Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)


Number 476  April 26th, 2000,  We first Published in October 1995


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


<NEW>   e-mail address is:    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. We welcome -
Jeff   Lomas   Performance Analyst living in Manotick, ON
email:          This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Harry Davies  email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Jim Robertson living in Gloucester, ON email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nicole Arbuthnot retired Flight Attendant lives in Oakville, ON
email email:     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will find Mike Harbott lives in Delta BC
Canadian Airlines, Maintenance Manager


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. Reminder -
Air Canada Pionairs Annual General Meeting is this coming weekend -
The Executive promises this to be the best so far this century -
see you  there!


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. Need to know.
Rumour: Air Canada (AC) intends to allow Canadian Airlines (CDN)
to go bankrupt.
Truth: This is false. Air Canada has no such intentions.
Rumour: The employee newsletters for both Air Canada
(Horizon’s…News for us) and
Canadian Airlines (Canadian Flyer) will be merged.
Truth: This is false. There are currently no plans to merge the two publications.
Rumour: AC pilots will walk off the job in late April.
Truth: This is false. While AC pilots, represented by the Air Canada
Pilots Association (ACPA), have applied for a conciliation process,
AC welcomes this process.
Rumour: AC will participate in a computer purchasing program for its
employees.
Truth: This is currently under investigation by AC.
No final decisions have been made.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Air Canada is the Ground Service Agent for Lot Polish Airlines,
Pakistan International Airlines, Cubana Airlines, etc.
Are they coming to Terminal 1 (T1) as well?
A:  Lufthansa and Mexicana will move to T1.
United Airlines will remain in T2. We will continue with
LOT Polish Airlines and CSA until the end of 2000, at which
time they’ll move to T3. To avoid a three-terminal operation in
Toronto, we won't handle contracts in T3. This will allow us to
concentrate on our T1 and T2 operations.
Q: Is Air Canada going to provide freighter cargo service again?
A: Robert Milton has stated Air Canada is looking into the
possibility of re-entering the cargo freighter business.
However, no decisions have been made.
Q: As AC owns 10% of the numbered company, who owns the
remaining 90%?
A: Paul Farrar, a former executive with the Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce (CIBC) owns the remaining portion of the
company. He is a specialist in debt restructuring.
Q: It’s said there’s a nine-month period that’s critical to the ultimate
success or failure of a merger.
When did this period start for AC and CDN?
A:  It began at the end of January and will be completed at the end of October.
Send any rumours or questions to Employee Communications
e-mail     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., fax     (514) 422-5104


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. Announcement from Alan Rust -
NEW CONFERENCE AREA  ON THE AC FAMILY NETWORK
The long awaited Conference Area on the AC Family Network has now
been set up. We may have some "teething" problems at first and may
change things around a bit, but it essentially now open for business.
I think this area has been needed for many months, especially with all
the news and rumours about the AC/CAI integration going on.
You must be a member of the AC Family Network in order to access this area.
Although most subscribers to the NetLetter are eligible to access this area,
you will need to register with the AC Family Network to get a password first.
(if not AC Family members already)
Please note: many "NetLetter" readers are already members, so please do
not apply again. If you received the AC Family News a few days ago, then
you are a member.
If you would like to register for the AC Family Network, please go to the
registration page at       http://www.acfamily.net/regform.html
Once registered, you can access the conference area within the "members"
area (click on "Conference")
Questions?  Please visit   http://www.acfamily.net/ntl_register.html
created especially for "NetLetter" subscribers.
More Questions or suggestions? Please email   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Once you are an "AC Family member" you will be able to access the
conference by clicking on "Conference" in the members area.
Regards,  Alan  Rust Web Administrator AC Family Network


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. Reminder -
For the NetLetter readers only, please look for our booth at
the Sheraton Wall hotel in YVR on Saturday Apr 29th before
during and after Business meeting. Tom, Alan, and Terry will
be there to promote our Web sites and the NetLetter.


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. From the RAPCAN newsletter issued by Duane Frerichs -
Reprint of  Air Transport World,  April 2000.


Title:  'IT'S GOING TO BE SPECTACULAR'


Robert Milton looks forward to turning Air Canada and Canadian Airlines into
a global powerhouse


By Perry Flint In Montreal


Air Canada's new President and CEO Robert Milton had what you might call
a baptism by fire. Last Aug. 24, only 18 days after being named to succeed
R. Lamar Durrett, he was confronted with the biggest crisis in Air Canada's
11 years as a private company when Onex Corp. and American Airlines made an
unsolicited C$1.8 billion ($1.2 billion) takeover bid in hopes of merging
Air Canada with failing cross-country rival Canadian Airlines Corp.
Perhaps they figured the young CEO, who rose to the top after only eight
years at the airline and has yet to celebrate his 40th birthday, was an easy
mark. If so, they figured wrong. Milton fought back hard, launching stinging
attacks in the media against the would-be acquisitors and the political
maneuvering that seemingly made their bid possible. He rallied the Star
Alliance to support a C$1.1 billion recapitalization plan and then had the
Onex/AA proposal declared illegal in a court victory that cleared the path
for Air Canada's own C$92 million acquisition of Canadian.
When Canadian's board of directors on Dec. 4 recommended that
shareholders approve the Air Canada offer, Milton's triumph was complete: In
a period of less than four months, this newcomer from across the border had
bested American Chairman and CEO Don Carty and Canada's own ruling Liberal
Party and had reversed 63 years of national transportation policy by
unifying the industry around one carrier. Overnight, Air Canada vaulted to
the front ranks of the world's airlines with a route network that spans the
globe and combined annual revenues of nearly C$10 billion. "We now own
franchise Canada for the airline industry," he declared to ATW recently.
Milton has not rested on his laurels. He has taken a firm line with
Canadian's lenders and lessors over that airline's debt and lease
obligations, warning that if he can't get a better deal, a bankruptcy filing
is a real possibility. "If the creditors don't want to play ball, we can
pick up the pieces and build from scratch," he stated on Feb. 2, and the
same day Canadian declared a temporary payment moratorium on its debt and
lease rentals.
Shortly after Air Canada was assured of voting control of Canadian, the
carriers began a dramatic route restructuring aimed at integrating their
networks and ending the wasteful and costly domestic route duplication that
has been a staple of Canada's airline industry for most of its history. The
goal is to turn perennially unprofitable Calgary-based Canadian into a
money-making franchise, move it into the Star Alliance and merge it with
already profitable Air Canada as soon as is practical. In the meantime, the
two are flowing traffic to each other via codesharing.
Milton has pledged that although approximately 2,500 of Canadian's
17,000 employees will disappear through attrition, early retirement and
voluntary severance packages, there will be no forced layoffs at the smaller
airline. To hear him tell it, layoffs won't be necessary: "I want our
employees to understand that this is the greatest career opportunity that
they will ever face," he explained to ATW.
"This is not a traditional type of merger . . . this is ending 62 years
of duplication and losses. [Canadian] is a great operational company, with a
great track record on service—their service is fantastic—but they've been
absolutely stagnant. When I moved to Canada eight years ago they had 88
jets. They are down to 80 now . . . pilots are sitting in the same seat in
the same aircraft type that they sat in 15 years ago and they are being paid
the same amount as they were 10 years ago. There is no way to keep people
motivated and on side and keep a winning spirit with that kind of track
record. That will dramatically change in the coming months."
In fact, Milton has estimated the bottom-line benefit of combining the
carriers at C$650-C$800 million annually. Where does it come from? The
creation of a unified network that will feed and be fed by Air Canada's
global alliance partners in Star, and the synergies created when excess
domestic capacity is redeployed into new markets that can then feed the
integrated domestic and international route network.
Milton explains: "On route after route coast-to-coast, there are two
airplanes leaving at the exact same time. A perfect illustration would be
Montreal-Vancouver, where two A320s, both with 132 seats on them, depart at
9 a.m. and go to Vancouver. By taking those aircraft out and replacing them
with a 767 with 191 seats, we're going to be able to fill 100% of the
capacity demand. We'll take one aircraft—and Montreal-Vancouver-Montreal is
10 hours of utilization—and we'll create new routes, like Toronto-Ontario,
Calif. . . . And we're going to do that all over the place. The swing
between this sort of wingtip-to-wingtip hammering each other and new
opportunities, between less-than-spectacular and highly profitable, is amazing."
Another benefit: With Canadian's future assured, it won't be in a position
of having to make deals to generate cash flow. "Canadian, because of their
dire condition, has been very aggressive in buying the business, whether
it's seat sales or corporate discounts or overrides, kind of like Eastern
did years ago when they were in so much trouble," Milton says.
Capacity freed up also will be used for opportunities that could not be
exploited as long as the two airlines were trying to sustain competing hubs
in a nation of only 29 million people. For example, Air Canada will not have
to feed as much traffic through Toronto. "If you look at routes like
Montreal-Calgary, there are only two nonstops per day, one from each
airline, both in the evening; [and] all day long there's traffic split
between the two airlines that has to be funneled over Toronto to get to
Calgary." Now Air Canada can put in three nonstops a day between Montreal
and Calgary "because the mass is now there to bleed the traffic off Toronto
and just fly it nonstop, which obviously is friendlier to the consumer."
Other new routes include Montreal-Edmonton and Halifax-Vancouver with
A319s. Montreal capacity will grow by 17%, with seven new routes and a total
of more than 1,000 weekly flights, allowing it to become a minihub.
In sum, Air Canada intends to pull 19% of the combined capacity out of
Canada and redeploy it into the US, which Milton describes as "the
highest-margin, fastest-growing, most-profitable business we've got." The
carriers are adding a half-dozen new transborder routes and will move to
hourly shuttle-type service in markets such as Toronto-New York LaGuardia
and Toronto-Chicago. Together they are adding more than 380 weekly
transborder flights, including 245 from Toronto, where they recently
consolidated their domestic and transborder operations in Terminal 2 and
their international operations in Terminal 1.
Across the Atlantic, Air Canada/Canadian this summer will offer 15 daily
flights to London Heathrow, versus British Airways' four. "Obviously BA
could add more if they want, but the value of a slot to them at Heathrow is
not worth it on Canada," Milton says. "But this is our home, this is where
we make our money." The success of Star means that Air Canada will offer
twice-daily 747-400 service from Toronto to Frankfurt in addition to a daily
747-400 flight operated by Lufthansa, "and this is in a market that three
years ago we had trouble sustaining a 767 in the winter." Air Canada also
will start Toronto-Munich daily service, "a good bleed-off from Frankfurt,
because sometimes the beyond capacity for Frankfurt is a little difficult to
get hold of."
Long-term, the greatest opportunities probably lie in Asia, where
government policy kept Air Canada a distinctly second-class citizen to
Canadian. Says Milton: "We were restricted to flying to Hong Kong four times
a week, which is very inefficient. Taiwan was only three times a week. Well
now you take that picture and you look at what we've been announcing: You'll
have Toronto-Tokyo nonstop daily with an A340, and for us that feeds right
into the United and All Nippon Airways massive complexes at Narita. This is
going to be a spectacular success . . . "
Toronto-Hong Kong will start on a daily basis in May and Air Canada is
trying to get approval to start Vancouver-Shanghai. It will drop its Taipei
service and leave the Canadian 747-400 flight in place. It will drop its
four-times-weekly Vancouver-Hong Kong service, "but that will still leave
the one daily Canadian flight and our Toronto-Hong Kong service, so Asian
profitability will be very much strengthened." A new Vancouver-Washington
Dulles flight will provide one-stop connections to Asia. "The real story on
this whole thing to me is network," Milton sums up. Vancouver's capacity to
Asia in terms of ASMs will rise by 13%. Transborder and international
capacity out of Toronto will jump by 18% and 22% respectively.
The route restructuring was accompanied by some aircraft changes.
Canadian grounded its last four DC-10-30s, replacing them with 767-300ERs.
Air Canada is retaining two A340-300s it had planned to return to the lessor
and is adding four A330-300s.
Gains on the revenue side will be accompanied by cost savings, according
to Milton. "Air Canada's added size and strength, financially, enable us to
buy things for a lot less than they were paying. So just on its own phone
line costs, we found that if we apply our rate to what Canadian's got,
there's a C$3 million saving per year, so that's in the bank. But we're now
going to the phone company and saying, 'Okay, now you've got the mass of the
two so our rate should come down as well.' On insurance, by switching to our
insurance policies, there was an instant C$3 million savings. Credit card
fees are another area: Applying our rates with the credit card companies to
Canadian's volumes will produce a C$5 million saving. These are three little
examples that are worth C$11 million."
How soon will the two airlines be fully merged, including integrated
crew lists? "I'm really easy about this . . . I'm game to go there as
quickly as possible," he declares, "but to go there I want the employees on
my side. I want them to say, 'Let's forget about this two-airline stuff and
get on with it.'" Owing to the ability to codeshare, the pressure to merge
fully is far less than it would have been five or 10 years ago.
"Operationally I can optimize and the codesharing means that I can funnel
the traffic onto Canadian with the AC code and get every drop of benefit out
of the combined networks." But he believes full benefits come with a merger.
Air Canada also will not consider a merger until Canadian is able to
restructure its heavy debt load, including its operating lease obligations.
Milton is typically blunt: "I'm willing to develop restructured finances and
relationships with these creditors that make sense for them and us on a
long-term basis . . . but they're going to have to be reasonable. And if
they're not . . . I might as well let it fall apart and just buy assets
through the court with the permission of the judge." Through early March,
Canadian had made substantial progress in this regard, having reached
agreement in principle with creditors representing 55 aircraft in its fleet.
But the biggest challenge isn't fixing Canadian's balance sheet or
figuring out where to put resources. The biggest challenge, says Milton, is
managing employee expectations. "I know that because our people have never
been through an acquisition and because the Canadian employees have been
through so much turmoil for so many years, the anxiety levels are high. I
just hope they will be patient and watch it unfold, because it's going to be
spectacular."


Ugly duckling balance sheet


Combining Air Canada's already leveraged balance sheet—made more so by
its C$1.1 billion recapitalization plus the acquisition of Canadian and some
portion of its C$3 billion in debt and off-balance-sheet lease
obligations—will result in a debt and lease load for the two airlines of
close to C$10 billion, with around C$6.6 billion of that residing at Air Canada.
"Our balance sheet wasn't pretty even before Onex," CEO Robert Milton
agrees. "I look at our position as being somewhat similar to the US guys
maybe four years ago. Yes, our balance sheet is in kind of rough shape. But
at the same time we have a [unique] opportunity and it's my expectation and
commitment that we're going to begin throwing off massive earnings. Yeah,
we'll need a few years . . . but we have not found it restrictive at all in
terms of getting the financing we need, and we've got ample liquidity to
maintain that." At year end Air Canada had C$521 million in cash and unused
credit facilities plus financing commitments of more than C$610 million.



Powerful performance


Air Canada's success in besting American Airlines and Onex Corp.
paradoxically overshadowed its strong operational and financial recovery
from the impact of the 13-day pilot strike in September 1998 that pushed it
into a full-year loss for the first time since 1993. In fact, despite Onex's
attempts to portray Air Canada as a stagnating underachiever during the
takeover drama, the airline enjoyed record operating income of C$503 million
in 1999 for an operating margin of 7.7%, its best in 27 years. Net earnings
of C$213 million on revenues of C$6.5 billion represented a solid turnaround
from a loss of C$16 million on sales of C$5.9 billion in 1998.
Adjusting for the negative impact of the strike on 1998 operations, 1999
revenues rose 5% while passenger revenues increased 6% despite a 1% decline
in seat-miles. Passenger yield was up 5% while RASM climbed 7%. On the cost
side adjusting for the strike, CASM increased 5% but only 3% when rising
airport and navigation charges are excluded. Operating margin was ahead 1.3
percentage points.
Throughout the year ontime performance improved steadily, and for the
full year the airline recorded a 5-point improvement over 1998.



Star power


Air Canada expects to reap C$500 million in revenue from its
participation in the Star Alliance this year, according to CEO Robert
Milton. But revenue tells only part of the story because the profit margin
on Star revenue is well above average, he explains.
"This past year we were a 7.7% operating margin airline. The Star
activity could be twice that. So the Star Alliance is probably pushing C$75
million in profitability down to the bottom line. This is a massively
important and massively successful story for us and all the Star
participants. When these routes come online and the association with the
Star partners kicks in, the results are phenomenal. Even a route like
Toronto-Copenhagen, which is a joint venture with SAS, a lot of us weren't
sure . . . we knew the summer would be OK, but we're into the winter and the
results are great."


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. Remember when?
On May 22nd 1959 Victoria's Patricia Bay airport was renamed
Victoria International Airport.
Dorval, Montreal's airport was opened September 1st 1941.
The first air bridge in Canada was installed by Air Canada at Dorval on
December 1st 1966.
St. Hubert in QC was the first airport to introduce a passenger toll in Canada.
Surprised? This was authorized in 1927 no less, and many assumed this
to be an innovation of the 1970's. The passenger toll for each
passenger carried was .10c, except passengers in transit. The
toll must be paid by the operators at the close of each day.
Trans-Canada Air Lines began service from St. Hubert in 1938 using the
10 passenger Lockheed L10 (Electra) until 1941, when the service was
moved to Dorval. Dorval opened on September 1st 1941.
Trans-Canada Air Lines inaugurated service YUL-PIK with Canadair DC4M
CF-TEL on April 15th 1947.


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. Found on the internet.


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. Terry's travel tips.
When travelling on British Midland be aware that Hand Baggage allowances
should not exceed 45" overall dimensions (H+W+L) and with a maximum
weight of 7 kilos.


News from the World Airlines Clubs Association (WACA)
Hosted by the Airline Club of Singapore -
Great Singapore Sales and Malaysia Tour 2000 -
June 29th - July 4th  - priced at sgd$850.00
Package includes: 6 night accommodation, full board,
cultural dances, transportation & transfer in Malaysia
and more
DEADLINE: May 31st.
Further details This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or your local interline club.
Sweden Interline Club is hosting the Nordic Adventure 2000 -
July 19 - 24th priced at sek4600
Package includes: 5 nights accommodations, 5 breakfast,
2 lunches, 5 dinners with beverages, a welcome cocktail,
2 sightseeing tours, 2 guided tours, entrance fees,
bus from STO to OSL.
DEADLINE: June 5th.
Further details This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fax 46-8-791-82-81 or your
nearest interline club.


Dargal Interline -
Great Escapes May 3rd Vision of the Sea - 11 nights
Honolulu to Vancouver from us$68.00 pp per night.
Thru 'till October, Norwegian Majesty - 7 nights
Boston return from us$63.00 per person per night.
12 days to see Europe. May 12 Lisbon - Istanbul
May 24 Istanbul to Rome.
either from us$64.00 per day.
From us$66.00 per day you can enjoy the Caribbean aboard
the Grand Princess for 7 days from Ft. Lauderdale.
Alaska is only from us$68.pp per day - 11 days round trip from
San Francisco  departs May 26th
Port fees/Gov't fees additional on all the above.
Is Derby Fishing your thing?
2nd annual fishing derby in Queen Charlotte Islands
5 days Aug 22 - 26th.
or  1st  annual Women's derby for 3 days on Quadra Island, BC
July 24-26th.
Call 1-800-690-3223 for more details.


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. Smilie.
Gord  Dalziel  sends this 'sick' joke!
Take Out
I had an offer from a large company and they offered to fly me
out to the meeting on business class.  During the return flight
we were given gourmet brownies and cookies.  Not hungry, I decided
to save them for later, so I placed them in a vomit bag.  After
the plane landed I got up to leave and a stewardess approached me.
She asked, "Sir, would you like for me to dispose of that for you?"
I said, "No thanks, I'm saving it for my kids."
Gord  Dalziel


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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   <
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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)


Number 475  April 23rd, 2000,  We first Published in October 1995


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


<NEW>   e-mail address is:    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. PIONAIRS AGM
Just thought we'd let you all know that if you're attending the Pionairs AGM
on April 29, 2000 we might see you there.
Alan Rust (ACFamily.Net),
Terry Baker (The NetLetter),
and Tom Grant (A-Crew & RAPCAN) will be setting up a little display to explain
the workings of our respective Internet areas of the AC Family Network.
We hope to meet as many of you as possible.
Vesta won't be able to make it, but will be there in spirit!


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. We welcome -
Bliss FitzRandolph retired Passenger Sales and Service, Airport lives
in Bridgetown, NS  email     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Claire Ash   I am immediate past chairman of the national board of CAIRE
retired Manager Leisure Travel Canadian Airlines International
and living in Richmond, BC      email <mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>clare1@netcom<mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>.ca
Mike Davidson.   I was a Flight Dispatcher   in Toronto  for 28yrs.
My email address is <mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>f86t33@netcom<mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>.ca


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. May like to know!
Subject: Website Update
The editor of the Air Canada Retired Employees' Website (A-Crew)
www.acfamily.net/acrew announces that major renovations to the website
have been completed.
These include consolidation of sections from the
AVIA Aviation Links website (e.g photo gallery. exhibits & history,
Canadian airports and airlines, airshows), shared sections and pages with
the Retired Airline Pilots of Canada website (RAPCAN) and the introduction
of Headline News.
A structural outline can be seen at
www.acfamily.net/airshared/sitemap.htm
- Tom Grant


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. Subject: Industry Update, April 20.2000
Integration teams have successful meeting in Montreal


Last week integration team leaders attended a two-day meeting in
Montreal to present an overview of integration progress in their
individual areas. Each team presented a full plan which included
detailed business strategies, financial targets, and broad timelines
of events which will take place over the next 12-18 months. The
results of the meetings were presented to the Integration Steering
Committee on Monday, April 17 for review. This review process should
be completed in a few weeks. More details will be provided when they
are available.


CANADIAN'S DEBT RESTRUCTURING MAKING PROGRESS


Those creditors of Canadian Airlines who will be affected by a plan of
arrangement will be provided with copies of the plan and a disclosure
statement beginning April 25, and will be able to review Canadian's
plan for restructuring its debt. Those creditors will have until May
26 - when a vote of the creditors will be held - to decide whether to
support the plan. In March, Canadian was granted court protection from
its creditors under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA)
while it restructured approximately $3.4 billion in debt. On Friday,
Alberta's Court of Queen's Bench in Calgary approved the letters of
intent that had been entered into with a number of Canadian's
creditors in conjunction with the restructuring. The letters required
court approval under the terms of the CCAA. To date, Canadian has
reached agreement with creditors representing over 90 per cent of the
aircraft that Canadian intends to continue operating
post-restructuring, and is on target to complete restructuring by
early June.


AIR CANADA PILOTS ASSOCIATION (ACPA) FILES FOR CONCILIATION.


ACPA, the union representing Air Canada's pilots, has requested the
assistance of a conciliation officer in an attempt to resolve the
remaining issues involved in this round of collective bargaining.
Under the Canada Labour Code, a conciliator must be appointed no later
than 15 days from the request being submitted. Air Canada welcomes the
assistance of a conciliator.


VOLUNTARY SEPARATION PAROGRAM PACKAGE (VSP) UPDATE.


On April 17, VSP packages were mailed to the homes of all eligible
Management and non-unionised Administrative & Technical Support (AT&S)
employees at Air Canada and Canadian Airlines. At this time, pending
the outcome of continuing discussions with union representatives, the
VSP isn't being made available to CAW and other unionised groups. The
VSP Call Centre is only able to answer questions from employees who've
received VSP packages. CAW and other unionised employees are asked not
to phone the VSP Call Centre.


THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS CONTINUES  ITS STUDY OF BILL C-26.


A number of witnesses, including the Commissioner of Competition,
representatives from Canada 3000 and Air Transat, and groups like the
Canadian Bar Association have already appeared before the Committee.
More hearings are scheduled for the week of May 1. Several customer
service issues have been raised along with others such as creating an
airline industry ombudsman and providing service to small communities.
On May 4, Robert Milton will appear before the Committee. Stay tuned
for more on the progress of Bill C-26 through Parliament!


PARTIAL CLOSURE OF DOMESTIC EMPRESS LOUNGE AT T3


On Thursday, April 13, the second floor of Canadian Airlines' Domestic
Empress Lounge closed. Air Transat will renovate the area and turn it
into office space. The main floor will remain open until late May. To
accommodate passenger overflow, customers will be provided with
transportation to the International Lounge.


NEW MAINTENANCE TRAINING IN LONDON, ENGLAND


Canadian Airlines maintenance staff currently operate from Terminal 2
at London, Heathrow, and will continue to service Canadian Airlines
flights when they move to T3 in June. Line Maintenance management at
both Canadian and Air Canada are working on integration strategies to
provide better coverage to each carrier's aircraft. Because of the
requirements of the Department of Transport, Air Canada and Canadian
Airlines staff will be undertaking additional training to enable
service to be provided to each carrier's aircraft when the maintenance
operations move towards integration.


Canadian Flight Attendants graduate from Air Canada program


72 Flight Attendants on Leave of Absence to work for Air Canada
graduated this past week. By all accounts, Air Canada is pleased with
the quality of the successful participants. The second class of Flight
Attendants on leave with AC are expected to graduate at the end of
April.


Employee Communications, YULNNAC


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. We recently related an experience by Ken Flach on a cruise, here is some more -
After some 2 days of rough seas in the Pacific, we came to Easter Island. The
weather prevented some 300 passengers from tendering back to the ship. It got
dark as there were no lights on the dock, and with the severe storm, there was
only a barn for shelter which had no sides and was not much help with driving
wind and rain. All the passengers were standing huddled in the barn, cold and
standing in about 3 inches of mud. With a population of 2,000, it seemed everyone
turned out to bring blankets and plastic sheeting. The locals entertained by
singing and dancing in their native attire in the rain and mud. The light from cars
assisted in seeing. Some passengers were taken into local homes for over night
shelter. We were fortunate enough to go into a hotel around midnight. It was an
experience I was glad to be part of. With the island people sharing their homes
the hospitality was overwhelming.
The next stop was Pitcairn Island. The lesson had been learnt, with marginal
weather, there was no tendering. Instead, all 44 people came out to the ship.
The brought their handicrafts, carvings, straw articles etc. After the passengers
had purchased most of the articles, they were served with lunch. Visiting with
them was very interesting, it seems every other one was named Christian.
Then on to Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Fiji, New Calendonia and Australia.
Moorea Island was by far the most beautiful, but Bali the least expensive.
Dinner for four, wine and atmosphere etc, the waiter, when we were paying
the bill asked if we had anything smaller than the $20.00 bill we gave him.
Sailing in the Strait of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia, you have
to be prepared for pirates. They have been known to throw a hook and line
onto the railing of ships and armed with guns and knives,climb aboard easily.
Freighters are most vulnerable because of having few people on board. As a
precaution at night, our crew members patrol with large machetes and lights
with two fire hoses mounted astern and turn on full blast. There was a rumour
that 5 ships had been attacked the previous week.
We crossed the equator 3 times during our trip.
Ken Flach.


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. Found on the internet.
Atlanta International has overtaken Chicago O'Hare as the world's busiest
airport with a 909,000 movements in 1999. This figure is more than double
that of London's Heathrow and more than all the London airports combined.


Air France's last Boeing B747-100 reg F-BPVL msn 20798 departed Paris
on Feb 9th for Thailand where it will serve as a restaurant.


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. Terry's travel tips.
"Interlining Plus" formerly Canadian Interline Travel offers these -
Seabourn on Sale!    Approx. $8,000us retail - NOW $1,045us
Won't Last CALL NOW!
Visit the British Isles Sailing June 15, 2000 for 14 Days
Incredible Price from $1045us  from Copenhagen, Denmark return
or
Visit Scandinavia/Russia  ...Aboard the Seabourn Sun
Sailing June 29, 2000 for 14 Days
Incredible Price from $1045us from Copenhagen, Denmark return
LAST MINUTE DEALS!
WOW!
Mexican Baja Aboard the Viking Serenade 3 Days
from $100us  Sailing Dates: May 15-29
MEDITERRANEAN, 5 Star Deals!
...Aboard the Legend of the Sea, Sailing May 27, 2000 from Barcelona return
for 7 Day  from $244us (Inside or from $444us (Ocean View)
Note: This cruise retail price starts at $1380us
ALASKA, Huge Savings!
...Aboard the Mercury Sailing May 26, 2000 from Seward to Vancouver
for 7 Day  from $299us (Inside) or from $499us (Ocean View)
Note: This cruise retail price starts at $919us
Or
...Aboard the Mercury Sailing May 19, 2000 from Vancouver to Seward
for 7 Day from $499us (Inside) or from $599us (Ocean View)
All rates are per person double occupancy - taxes + port charges NOT
included. All Interline fares are at the discretion of the particular
supplier and C.I.T. reserves the right to secure and\or
obtain alternatives to the above fares offered where conditions warrant.
Call 1-800-665-3100


From: "Dargal"
May 27 - 7 nights - Royal Caribbean - Legend of the Seas.
Barcelona/Spain, Palma de Mallorca/Spain, Marseilles/France,
Livorno (Florence)/Italy, Naples/Italy, Olbia/Sardinia, At Sea, Barcelona
Inside $244   Outside $444   Superior Ocean View Stateroom or Suite $644
3rd and 4th sharing $44.   Port Charges $155 are additional.
All rates are US$ per person, based on double occupancy
and subject to availability and eligibility. Applies to New Bookings Only.
For more information on these and other specials - contact us at:
DARGAL Interline 1-800-690-3223


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. Smilies.
Some 'squawks' or maintenance complaints submitted by US Air Force -
Problem: 'Left inside main tire almost needs replacement'
Answer: 'Almost replaced left inside tire'
Problem: 'Dead bugs on windshield'
Answer: "Live bugs on order'
Problem: 'Evidence of leak on right main landing gear'
Answer: 'Evidence removed'.
Problem: 'Aircraft handles funny'
Answer: 'Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious'
Problem" 'Target Radar hums'
Answer: 'Reprogrammed Target Radar with the words'
Problem: 'Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick'
Answer: 'That's what they are there for.


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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 change your Address Books.
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and 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
===============================================================

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


Number 474  April 22nd, 2000,  We first Published in October 1995


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


<NEW>   e-mail address is:    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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


. Message from Saville Hambleton - President of Air Canada Pionairs -
Hi All;
I am pleased to announce that for the first time, the National Executive
Board of the Pionairs will meet their Canadian Airlines Central Executive
Board counterparts, face to face, in an informal get together next Wednesday
April 26th. This is just another step in a longer process that has been very
successfully started with contacts at the social level through Pionair
District Directors and CAIRE Chapter Presidents.
On the 26th with the assistance of Doug Lovat, Director of Pensions and
Employee Benefits, we will attempt nothing more than a meet and greet
session with discussions between all parties on the possibility of setting
up a further series of meetings that will ultimately result in both our
organizations joining as one. One must caution that, that moment is still
well in the future but, the result will be a 9000 member organization that
won't just 'represent' Canada's commercial airline heritage, we 'will be'
Canada's commercial airline heritage.
Best Regards, Saville Hambleton President Air Canada Pionairs


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. Don't forget the Annual General Meeting 'PARTY2000' being held April 28-30th
in Vancouver B.C.
The Pionair Executive promises this to be the best this century!


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. Michael Power sends us his bio -
I retired on May 1st. 1984 and at the time of my retirement was Manager
Special Sales in Toronto. I was a young Irish immigrant(ex Aer Lingus,
Shannon) when I joined TCA on Jan 15th. 1951 and spent my entire TCA/AC
career in Toronto - Reservations, Personnel, Sales Rep./Mgr.
Very pleased to have already received a note from a Toronto fellow employee,
now  residing in Texas, whom I haven't seen or heard from in many many years.
Regards - mike.  <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>


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. News from the districts.
Don Hancock - Director of Vancouver Pionairs sends us this update -
YVR PIONAIRS SPRING LUNCHEON MARCH 22nd 2000.
YVR Pionairs enjoyed a Spring Luncheon at the Quilchena Golf and Country
Club on March 22nd.
Special guest speaker, George Reeleder, AC General Manager Customer
Service BC and Pacific Rim was most interesting as he spoke at length of
the ongoing merging of AC and CP flight schedules, the challenges and the
opportunities, the new routes, new destinations, and the exciting outlook
for the future both within North America and Internationally.
Special guests were introduced including Pionair Jack Dyment, and visiting
from Victoria, National Executive 2nd V/P Kay Napolitano and husband Syl,
Margaret Cantwell, Bruce Gibson, and Nancy and Mervin Walchuk.
Also special guest Mike Evans Chair of YVR District CAIRE
(Canadian Airlines International Retired Employees), who spoke of the
goodwill, friendship, and cooperation developing between Pionairs and
CAIRE and that expectations for the future should involve the merging
of the two organizations at the earliest possible time.
A special occasion was recognized in that Estelle Laing was celebrating
her birthday on March 22nd.
Many beautiful prizes were drawn for including a beautiful hand painted
ceramic bowl in memory of Ken Cantwell, a longtime AC employee at
YVRA. Background music during the meet and greet happy hour and during
the luncheon was provided by Pat McEwan and Shirley Lee. This added
much to the occasion.
The importance of the upcoming AGM was stressed and the availability of one
event tickets was well received.


Pionairs Coffee Clubs have been established in four locations and meet
once per month at 1000am.


White Rock 1st Tuesday Whitespot152ns St at 16th Ave,


Tsawwassen, 2nd Tuesday Whitespot, 12th St at 56th Ave.,


Richmond, 2nd Wednesday, Whitespot, # 3 Rd at Save On Foods,


Ladner, 4th Tuesday, Rickys Restaurant, Trenant Park Shopping Centre,
Ladner Trunk Road.


A YVR Pionairs BBQ is scheduled for August 10, followed by the fall
Luncheon in late October and a Xmas Red Hat Luncheon in early December.
For  further info E Mail Don Hancock This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


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. Michael Evans President Canadian retirees Vancouver chapter sends this update -
Elections today 2000/2001 board of CAIRE chapter 1 YVR as follows:
Reelected Mike Evans  - President,  Al Yallouz - Treasurer,
John Smerdon - 2nd VP.
Elected Ian Becket/ Lois Dickenson equal first VP's,
Nina Morrison - Ssecretary,  Social Sec tba .
Meetings at  Scottish Cultural Centre (after seeing Braveheart movie I know
Scottish and cultural make oxymoron)  Hudson & 73 in Marpole,
Vancouver.
Meetings September thru June, on the third Thurs day of month,
coffee at 0930, meeting starts at 10.30,.
No meetings July and August.   All welcome even Scots!
CAIRE Annual lunch June 6 at Bayshore Inn Hotel, Vancouver.
tickets $20 per head.
"michael evans" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>


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. CF-TCC (update) - from Alan Rust, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Last month we announced that the AC Family Network is hosting and
maintaining a web site dedicated to CF-TCC. The 2000 spring/summer
schedule is now Online listing all the stops TCC will be making on it's
annual "Trans Canada" journey for Dreams Take Flight starting on
April 26, 2000.
Visit the web site to learn about the history of this "Classy Lady" and its
work with the "Dreams Take Flight" program.
We have exclusive photos provided by Al MacLeod among our collection
of over 80 photos and movie clips taken on its annual cross Canada trips.
The web site is available off our main page at: www.acfamily.net
(under "Our Family") or directly through this link: http://www.acfamily.net/tcc/


Alan MacLeod follows with this update -
Subject: Lockheed CF-TCC


For your information I am going to get the Lockheed out of storage from
the Western Canadian Aviation Museum next week. The maintenance
engineers have been busy doing some work and it is going to be ready to
fly on the 26th April.
Same pilots as last year will be operating again this summer.
Capt. Ken Patry, Capt. Ted Dodds , Capt. Gerry Norberg, Capt. Harvey Reid
and yours truly.
The summer schedule, for those interested on the Netletter, has been
posted on the CF-TCC website along with some interesting movies of the
aircraft. It can accessed from: :  www.acfamily.net/tcc/
Thanks to Alan Rust for posting and maintaining this interesting site.
Regards for now,  Al. MacLeod  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. One of our Pionairs from Vancouver Island has recently returned from a cruise with his
wife and two buddies.
Ken and Anne Flach has sent us some stories of the cruise which may interest you.
The cruise was with World Cruise Co arranged through Interlining Plus
(Was Canadian Interline).
Starting in Athens Greece, the following countries were visited -
Tunisia, Morocco, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Brazil, Argentina, Falkland Islands,
Antarctica, Chile, Pitcairn Island, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, New Calendonia,
Australia, Indonesia, Maldives, Seychelles, Kenya, Eritrea, Jordan, Egypt and Israel.
As you can guess this was not a 7 day'er but took 127 days! The cruise, on the
m/v Ocean Explorer,  departed November 20th and returned to Athens March 26th.
The visit to the Falkland Islands was by zodiacs to look at colonies of penguins and
the nesting area of the Black Browed Albatross, which has a wing span of some 7 foot.
Several types of penguins were observed, including the unique Rock Hopper.
2 days at Christmas was spent in the Antartic, and the Millennium in Santiago, Chile.
Being an inaugural trip, there were a few problems, most of the crew were Greek and
there were problems with communication. No point in asking for help as it was better
to do it oneself. Ken learned how to fix the pressure toilet. Duct tape and flashlight
were a must! Rooms were so cold he had to plug the vents with towels, and the
port holes leaked in rough weather.
To move the 600 people off  the ship was by zodiac. It was a first time using this kind
of transport for so many people into area where rocks and ice chunks are a hazard to
the props. The zodiacs  were organized and operated with people belonging to
Northern Explorations from  Victoria on Vancouver Island, and are used for whale
watching.
On the positive side, the staff really tried hard. The food was the best, and Ken
rated the cruise at 8 out of 10.
While in Santiago, the ship was chartered by the Young Presidents Club of America.
A qualification of this club is to be under the age of 40 with a company which grosses
24 million a year. They were a very demanding group, and so they should be having
to pay $2,000 per day for 7 days.
More next time.


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. Charles Mackie sends us this update -
Subject: Re CAHS Meeting Apr 11
We had a successful meeting on April 11th, first a group of us
had Luncheon at Marys Coffee bar and held our third meeting of the
Canadain Aviation Historical Society  at the BC Aviation Museum at
Victoria Airport in the Norseman Room .
I rushed through the dull stuff like minutes etc to let our
speaker Jim Brown from Pender Island give his slide presentation re
Eddie Hubbard of Boeing Aviation
Jim showed us slides of the early pioneer days of Eddie Hubbard
who was one of the first pilots that Boeing had
in Seattle and influences Boeing to produce the first Boeing B1 a flying
boat, and in many other early models of Boeing aircraft.
Hubbard flew the first airmail flight Between Seattle and
Victoria on October 15 , 1919. and flew for 7 years between Seattle and
Victoria and never missed a flight despite the foggy weather over the
Straits of Juan de Fuca.  He also convinced Boeing to bid for the mail
and passenger route from San Francisco to Chicago in 1927 .and
influences them to resurrect a 1925 Mail plane  to fly the route and
Boeing built 25 of them called the Boeing Model 40 .
Jim Brown had a great selection of slides of the early flying
boats and of the First Airmail flights to Victoria. He also has an
extensive collection of First Mail Covers included those of the first
flights to Victoria.  He also has a collection over over 12 Thousand
stamps related to Aviation and called himself an "aerophilateist.
.Jim Is also the author of "Hubbard, The Forgotten Boeing
Aviaton" on which he did extensive research and received rave reviews of
his book.  For anyone interested the Book is ISBN 0-89716-651-5.
--     Our next Meeting with be June 13th at the above location and I
have lined up a speaker Elwood White who is very well versed in all
sorts of different aircraft that have flown up and down the BC coast
over the years.
Hope to see you at our next meeting
Best Regards
Charles J. L. Mackie, Pres of Vanouver Island Chapter of the CAHS
<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>


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. Terry's travel tips.
Linda Reverchon  sends this for accommodations near Vancouver -
The Executive Inn (formerly Howard Johnson's) on Bridgeport Road, in
Richmond, BC (Near the airport) was quoted  $59.00 plus tax
and including continental breakfast. The rate originally quoted was
higher, but she lowered it when I said I was an AC retiree. My husband
and I stayed there for a good price a couple of years ago and found the
accommodations satisfactory. During the years I worked in Passenger
Service at YVRTRAC, we often used the Executive Inn on Westminster
Highway for "inconvenienced" passengers, getting a rate there.
Linda R. <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>


Travelling to London, England?
Air Canada customers boarding the Heathrow Express can save 25%. Until
May 30, customers who present their Air Canada boarding pass at the
Heathrow Express ticket booth prior to hopping the Heathrow Express
from Paddington Station to London's Heathrow International Airport can
save 25% on the fare.


Visiting Sydney? That's down under!
Devere Hotel,  44-46 Macleay Street,  Sydney, NSW Australia 2011
Phone +61 2 9358 1211  Fax +61 2 9358 4685    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.devere.com.au
The Devere Hotel is a 3 star, 100 room boutique style hotel.
The Devere is situated in the trendy bayside suburb of Potts Point.
Only 2 km from Sydneys CBD   and 10km from the airport.
Reservations in advance by phone, fax or email.
Rate of AUS$79.00 (plus 10% State Government tax per room per night)
single or double occupancy offered to active and retired airline employees.
Based on availability. Must show valid id at check-in.


Jamaica Dream Villas, Columbus Heights,  Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Phone 770-4360416 or 7704365676   Email:     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Regular rate $1500.
Pos space Airline rate us$699 -  7 days 6 nights for 2 adults & 2 kids
RATED BEST AIRLINE DEAL ON 1ST CLASS GROUP OR
FAMILY VACATION (added adults $200 each daily.)


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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 473  April 20th, 2000,  We first Published in October 1995


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


<NEW>   e-mail address is:    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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


. Need to know.
RUMOURS


Rumour: The Competition Bureau isn't happy with the way the
integration of Air Canada (AC) and Canadian Airlines (CDN) is
evolving.
Truth: This is false. While the process is taking longer than
expected, AC has committed to meeting all requirements established by
the federal government and the Competition Bureau.


Rumour: Canadian Regional Airlines' (CRA) part time employees are
working 25 hours a week. As a consequence, AC part time employees are
experiencing reduced hours.
Truth: This is false.


Rumour: Administrative and Technical Service (A&TS) employees at CDN
are unionised. Their jobs will be protected at the expense of AC's
non-unionised A&TS employees.
Truth: This is false.


Rumour: The Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) applies only to
Canadian-based employees.
Truth: This is false. The primary function of the VSP is to address
imbalances and surpluses caused by integration. The final details of
the VSP are being completed. In late April, eligible employees will
receive a detailed information package. AC will provide a 1-800 number
to assist these employees in answering questions regarding the
Program.


Rumour: AC will layoff 800 CDN Cabin Services staff at the end of the
two-year commitment of no layoffs.
Truth: Like many areas of both airlines' operations, integration teams
have been looking at how we conduct our business and various options
are being considered, but no decisions have yet been made


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


Q: AC Call Centres have been advised to accept and book reservations
on CDN. Have the CDN Call Centres been advised to book AC?
A: Yes.


Q: Why aren't we giving AC all the Toronto-Ottawa flights, and CDN
another route entirely? What's the rationale for splitting the route?
A: The decision to share the routes is based on our objective to look
at the combined fleet and make our decision based on providing the
right aircraft to the right market at the right time.


Q: What's the status of the Regional integration process?
A: An integration structure has been formalized that outlines
responsibilities for core departments and sub teams. The teams are
looking for "quick wins" and synergies in the Regional Airlines'
current operations and the best way to move forward toward a single
Regional airline. In the meantime, the Regional Airlines remain
focused on the priorities of maintaining safe and reliable operations,
and implementing the 2000 Summer schedule.


Send any rumours you've heard to Employee Communications
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., fax (514) 422-5104, or tely YULNNAC


BOOKING AND LISTING NON REVENUE TRAVEL ON AC-OPERATED FLIGHTS
Canadian Airlines employees and retirees booking non-revenue positive space or
making space available listings on any AC-operated flight, must make a call
directly to AC. You cannot book or list non revenue travel on a CP
codeshare flight number.  Air Canada Call Centre 1-800-413-1113
HOW DO 'WET LEASES' AFFECT PASS TRAVEL
Simply stated, not at all. If CDN is wet leasing aircraft and crew  to AC,
all the CRSs will still show this as an AC-operated flight, and it then
follows that you are flying on AC for pass travel rules. The opposite is
also true, if AC wet leases us a plane with crew, but the flight shows as
CP-operated in Sabre, then you would utilize your CDN pass privileges. So be
sure to check who is stated as the  'operating' carrier,  when you list for the flight.


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. Pab Wispinski sends us some stories from the 60's at YEG -
Rookie Radio Operator, was told to get run-way reports from in-coming files due to
snow and ice.
Incoming flight from Calgary, Operator :" Flight 151 from Edmonton, how did you find
the runway?"
Reply, "  I guess I was Lucky".
Incoming Flights had to report reasons for their delayed arrival, (time on the ground,
arrival at ramp, and reason for  Delay  I.E. Weather, Delay or Air Traffic Control,  Etc.)
Flight landed YEG reported time on and time In. Operator confirmed times, and
questioned what is reason for delay.
Capt Radiod Back:  "  Delay FWR"
Radio operator: " What does that stand for?"
Capt : " Following wrong rail-road"


Be careful when talking to a Pilot -
Back in the days when we had no Bridges for arriving passengers, AsaA Ramp
Supervisor I was walking (rampside) of the terminal Building, and noticed a
Captain walking towards me looking up at the Building and looking confused.
I stopped and said, "Are you lost?".  The Captain looked quite annoyed, and said
quote " I'm never lost, I just don't know where I'm at." Unquote.


Captain & First officerdDeplane ( Again no Bridges)  and are proceeding towards
terminal building.  A passenger stopsthe  First officer and questions him?
The Captain proceeds to operations room. Whenthe  F/O finally arrives,  the
Captain asks him,  "What did the passenger want?" The   First officer replies,
" He wanted to know why you can see the ribs in the Viscount wing as soon as the
aircraft is airborne", the Captain responded  "What did you tell him?"
The First Officer said  " I told him that I guess they didn't make the wing strong enough."
Pab Wispinski(YXD Retired) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>


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. From the RAPCAN newsletter issued by Duane Frerichs  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
. INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL OFFERS EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT
The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival takes place Apr.
25-30.  As CDN is a sponsor, both CDN and AC employees are eligible
for a discount on The International Festival Tasting portion of this
event.  The Tasting portion takes place nightly from 1900 to 2200,
April 27 to 29 at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at (604)280-4444 and
employees must identify themselves as working for CDN or AC to
obtain the sponsor discount.  The regular price, including taxes and
service charges is $57.75; employees pay $52.75.  Known as the
"heart" of the Festival, the International Festival Tastings feature
158 wineries from 16 countries, pouring over 600 wines, all under
one roof
TRANSITIONAL LIVERY COVERING CDN'S FLEET
Robert Milton unveiled our new livery to employees and media in the YYZ
Convair Hangar on Feb. 9. Since then, employees have asked, "as the
transition of CDN's livery progresses, how many planes have been painted to
date?" Terry Jones, M&E's Manager of Maintenance Scheduling advised as of
today, a total of 23 B737s have been painted. Another B737 will be painted
in YVR during its heavy  maintenance visit, and is due for completion by Apr. 25.
As well, two B767s have been painted, and a third B767 is currently being
painted in the AC's YYZ paint facility
You can see exciting photos on our website at www.cdnair.ca


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. For the Viscount affectionadoes -
A recent article in a newsgroup was -
Here at St-Hubert airport (CYHU) in Canada, there's a Vickers Viscount that
is parked forever. It carries registration number: "N6225C". Is there any
way to track down its history, who the owner was, if its still fit to fly,
value, manufacture date, etc...
The exterior is pretty well maintained with all its 4 engines. No apparent
damage is visible.  When I went it the cockpit last summer, some instruments
are ripped apart, other than that it seems like a nice plane and I'm
curious to know its backround (since I'm a *BIG* Viscount fan).
Reed Park <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>, one of our readers wrote:
N6225C indicates that it was an American registration.
Canada would have been CF or CG then a 3 letter code
such as CF-TCC. I too have fond memories of many hours in
Viscounts. My Dad used to fly them with TCA which in the
mid 60's became Air Canada.
Regards   Reed
A comment from a Brian Maddison reads -
There never was a Viscount registered N6225C. Somebody probably
painted that on as a joke,
or because they thought it was a Constellation !
Almost certainly this aircraft is C-FTID, a V757 model serial number 384.
Delivered to TCA in March 1959, passed to Air Canada and sold to
Pratt & Whitney (Canada) Nov 1972.
For many years it was used as a flying  testbed for various PW engines and
at one point had a PT6 mounted in the nose. Was replaced by Boeing 720
C-FETB in the 1989 and has been parked at St.Hubert. No longer registered
and not having flown for ten years is probably unlikely to do so again.
A K.R.Crrok writes:
The last scheduled Viscount flights in the world were operated by
British World Airlines in 1996.
There is a museum in the U.S. - the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in
Reading, PA, - that is restoring a  former Capital Viscount to flyable condition.


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. : Current and former Vancouver Airport / Sea Island Workers are invited to share their memories
and experiences.
Open Houses are currently being conducted 5:30 to 8:30 pm on the second
Thursday of each month from March to June 2000, at the Sea Island Community
Centre, 7140 Miller Road.
Residents, former and present and workers of Sea Island are invited to share
their memories and experiences.
You are or you once may have been associated with Sea Island, Richmond,
British Columbia, Canada (or you had ancestors that were). You may also know
people that were associated with Sea Island. To commemorate the approaching
125th Anniversary of the City of Richmond, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada
in 2004, an ad hoc group of interested volunteers are compiling a history of
Sea Island, its people and industry for a non-profit book titled: "Sea
Island... Arrivals and Departures".
For more information contact:
Doug Eastman   email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Eunice Robinson    email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or: Sharon Bordeleau,   email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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. Remember when?
On August 23rd, 1967, three RCAF T-33's flew low over Pointe Claire, QC.
The fly-past was to mark the unveiling of a memorial to commemorate the first
Air Meet ever held in Canada. The meet, known as the First Canadian
International Air Meet was held on a farm at Lakeside Heights in Pointe Claire
in July 1910. Among those present at the unveiling was J.A.D.McCurdy, who
made the first ever flight in Quebec, Walter Brookens, who set a Canadian
altitude record of 3,510 feet, and Count de Lesseps, who electrified the city
by taking off in his B;eriot monoplane, 'Scarabee', and flying a complete
circuit of Montreal. Other guests were G.R.McGregor, at that time President of
Air Canada.
The memorial, which stands in the grounds of the Pointe Claire City Hall consists
of a futuristic airplane suspended on a cantilever beam over a reflecting pool. The
opposite end of the pool has a granite block with an appropiate plaque.
(Your copilot, who used to live in the area, remembers this memorial, and wonders
if it is still there! - eds )


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.Terry's travel tips.
Bill Hoekman sends us this information -
I would like to make a correction to your netletter # 470, where it states
regarding room rates at the REMADA INN  in Clearwater  are $57 for active
employees. I have been corresponding with the hotel in question and this
rate also includes RETIRED employees.
This is for a standard room. These rates are for space available only.
Bill.Hoekman.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Visiting Lisbon?
Lisbon's International Airport is close to the city centre and should cost about
$10 - $15 for a cab and take about 20 to 40 minutes. The public bus is a cheaper
alternative and is FREE to passengers who arrive in Lisbon by TAP - Air Portugal.
Just show your tickets to the driver.


Switzerland -
Lucerne Break-A-Way Vacation from us$599
Departures Any Day Thru Oct 31, 2000
INCLUDES: Round-trip space available interline air transportation,
6 days/4 nights hotel accommodations with private bath,
continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges.
Switzerland Fly/Drive Vacation from $699
Departures Any Day Thru Oct 31, 2000
INCLUDES: Round-trip interline air transportation,
5 nights hotel accommodations with private bath,
breakfast daily and rental car with unlimited mileage (Category A).
*NOTE: Prices quoted are per person, double occupancy and based
on using the least expensive  air transportation.
Persons traveling single require a single supplement.
Extra night rates available. Season supplements may apply.
Prices do NOT include U.S. departure taxes.
Parents of airline employees may be subject to supplements.
For More Information About These  vacations
Call 1-800-935-9444. Fax 314-968-9568.


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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
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please change your Address Books.
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will get an automatic copy and can keep up with the continuity of
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Why not check out the Air Canada Retired Employees Web Site
http://www.acfamily.net/acrew/
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