Archives 2000

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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)

Number 507 July 28th, 2000, We first Published in October 1995

Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot - Terry Baker

email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. We welcome -
Lorraine Farrell.   Hello from a Bermuda retiree,   email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lorraine is a first time user of the Internet using her grand daughter's name.
Leroux   Jean(John) Supervisor lives in Ste Foy, QC
Email:          This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Brian MacCourt Chief Despatcher living in Nanaimo, BC This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Need to know.
-There is a departure tax of approximately us$15.00 at Amman airport in Jordan.
-Air Canada and Canadian Airlines will operate from Terminal 2 at
Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport.
A shuttle service is available between Terminals 1-2 at 15-20 minute intervals.
-Daily Toronto-Kelowna service has been extended until the end of October.
From November 1, this service will operate on Saturdays and Sundays only.

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. Vigilant crew prevents ground accident.
Kudos to the Air Canada Toronto ramp crew, and more specifically to Station
Attendant Mark Escander who, on July 17, prevented a ground accident as AC140
arriving from Calgary was taxiing into the gate. When the aircraft was about 50 ft
from the stop bar, Escander ran to front of the plane so flight Operations crew
members could see him. He motioned them to stop—a food truck had moved into the
sterile area and a collision was imminent. His quick thinking and fast action prevented
a ground accident.

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. Remember when?
Goose Bay, Labrador was used for the first time by Trans-Canada Air Lines
North Star on the Atlantic flight April 10th, 1947.

Gore Bay Airport, Ontario was used by Trans-Canada Air Lines as a refuelling
stop from 1947 to the mid '50's.

Halifax International Airport - in late 1954 a site near Kelley Lake, located 37 kms
from Halifax was recommended by Trans-Canada Air Lines and was approved and
construction started November 1955, and became operational in June 1960.
Meanwhile the Dartmouth airport was used by T.C.A. to service the area since 1941.

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. Found on the internet.
* KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES said recently that it was fairly positive
about the prospects of a possible merger with BRITISH AIRWAYS.

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. Update on CF-TCC from Alan MacLeod -
Subject: CF-TCC, UPDATE, July 26th
Tango Charlie Charlie is in Halifax. Resting in the Company hangar, the aircraft has
completed its schedule in Summerside, Charlottetown, Moncton, back to Charlottetown
and then over to Halifax
While in Summerside,(July 6,7, and 8th) at the invitation of the Canadian Owners and
Pilot's Association (COPA) annual convention, the aircraft flew four thirty minute flights.
This was in support of the Prince County Hospital which COPA supported during it's
convention dates.
The COPA President and Regional Director both commented to me that TCC was one
of the highlights of the three day get together. Many people visited the aircraft and 36
people experienced a flight. Fuel was donated by Irving Oil. Capt Gerry Norberg, and
Jeff McCrae, AME, both from Winnipeg, were there volunteering their assistance.
Incidentally, this was the third time COPA held their convention in Summerside, and
the largest number of aircraft in attendance ever at a COPA convention.

On the 11th and 12th of July TCC was in Charlottetown to participate in the celebration
of 25 years service to P.E.I. On the 11th local dignitaries and Travel Agents were invited
to attend and fly in the Lockheed. The Premier and his staff had accepted an invitation
but had to cancel at the last minute. Too bad as I would like to have talked to him about
his comments and concerns re the "poor service" being provided to P.E.I. I think P.E.I.
has never had such great air service--ever. Regardless, it was a successful two days.
The second being an Air Canada "'family BBQ" with one and all being invited. The
Station Mgr. Collette Ries and Craig Corbett, Customer Service Mg. from Halifax,
cooked the hot dogs and hamburgers for all. Employees and their families had a
chance to fly in the Lockheed. The weather was great. Capt. Tom Thususka, retired
and summering on the Island, took photos for the TCC website.
TCC then flew to Moncton on the 15th to fly for DREAMS. Four full flights were flown as
planned. Then TCC went back to Charlottetown to fly for DREAMS there on the 16th.
Again four flights generated full loads in support of the great cause. While in
Charlottetown, Capt Harvey Reid, from Montreal and George Huntington, AME from
Winnipeg helped make it all happen. Craig Mackie, also from Winnipeg, relieved
George for the second half of AME duties. George being an inspector is missed when
he leaves CYWG for more than a day or two and often gets the call to come back home.
While in Charlottetown two retired MCA pilots (Bob Mills and Lloyd Gibson) showed up
when they saw the Lockheed's picture in the newspaper and saw it flying as well. Both
had flown Electras when working with MCA in the 40 s and 50 s.
After DREAMS flying on the 16th, we ferried the aircraft to Halifax. It flew there for
DREAMs on the weekend of 20th through 23rd. Always a success in Halifax it was even
more so with the Tall Ships being there in the harbor. There were "standby passengers"
for each flight. The DREAMS committee had their best event to date.
Capt. Ken Patry and Collin Shabaga, AME, helped with the chores. Collin's services
were required to change an oil sump seal which developed an oil leak. Funny, an other
AME on vacation in Halifax, came out to see the aircraft and became involved in the fix
with Collin. Those AME guys crop up everywhere! His name slips my mind now but we
say "thanks" to him for giving Collin a hand. Shell was there with a full gas bowser each
flight.

Next event is DREAMS in St. John and Fredericton on the 29tth and 30th. Then TCC
goes to Winnipeg during the following week. The aircraft will be there for about ten days
before flying a heading of 270 deg to Vancouver for Aug. 17th.
Regards to all
Alan MacLeod.

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. A-Crew Website Changes
We wish to announce design and content changes to the A-Crew Website in a desire
to make the site more relevant for Canadi>n Airline retirees who are requesting to
register with the site. We would like to make this Internet presence available for Cd>n retirees and as a beginning, we have done the following: We have made a revision to our opening logo, added a CAIRE link on the About and Events pages to a new CAIRE page with an original title graphics. We hope to add a photo gallery and/or a memorabilia
gallery in the very near future.

The existing Book section, Travel section, Contact section and HeadLine News are
equally relevant to Cd>n retirees as they are to AC retirees. As well, Cd>n retirees can have their and their family's website links posted on the Members Links page.

This is just the beginning and we welcome participation by CAIRE and all Cd>n retirees. Please note that this is not the "official" website of CAIRE, but is a site for all retirees.

Regards,    Tom Grant, editor

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. Terry's travel tips.

The World Airlines Clubs Association (WACA) holds its 3rd Annual General Assembly
from 8th to 14th October at Chiengmai, Thailand, hosted by the Airline Club of
Thailand. Cost is tbh23,500 (approx us$670) pp dbl for 6 nights hotel also includes
4 lunches, 3 dinners, 1 cocktail reception,
1 gala/dinner dance, 2 half day tours, 1 full day tour,
airfare Bangkok-Chiengmai-Bangkok.
DEADLINE:    September 1st.

Pre AGM from Sept 18-22nd will cost us$200 pp dbl
Post AGM from Sept 14-17th will cost us$160 pp dbl.

Sept 10-16th Buenos Aires Falls & Tango hosted by the Interline Club of Argentina
cost us$737 pp dbl. DEADLINE: August 14th.
Sept 28th - Oct 3rd the Jordan Interline Club will host the Desert Splendour Adventure
Cost us$580 pp dbl includes 5 nights hotel, 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches,
3 dinners, transfers from/to airport,
entrance fees to archeological sites and
horse-back horse-back riding in Peru.
DEADLINE: September 15th.

The WACA golf and tennis tournaments are being planned for Nov 5-10th in
Portugal.
Contact your nearest Interline Club or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information
on any of the above events.

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. Smilies.
Most of the O'Hare ATC quotes below originally appeared in 'Intentionally
Left Blank,' the NATCA Chicago TRACON newsletter.

"Approach, how far from the airport are we in minutes?"
"N923, the faster you go, the quicker you'll get here."

"American Two-Twenty, Eneey, meeny, miney, moe, how do you hear my radio?"
"American calling Ground. I don't know who you are or where you are. Taxi
approved, just don't hit anybody and stay out of the grass"

"Air Wisconsin Three-Thirty-Five, caution wake turbulence,
there is an Air Wisconsin Three-Forty-Five on the frequency."

"OK, OK, Everybody listen up and keep moving and it will all work out. It's just
like a big fat-lady ballet."

"I don't mind altitude separation as long as they're not on top of each other."

"We were told Rwy 9...we'll take out the 14R approach plate."
"Captain you got sixty miles to take it out...have a ball."

"The traffic at nine o'clock's gonna do a little Linda Ronstadt on you."
"Linda Ronstadt? What's that?"
"Well, sir, they're gonna 'Blue Bayou'."

"I can see the country club down below...look's like a lot of controllers out there!"
"Yes, sir, there is...and they're caddying for DC-10 drivers like you."

"N07K you look like you're established on the localizer and I don't know the names
of any of the fixes, you're cleared for the ILS approach. Call the tower."

"AmTran 726, sorry about that, Center thought you were a Midway arrival. Just sit
back, relax and pass out some more cookies...we'll get you to Milwaukee."

"Approach, what's our sequence?"
"Calling for the sequence I missed your callsign, but if I find out what it is, you're last."

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. DID YOU KNOW?
That you can read or retrieve back issues of "theNetLetter" ?
Just visit our web site at:
http://www.acfamily.net/netletter
and click on the "Archives" button.
This area is only open to "the NetLetter" subscribers and you will
need the following password to enter -
User Name: netletter Password: vesta

================================================================
Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is courtesy of Alan Rust administrator of
the "AC Family Network" at: http://www.acfamily.net
================================================================

=================================================================
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T H E                    _| TCA |_
_|\| AIR |/|_
N E T L E T T E R   > CANADA   <
>_./|\._<
|
( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)

Number 506 July 25th, 2000, We first Published in October 1995

Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot - Terry Baker

email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Need to know.
Changes to selected Employee Travel products means better service for employees.
Effective today, Air Canada will implement several changes to Employee Travel
products—service side—which should result in a 40% reduction in call wait times.
Agents at Air Canada’s General Reservations at (888) 247-2262 will process Family Affair and personal standby travel registration for self-ticketing active and retired Air Canada, Air Canada Regional Carrier, Canadian Airlines, and Canadian Regional Airlines employees.
Employee Call Centre (ECC) agents will handle all other employee travel services,
such as business and crew travel, ID/ZED fare requests, parent/partner passes, and personal standby travel registration for non-self ticketing active and retired Air Canada and Air Canada Regional Carrier employees. ECC agents will also make Family Affair and personal travel registration for self-ticketing employees—however, we hope employees will call General Reservations.

( Update Chapter 4.1 in 'Your Travel Guide' - eds)

*Air Canada’s operational performance for the week of July 17-23:
Passenger load factor:      82%
Employee Communications, YULNNAC

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. We are publishing some of the stories from early NetLetters, This one from
Charles Mackie in nr 61 dated May 18th, 1996 --
. Charles Mackie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. has sent in some of his recollections
of his experiences in the Lancastrian aircraft in the early days of T.C.A.
The information was supplied to an author for planned publication.
The following is one -
The Autopilot couldn't hold it - Oct 1945
There was a time we got as far as Three Rivers heading outwards and, for some
reason, we had to feather one of the engines. We were heading back to Montreal
to get the situation rectified. The first officer was flying and had it on automatic pilot.
The autopilot could not hold the aircraft on three engines, and the aircraft all of a
sudden went into a steep spiral dive. It was several thousand feet before we
recovered and got things back to normal.

and , in nr 62 dated June 2nd 1996, Al Blackwood gave this follow up -

As a followup to the story from Charles Mackie in Nr 61,
Al Blackwood at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. sends to following -

The experience Charlie had with the auto pilot brought back memories of a similar
amusing incident. All of the Lancasters had British auto pilots except one which had
one made by GE and had a bad habit of putting the aircraft into a dive without
warning.
This had been reported several times but always came back "unable to duplicate".
One day we were in Prestwick and the GE rep happened to be there so it was
arranged to take the aircraft up for a test flight. We were all strapped in but the
GE rep was standing behind the pilots. We were cruising in level flight with
the auto pilot on for about twenty minutes with everything normal when all of a
sudden the nose pitched down and the rep went up to the ceiling with a surprised
look on his face! Needless to say he was finally convinced there was a problem.
It wouldn't surprise me if it was the same aircraft that Charles was in.

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. News from the districts -
From the Spring newsletter of Manitoba and Saskatchewan district
issued by Stephanie Mandzie -
The spring luncheon was held on April 13th at the Viscount Gort Hotel.
The Skyliners Toastmasters Club held there 50th Reunion at the same location on
May 15th. The original membership was believed to be 100% of Trans-Canada Air
Lines employees.
Keith Richards, 50th Anniversary Committee would like to hear from any former
employees of TCA or Air Canada who were members of the club - the intention was
to have them attend the reunion, but, unfortunately this information has only just
reached us.
Those charter members on May 22nd 1950 were -
R.D.A.Graham, J.P.Anderson, F.M.Miniely, G.W.Lawson, N.R.Hodgson,
O.F.H.Bradley,
R.S.A.Lewis, D.F.Atkinson, L.R.J.Sheffield, F.M.Romaniuk, J.G.Stephens, J.Speid,
J.O.Griffith, C.Fuller, W.F.Moore, L.Cleghorn, R.H.Clifford, G.A.Gilbert, J.Lane,
J.M.Smith, J.Gilles, H.C.Thompson, A.J.Symes, R.E.Rogers, A.R.Hunt, W.Cook,
G.Lalonde and P.E.Lamoureaux.
Keith Richards can be reached at (204)888-5786 or fax (204)589-6114

From the Ottawa district newsletter -
Past events -
Thursday April 20th was the Kingston Satellite luncheon held at
the Minos Restaurant.
Saturday May 6th was the Ottawa luncheon with the theme "Dreams Take Flight".
Among the prizes were a painting donated by Kay Cox, and Bob Robbins
donated some mint postage stamps issued by Barbados depicting Air Canada
B767 and A320 aircraft. All proceeds from the draw and silent auction were
given to the "Dreams take Flight" towards the September trip to Disneyland.
The Friday morning koffee klatches run each week 10:00 - 11:00 at the
Family Restaurant, Carlingwood Shopping Centre in Ottawa.
The Alexandria Pionairs meet monthly on the 2nd Wednesday. All Pionairs
welcome. Call Cam Evans (613)224-6469 or Graham Richardson (613)874-2850.
The Montreal Pionairs have suggested a joint luncheon for September, possibly
in Morrisburg.

Jim Bain was, posthumously inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame at
Wetaskiwin, Alta and takes his place with other TCA/AC Pionairs namely:
R.J.(Ron) Baker, P.Y.(Paul) Davoud, R.L.Dodds, J.T.(Jack)Dyment, J.H.Foy,
W.(Walt)Fowler, H.(Bertie)Hollick-Kenyon, H.H.(Her) Hopson, H.M.(Harry)Kennedy,
Z.L.(Lewie)Leigh, G.B.(George)Lothian, R.B.Middleton, M.W.(Mac) MacLeod,
D.R.(Don)MacLaren, G.R.(Gordon)McGregor, R.(Ronald) Peel, P.G.Powell,
B.A.(Barney)Rawson, L.(Lindy) Rood, H.W.(Herb)Seagrim, F.E.M.(Frank) Smith,
C.I.(Claude) Taylor, J.H.(Tuddy)Tudhope and F.I.(Frank) Young.
If you have an interest in Canadian Aviation, the Museum's recent publication is
"They led the way". cost ca$36.50. A binder for up-dating the details of future
inductees costs ca$22.50. From Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, P.O.Box 6360,
Wetaskiwin, Alta, T9A 2G1

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. Famous quotes -
Our A320 behaved even better than expected -- it is both delightfully responsive
and reassuringly stable to fly, qualities which fly-by-wire brings together for the first
time in an airliner. Never before have we enjoyed a first flight so much, and we are
confident that airline pilots well feel the same way.
-- Pierre Baud, first flight of a fully fly-by-wire airliner.

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. For the Lockheed L1011 affectionados -
From the YYZNEWS issued by Brian Dunn -
The two ex-Royal Airlines L-1011s which had been sitting parked at Montreal-Dorval
airport for the last couple of years after they had been returned from leases in Chile
were broken up for scrap recently.   The first aircraft in May, and the last one by the
end of June.
Both these aircraft were ex-Air Canada.
CF-TNI fin 509 s/n 1058 delivered Jan 22/74, stored in Marana Nov '90,
leased to Royal Airlines Jun 93, then leased to Chile Inter as CC-CZF, returned to
Royal in 1999 and registered as C-GGBL. Broken up July 2000.
CF-TNK fin 511 s/n 1069 delivered Mar 23/74, leased to Air Lanka Dec 29/81 as 4R-TNK,
returned Sept 26/82. Stored at Marana Nov 1990, Sold to Sunquest Travel Sept 12/93
who leased to Royal Airlines Sept 27/93, to Chile Inter Jan 1998, as CC-CZR,
returned to Royal 1999 and broken up May 2000.

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. Thirteen airlines form industry’s largest business-to-business exchange—initiative spearheaded by Air Canada. Thirteen of the world’s major airlines announce the creation of the airline industry’s largest business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce exchange—Aeroxchange. It will offer the most comprehensive selection of aircraft technical parts and services, as well as general business supplies to airlines on the web. The airline group’s founding members, with representation of the Board of Directors are Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, America West Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, FedEx Express, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, SAS, and Singapore Airlines, with confirmed participation from Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Global in scope, with founding member airlines in Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe, it’s estimated the new exchange will handle US $45 billion annually of the current 13 airlines’ purchases of goods and services, excluding aircraft and fuel.
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. From the YYZNEWS issued by Brian Dunn -
Anyone seeing publicity photos of the Dash 8-400 in the new flower/disk colour scheme for Bombardier will now see this aircraft in a new colour scheme just in time for the Farnborough Air Show that started on July 20th. This particular aircraft is a Dash 8-400 sn 4004. The aircraft was originally painted in Bombardier house colours for flight testing and then in SAS Commuter colours for some SAS pilot training in Wichita. After the training SAS requested that Bombardier remove the SAS titles, which it did and the aircraft continued its flight test program until about 4 weeks ago when it arrived in Toronto. It went to Pearson's refurbishment center for a new interior and for some mod work which included an engine change in order to have it certified to do passenger demo flights when it arrived in Farnborough. A/C 4004 departed YYZ about 1 1/2 weeks ago for a short flight to DeHavilland's plant at Downsview where the aircraft was repainted again into Augsburg Airways colours (Team Lufthansa).
On Monday July 17th it flew senior management of Air Canada to Montreal on a demo flight. Another demo flight was then done in Montreal on the same day for other staff members. It is almost confirmed that Air Canada (or its regional) will purchase twelve Dash 8-400s along with some-200 and -300 aircraft in the same order to be announced shortly. (Perhaps at the Farnborough airshow?) The aircraft then flew to Halifax and then back to Montreal and then flew the president of Air Nova (Joe Randall) from Montreal back to Halifax on a demo flight. The aircraft was expected to depart on July 19 for Stansted via Gander and Reykjavik Iceland. It will do several more demo flights out of Stansted for local operators and then fly into Farnborough for the business and air show. After Farnborough it depart for a 2 1/2 week European demo tour that will take it to 40 cities performing 2 demo flights a day over this period. After that it is expected to return to the refurbishment center in Toronto for mod work to return it to a customer production configuration.

Air Alliance (aka Air Georgian) has announced that it will commence the first-ever non-stop air service between Toronto and Manchester NH on August 21st. There will be three departures every business day.    Air Alliance is the marketing name for Air Georgian who operate under the Air Ontario operations blanket and feed into Air Canada's hub at YYZ.

Air Canada has decided to follow the trend set by Canada 3000 and other airlines by providing round-the-clock air-to-ground medical support to their customers through MedAire's Emergency Telemedicine Serivce, Medlink.   The airline has also decided to equip its fleet with automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

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. Tom Grant ends this -
Information on the Farnborough Air Show being held July 24-30th can be had by
visiting the web site at
http://www.farnborough.com/
From the YYZNEWS issued by Brian Dunn, the orders for aircraft are pouring in -

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE
a) CIT Group ordered 35 A320 family aircraft and 15 A330 (including the possible
launch of the A330-500 version.)
b) Emirates Airlines -- confirmed orders for 5 of the new A3XX jumbo jet and five
options.
c) Airbus formally announced the launch of the new A3XX jumbo jet.
BOEING COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT
a) All Nippon ordered 6 new 777-300 Longer Range version (2 new orders, and 4
converted from straight -300 model)   Delivery 2004-2007.
b) ILFC -- 8 B777-200/300 Longer Range
- 25 B777-200ER   Delivery 2002-2009
- 7 B737NG Delivery 2003-2005
c) GE CAPITAL -- 10 b777-200/300 Longer Range + 5 options
- 5 B777-200ER + 2 options (Delivery 2001-2007)
- 65 B737NG (6 of these previously announced as "anonymous"
+ 52 options.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE
a) ASA -- 10 more CRJ200   (Delivery Sep/2001 to Aug/2002) To replace
EMB120s traded in to Bombardier.
b) Delta Connection -- 79 CRJ200, 25 CRJ700 (previously announced)
c) China Yunnan Airlines -- 10 CRJ200
d) Shandong Airlines   -- 10 CRJ700
e) Brit Air (France)     -- 8 CRJ700
f) SAS Commuter        -- 6 DHC8-Q400 (additional order)
g) Tyrolean Airways    -- 1 DHC8-Q400 (additional order)
Confirmed previous order for 3 CRJ200
h) UNI Air (Taiwan)    -- 1 DHC8-Q300
i) Undisclosed customer -- 1 DHC8-Q200 and 1 Q300
Bombardier announced the official launch of their new CRJ model 900 at the Air show
with the following orders;
a) Tyrolean Airways -- Letter Of Intent for 12 CRJ900
b) Air Nostrum (Spain) -- Letter Of Intent for 8 CRJ900
c) GECAS -- 10 CRJ900 orders + 20 options
ALLIANCE AIRCRAFT CORPORATION (New Hampshire)
This is a new company proposing to build a new family of regional jet aircraft called the "Starliner".   They announced at the show that Global Airlines has ordered 250 as firm orders, with 200 options and 100 "rolling options".    The -200 and -300 series aircraft will begin delivery in 2003 and the -100 series aircraft with 35 to 50 seats will begin delivery in 2004.
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. Smilie.

Air Traffic Control Information
A Huey Cobra practicing autorotations during a military night training exercise had a
problem and landed on the tail rotor, separating the tail boom. Fortunately, it wound up on its skids, sliding down the runway doing 360s in a brilliant shower of sparks. As the
Cobra passed the tower, the following exchange was overheard:
Tower:   "Sir, do you need any assistance?"
Cobra:   "I don't know, tower. We ain't done crashin' yet!"
Shortly after boarding a United Airlines flight from Denver to Phoenix, I listened to the
following exchange over the ATC channel of the plane's audio system after pushing back
from the gate:
Denver Ground: "United xxx, the good news is you are clear to taxi to Runway 16."
United xxx: "Uhh, thanks ... but what's the bad news?"
Denver Ground: "I don't have any bad news right now but the sooner you get going the less
chance there will be of my finding any."
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. DID YOU KNOW?
That you can read or retrieve back issues of "theNetLetter" ?
Just visit our web site at:
http://www.acfamily.net/netletter
and click on the "Archives" button.
This area is only open to "the NetLetter" subscribers and you will
need the following password to enter -
User Name: netletter Password: vesta

================================================================
Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is courtesy of Alan Rust administrator of
the "AC Family Network" at: http://www.acfamily.net
================================================================

==================================================================
|
|\^/|
T H E                    _| TCA |_
_|\| AIR |/|_
N E T L E T T E R   > CANADA   <
>_./|\._<
|
( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)

Number 505 July 20th, 2000, We first Published in October 1995

Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot - Terry Baker

email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

=================================================================
. Need to know.
Standby travel from London a challenge until mid-August.
Until mid-August, Air Canada and Canadian Airlines are anticipating high passenger
loads from London Heathrow to Canada. Standby travel could be a challenge for
employees and their guests—please keep this in mind when making travel plans, and
consider alternate arrangements.
(Whilst this mentions employees and guests, it must surely apply to us retirees too!!! eds)

Denver’s passenger boardings were sky high in June!
Air Canada and AirBC set the bar a little higher in June when they boarded a combined
total of 16,767 customers. The carriers currently operate 10 daily departures to Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Montreal, and we codeshare on more than 300 daily United Airlines and Mexicana de Aviación departures.

Canadian Airlines wet leases its Shuttle services between Toronto-Montreal/Ottawa to Air Canada. Effective today, Canadian Airlines will wet lease its flights—excluding its F-28 service—between Toronto and Montreal/Ottawa to Air Canada. This Rapidair® service will show CP codeshare flight numbers. This move streamlines the standby process for Airport Customer Sales & Service Agents who must currently transfer standby passenger files manually between RESIII and Sabre.

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. Need to remember -
Air Georgian and Central Mountain Air will accept Air Canada passes.

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. Since we first started up the NetLetters, way back in 1995, we have increased our readership dramatically. With this in mind, we thought that we would republish some of the stories.
This one from number 40 dated March 29th 1996 -

A reminiscence by Charles Mackie
'Well I started with the company TCA at the time in 1941 as a Radio Operator
and was in Communications more or less during my whole career with the airline.
However I did spend 3 years as a flight Radio Officer on the CGTAS
operation from 1943 to 1946 and also took over the communication facilities from
the Military for the Trans Atlantic civilian frequencies in 1947 while I was posted to
Goose Bay, Labrador for better than a year.
After that I moved from one station to another in Communications and eventually
ended up in Victoria in 1952 and stayed here until I retired in 1974.
Before I was with the airline I was with Canadain Airways Ltd working in
Winnipeg and, then in other northern stations, then did a spell with the DOT at the
Monitoring station in Ottawa for a year or so.
I do run the TCA AC net (radio) every Tuesday and we do have a roster of
some 200 plus names of individuals who do hold an Amateur radio license.
I have a couple of books here that your readers might be interested in, the first
one "From the Flight Deck" published by Van Wells Pub. Ltd.
ISBN 155068-088-9. Author Bruce Champion-Smith a Toronto Star editor.
I believe this book is about Capt Bob Yorks last flight from LHR to YYZ,
just prior to his retirement from Air Canada.
The second book "Ocean Bridge, a History of the RAF Ferry Command" by
Carl. A. Christie. Published by University of Toronto Press, ISBN 0-8020--6389-8.
Excellent book with a lot of references to old TCA pilots in it.'
Charles Mackie email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Call sign VE7WW
(Charles is the Director for the Vancouver Island chapter of the
Canadian Aeronautical Historical Association - eds)

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. Remember when?
. . . Your seat pushed you firmly in the back. Even then there is none of the
shuddering brazen bellow of the high-powered piston engine . . . Combined with a
seemingly uncanny lack of vibration, this gives the impression almost of sailing
through space, the engines with their glinting propeller discs utterly remote from the
quiet security of this cabin.
-- Derek Harvey, first turboprop airliner (Vickers-Armstrong Viscount).

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. News from the districts.
From the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands summer newsletter -
Past events -
The April 4th luncheon at Princess Mary was attended by 61 Pionairs. Guest speaker
was Ron Gurney, President of Ron Gurney Financial Services who presented a most
informative question and answering session. Emcee'd by Director of Vancouver
Island & Gulf Islands Director John Jeffrey, two members of the telephone committee,
Dorothy Buss and Peggy Davies, both of the telephone committee, were honored for
their past years active support of the many Pionairs endeavors. Dorothy's painting
of 'Wolves' was her gift to the National AGM on behalf of the local district.

June 13/14th saw 56 golfers enjoying a miscellany of weather during the annual
Pionairs golf classic. From the local district, Monique Coyle of Victoria collected
3 wins: ladies low gross, longest drive and closest to the hole on nr 15.
John Patterson from Parksville won men's low gross and Brian McCourt, newly arrived
in Nanaimo, won the men's low net. All three winners probably had the pencil with the
erasers!
Other winners were June Moyles of Cambridge, On - ladies low net. Bernie Davies of
Westbank BC - men's longest drive, Don Graham of Penticton - men's closest to the
hole on the 15th and Colin Lelliott from Chester NS closest on nr 17. Fran Burd of
Peterborough ON won the ladies closest on nr 17.
Pionairs and guests numbered 90 for the wind up BBQ steak dinner.
Under the capable direction of John Innes, a very large number of volunteers made the
whole event a great success.

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. GR's [ie Group Captain G R McGregor DFC OBE and   TCAs President]
- First 'Jet' Flight !
Submitted By: H W [Bert] Young
- a Retiree and former pilot with 401[F] Sqdn RACF Auxilliary, Montreal.
NOTE: GR had flown with 401 Sqdn, and eventually lead it, and
the TAF Wing, during WW2.
GR had indicated his desire to have a flight in a 'Jet'- his first - and as we now had
the two-seater/dualcontroled T-33's this was arranged. He drove out one mid-week
morning during a our Summer Camp [mid-fiftys] at St Hubert and I, knowing him quite
well, was detailed to look after him.
GR would be in his 50s by then was quite'stout' so I had bit of trouble getting him into
a flight suit and of course he would not be able to have a 'G' suite. It was 'verboten'
that any of us TCA guys [we had quite a few TCA Captains and F/Os in the Sqdn]
should do the flying [for obvious reasons]. So F/L Bill Schram of the ASU Regular
Air Force was Pilot and allowed GR to have the Front seat.
However the T-Bird could not be started from the back so with me on the wing I
managed to get GR strapped and wired in' [this despite his 'pot'!] and the a/c fired up.
[Cpl Peter Blythe, also TCA', OC of the Photo Sxn took pics of this and we later
presented an album to GR].
And now this according to Bill Schram.
Bill pulled out of the flight line [to get the a/c rolling so the nose wheel didn't cock]
and then asked GR if he'd like to try taxiing.   GR did and taxied right down to the
button of 024, lined it up on the runway, and with Bill giving GR the speeds etc. GR
took-off and rapidly climbed into Airway Green 1 !!   Schram mentioned that TCA
would probably 'violate' them - to which GR replied that he could 'look after that !'.
GR then climbed to altitude and did aero's which 'blacked-out' Schram who had,
out of courtesy to GR, not connected his 'G' Suite.! GR then came back to the airfield,
did an approach and touch-and-go,a circuit, approach and landing!
Very impressive indeed! And Bill Schram said that he himself had not had 'control'
since they had taxied out of the flight line an hour before !
GR had had his 1st Jet Flght !
Afterwards we had lunch in the Mess and GR, with his briefcase, departed for his
office in the International Aviation Building.
PS: Some of the TCA Pilots in 401 included:
Wendy Reid, Bert Hughes, Peter Reid, Fergy Kyle, Norm Reid,
Dave Robinson, Don Wright, Chuck Carr and Ken Birnham....
Also TCA:
The ADJs Gordie Kay and Jack Roy; Nels Blom [Pilot],
Jack Grisdale, (Engineering), Ian McPherson, (Legal), Norm Hodgson, (P&S)
and the writer, Bert Young [Pilot], (Traffic Training & Advertising.)
Bert can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Any comments from those who remember, and sent to Bert, would be welcomed
for a future NetLetter - eds)

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. Found on the internet.
NOT TOO LATE TO BID ON A SUPER CONSTELLATION:
Guess the Internet promoters are correct when they say you can buy just about anything
on the Web these days -- the Internet auction site eBay is featuring a Lockheed Super
Constellation for sale. Offered by Maine Coast Airways, the Connie needs some work to
achieve ferryable condition, and the last we checked the bid was up to $25,100.
Better hurry if you want to impress your fellow pilots at the local airport --
bidding ends July 27.

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. Terry's travel tips.
Peggy Clark, Customer Service Manager for Vancouver Island, AirBC offered the
following comment - "As seats on all flights off the island, this summer and for some
time to come, will be in high demand, all plussers should take special care to be at the
airports service by AirBC early for the desired flights rather than just prior to scheduled
departure".

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For more information on these and other specials - contact us at:
DARGAL Interline 1-800-690-3223

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. Smilie.
Famous 'Where am I?'s
'I'm Douglas Corrigan. Just got in from New York, where am I? . . . I intended to fly
to California.'
-- 'Wrong Way' Corrigan , upon arrival in Ireland after his un-approved solo
transatlantic flight. He maintained he had 'compass troubles.'

' Where am I?'    'In Gallegher's pasture . . . have you come far?'   'From America.'
-- Amelia Earhart, first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic, upon
arrival in an open field near Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
Our joint e-mail address is:    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
please add to your Address Books.
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of
news for the NetLetter.

Why not check out the Air Canada Retired Employees Web Site
http://www.acfamily.net/acrew/
Independently operated by webmaster Tom Grant.

=================================================================
Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is courtesy of Alan Rust administrator of
the "AC Family Network" at: http://www.acfamily.net
=================================================================

==================================================================
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T H E                    _| TCA |_
_|\| AIR |/|_
N E T L E T T E R   > CANADA   <
>_./|\._<
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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)

Number 503 July 17th, 2000, We first Published in October 1995

Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot - Terry Baker

email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

=================================================================

. We welcome -
Carolyn St. Pierre, I am a retired AC employee since 1998. email   <mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bruce Hembroff lives in Concord, CA, USA.
Bruce joined TCA in YWG in June 1946. After passenger agent training was
sent to NY LGA and spent entire career in USA. Ended up as Passenger Sales
Manager SFO. Retired in 1984. Bruce can be reached via his son Doug at
email email:     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Friends and co-workers can send an email to     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
and communicate with Alex Page living in Bend, OR, USA.
Retired Air Canada Customer service agent LAX
(also worked in YVR cargo & YWG)
Rick & Bev (Teague) Schofield retired to Scott's Bay,   Nova Scotia
Rick was Manager, Pooling & Allotment and Bev Purchasing Assist.
Try emailing     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kenneth Starnes    I worked in warranty administration the last 10 years of my career.
Previously it was in Aircraft Maintenance as the Office Supervisor, Aircraft and
Unit Maintenance. In all I worked 33 years.
My e-mail address is as above <mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>kennethstarnes@home.<mailto:kennethstarnes@h ome.com>com
Gurney and Nancy Trites of Pointe du Chene N.B..Having retired from Load Control nine
years ago in YUL we moved to the Maritimes which we enjoy.
Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Might like to know!
AIRLINE TALKS BREAK DOWN
If you're planning to fly with Air Canada anytime soon you may want to make alternate arrangements. Talks have broken off between the airline and its 22-hundred pilots. It has been business as usual so far at the Air Canada check-in counters at Vancouver International Airport, but a strike could come as early as next week. Air Canada has offered a 14.5 percent wage increase over five years, but the pilots want some wage parity with their US counterparts. An Air Canada pilot, with 12 years or more seniority, who flies one of the airline's three Boeing 747's has a top salary scale of about 240-thousand dollars. That's well below the 324-thousand dollars paid to a pilot with the same amount of experience who flies a Boeing 747 owned by United Airlines. The pilots' union will meet behind closed doors this weekend to discuss their next move. Air Canada says they have a contingency plan in place but refuse to give any details until a strike is imminent. Government strategists are already working to avoid a breakdown of the country's transportation system, should a strike happen. Those plans include using foreign airlines, the domestic charter carriers, Via Rail, and the bus lines to help move stranded people. When making your reservation you can check which airline is operating your flight in order to know where to check in. In particular, please note: Air Canada tickets with flight numbers AC3000-AC3999 or AC8300-AC8699 are flights operated by Canadian Airlines. Please check in at Canadian Airlines. Canadian Airlines tickets with flight numbers CP2700-CP4499, CP5100-CP5299 or CP7500-CP7999 are flights operated by Air Canada. Please check in at Air Canada.

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. News from the districts.
From the London, England monthly Pionair newsletter -
Upcoming events -
July 15th - ACRA Visit to Alton Towers. GBP25.00 per person.
July 19th - Evening tour of London with a Dickens theme.
Aug 14th - ACRA Riverboat shuffle from Kew Bridge.
GBP12.00 members, GBP15.00 non members incl. buffet.
Sep 5th   - ACRA Theatre trip 'Notre Dame de Paris'
Nov 27th - U.K.Pionairs annual visit. Niagara 2000, 2 day event.
Dec 4th   - ACRA Christmas dinner.
Dec 10th - U.K.Pionairs Christmas lunch at Heathrow Part Hotel.
Contact Jack Morath 01276-500918 for details.

The recent tour of France, Belguim and Holland took place on May 22/23rd,
this is an edited version of the report given by Alen and Sue Wood -
The coach left LHR at 07:00 for the 35 minute trip to board the tunnel train.
First stop on the Continent was Bruges for lunch and a visit to the various
bakers shops to sample the pastries and cakes, then onto Antwerp which was
a beautiful place with wonderful architecture and a nice film museum. A meal for two
plus a couple of beers set us back GBP40. Antwerp is where the best chocolatiers
are; Alen said it was a good job they were shut. Unfortunately, I found the Neuhaus
shop where I selected 30 chocolates at a cost of GBP8.00 (not good for my figure).
Alen and I worked out the tram system: you can either embark in the street or
underground at a station as long as you remember to take a card of your hotel and
address. It costs 40 francs each, payable to the driver.
The second day was most enjoyable. The walk around Gouda was pleasant. Prices
for food, drink and Belguim chocolates were very reasonable. The visit to the clog
makers was wonderful, the smell of wood more delicious than that of the chocolate
shops.
The best value for money I found was the French tunnel shop, where you can use
francs or sterling or credit card. Wine ranging from GBP1.00 to GBP 4.00 per bottle
- a third of our value.

Other district events -
Calgary
Oct 30th - Halloween buffet C$11.00 per person.
Dec 5th   - Christmas dinner C$25.00 per person.

Vancouver.
Aug 10th - BBQ - C$10.00 per person.
Oct 25th - Fall luncheon.
Dec 7th - Christmas luncheon.

From the Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands newsletter summer edition -
Wednesday August 9th is the annual up-island luncheon at the Four Points
Sheraton in Nanaimo. Cost ca$17.50 pp. Cheques by August 1st please.
Reception at 11:30 and lunch 12:30 in the Crystal Room.

Tuesday August 15th will be the date for the annual picnic at Mt. Douglas Park,
This is a fun-filled afternoon, which starts at 11:00. Bring your own lunch and
something to drink. Cost is ca$2.00 pp. There are many games and prizes too!

Tuesday October 3rd, the Fall luncheon will be McMorran's Beach House.
starts at 11:30 with lunch at 12:30. Price ca$17.00 pp. Cheques by Sept 28th.

December 5th will conclude the social activities for the year with the Christmas
luncheon at the Dunsmiur Lodge. Meet at 11:30 with lunch at 12:30. There is
a seating capacity of 64 at this popular event, and you are encouraged to
reserve early, if you don't, then you may miss out by just turning up unannounced.
Cheques by December 1st please. Cost is ca$20.00 pp.

To assist in crowd control, please make your reservations EARLY for any of the
above events to John Jeffries, #1 - 10471 Resthaven Dr, Sidney, BC V8L 3H6
phone 250-656-9799 email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Visiting pionairs are more than welcome to join.

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. Found on the internet.
Dutch airline Transavia are leasing a B757-200 from Royal Airlines of Montreal.
Air Canada may create a charter division utilizing the airlines B767-200's. Other
avenues being explored by the company include creating a low-fare carrier at
Hamilton probably using the Canadi>n B737-200, and possibly restoring the
Air Canada Cargo division using the stored B747-200.
Virgin Express Ireland celebrated the launch of its new low-cost service to Gatwick
and Stanstead from Shannon on 4th May, by holding a special promotion for the
first 10 days. Anyone with the surname 'Ryan' flew free on these routes.
(Virgin Express Ireland is in direct competition with Ryanair another established
low-cost airline - eds)

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. From the YYZNEWS issued by Brian Dunn -i
I had the fortune to fly home from Montreal to Toronto on July 5th on the first revenue
flight of Air Canada's newest A330-343 C-GFUR/FIN934.   We arrived as flight AC419
about 1720hrs on runway 06R.   The aircraft was slated to go to London-LHR that night
as AC848.   It had flown from Toulouse to Montreal on the night of June 30th on delivery.
The next four A330 deliveries are planned as follows;   FIN935 msn400 May/2001,
FIN936 msn 408 June/2001, FIN937 msn412 Jun/2001, FIN938 msn419 July/2001.

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. From the eMailNews issued for RAPCAN by Duane Frerichs -
July 7, 2000 - Argentina Says 1947 British Air Crash Mystery Solved
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - A 53-year-old mystery of why a British World War II
Lancaster bomber converted to civilian use slammed into the Andes mountains has
been solved -- the plane crashed due to pilot error, the Argentine Air Force.
The ``Star Dust,'' a British South American Airways plane adapted from a Lancaster
bomber, went down on Aug. 2, 1947 in a glacier on the Tupungato volcano, one of the
highest peaks in the Americas. The plane's resting place remained unknown until found
last January by mountaineers.
The Argentine Army recovered mummified body parts of some of six passengers and five
crew who died. Wreckage hauled from the accident site over 16,000 feet (5,000 meters)
high was scrutinized for six months by the air force to unravel the cause of the crash.
``While descending through clouds the plane hit the mountain because the crew
miscalculated flight speed due to ignorance at the time about the jet stream's intensity,"
Maj. Luis Ricardo Estrella, head of the air force probe, told reporters.
``The pilot estimated he was in one location when in reality he was in another,'' he
continued.
Flying into the teeth of a blizzard, Capt. Reginald Cook and his crew estimated average
wind speed of 45 knots (83 kph) and were oblivious to the fact that a potent jet stream
had dropped their plane's speed below 100 knots (185 kph).
``They were hampered by winds averaging almost 100 knots, causing a navigational error
that induced them to inadvertently descend over the mountains,'' said Estrella.
SUDDEN IMPACT
Flying blind in thick cloud, the ``Star Dust'' could not see the 21,760 feet (6,800 metre)
Tupungato looming ahead. The plane hit the volcano's northeast flank and disintegrated.
``It was instantaneous. All died without realizing it -- without suffering, without anything,''
said Estrella, displaying a crumpled piece of wing.
Capt. Cook, 29, was a decorated veteran of Royal Air Force bombing raids who crossed
the Andes eight times as a co-pilot. The ill-fated ``Star Dust'' flight was his first in command.

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. Another update on CF-TCC -
From Captain Thususka ( Retired ) in PEI...
TCC relocated on Sunday 10 th July to YYG for 25 th anniversary celebration of service to PEI. Captain C. H. S. ( Charlie ) Simpson ( Retired VP Flight OPs YULHQ ), another PEI native along with Captain Macleod were to both be on hand for the flight celebrations. Unfortunately Captain Simpson could not make it due to CASB commitments.
Captain Macleod and Captain Harvey Ried ( spelt OK I hope) were the 2 pilots that conducted the flights with travel agent trip winners for the 3 around the island flights.
Tuesday will be Employee trip day and all available staff at Charlottetown will get a ride.
Moncton follows for Saturday Dream flights returning to Charlottetown for Sunday Dream flights that I'm told are already filled up....A real success story for PEI
New Pictures are or will be available on TCC web site from the Sunday \ Monday Activities.
Regards     Tom

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. Chris Doutre sends this over -
I thought you'd like to know that the US DOT has published its "Airline
Consumers Report" for May.
http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer/0007ATCR.pdf
Fascinating stuff if you are traveling. As I read this information I was
struck at just how poor the on-time performance of the majors is. And,
at certain airports, it would be a miracle if your flight left on time.
Best regards
Chris Doutre, Scottsdale, Arizona, Home Base of America West Airlines

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. Terry's travel tips.
Visiting London, England?
The Heathrow Shuttle by Airbus connects Heathrow to and from Central London.
You can catch the Airbus route A2 every day at each of the four Heathrow terminals.
Pickup and drop off points between Central London and Heathrow are at
Kensington Hilton, Holland Park, Notting Hill Gate, Queensway, Lancaster Gate,
Albion Street, Marble Arch, Baker Street, Great Portland Street, Euston Station,
Russell Square, Judd Street and Kings Cross Station.
No booking needed, tickets from the driver.
Cost GBP7.00 adult single, GBP12.00 adult return.

The Scottish Highlights - land tour.
August 14-18th includes 4 nights in 3 star property, daily breakfast, 3 dinners,
entrances, transport & guide throughout. From C$869 pp dbl.
Contact 1-800-665-3100 for more details of this and other land only tours.

The Best of Europe - land only -
Touring 15 days from C$2089 pp dbl itinerary includes Frankfurt, Baden-Baden,
Lucerne, Engleberg, Geneva, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Innsbruck, Vienna, Salzburg,
Munich back to Frankfurt. Cost includes breakfast and dinners, all hotel service
charges, baggage handling, fees and local taxes.
The Best of France - land only -
Touring 13 days from C$1899 pp dbl. visiting Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Nice, Nimes,
Lourdes, Biarritz, Bordeaux, Perigueux, Limoges, Mont St. Michel, Bayeux then
return to Paris. Includes breakfasts and dinners, hotel service charge and tips,
baggage handling fees and local taxes.
Call Dargal for these and other land only deals in Europe - 1-800-690-3223.

The world's tallest hotel is the Burj al-Arab in Dubai - it towers over 1,000 feet.
Higher than the Eiffel Tower and shapes like a sail. The hotel is the latest jewel
in the crown of Dubai's burgeoning tourist industry. The hotel stands on a man made
island connected by a causeway 924 foot long. It boasts the world tallest atrium.
Guaranteeing exclusivity, non-guests are charged us$55.00 simply to cross the
private bridge, while a stay at one of the hotel's 202 luxury suites costs from around
us$1,000 to us$18,000 a night. There is plenty to catch the eye from fire-spouting
volcanoes to an undersea restaurant complete with shark-infested aquarium that can
only be reached by a 3 minute submarine ride. The interior employs more than
9,000 square feet of gold leaf, marble, granite and crystal.
We will be sure to pass on any interline or airline specials to you!!!!

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. Smilie.
WATCH THOSE WABBITS:
We don't advocate cruelty to animals, but read of the unfortunate demise of one
"Fluffy the Rabbit" on a runway at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Seems the
hapless hare was mowed down on the centerline of 17-C by an unidentified jet, and the
runway was closed for several minutes while the critter-cleanup crew did its job.
"Now rabbit-crossing signs will have to be installed, [and] all airport rabbits will have to
wear strobe lights and activate them before crossing active runways," it was speculated.

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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
Our joint e-mail address is:    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
please add to your Address Books.
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of
news for the NetLetter.

Why not check out the Air Canada Retired Employees Web Site
http://www.acfamily.net/acrew/
Independently operated by webmaster Tom Grant.

=================================================================
Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is courtesy of Alan Rust administrator of
the "AC Family Network" at: http://www.acfamily.net
=================================================================

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