ACFamily Network #800 - 15355 24th Ave Suite 523 Surrey, BC V4A 2H9 Thanks in advance, Vesta, Terry, Alan - Your NetLetter Team  |
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Vesta's Corner
Why not allow the NetLetter to be your platform and opportunity to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal?
Share your experiences with us!
Ellen Church Marshall, the worlds first airline stewardess was honored when a bronze bust and plaque in her memory was dedicated in Chicago in 1966.  The plaque was commissioned by United Air Lines. |
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Air Canada - our first 70 years
1946 - July 1st - First scheduled flight YYZ-CHI by DC-3 CF-TDZ.  We have this photo from "Between Ourselves" dated July 1966.1966
 We have this photo taken at YUL during the strike.
 The company established delivery positions for 10 SST aircraft. The make up was 4 Concorde's for delivery 1973/4 and 6 US-SST for delivery 1977. 1968 - Apr 29th - DC-8-61 aircraft introduced into regular service between YYZ & LHR.  Here we have a photo of the crew on the inaugural flight YYZ-LHR from the June 1968 edition of "Between Ourselves". |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Bob Sedlak has donated a number of "Between Ourselves" and a copy of "FYI..." the newsletter for US employees.  From the "FYI..." dated December 1971 we have this photo of the Cleveland employees celebrating 25 years of service from Canada by the company. From "Between Ourselves" issue dated June 1968.A Station Supervisors conference was held and we have a photo of these attendees.  From "Between Ourselves" issue dated December 1966.Ireland hosted the Hewett-Maxwell golf tourney, these were the participants. |
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Bytes and Pieces
Canadian Centennial of FlightOTTAWA - The Canadian Centennial of Flight Board of Directors and Hawk One team officially launched a commemorative project Saturday, September 20th to mark 100 years of powered flight that Canadians can celebrate throughout 2009. During a press conference held at the Vintage Wings of Canada in Gatineau, P.Q., Colonel (retired) Chris Hadfield, Canadian Space Agency astronaut and former CF-18 fighter pilot, addressed a crowd of aviation enthusiasts of all ages by unveiling  Hawk One, a Centennial of Flight project involving the resurrection of a fully restored Canadair F-86 Sabre 5 that will fly across the country in 2009 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada. Colonel Hadfield was joined by members of the Hawk One team and Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame member, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Fern Villeneuve, the original leader of the RCAF Golden Hawks aerobatic team. The project has a very nice website where you can get more information, photos and timeline. Click on the image to the left or visit www.hackone.ca |
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Issue dated April 1980
On June 4th 1955, CP Air inaugurated service between Canada and Holland.  We have this photo of DC-6B "Empress of Amsterdam" CF-CUR fin 434 c/n 44062 on its arrival at Amsterdam. The flight took approximately 18 hours with a stop in Greenland. In the late 50's the Bristol Britannia was used, replaced by the DC-8 in 1962 and then the B-747 in 1976.  On Mar 5th 1960, CP Air's Bristol Britannia arrived in Ciampino airport Rome to inaugurate service between Montreal and Rome via Lisbon.20 years later, this group celebrated the event. Issue dated August 1980  Here we have a photo of the YWG Res office staffers. Issue September 1980 Under the heading "CP Air returns to Victoria in '81". Plans are in the works to return service to Victoria, B.C. Inauguration of jet service will be a return by CP Air and one of its predecessor companies, Canadian Airways linked YVR and YYJ in the 1930's and 1940's until the route was relinquished to Trans-Canada Air Lines. Issue dated September 1981 CP Air plans to inaugurate non stop service between Halifax and Amsterdam December 7th with DC-10 equipment. Issue dated February 1982 CP Air Holidays inaugurated service between Vancouver and Phoenix January 10th 1982. Issue dated April 1982 Regina and Saskatchewan rejoin the network Apr 26th and June 1st respectively for the first time since 1957.  We have this photo of the previous equipment used. With a 1,000 years service between them, these dozen employees retire. |
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Readers Feedback
Jim Jardine was prompted to send us this information after reading the article in NetLetter nr 1045 Subject: Aeroflot map, regarding the photo of CF-TJP fin 816 shown in front of the terminal at Sheremietievo airport Moscow, I recalled that in my memorabilia bin is a copy of a very early flight planning chart that Aeroflot used to navigate from Moscow to Montreal. In those days, they were not permitted to fly across Europe and had to fly north of the Scandinavian countries until established over international waters at 71°40'N 32°00'E. I have attached a partial scan of the map which I rescued from the trash because all of the geographical names are in the Cyrillic alphabet (Montreal is at the bottom, left). Unfortunately, there is no date on it but it must have been to be from late 1966 or early 1967.  Regrettably the map is not in good shape, being frayed at some edges with a couple of tears in it.Brgds, Jim Jardine, Retired Manager, Aeronautical Services, Dorval PS. I enjoy receiving the Netletter very much. I started with TCA in 1961, so many memories are revived with each issue. David McNeilly pointed out this typo in NetLetter nr 1045 Subject: re: First flights...I do not believe the first flight from Toronto to Chicago on a DC3 was in 1966. I think we have a typo here. David (The first DC-3 flight to Chicago was Toronto-London-Chicago on July 1st 1946.- eds) George Brien has sent us some more information on Fredericton operations. Here is some background re first TCA flights into YFC: An earlier NetLetter carried a picture of the first TCA flight into YFC in 1952. Now here is the "rest of the story" From the Saint John Telegraph Journal Dec 7 , 1951 T.C.A soon to start Fredericton service TCA shortly will begin a new service into Fredericton NB. The service will be established at Lincoln Airport. The Transportation Department announced today decision by the Air Transport Board to issue new licenses to make the changeover. Transport Minister Chevier said in a statement that the changes "would be in the best interest of the public and commercial aviation" generally in establishing a more balanced relationship between mainline and local services and providing a continuing pattern for the development of scheduled services of both TCA and MCA within the Maritime Provinces.  At Saint John last night, Hugh M McElliott, TCA District Traffic andSales Manager for southern NB , said that the new service to Lincoln Airport will be started as soon as possible , early in the new year, and initially it will include one flight east and one west daily of the mainline transcontinental service. Lincoln is expected to be added to a stop on one of the Montreal St. John's flights already landing at Moncton. (photo above) Inaugural TCA flight into YFC, Feb 1 ,1952. Capt C M Harper F/O S W MacPherson Stew S E Kerr in front of their DC3 Original TCA ground staff included Station Manager Wils Himmelman , Operations Agents Jack Geldart, John Gandy, and Lou Releeder. FROM The Telegraph Journal Feb 1 1952  W. G. Himmelman, newly appointed Station Manager for Trans-Canada Air Lines, Fredericton, is a native Maritimer, having been born in Lunenburg, N.S.His early experience was gained with the Department of Transport radio division and American Airlines and he joined TCA as a Radio operator at Windsor, Ont in 1942. Mr Himmelman was subsequently transferred to Halifax and was later appointed Station Manager at Yarmouth N.S., when service was Inaugurated through that station in Apr 1947. He has had the benefit of a wide experience in the aviation industry, particularly in the growth and expansion of Maritime services and this will be assistance in the development of the airlines operation in Fredericton. George goes on to add In recent correspondence with retired Maritime Central Airways Capt Bob Graham, he tells me that he began flying with M.C.A. back in April 1951, flying right seat with Capt George Edwards on the Lockheed 10. They were already using the new YFC airport on the mostly airmail route YQM/YFC/YSJ with a 0800 to 1600 layover in YSJ at the old "Millidgeville Airport". He also notes that Jack Geldart, one of the first TCA agents at YFC was his "cousin". T.C.A would have to wait until ten months later before they could start up scheduled service., as they awaited the move and installation of Radio Range Navigational equipment that was moved over from Blissville. George Brien Jim Griffith has sent us this feedback regarding the article in NetLetter nr 1044 There is controversy whether the Silver Dart was the first flight in the British Empire. The Brits Claim that William Cody was, in October 1908 in England. At the time, however, a successful flight of an a/c was defined as a take off, level flight and landing under its own power without mishap. Cody's flight ended in a crash with substantial damage to the a/c. If you check the Alexander Graham Bell museum web site you will see that, in true Canadian fashion, they are going to change the plaque to reflect that in fact the Silver Dart was not the first powered flight in The British Empire but rather the first flight in Canada, caving in to the British view of things. I can't understand why the Canadian psyche is so intent on underrating all our accomplishments. We are trying to get sponsors, (Air Canada or anybody else), to help us get to Baddeck so we can fly our Silver Dart. Wings Canada, and Fly Past magazine are going to include us in their up coming editions and frankly we need all the exposure we can get to help us get sponsors. Jim can be contacted at: |
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This & That
Here is a continuation of the information from NetLetter nr 1044 by William J Cameron
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame was originally established in Edmonton, Alberta in 1973, and remained there for eighteen years; until finding a permanent home in 1992, within the aviation hangar at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. The aviation hangar features large display panels describing the lives and aviation achievements of every Inducted Member including J.A.D. McCurdy; Gordon McGregor; Grant McConachie, "bush pilot with a briefcase"; Max Ward, founder of Wardair; Mel Knox; Rex Terpening; Claude Taylor; S/L Len Birchall - "The Saviour of Ceylon", and Rosella Bjornson - the first woman to be promoted to Captain with a major Canadian Airline; and the names and stories of more than two hundred other outstanding people of Canadian Aviation. The contributions made by Canada's flying elite are preserved in the Hall of Fame through the display of personal biographies, records, artifacts, and aircraft. Along with the member's panels there are twenty significant aircraft on public display within the Aviation Hanger, and a further eighty historical aircraft not currently on display in the collection storage facility of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum - including one of two full-scale mock-ups of the CF-105 Avro Arrow. Unfortunately, the existence of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame is all too little known by the general public of Canada; and even more regrettably is almost unknown to many of us who worked with, and whose lives were touched by some of those who are honoured in Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame today. Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to preserving and publicizing the names and deeds of those people who have made a significant contribution to Canadian Aviation. Some grants and corporate contributions assist in the financial operation of the Hall of Fame, but to ensure the future long-term viability of the Hall of Fame there is a great need for a wider participation by all Canadians - especially those of us who have been fortunate to have directly participated in Canada's 100 years of Aviation history. The Board of Directors of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame invites you to become a "Friend of The Hall" - for a one-year donation of $50.00 CDN, and receive a one-year subscription to The Flyer, Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame newsletter. Contact: Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame P.O. Box 6360 Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 2G1 Telephone (780) 361-1351 Ext. 241 Email - (submitted by William J. Cameron, Okotoks, AB - AC Retiree) |
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Terry's Travel Tips
 both pre- and post-security. |
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Smilies
 Poem For Airline Employees Last night as I lay sleeping I died, or so it seemed. Then I went to heaven. But only in my dream. Up there St Peter met me standing at the pearly gates. He said, 'I'll check your record...please stand right here and wait.' He turned and said 'dear friend, your record's full of flaws'. On earth I see you rallied for every losing cause. I also see that you drank booze and smoked and partied too. Fact is, you've done most everything a good person should never do. We can't have people like you up here. Your life was full of sin. Then he read the last of my record, took my hand and said, 'Come in. He led me up to the Chief of Heaven, 'Saying take him in and treat him well, he used to work in the Airline Industry ...he's done his time in hell.' |
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Donation Request
We'd like to thank all of you that have responded so far for our donations request. For those of you that attempted to donate through PayPal and thought you had to "join" PayPal, you don't. Just click on the "Continue" button and it will take you to a secure payment page. (see below)  If you haven't donated would still like to, we've included the link again this week here in our main area (for the last time this year) and it is always available in the side column.It's been over a year since we have requested donations. The costs involved with sending out the NetLetter each week have been increasing. We estimate that it costs over $800/year to produce our "NetLetter", which is kindly funded and sponsored by the ACFamily Network. If you would like to donate (any amount) to help to defray our costs it would be greatly appreciated. (Click on image below to donate by Credit Card) or send a cheque made out to the ACFamily Network to: ACFamily Network #800 - 15355 24th Ave Suite 523 Surrey, BC V4A 2H9 Thanks in advance, Vesta, Terry, Alan - Your NetLetter Team |
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Vesta's Corner
Why not allow the NetLetter to be your platform and opportunity to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal?
Share your experiences with us!
We, at the NetLetter, received this email from Bernie Miller, which we are sharing with you - I have just finished reading Netletter #1043 and it dawned on me how long it has been that I have been enjoying your great work. When I first retired in 1991 I discovered your original newsletter which today has morphed into "The NetLetter". Over the years it has become one of my principal means of staying abreast of what is happening at Air Canada and what my former colleagues are doing. When I inquired , I was amazed to find out that this wonderful publication, coming even before the widespread internet access we enjoy today, was provided to us through the kindness and creativeness of two retired colleagues who did it voluntarily, to fill the information void that retirement often brings; to celebrate our aviation heritage; and to keep the spirit of the "Air Canada Family" alive. Wow,that was impressive and what a pile of work it must have entailed! Who would have guessed that over seventeen years later, you would still be regularly coming to my computer, providing valuable information, entertaining stories and celebrating our achievements in such a professional way. Thank you Vesta and Terry and Alan for a tremendous contribution to the retired lives of so many thousands of us. The Netletter has become such an enjoyable routine that I think I may have been taking it too much for granted, so I just wanted to congratulate you on your achievements in adding a special dimension to our retirements. Your contribution to your retired colleagues is immeasurable! Thank you again for what you are doing; keep doing it for many years to come; and all the best. Sincerely Bernie Miller (Thank you Bernie for your kind words. We are enjoying our retirement by keeping in touch with our "family" - the NetLetter gang) |
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Air Canada - our first 70 years
1966 - Remember when this was the way seat selection was made?  We have this photo from "Between Ourselves" Sept 1966.1967 - In "Between Ourselves" issue June where the following planned inaugurals were announced. Aug 15th - Non stop between Montreal and Chicago Aug 30th daily non stop YYC-YUL. Sept 1st - introduction of DC-9 service between St.John's and Montreal. Non stop service between Windsor and Montreal, London Ont and Ottawa, Ottawa and Quebec City. Sept 29th - daily between YUL/YYZ - LAX introduced. 1968 - Apr - Announcement of the reintroduction of service between YYZ/YUL and Brussels starting September. Service was inaugurated in April 1958 in time for the Brussels World's Fair, but the route was proved uneconomical and discontinued in 1962. |
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Air Canada News.
 After market close December 10th, ACE Aviation announced its plan to collapse the holding company and distribute its Air Canada stock and other assets to ACE Aviation shareholders. This means that all ACE shareholders receive Air Canada shares and Air Canada becomes a wholly independent company Air Canada operations now at Terminal 4 in Phoenix.Last week, Air Canada moved its operations to Terminal 4 of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, offering customers the benefits of an international airport environment including newer and larger facilities with more retail choices. Beginning tomorrow, December 9, customers will be able to enjoy the convenience of using web check-in and mobile check-in services for all flights departing Phoenix. Employees/retirees will no longer require paper tickets when traveling on Air Canada flights from Phoenix. Re-introduced is the only direct weekly non-stop service between Montréal and Fort-de-france, Martinique. Air Canada announced Dec 10th the re-introduction of the only non-stop scheduled service weekly between Montréal and Fort-de-France, Martinique. This service will be offered on Saturdays between July 4, 2009 and August 29, 2009, and will recommence on a year-round service basis on December 5, 2009 |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.  Frank Pedder found us this photo which is undated and no location mentioned.Shirlee Schacter sends this message regarding the "Friends of Front Street" gathering 2008 version. Subject: FoFS PICTURES NOW ON WEBSITE Hi everybody, The 2008 Reunion Luncheon on Nov. 22nd was a great success! Approximately 60 people enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues. The pictures from this get-together are now on the website. Please feel free to add your comments through the "Sign the Guestbook" link in the upper left. They're always welcome! Visit: http://www.imageevent.com/fofs This will take you to the page that shows all the albums and you just have to click on 2008. Some viewing tips are: * Click the "Show all" option at the bottom of the 1st page of thumbnails so you'll get the continuous display of pictures and not just 24 at a time. * Double-click on any picture to enlarge it - or - view as a Slideshow through the option "Start Slideshow" upper left of 1st page. Regards, Shirlee Musings from "Between Ourselves" Issue dated January 1967  If Prestwick station, in 1966, bragged about on-time departures, we wonder if it had anything to do with Passenger Agent Gael Gray.Issue dated February 1968  Here we have a photo of the first staff meeting for the Los Angeles reservations team.Issue dated April 1968 Managers from the Operations departments across the system representing Ramp, Cargo, Station operations and administration met for a course in Montreal.  Here they are.Issue dated May 1968  The first class trained at the Dorval Programmer school officially graduated. Here they are.(and yes, that is our co-pilot, Terry Baker, in the centre row - eds) |
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Bytes and Pieces
Below is a link to an "animated" White Christmas. This rendition of White Christmas was recorded by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters in 1953. It was #2 on the charts in 1954. Animation is by Joshua Held in 2002.White Christmas was written by Irving Berlin for the Movie "Holiday Inn" and recorded by Bing Crosby in 1942, and received the Academy Award in that year. Crosby recorded it again in 1947, and that recording has become the standard. It was also featured in the 1954 movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. White Christmas is the biggest selling Christmas song of all time. PS - So what does this have to do with aviation? Reindeers fly... (proof here)  Click on image to play video or follow this link. (Yes, we know this animation has been available for a long time, but many still haven't seen it) |
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Pickings from the "CP Air News" magazine -  Issue dated May 1982 -Not the ideal landing position for CF-CPV or CF-CUE. Issue dated September 1982 The DC-10 simulator was delivered and in operation on August 12th 1982 at Vancouver.  Here we have this photo of the first crew to train in the simulator. The origin of the famous Canada Goose symbol was adapted from the predecessor company, Canadian Airways.The emblem continued until the Canadian Pacific shield became the official emblem by the addition of the Lockheed Lodestar. In 1946 it was decided to reintroduce the beaver crest which had been used from 1885 - 1929 by CP Ltd. In early 1950 the Canada Goose made its reappearance after a telegram received from Hong Kong maintenance crew asking for a replacement emblem which had been marred.The specifications were requested prior to restoring the "rodent" which the translator interpreted as a "rat". The president immediately banished the beaver.  Here we have this photo of Lockheed Lodestar CF-CPE at Edmonton. Here is a Canso at Prince Rupert in 1947. DC-3 CF-CZK fin 255 worked on the DEW line between 1955 and 1957. |
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Reader's Feedback
John Rogers has sent us more information on the Silver Broom - As you probably know I've been quite involved with getting the Silver Broom out at a couple of the Pionairs National Curling Bonspiels once in Kelowna and in 2005 here in Hudson. It is of great interest to me to see the note from Sigrun Cowan about her experience with the Silver Broom. We just finished our 23rd Bonspiel in The Hudson Legion Curling Rink and I brought out displays of the Silver Broom. We couldn't get the trophy this time as it is now on display at the Granit Curling Club in YWG. Jamie Hay who found the trophy in a cargo warehouse in YWG was a skip in the Bonspiel and is now the official custodian of the broom. Terry Denny who lives in the Hudson area and was the publicity manger for Silver Broom world championships paid us a visit and we heard many stories about the event. He and Jamie had well over an hour together and Jamie went away with some great stories about the S-B and the Bonspiels. When my old neighbor Else Godber sold her house and moved to NB she called me and asked if I would like some artifacts that her late husband Ray had from curling. Of course I said yes and to my surprise I now have several Silver broom pins one being from the 1977 World Curling in Sweden. That was the year Jim Ursiel Skip and Brian Ross second (both worked at AC at the time) were runners up in the Bonspiel. Ray Godber was the Manger of the Silver Broom for several years. I also found a special pin that was given out to certain fans who followed the World Championships. It was quite something to be a member of this club. Please let Sigrun know and I will send her some more stuff on the Silver Broom. She should come to the AGM in the Peg next April as they will have the broom on display at the AGM.  Here are photos of some and the poster celebrating 25yrs of silver meaning the Scottish Cup and the S-B. Here is a story about the poster.I saw it in the office of the Curling Club in Kelowna. Bernie Danis and I asked around to see if we could get copies made. As it turned out Bernie got the name and phone number of the artist who did it. He lived in Regina retired and about 84 years old. When Bernie called him he asked Bernie if he could call back after checking in his basement. A couple of days later he called and said he had seven posters and would Bernie like to have them. Long story short. Jamie Hay has one with the trophy, I have the one in the photo. We gave one to Mr Taylor. Bernie kept one for himself and we gave one to AC for display. Best regards John Walter J has identified several more people in the photo we had in NetLetter nr 1045 of the DC8 overhaul crew - Subject: O/Haul Crew Names Greetings, With regard to the photo submitted by Albert Siegman, I would like to submit the following names: 15 - Mike Gresko (not Kalenac). 21 - Walter Jacyk 29 - Rosaire Berube The others, I do not remember... Regards, Walter J. |
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Terry's Travel Tips
 Effective December 10, 2008, when you book for travel on Other Airlines, you will notice a change in the fares. For more information, visit the Employee Travel Website PERX has these interline vacations - MEXICO - Carnival Carnival Elation 3-night Mexico - San Diego round-trip Feb 12, In/Out $159/189 Feb 19, In/Out/Dlx $149/179/499 Mar 12, Mar 19, Mar 26, In/Out $219/259 [San Diego, Ensenada, Fun Day at Sea, San Diego] or 4-night Mexico - San Diego round-trip Feb 15, In/Out $169/179 Feb 22, In/Out $149/159 Mar 22, In/Out $209/239 Mar 29, In/Out $189/219 [San Diego, Catalina Island, Ensenada, Fun Day at Sea, San Diego] Carnival Spirit 8-night Mexico - San Diego round-trip Jan 23, In $559 Feb 8, In/Bal $499/759 [San Diego, At Sea 2 Days, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Manzanillo, At Sea, San Diego] Holland America Oosterdam 7-night Mexico - San Diego round-trip Jan 3, Out/Bal $459/609 Jan 10, Jan 24, In/Out/Bal $409/459/609 Jan 31, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $309/359/509/1309 Feb 7, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $309/359/509/659 [San Diego, At Sea 2 Days, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, At Sea, San Diego] Ryndam 10-night Mexico - San Diego round-trip Feb 3, Feb 23, In/Out $609/709 Feb 13, Out/Bal $709/2009 Mar 5, 15, 25, Apr 14, In/Out/Bal $609/709/1609 [San Diego, At Sea 2 Days, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan,Topolobampo, Loreto, Pichilingue (La Paz), Cabo San Lucas, At Sea, San Diego] or 14-night Mexico - San Diego to Vancouver Apr 24, In/Out/Bal $709/809/1709 [San Diego, At Sea 2 Days, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Topolobampo, Guaymas, Pichilingue (La Paz), Cabo San Lucas, At Sea, San Diego, At Sea 2 Days, Victoria, Vancouver] Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Star 7-night Mexico - Los Angeles (San Pedro) round-trip Jan 10, 24, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $338/433/623/813 Jan 17, 31, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $367/433/623/813 Feb 7, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $386/433/652/813 Feb 14, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $373/445/670/1318 Feb 21, 28, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $373/418/625/778 [Los Angeles (San Pedro), At Sea, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, At Sea 2 Days, Los Angeles (San Pedro)] Princess Cruises Sapphire Princess 7-night Mexico - Los Angeles (San Pedro) round-trip Jan 10, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $594/764/1029/1249 Jan 17, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $594/744/1029/1249 Jan 24, In/Bal/Dlx $594/1029/1249 Jan 31, In/Bal/Dlx $644/1079/1299 [Los Angeles (San Pedro), At Sea 2 Days, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, At Sea, Los Angeles (San Pedro)] Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas 7-night Mexico - Los Angeles (San Pedro) round-trip Feb 22, In/Out/Bal/Dlx $449/609/769/1499 [Los Angeles (San Pedro), At Sea, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, At Sea 2 Days, Los Angeles (San Pedro)] Rates listed are per person ($US) Port charges included, but cruise government taxes & fees are additional, based on double occupancy for new bookings only and apply only to eligible airline personnel and their family members. Proof of employment and/or relationship to employee is required. Other terms and conditions may apply. For more travel bargains, call us! In U.S.A. or CANADA 800-200-7170 (toll free) or 512-691-4501 or visit on-line at: http://www.perx.com Eric Scher sends us update on the recent trip. Subject: Our trip to SYD/AKL Thank you all who responded to my request for assistance to find suitable accommodation in SYD/AKL. We've completed our trip and cruise and arrived home safe and sound. We had a fabulous time and thoroughly enjoyed both cities. I'll be happy to respond to any inquiries any of you may submit. We were most fortunate to be in Australia and New Zealand at a time that their currencies reached a very low point compared to the US and CA dollar and found our stay there relatively inexpensive. In SYD we traveled the train (subway), the bus and the ferries on a day pass (good for 24 hrs.) for seniors and took full advantage of that. In retrospect, we should have stayed longer than the three days we allotted ourselves in both cities. There is so much to see and do that it just was not enough time to do it all in such short time. The flights were heavily booked and, in spite of listing ourselves in C-class, those seats were filled with frequent flyers and we had to settle for Y-class. Glad though that we did list C-class as it did buy us the necessary seniority on our return out of SYD where there were 27 cons listed, some of whom did get left behind as the flight was completely filled. Thanks again. David Welham sends us this alternate way to get to Victoria from Vancouver. (Here's) another way to get to YYJ if all flts ex-YVR seem to be full, is by Pacific Coach Lines. It's sort of "mid-price" at $45.50 which takes you right downtown. Buy tickets at their booth in Domestic Arrivals. Coaches depart International Arrivals at 40 minutes past each odd-numbered hour from 07:40 to 19:40. They depart Domestic Arrivals 5 minutes later. Sometimes there is a change of buses at Tsawwassen, but it is a quick "coach to coach", which is better than that cold walk from taxi or transit. They drive right onto the ferry, and can also drop you off at certain stops before the Victoria depot if arranged in advance with the driver. |
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Smilies
 On their other aircraft, the engines drown out the cabin noise. [On the A380] the pilots sleep with earplugs but the cabin noise goes straight through them. The problem is most noticeable on the Emirates A380s because they chose to put the crew-rest area at the back of the main cabin, while Singapore Airlines and Qantas have placed it right behind the cockpit. Extra insulation is not a solution because it would add extra weight, Davidson said. The airline may experiment with lightweight noise generators that would create ambient sound to mask the cabin noise, according to Flight International. (Passengers pay good money for this "noise", the crew get paid! - eds) |
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Vesta's Corner
Why not allow the NetLetter to be your platform and opportunity to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal?
Share your experiences with us!
In the January 1968 issue of "Between Ourselves" there is an article about Emelia Earhart, my favorite aviatrix.In July 1967, Ann Pellegreno flew a commemorative flight around the world planned by Amelia Earhart 30 years before. The vintage aircraft used was a 30 year old Lockheed L-10 Electra, first owned by Trans-Canada Air Lines and registered, appropriately enough, CF-TCA. It was the sister ship to the one flown by Earhart.The flight began in Oakland, California and Ann and her 3 man crew followed the 27,000 mile route as closely as possible. Air Canada contributed to the safely concluded anniversary flight with Loran equipment.  We have these photos.  |
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Air Canada - our first 70 years
 This V.757 was built for TCA - Trans-Canada Air Lines as CF-TID and first flew on Wednesday, 25 February 1959 at Hurn, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 506 engines.Its final owner/operator was FAQ - Fondation Aerovision Quebec. Its fate - Withdrawn from use & stored at St Hubert, Montreal, Quebec, Canada October 1989. FAQ - Fondation Aerovision Quebec confirms that the aircraft collection will go under cover when a suitable hangar becomes available. It seems that was not to be. Extract from the Vickers Viscount Network December 2008 Newsletter. We have been notified by J E Laframboise of the Fondation Aerovision Quebec that C-FTID-X is now in mortal danger, as it has to be moved from its current position at St Hubert and there is nowhere for it to go. This aircraft was made famous as the United Technologies / Pratt and Whitney Canada flying testbed, with various turboprops fitted to its nose for in-flight evaluation purposes. They are reluctant to scrap it for the $0.25 per pound that they would receive and have enlisted our help in trying to find a new home for her. Any takers? Vesta has an article (above) regarding Emelia Earhart, which references CF-TCA Lockheed L10. In "Between Ourselves" issue May 1968 there is an article outlining the history of this aircraft which was delivered to Trans-Canada Air Lines on October 6th 1937. The aircraft was sold to the Department of National Defense on October 12th 1939 after 1,877 hours of TCA flying time. Between then and 1947 the aircraft was loaned to TCA four times for a total of 60 months before being sold to the Thunder Bay Flying Club as CF-TBD, until Feb 1947 when it was sold off to H.D.Moody registered N79237. In April 1950 it joined North central Airlines.Mid-Sky Co purchased the aircraft, changed the registration to N1285 and named "Lady Alice"where she joined Midwest Airlines. In 1957 she was with Bankers Life and Casualty until August 1959 when she was off to International Air Services Inc. In 1961 the aircraft suffered a wheels up landing and was bought by Lee Koepke who rebuilt it into flying condition by July 1966 when he offered it for the commemorative flight as mentioned in Vesta's column. Some journey. After purchase by Air Canada and restoration at Dorval, the aircraft was donated to the National Museum at YOW. More information is available in this .pdf file - ameliacommerorative.pdf The July 1968 issue of "Between Ourselves" announced the deferral of the reintroduction of the Brussels service planned for September 1968 until spring 1969. Remember when all line ups for the check-in was the "flying wedge" system?  .The August 1968 issue of "Between Ourselves" has this photo.Now we line up between aisles similar to banks, supermarkets or DisneyLand. |
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Air Canada News..
 Air Canada to launch daily, non-stop Montréal- Rome service.Air Canada has announced that it will launch non-stop service between Montréal and Rome. Beginning June 20, 2009 the carrier will operate daily non-stop flights using a 211-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft, and the re-introduction Toronto-Rome non-stop service is set to resume in February 2009. |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Frank Pedder used to issue a newsletter called "Parts and Pieces" while working in the warehouse stores at YUL, he sends us this information. Hi Folks, Out of the over 7,000 photos that I have scanned, I have picked 3500 to be in this series "6" videos from 1958 to 2008 of people like you and you. These are photos taken mostly by myself of you at various functions at the Air Canada base and off in YUL. This video of photos are on Facebook under the name of :Frank Pedder (you will need to be a Facebook member in order to access this) Enjoy Musings from the "Between Ourselves" magazine. Issue dated March 1968  Capt. Eric Benson has his son following in his footsteps, here we have this photo. The Vancouver Maintenance supervisors model their new uniforms.Issue dated July 1968  New uniforms have been unveiled in an exclusive preview. We have this photo. Two events celebrated at Zurich occurred in May 1968 with the Tenth Anniversary of service into Zurich was marked and a new cargo record was reached.  We have this photo .Under the banner "Canada's first airmail flight re-enacted" is the story of the flight which took place on June 24th 1918 between Montreal and Toronto. Viscount captain Donald Chamberlin as pilot and an ex-TCAF pilot as a passenger, the Tiger Moth departed Montreal's Cartierville airport to mark the 50th anniversary which was by a Curtiss Jenny flown by RAF Captain Brian Peck having taken off from nearby Bois Franc Polo grounds in Montreal Issue dated August 1968  The DC-8 made their first scheduled appearance at Paris and Frankfurt. At Frankfurt District Manager Jack Kantor and Airport Passenger Manager Erlebach welcome the flight crew of Capt. L.J.Brewin, F/O C.A.Miller, S/O C.S.Rogers, Navigator T.R.Hammond, Purser R.Gregoire, Steward C.Pepin and Stewardesses Y.Drouin, C.Thomas, I.Bachl and I.Glenn. |
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Star Alliance news.
 Star Alliance confirmed that Brussels Airlines, which is owned partially by Lufthansa, will join the organization.Star already is set to add Continental Airlines (now in SkyTeam), Air India and TAM. Lufthansa's recent acquisition of Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines is a "logical step" toward creating a pan-European network. |
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Bytes and Pieces
Fabulous Fifties ChristmasI was sent a link to a site with Christmas music from the 50's that I thought you may like. "Dream back to yesteryear and those Fabulous 50s Christmas time sleigh rides, mistletoe, decorating the tree, helping mom baking cookies, school and church plays, getting together with friends and family and those unforgettable Fifties Christmas Songs on the radio".  I'm sure most of you will recognize the Christmas Songs of the fifties on this web site. (some even more than me, as I was born in 1950). Click on the image on the left for links to songs from Brenda Lee, Andy Williams, Gene Autry, Nat King Cole, Roy Rogers, Bing Crosby, Brenda Lee, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Burl Ives and more...or follow this link |
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Issue dated May 1982  Here are photos of some early offices at various stations Yellowknife, Fort McMurray, Fort Simpson, Red Lake, Whitehorse and Fort St. John.   And these two photos of the Canadair at the inaugurals in 1949 at Tokyo and Sydney.  Flight attendants model uniforms in use from 1942 to 1971.(Note the photo pre-Pegasus mentioned is not included - eds) |
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Reader's Feedback
 Originally published in NetLetter nr 1047 this updated photo now shows the names of the stewardesses, Monica Gillis, Eileen Howard, Helen Sainsbury and Bettey Hemingson.Dave Ohlsson also sends us this information. John Ohlsson, retired from Air Canada believes that it may possibly be him standing on the ramp passing up the box of nylons loading the L10A. He also believes this was a promo photo taken in Winnipeg in 1945/46, introducing the first nylons available since the war to the stewardesses on TCA.
 Here is a "blowup" of the girls and the guys in the background. (Still one unidentified person).Jack Stephens recently visit the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson Arizona, and sends us this information.  PATTING TIGGY'S NOSE It was 86 degrees in the hot Tucson sun, one week ago, Nov. 17, as I reached up and patted Tiggy's peeling nose. Anyone who worked for Transair (Canada) back in the sixties would immediately know who you were talking about.They lovingly gave her the nick name, as she faithfully took off and landed on many runways in Northern Manitoba communities. CF-TGI lent itself quite nicely, to "Tiggy".Towns like Flin Flon and The Pas, got used to seeing this red and gold Viscount coming and going, even in the depths of a typical cold and snowy Canadian winter. Now she sits at the huge Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson Arizona, one of some 275 aircraft. The cactus, and sand blowing around her wheels is a far cry from snow and ice. Tiggy really belongs in Canada. If they had the room, my choice would be the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg, after all, she rolled in front of the hangar, as our very first Viscount in 1954. Sporting "601" on her tail, Tiggy's claim to fame is that on April 18 1955 all by herself and with 40 passengers to share in her glory, she introduced the first turbine powered service in North America. This famous flight was from Toronto to New York. The Curator of the museum was to meet me under her wings, so I had an hour to crawl around her, take photos, and shake my head at the deterioration. But then I am a bit worn since I worked on some of her accessories, over 55 years ago. I imagined my Dad inspecting her up on the overhaul dock at Winnipeg and my brother changing "Tiggy's" tires in the Line Maintenance Hangar. A spare Dart engine on a stand, sits in the shade of her wing. James the Curator told me she is on the list to be painted in silver metallic, with Trans Canada Air Lines lettering. He mentioned that the cockpit and interior are complete. We are working with him and have provided the Coat of Arms of Canada for the door. Dave Peters who heads up the restoration team at the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Sidney BC on CF-THG dug up the drawings. Just before I said goodbye to James, I asked him if there was any interest in the aircraft.  He said I was the only one he can recall enquiring, and he has been there 12 years. "People, just don't know about the Viscounts, and the present generation is more interested in war planes and the space age." As we prepare to celebrate Canada's 2009 100th anniversary of powered flight, let's not forget "Tiggy", and her proud place in North American and particularly Canadian commercial aviation. Jack Stephens Canadian researcher as part of the team at www.vickersviscount.net Bert Ollivier sends us this message. My wife, Juanita, and I enjoy reading The NetLetter. We are mailing our contribution cheque for $20 in response to the request for assistance in the production expenses. Juanita is a veteran of both TCA and CPA, going back to the 1940's and 50's. She was with the original reservation staff of Trans Canada Air Lines at 737 Church Street, Toronto. She was selected to be a res agent on the vaunted "North Star Desk." That position was open only to the very best telephone sales personnel. It was during that time, 1952 to be exact, that I met and subsequently married her. I was with a travel agency which was a top producer for TCA. We've been happily married since May 8, 1953. I wrote a book which was published early this year. It covers the history of my life in the travel industry in Canada going back to the post WWII days in 1946. In my true story I visit some "behind the scenes" in the travel biz. My web page can be viewed at: www.trafford.com/07-0448 where you will see that my book is $23.95 retail plus GST. However, I offer my book to the travel industry for $20, including GST and postage. If any readers of NetLetter are interested, just mail a cheque to me at: 3839 King Arthur Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6B9 and I'll send an autographed copy immediately. It could make an interesting Christmas gift. In the meantime, I'm enclosing with our cheque Sincerely, Bert Ollivier, (CTC emeritus) |
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Terry's Travel Tips
 Check the forum in www.acfamily.net for some rather disturbing experiences using PERX. Before using any interline agency check the internet, there are many deals out there which are better than some "interline" deals.  'Tis Christmas time, and many of you are hoping to plus - good luck!This cartoon from "Between Ourselves" December 1968 says it all! When traveling over this holiday season, don't forget that any presents carried in your carry-on luggage MUST be unwrapped. At YVR there is a system, after security, where presents can be wrapped Free of Charge! Beware of traveling through LAX - from my experience several years ago, when changing flights to United, the check-in area had the usual "snake" and monitored by airline security staff to control the progress of passengers, BUT, this "snake" continued OUTSIDE the terminal and was at least 150 yards long with passengers and luggage. (I found a First Class check-in with no passengers waiting, told the agent my sob story, and she kindly checked me through, such a relief as the security line up was just as horrendous.) Eric Scher sends us some information on his trip to SYD/AKL The senior's rate for the day pass in SYD which was AU $ 2.50 (=US $1.70). The Hotel we stayed at was a big mistake on my part. We paid up front at the airport info desk, sight unseen for all three days. At the hotel there was a sign "no refunds", so we were stuck. It was not altogether bad but very "sparse". Would have preferred some more conveniences, but, live and learn. Therefore, no recommendations. First day we used the "Hop-on, Hop-off" bus (free) to get a feel for the lay of the land. It took us around a good part of the city. There are two loops, the City loop and the Bondi Beach loop, and they gave us a fair view of Sydney and surroundings. Second day we used our Senior's pass and took ferries to get around to the various beach towns, starting from the wharfs right next to the Opera House and close to the "Coathanger" (so called by the locals) bridge. The bridge can be climbed for an incredible view from the top of the entire harbor and city. Third day we did some shopping at the QVB (Queen Victoria Building) a beautiful building full of boutiques and eateries, three stories in all. That was quite an experience for someone who likes to shop. Apparently, the train ride to the Blue Mountains is spectacular but we did not go due lack of time. Next day we had to board our cruise liner, the "Volendam". Hotel in AKL was the "Rendezvous" at a stand-by rate of NZ $150.00 (=US80.00) and was gorgeous, appeared to be fairly new, crew hotel for some airlines. The rate included a full buffet breakfast which was quite extensive and certainly very worthwhile, served between 06.00-09.00 a.m. While not exactly downtown, we did get around using the free shuttle bus a few blocks from the hotel and, like in SYD, got a feel for the lay-out of the city. The Auckland museum is full of Maori exhibits and has fabulous displays of Maori canoes, rafts, longhouses, handcrafts, weapons, etc. There is also a daily Maori cultural performance with singing, dancing and music. The Skytower is also worth a visit where you can watch the daredevils jump in a harness by wire from the top of the tower (192 meters) coming down to almost street level at dizzying speed. Anyway I could go on and on but this should suffice for now. Hope to go back there sometime and spend much more time in both countries. Best regards, Eric Scher. |
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Smilies
 On their other aircraft, the engines drown out the cabin noise. [On the A380] the pilots sleep with earplugs but the cabin noise goes straight through them. The problem is most noticeable on the Emirates A380s because they chose to put the crew-rest area at the back of the main cabin, while Singapore Airlines and Qantas have placed it right behind the cockpit. Extra insulation is not a solution because it would add extra weight, Davidson said. The airline may experiment with lightweight noise generators that would create ambient sound to mask the cabin noise, according to Flight International. (Passengers pay good money for this "noise", the crew get paid! - eds) |