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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 648, Dec 29th, 2001 We first published in October 1995.
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
To get in touch with either editor/pilot our email address is
================================================================
. Need to know.
Don Smith advises us that the AIF has been discountinued at YQT
Thunder Bay effective Oct 15/01.
Effective January 2002 travel in most of continental Europe will require Euro
currency.
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" ' "
Subject: Al Brown
. From Phil Pawsey -
Sorry to report that I just had a call from D. A. Ross who advised of Al Browns
passing yesterday, xmas day, in his 91st. year. The funeral will be held in the
St Andrews United Church in Williamstown Ont. at 1400, Dec. 29th.
Al was one of the very early TCA dispatchers and headed up that entire
department for many years. Will forward further details of family names etc.,
if and when it is received.
Phil
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" ' "
. We recently welcomed Marlie & Phillip Kelsey to our readership, and here
are their bios -
Thank you for adding us to your list. Its very interesting reading all the
news. You asked for details on new subscribers so here it goes
Marlie (Field) Kelsey - Worked 18 years with CP. Started in 1969 in YVR with
CPAir in reservations. In 1973 first female to bid to far north that being
Whitehorse. Two part time women who worked there that were restricted to
reservations and ticket office. After I was posted no longer could they
restrict women. The manager had tried to keep me from working there but the
union filed on my behalf and that was the beginning of a lot of changes not
only in YXY but all through the BC district. I worked everywhere, Cargo, ticket
office, airport and reservations. Mostly I worked at the airport doing OD 10
(planning the weight and balance of the aircraft for take off and landings). I
loved it and stayed in the north for 6 years. That's where I met my husband who
was an agent there in his first posting with CP Air. In 1979 I bid to YVR AP
and worked there for a number of years then worked in Customer Relations for 3
years then back to the airport for another few years before taking voluntary
retirement in 1986 to stay home and look after our new daughter. I am now
working on Saltspring as a travel agent at Uniglobe Pacific Travel.
Phillip Kelsey- Worked 25 years with CP/Air Canada. Started in 1973 as an agent
with a posting in YXY with CP Air. Worked all positions there as the agents
rotated through all areas dependant on the shifts they bid for. While Marlie
mostly worked at the airport I worked in Reservations, Cargo, and Ticket
Office. It was a great time to be young and working for the airline. After YXY
I worked in Reservations, then Field Support, back to Reservations as a
supervisor, then Payload Control as a Controller, then Yield Management as an
Analyst, then a variety of other Management positions in Calgary then back to
YVR in Maintenance as Manager of Information Services. Now retired and have a
new career as a Computer Programer/Program Team Leader with Voice Mobility.
Marlie's father Duncan Dingwall McLaren is a past long time Trans Canada,
Canadian Pacific, Pacific Western employee. He started as a bush pilot out of
Cooking Lake in the 1930's with Punch Dickens, Wop May, Grant McConachie, and
many of the oldtimers. Flew with the Hudson's Bay Co when they had an aircraft.
Tested Norseman aircraft during the war He was instrumental in the developement
of the Dew Line while working with PWA. He saw a great many changes in his
lifetime in the aviation industry. He wrote a book in 1992 called BUSH TO
BOARDROOM. A Personal View of Five Decades of Aviation History. So her interest
in the airline industry is not such a surprise.
We look forward to hearing from any old friends and our email is
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" ' "
. Spotted by Dave Baker -
I spied this ad in the Old Autos Newspaper so maybe it is of interest to a
retiree
that is into the automotive hobby:
1937 GMC F33B Cab Over Engine fuel tender previously owned by Trans-Canada
Air Lines, full restoration, 6 cylinder engine, 4 speed transmission. A real
eye catcher. Phone 780-475-2934 [Edmonton AB]
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" ' "
. Remember when!
March 29th 1986 saw the start of Odyssey '86 with the 'Spirit of Vancouver'
taking off on a 30,000-mile journey to 50 cities in 28 countries. The DC-3
flight was to invite everyone to Expo '86 being held in Vancouver BC. The
odyssey ended Jun 7th back in Vancouver.
Once part of the Trans-Canada Air Lines fleet, it was the first P & W engined
DC-3 in TCA's fleet and accumulated 31,000 hours before being sold to the
M.O.T.
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" ' "
. From the RAPCAN eMailNews issued by Duane Frerichs -
Air Canada Trivia:
AIR APPARENT
When it was founded by Ottawa in 1937, Trans-Canada Air Lines, forerunner
to Air Canada, was a paper airline” with no planes or personnel. Thankfully,
neither was it the nation’s first major airline, so it was able to borrow
heavily
from the carrier that held that distinction.
Launched in 1926 by Winnipeg grain baron James Richardson,
Western Canada Airways, later Canadian Airways Ltd., pioneered
safe, reliable passenger flights across Canada, and without its
bush pilots the North would not have been opened up to mineral exploration.
By the late 1920s, Richardson’s airline was the second-largest in the British
empire, trailing only Imperial Airways of Britain, and it led all
North American airlines in the amount of tonnage carried.’ Deprived
of its government mail contracts and most lucrative cross-country routes
by a federal government bent on creating TCA as the nation’s sole
major airline, Richardson’s venture nonetheless survived as
Canadian Airlines, which was acquired by Air Canada in 1999.
In its earliest years, TCA turned to Richardson for some of its first airplanes
and raided Canadian Airways for its first complement of pilots, machinists,
and flight attendants. When they took up their assignments with the new
state-owned airline, a greart many of TCA’s inaugural employees
showed up for work wearing their Canadian Airways uniforms.
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" ' "
. From Ray Bicknell -
Subject: Captain Bob Forrest.
AU REVOIR “LA BUSH”
The news of Bob Forrests passing leaves me with a grudging, stubborn refusal
in my mind to believe that this certainly irrefutable fact is true.
In these times, we are now being conditioned to accept the position that
death is certainly a part of life, and must be part of the celebration of
that life we were such an integral part of all these years. I am gonna have
to work a little harder on that concept, I guess.
I first met Bob in the very early fifties when I wound up in YUL to work for
Trans-Canada Air Line.
My Course had about 30 or so young guys like myself on it. Very few of us
had any exposure to a large cosmopolitan and bi-cultural city, such as
Montreal. The course took most of our waking hours to do any justice to it’s
content. This resulted in our social immersion, in this great and vibrant
centre, being confined to the odd sortie on a week end, to view this new
concept in lifestyles that we found, thrust upon unsuspecting souls by dame
fortune.
To profess enjoyment with our lot would be a major understatement of its
true impact. When the work career began I soon met people that were true
native Montrealais, such as, Bob, Art Brinkworth, Howard Miles, his brother,
Bernie, Howie Noel and Jean Gilbert to name but a few.
I remember old Ernie Hemmingway writing about his early time in the city of
light, good old “Gay Paree”. He wrote an account of same and called it
something like “A Moveable Feast”. Well! Sir old Ern had a way with words,
didn’t he?
I would say that just about describes our Montreal experience. What a
feast! and, what a city! Where could you go to a place like “The Gaiety”
Theatre at midday, and for 75 sous, catch Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, or
any other big namer, in town for a club stint. Head over to Snowdon's and
catch a smoked meat at Chenoys Original Deli, or downtown to Bens, for the
same. The Forum on Sundays for old Quebec senior hockey. Hitting the old
Forum Taverne between periods for a suds. Where else could you take in a
fall Alouette game on a nice day at McGill’s friendly stadium. See Eddie
Hill dart down on the field and abscond with a flag, thrown by one of the
officials, much to that worthy’s dismay, when he went to retrieve same.
Heady, wonderful, memorable times they were. Thanks to Bob Forrest, and that
cadre of young Montreal natives, who shared their moveable feast with us,
and set up so many friendships that endured and are treasured to this day.
Bob’s final approach with the GCA controller up there would read from the
tape something like this:
“By the marker, on course, on glide slope”
“Have you now at 800’, on course, and on the glide”
“At minimums, on course and glide slope, take over visually and land”
“I check you over the button now Captain, “Welcome Home”.
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. Terry's travel tips.
WACA 2002 Calendar of Events
Effective date: 01 January 2002
Date Name of Event Hosting Club Deadline Costppd
MAR 08-18 Thailand Excursion THAILAND 23JAN02 US$620
18-25 China Capitals Tour THAILAND 23JAN02 US$750
APR 07-13 West CoastExperience VANCOUVER 07FEB02 US$496
17-20 Guanajuato Colonial LEON 01APR US$400
MAY 05-10 Cedarland Tour LEBANON 25APR02 US$525
09-12 Jazz on the rock STAVANGER 08APR02 NOK2500
12-16 Kenya Safari NAIROBI TBA TBA
13-18 Sensational Seychelles INDIAN OCEAN 10APR02 US$700
TBA Land of Tequila & MariachiMEXICO TBA TBA
JUN 06-09 Jamaica Jump-Up JAMAICA 15APR TBA
20-24 WACA Football HUNGARY 25APR US$320
27-03JL Singapore Sale & Malaysia Tour
SINGAPORE 31MAY SGD850
SEP 12-16 Iceland Adventure ICELAND 01AUG US$600
OCT 05-13 Romantic Tour to AGA RHEIN-MAIN 15AUG EUR790
13-18 35thAGA HUNGARY 08AUG
Pkg A US$520 Pkg A+B US$670
TBA Desert Splendor JORDAN TBA TBA
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" ' "
. Smilie.
Sent in by Lawson Tremellen -
The local television news crew was covering a single engine plane crash
that had occurred on the large front lawn of a private dwelling. While the
reporter described what had happened, the camerman panned the grounds. He
couldn't resist however, pausing for a moment on the sign hanging from the
mailbox: NO FLYERS.
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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.org/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 a service of the ACFamily Network
**************http://www.acfamily.net
**************
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==================================================================
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T H E _| TCA |_
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N E T L E T T E R > CANADA <
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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 647 Dec 24th, 2001, We first Published in October 1995
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
To get in touch with either editor/pilot our email address is
=================================================================
. Found on the internet -
The Department of Transportation have given Santa the green light to make
multiple touch-and-go landings across Canada tonight to drop off
packages for millions of girls and boys. In receiving his certificate
for travel, Santa stressed to leery DOT representatives that he
personally packed all his bags, that they have remained in his sight
since he packed them and that none of the elves asked him to carry a
package for them.
...AS ELVES RUSH TO REPLACE RUDOLPH'S INTERMITTENT TRANSPONDER
Though the DOT and Mr Collenette have approved the travel plans, the Department
of
Defense will be keeping a watchful eye. Sources statethat the jolly
ol' elf has been asked not to loiter over power plants, sporting events,
water sources or military bases, or act suspicious in any way. Plus, he
needs to guard 121.5 on the new handheld radio Mrs. Claus surprised him
with last year, and if an F-16 pulls abeam Donner and Blitzen, he should
make for the nearest chimney.
Phil Avis Audio Visual Cordinator YUL sent this from Employee Communications -
A Christmas airline tail…
Robert woke one Christmas night,
All bathed in ice cold sweat,
He’d had a dream,
Of Santa Claus,
But he looked like Collenette!
Have you been a good boy this year?
He’d heard the Santa hiss,
“If I find you haven’t been,
I’ll give your house a miss.”
“There’ll be no crisp, green dollar bills,
Underneath your tree,
Unless you shape right up,
Young man,
And play the game with me.”
All I want is open skies!
Poor Robert had retorted,
But Colle-Claus just had him pause:
Wait! The commission has reported!
Oh! It seems you’ve been a naughty boy!
You can take your wish and park it!
They’re telling me,
It’s plain to see,
You’ve got most of the market!
Robert shrugged and smiled a bit,
It had been just a dream,
A way for his sleeping thoughts to flex,
And let off a little steam.
How absurd to think of it!
How strange and that’s no lie!
Collenette with a gift for me!
Oh yes!
And pigs might fly!
With that he tucked himself in tight,
Warm and snug in bed,
And instead of ripe, plump, sugar plums,
Green tails danced in his head.
For he knew now it would all right,
He had nothing more to fear,
One good thing,
He knew for sure,
Santa comes but once a year!
- Phillip Avis, December 2001
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" ' "
. Need to know.
We recently received this question -
With the changes in the way retirees register for flights, a number of us are
being forgotten. There are people like myself who were retired from Air Canada
as part of the dissolution of The Gemini Group. As a result we are not on the
retirement payroll, and consequently are not allowed access to the Speech
Recognition or Employee Travel Website.
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" ' "
Before the recent changes it was already difficult to get a pass and register
for a flight. Now I can see hours spent waiting for an agent. And I don't know
how we will change a flight registration when we are away from home if we can't
contact the local reservation office.
Employee Travel advise -
As for contacting the local reservation office, what we have done in the Call
Centres (North America), is re-directed those who do not have access to the
Employee
Travel Website and Speech Recognition, back to Employee Travel Services
(formerly
called Employee Call Centre) at 1-800-413-1113. We have changed our telephone
system
and I believe that calling there should be much easier than it has been in the
past.
When away from home (outside North America), you most definitely can contact
the
local reservation office for changes to your files.
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" ' "
. We recently welcomed the following to our readership -
Wayne R. Mosionier retired Air Canada Mtce Team Leader lives in Winnipeg, MN
Gord Simons retired Air Canada MGR, Personnel & Employee Relatins - Atlantic
Canada
Jannet Tricarico retired Air Canada presently Membership-Chair-YVR-Pionairs
Fin Sterling retired 01March 01. Chief Pilot B747-400, living in Pender
Island, BC.
Archie Luccisano retired Air Canada Cost Analyst living in Montreal, QC
Glyn (Taff) Williams retired Air Canada Line Maintenance Planner (ex
Mechanic)
living in Pointe Claire, QC
Arthur W. Stanton retired June 1975 Air Canada Space Control lives in
Toronto, ON
Siegfried Nagel retired Air Canada Manager, Quality Assurance lives
Georgetown, ON
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" ' "
The following NetLetter member has deceased recently.
Graham Williams died Dec 16th and a memorial service
was held Dec 22nd,2001 in London ON.
Graham Williams was a member of the NetLetter since 11/01/97.
Our condolences go out to the family.
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" ' "
. Air canada news -
Air Canada stopped its daily flights from Jacksonville International
Airport to Toronto because of lack of interest, six months after
establishing the service with high hopes and plenty of praise by city
and airport officials.
The airline confirmed that JIA's only regularly scheduled
international flight was terminated Nov. 30.
The flights, which started July 16, marked the first time JIA offered
regularly scheduled international flights.
When Air Canada announced the new route in April the airline said it
had studied the demand for service between the cities for two years.
It expected that the flights would be popular with business travelers
because Toronto is a Canadian banking center.
In 1998, Toronto-based Air Transat Holidays, Canada's largest vacation
travel firm, started twice-weekly charter flights to Jacksonville but
closed the operation after four months (from December 1998 to April
1999) because of a lack of business. The latest endeavor lasted two
months longer than the Air Transat effort and it was less costly.
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" ' "
. Remember when!
In a recent NetLetter, we mention some details of Canadian flights, but, as
usual, gremlins crept in and the registration for the Tel Aviv flight should
have been CF-CPP and not CF-CPF as pointed out by Russ Brown, who tells us -
Just a little mix up here, CF-CPF was fin 601 and,
CF-CPP was fin 802
CF-CPF was a 43 series DC-8, fin 601 Empress of Rome. It was the 124th DC-8
built, mnfg. #45620 delivered 02/22/61. Last known operator Arca Columbia,
broken up in Miami 1990
CF-CPP was a 63 series DC-8, fin 802 Empress of Honolulu. It was the 327th DC-8
built mnfg. #45927 delivered 08/29/69. It has been variously registered as
N19B,F-BOLJ,N783AL and is currently in service as a DC-8-63F N819AX, with
Airborne Express out of Wilmington OH.
>
> Also of interest in CPAL DC-8 fleet was CF-CPN, fin 600 Empress of
> Santiago flown as a series 51 it was the 1st DC-8 built (prototype, first
> flight 30/05/58) mnfg # 45252, currently in storage at MZJ registered to Fine
> Air as N8008D.
CF-CPG FIN 602 a series 43 DC-8 Empress of Buenos Aires the 130th DC-8
built mnfg.#45623 was flown supersonic (in excess of mach 1) by Douglas Flight
Test before delivery 15/11/61. This DC-8 was broken up in Opa-Locka FL in
May,1981 registered to Concord International as N9604Z.
Regards,
Russ Brown
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" ' "
. Terry's travel tips.
Leger Holidays based in Rotherham UK offer escorted coach tours of the
Battlefields in Europe.
The tours are limited to 12 people per group and visit sites from both
world wars.
View web site www.leger.co.uk for more details.
Fine dining comes to British Pubs.
Britian has some of the great restaurants, but if you want to dine wellvisit
a pub.
Winners of the Pub of the Years awards are:
The Drunken Duck, a 17th century inn with its own micro-brewery in Ambleside
in Englands Lake District.
The Wheatsheaf at Swinton in the Scottish Borders. Locally caught salmon and
game is often on the menu.
The Bear at Cricklewell in Powys, Wales.
Check the web site www.theAA.com and plan your pub crawl!
(The AA is for British Automobile Association not Alcoholics Anon - eds)
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" ' "
. Smilie.
From the 'Things you wish you hadn't said' file -
'Well certianly I'll carry back that suitcase you left here in Columbia'
'These airport security people can have a great sense of humour. Let me
show you.'
'Don't be silly, who cares about a fingernail file in your carry-on bag'
'What do you mean the dress code does not allow for runners!'
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" ' "
Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
Our joint e-mail address is:
please add to your Address Books.
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of
news for the NetLetter.
================================================================
Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is a service of the ACFamily Network
**************http://www.acfamily.net
**************
================================================================
=================================================================
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T H E _| TCA |_
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N E T L E T T E R > CANADA <
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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 646 Dec 22nd, 2001 We first published in October 1995.
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
To get in touch with either editor/pilot our email address is
================================================================
*
/^\
o/o o\o Christmas Greetings from
/* o *\ Vesta and Terry.
o/ \U/ \o
/ o o \
o/!!!!!0!!!!!\o
-------
XXX###
###SSS
Vesta and I have enjoyed this year and we can brag about our growing
mailing list in the past year.
Thanks to all our readers for their Christmas greetings and best wishes.
. Need to know.
When budgeting for the new security tax - don't forget the GST!
A New Sun Destination Starts Up This Weekend.
We have a new route ready to take customers to their favourite
sun getaway just in time for the holidays. Beginning Sunday,
Dec. 23, customers can enjoy weekly non-stop service between
Ottawa and Fort Lauderdale. The route will be operated with
Air Canada A320 aircraft.
Got your beach towel ready?
Active and retired employees can start calling YWG Employee Travel Service as
of
January 14th to arrange for C1/J10 ticketing for 2002.
From: "Fraser O'Shaughnessy" <
Pionairs
Subject: Re: C1 passses
Bob Petryk, Director, People Services confirmed today that C1/Y10 Pass
Program is continued for another year and that, largely due to the efforts
of the Pionairs, the program has been extended to include retirees/widows
and widowers. We will ask if this extension applies to the surviving spouse
of employees/retirees. Bob stated further improvements to the whole pass
program (including unaccompanied partner pass travel) are being proposed
and if accepted may be implemented by midsummer. .These announcements
should make Christmas merrier and the New Year happier for all retirees!!!
All the best of health and wealth to everyone.
Rosemary & Fraser O'Shaughnessy
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" ' "
: Myron Olsen sent us this information -
WCAM 2002 AIR CANADA/TCA CALENDAR
For those of you interested in both a worthy cause and need a calendar with a
potential to
win it back with cash prizes here is your chance to order one, and be a
winner.
The calendar is Air Canada 65th Anniversary Editon.
When a calendar is purchased, the name goes into a drum.
If your name is picked, a cheque will be mailed to you and your name goes back
into the drum and you could possibly win again.
There is $15,000 in prizes to be won with the first draw taking place at the
end of January for
$1,000.00. This lottery calendar is a major fund raiser in support of the
Museum
If any of you would like to purchase calendars, you can either
email or phone (204) 786-5503) your credit card number to me or send a cheque
to us as
WCAM, 958 Ferry Rd.Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y8.
Please indicate where you want the calendars sent (in the case of gifts) and
the names and
addresses of the recipients of the calendar for the draw drum.
The calendar is $20.00 and $2.00 for postage & handling.
Calendars can also be purchased in person at the Museum's front desk or office.
If you wish to see the calendar, please go to our web site -
>
>
> <http://www.wcam.mb.ca/NewWeb/index.html>http://www.wcam.mb.ca/NewWeb/inde
> x.html
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" ' "
. Norman Pellatt comments on our recent story -
Subject: Glen Miller Story
The story about Glen Miller's plane being "bombed" by Lancaster
bombers should have noted
that in an unfortunate incident, the bombers were returning due
to weather conditions over the
target. They had to dump the bombs before landing, and this was
the designated area for it
to be done. Miller's plane, a Norduuyn Norseman, a Canadian-built
aircraft, was unfortunately
in the wrong place at the wrong time!
N. Pellatt <
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" ' "
. Recently, several members of the Canadian Maple Wings gave an interview with
the Montreal Gazette -
Back when Dorothy Gilmore-Labelle started working as an airline stewardess,
there was no such thing as air rage or boxcutter terrorists. In 1943, the world
of airline travel was glamourous and new, offering the promise of foreign
travel and the opportunity to meet people.
Gilmore-Labelle, who was working as a nurse, had taken only one flight as a
teenager before becoming a stewardess for Trans-Canada Air Lines, Air Canada's
predecessor.
"I loved the idea of of the adventure and the whole bit," Gilmore-Labelle,
recalls. "our job was to reassure the passengers because it was new and they
were apprehensive."
Her first flight "so exciting" was from Moncton, N.B. to St. John's Nfld,
with just 12 passengers aboard. Besides offering a reassuring presence, as
modern-day flight attendants do, stewardesses also handed out boxed meals to
the passengers, as well as gum and cigarettes - but no cigars.
Back in the 1940s, the airline industry was in its infancy and women had to
meet strict requirements to be a stewardess. They needed nurse's training, had
to be single and under the age of 26, and had to meet certain height and weight
restrictions. Marriage and pregnancy meant the end of their flying careers.
"I know some women who married in secret so they could keep their jobs," said
Maxine Llewellyn of Hudson, who worked as a stewardess for three years in the
1940s until her marriage to a pilot from Moncton.
Llewellyn and Gilmore-Labelle were among 50 people who met for lunch recently
at a restaurant just under the flight path to Dorval airport. They're all
members of the Montreal chapter of Canadian Maple Wings Association, a Canada
wide organization of TCA and Air Canada flight attendants.
Lucille Grant was the first stewardess ever with TCA, which was created in
1937. A pilot she knew told her that TCA was going to start passenger service
in 1939 and needed stewardesses. Grant, who now lives in Lachine, took a few
flights and then began training other women to work for TCA and then for
Vancouver based Yukon Southern Airlines.
"It was the romantic era of the airlines" Grant recalls. "There was just a
wonderful spirit."
Those early "luxurious" flights were a far cry from the jumbo jets
crisscrossing the skies today. There was no air conditioning, no heat and
oxygen masks had to be used when the plane went above 10,000 feet.
The stewardesses were responsible for their passengers from the time they got
on the plane until they got off - including the stops the planes would make
before arriving at their final destination.
Marjorie Crowley recalled one overseas flight from London to Montreal that
took 22 hours, with stops in Iceland and Labrador. "We were delayed in Iceland
and everyone got off the plane, but you were still on duty," she said. "They
had ground crews then."
Llewellyn was already a seasoned traveller when she began work for TCA in
1946. She was a trained nurse in Victoria, and worked at the Canadian hospital
in Perugin, Italy during World War II and applied to be a stewardess when one
of the other nurses she worked with gave her an application. "I loved nursing
with a passion, and I had never heard of TCA", Llewellyn recalled. "But it was
a wonderful company to work for and it was wonderful to be part of it."
Earning $350 a month, she was based in Moncton and flew in the Maritimes to
England and the United States. Llewellyn played tourist on her days off,
catching baseball games and the local culture on stopovers in Boston for
example.
The state of the airline industry today - with struggling carriers, stepped
up security and frightened passengers concerns the retired stewardesses. "I
worry about Air canada because they seem to be in such a bind," said Margaret
Townsend of Dorval.
But Grant hasn't let the current state of affairs bother her. She got on a
flight in October and didn't think twice.
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" ' "
. Air Canada news.
From the YYZNEWS issued by brian Dunn -
For all you fans of the Douglas DC-9 jets....get your nostalgia pictures real
soon! December 31st is the last day of planned scheduled service for the
remaining seven DC-9s still flying out of Toronto base. The last routes still
using them are Toronto to Thunder Bay, Quebec City, Philadelphia, and Moncton.
There is also the occassional trip to Ottawa.
This will be the end of an era which saw the first model DC-9-14 delivered on
Jan 6, 1966 (FIN702 CF-TLC) and the first DC-9-32 delivered on March 7, 1967
(FIN707 CF-TLH). The original fleet of "short" DC-9s were sold off in 1968 to a
variety of airlines such as Trans Texas, Hawaiian and Southern (via Douglas).
They were then replaced with a second-hand fleet of DC-9-15Fs acquired from
Continental Airlines. They were subsequently sold off as more DC-9-32s arrived
to Air Florida starting in 1977. How many of you remember that Air Canada flew
one DC-9-32F for awhile? It was FIN771 registered CF-TMN and was acquired from
ONA and subsequently sold off in June of 1977. It then turned up at Republic
Airlines as N59T. One more piece of DC-9 trivia ---- AC also flew one model
DC-9-31 (FIN754 C-FBKT) which was delivered June 13, 1988 from Van Nuys CA via
Tulsa to Mirabel. It was leased from Eastern (N8950E) and was withdrawn on Aug
13, 1989 and returned to the lessor (Eastern Airlines).
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. Star Alliance news -
From the YYZNEWS issued by Brian Dunn
Lufthansa is naming one of its planes "Halifax" to thank the city for taking
care of passengers stranded by the September 11th terrorist crisis. Lufthansa
praised Halifax International airport and the city for helping passengers and
crew members diverted there after U.S. airspace was closed. About 7000
passengers were stranded when 40 planes were diverted to Halifax. Three of
Lufthansa's transAtlantic flights were forced to land in Halifax and wait.
Passengers were billeted in private homes, schools and churches.
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. Computers!
Employee Communications advises -
Thinking of Buying A Computer During the Holiday?
If you were planning to look for a new computer you might like
to know that Air Canada is currently negotiating with IBM to
offer a Computer Purchase Program for employees and retirees.
Using our purchasing power with IBM the prices should be
attractive. The details will be confirmed soon, so you may
want to put off buying that computer for the moment.
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" ' "
. Terry's travel tips.
Travelling to the UK. The Travelodge chain has 179 establishments up and
down England, with a further 12 in Scotland, 12 in Wales and 6 in Ireland. Cost
from gpb39.95 per room per night. Check web site www.travelodge.co.uk
The Travelinn chain has over 300 establishments in the UK. Prices from
gbp41.95 per room per night. Check web site www.travelinn.co.uk
Events being planned for Star Alliance employees and retirees are -
January - Sunshine Village - ski week in Banff.
February - Snow train to Jasper adventure
- Banff Lake Louise adventure.
check our web site www.acfamily.net for the link.
In NetLetter 644, John & Teresa Glew of the UK told us about some
accommodations, but has had to revise the information -
Well that super discount at the Holiday Inn LHR didn't last long did it !!! I
just phoned to make a Travel Industry rate booking for February and was told
that the £ 35.00 rate including breakfasts finishes on December 31st !!! From
1st. January the NEW Travel Industry rate is £ 42.50 per room (single or
double)and that DOES NOT include breakfast either !!! If one fancies breakfast
that,s another £ 15.95 per person (less 30% discount for guests). I guess all
good things must come to an end eh ! Still, £ 42.50 is still about the cheapest
you will get for a 5 star hotel so close to LHR.
Sorry for any inconvenience ... ... John and Teresa
DARGAL INTERLINE and Don Carlos Tours have created some spectacular tour
packages exclusively for you - all designed to make your stay in Costa Rica,
also known as Nature's Playground, a truly memorable one.
COSTA RICA BEACH AND FUN PACKAGE ~ 6 Nights/7 Days
Arrive in San Jose and transfer to the Hotel Don Carlos.
$479 USD per person including transfers to and from airport and taxes
COSTA RICA ADVENTURE PACKAGE ~ 6 Nights/7 Days
Arrive in San Jose and transfer to the Hotel Don Carlos
$599 USD per person including transfers to and from airport and taxes
COSTA RICA TURTLES & LAVA PACKAGE ~ 7 Nights/8 Days
Arrive in San Jose and transfer to the Hotel Don Carlos
$599 USD per person including transfers to and from airport and taxes
COSTA RICA PALETTE PACKAGE ~ 11 Nights/12 Days
Arrive in San Jose and transfer to the Hotel Don Carlos
$899 USD per person including transfers to and from airport and taxes
COSTA RICA HIGHLIGHTS PACKAGE ~ 11 Nights/12 Days
Arrive in San Jose and transfer to the Hotel Don Carlos
$929 USD per person including transfers to and from airport and taxes
DON CARLOS TOURS & PALACE RESORTS: Rates are quoted in US dollars per person
(based on double occupancy) and are subject to change, availability and
eligibility.
For more information on these and other specials, contact us at:
DARGAL Interline 1-800-690-3223 (North America)
International: (Country Code)-800-2832-7425
Fax: (250) 861-3283
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. Smilie.
"Ladies and geltemen, this is your captain speaking, thank you for flying
Air Alaska. We are beginning our descent, please stow your baggage and bring
your tables into the upright position. I have been remined to inform you that
you may notice tons of mistletoe hanging at the gates of our competitors. Don't
be alarmed - it's just to remind you that when you fly with our competitors you
can plan of kissing yur baggage goodbye"
(Unless you fly through YYZ - eds)
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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.org/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 a service of the ACFamily Network
**************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 645 Dec 18th, 2001, We first Published in October 1995
Number 645 Dec 18th, 2001, We first Published in October 1995
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
To get in touch with either editor/pilot our email address is
=================================================================
. Definitely MUST know!
From Employee Communications -
Family Affair Program Travel Deadlines.
Please be advised, the 2001 Family Affair program has been extended for
travel up to Feb 28, 2002. In addition, inbound travel must also be
completed by this date.
C1 Passes Extended For Another Year. Good news on the use of C1/J10 passes!
The new once-a-year, higher priority ticket is available to
employees/RETIREES/widows and widowers holding C2/Y10 priority, and is
being extended until the end of 2002.
The passes for next year can be ordered starting Jan. 14. Zone one charges
are $70;
zone two, $100; zone three, $160.
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. Need to know.
Employee communications advises -
Are You Still Waiting For Pass Charge Deductions?
Since the introduction of the new pass forms and the expanded
parent/partner allotment in October 2000, Winnipeg Finance has
been inundated with work. During the peak summer season, as many
as 20,000 pass deductions were processed weekly. To ensure that deductions
are calculated properly, the system waits until all coupons from each pass
booklet have been received. Delays are also
a result of illegible handwriting or a faint imprint of your
employee ID card. You can help reduce the delays and chances of
mis-charges by completing passes as neatly and accurately as possible. Your
patience is appreciated while Winnipeg deals with
the current backlog.
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" ' "
. Air Canada news -
IBM And Air Canada Test A Joint Initiative Wireless Check-in Trial
Begins.
Beginning today until Jan. 15, Toronto airport will test-drive a
new tool that is designed to make processing customers easier and reduce
check-in times. Using a hand-held wireless check-in devise, our Customer
Sales & Service Agents will be able to move around
and issue boarding passes at locations other than the check-in counter. The
pass will be a 3 x 6-inch single sheet of paper with
no coupon pocket or passenger stub. During this trial period agents at all
stations may encounter customers with this type of boarding pass. They
should be processed in the usual manner.
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. Found on the internet.
December 15, 2001 - Glenn Miller's Plane 'Was Hit By British Bombs'
LONDON, England - A new TV documentary claims Glenn Miller died after his
plane was hit by British bombs.
The Channel 4 programme says a fleet of Lancasters unwittingly jettisoned
their bombs onto the band leader.
Glenn Miller's Last Flight will be shown on New Year's Eve.
The theory was first put forward by Fred Shaw, a navigator on one of the
Lancasters, reports the Guardian.
His account is backed up by aviation historian Roy Nisbet.
Miller went missing on December 15, 1944 en route to Paris. The plane has
never been found.
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" ' "
. May Day!
After running the story fromPhil Pawsey in NetLetter 644 re the TCA
Stewardess interview, we received this request -
Has anyone kept last week's newspaper The Gazette ?
I am interested in reading the article concerning
"TCA's Stewardesses" and keeping a copy in the Air Canada Archives.
The article is an interview from the TCA Stewardesses namely
LUCILLE GRANT;DOROTHY GILMORE-LABELLE;MARJORIE CROWLEY AND
MARGARET TOWNSEND.
I would like to have a copy of this interview (paper clipping)
if possible?
Can you please send me this article to the address below.
I want to thank you in advance.
Cheers
Caterina Trotto
Air Canada Corporate Records/Archives
address:
Air Canada Centre
internal zip: YUL 1273
7373 Cote Vertu West
P.O. Box 14000
Dorval, Quebec
Att: Caterina Trotto (Archives)
phone: (514) 422-4459
email:
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" ' "
. From our flight deck -
TOWER OF PISA REOPENS
Now that a little of the lean has been taken out of Italy's Leaning
Tower of Pisa, it's open to visitors for the first time in almost 12
years.
Vesta
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" ' "
. British Airways has opened a new Archive Air Museum in building 387 at
Heathrow. BA and its predecessors now go back 82 years, ensompasing 50
different companies.
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" ' "
. Terry's travel tips.
Some more hotels which have offered interline rates -
Singapore
Robertson Quay Hotel offers 25% discount phone 65-733-3323 fax
65-738-1515
Sydney
Holiday Inn Old Sydney offers between 24% and 41% depending upon season.
phone
61-2-92520524 fax 61-2-92512093
Tokyo
Sofitel Tokyo offers up to 25% discount. phone 81-03-56857111 fax
81-03-56856171
Vienna
Cordial Theatre Hotel offers up to 50% discount phone 43-732-7660-60
Murray Phipps advises us that to renew your Canadian passport will now
more.
For mail-in applications allow at least 26 days, and 10 working days
for collection in person. The Canadian passport is for 5 years.
24-page passport: for persons over 16 years of age: $85,
for a child of 3-15 years of age: $35, for a child under 3 years of age: $20
48-page passport: for persons over 16 years of age: $90,
for a child of 3-15 years of age: $37, for a child under 3 years of age: $22
You may pay the fee in cash (do not mail cash), by money order (postal or
bank), by certified cheque, by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, AMERICAN
EXPRESS) or by debit card (Interac). The fee is payable to the Receiver
General for Canada. www.ppt.gc.ca has all the gory
details.
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" ' "
Smilies.
*** Frequent Fliers Get Back Up
LATimes -- It's been a rough morning for Peter Van
Zandt's briefcase. First, airport security wrestled it
to the ground and pulled up the lining. Then it was passed
through the X-ray machine--seven times--with various
contents in and out. Security screeners scrutinized his
Dictaphone like it was some find from an archeological dig.
The San Francisco lawyer knows how his briefcase feels. A
few days before, it was Van Zandt who stepped through a
metal detector that wouldn't stop its angry bleating until
he had practically disrobed. After two decades molding
himself into a master of airports, the seasoned business
flier, husband and father of four was reduced to running
for the gate, his belt in one hand, a shoe in the other.
He missed the plane. And he had arrived two hours early.
Over the years, Van Zandt, 40, has flown through scary
weather and waited out fog. He flew after his father was
killed in a small-plane accident and after a Boeing 727
carrying him across South America banked so hard it
almost turned over.
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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
Our joint e-mail address is:
please add to your Address Books.
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of
news for the NetLetter.
================================================================
Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is a service of the ACFamily Network
**************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 644 Dec 15th, 2001, We first Published in October 1995
Number 644 Dec 15th, 2001, We first Published in October 1995
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
To get in touch with either editor/pilot our email address is
================================================================
. Need to know.
*** Playing Santa? Don't fly with your gifts wrapped
If you're planning on taking Christmas gifts on
an airliner this season, you might want to forgo the
pretty paper. Carry-on baggage screeners, under pressure
to thoroughly inspect packages after the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks, will tear off wrapping paper without
remorse if they can't tell what is inside a gift box
when they X-ray it. That would mean more waiting at
security checkpoints for everyone. Airlines and
retailers recommend mailing wrapped gifts this year
or putting them in checked luggage, rather than
carrying them on the plane.
. Partner Travel on Star Alliance -
Following information from Employee Travel & Recognition -
Quote
In reading yesterday's NetLetter (643) information concerning the STAR
Alliance Partner program I find one very
important point missing. There is a misconception that STAR carriers
will accept our T421 Personal Trip Pass Tickets and T423 Partner tickets
that needs to be clarified. The employee/retiree travels on STAR with
T171 tickets issued through
Employee Travel Services (formerly Employee Call Centre) at a low ZED
fare while his/her Partner travels accompanied
using high ZED fare.
CHART-ZED** FARES IN US$
MILEAGE (ZL) (ZH)
ZONE 1 1-450 13 25
ZONE 2 451-750 16 36
ZONE 3 751-1600 21 44
ZONE 4 1601-3200 32 68
ZONE 5 3201-4080 37 89
ZONE 6 4081-5000 41 105
ZONE 7 5001-6100 49 113
ZONE 8 6101-9000 57 126
FARES ARE CONVERTED TO LOCAL CURRENCY
SUBJECT TO TAXES AS APPLICABLE
Please pass this information along,
Thank you, Employee Travel and Recognition
Unquote
From Employee communications -
Air Canada To Launch Daily Non-Stop Service To Madrid And Amsterdam. To
meet summer travel demand, we will begin offering our customers year round
daily non-stop service between Toronto-Madrid on April 7, 2002. We will
also resume daily summer service from Toronto to Amsterdam from June 1
until Oct. 25 2002.
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" ' "
. We recently welcomed -
Marnie Burke retired Air Canada Customer Sales & Service living in Toronto.
Marg Failing whose husband is an Air Canada captain living in Winnipeg.
Doug Lovat retired Air Canada Director, Pensions & Employee Benefits
and am still living in Kirkland Quebec.
Jim & Lise Irwin/Laverdiere retired Air Canada PA Tel/Flight Attendant
living in Mississauga ON . Jim managed to get 5 years in at
the old
TCA/Air Canada location 130 Bloor Street West between 1961/1965.
Lise just retired from active duty at the end of Janaury 2001
after 30
years less a week.
Marilyn J. Black retired Air Canada Employee Records Coordinator living
in YYZ.
Robert McCurdy retired Air Canada Customer sales and service agent living in
Middle Musquodoboit, Province: NS
Robert A. Poole retired from Air Canada customer services lives in
Surrey, BC
Ross Maude retired Air Canada Caribbean Marketing Analyst lives in
Calgary, AB
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. Industry news.
BWIA, West Indies Airways have reetired their fleet of four Tristar
L1011 aircraft and are reportedly interested in aquiring some of Air
Canada's excess aircraft.
In November there were 397 widebodies, 955 narrowbodies, 88 regional jets and
586 turboprops in storage by airlines and lessors.
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" ' "
. From the RAPCAN eMailNews issued by Duane Frerichs -
"Phil Pawsey" <
Subject: Maxine Bredt
A write-up in last Mondays Montreal Gazette prompted me to put together the
following few lines.
Once upon a time when I was working in Moncton TCA Flight Dispatch, there
was a flight 20 that came into QM from Montreal at 0400 (usually the fog
preceded it by a short time coming up from the Petitcodiac River). As most
of you can recall, 0400 is not the most joyable time of the day and it
always helped when three new faces would enter our office, two pilots and a
stewardess.
There was one special stew that was always like a ray of sunshine whenever
she entered the office and her name was Maxine Llewellyn who later became
Mrs. Bill Bredt.
It was good to see a picture of Maxine in last Mondays Montreal Gazette
along with four other ex TCA stewardesses namely Lucille Grant, Dorothy
Gilmore-Labelle,Marjorie Crowley, and Margaret Townsend.
Lucille Grant was the first stewardess ever to fly with TCA. There was
quite a long write-up about these ladies and quotes from each of them.
Talked to Maxine today and she told me that the reporter said that she was
going to ask her questions about her nursing experiences during WW2 but
instead asked her about TCA which she was not ready for and it accounted
for the lack of many of the good things she would have liked to have said
about the company.
Maxine trained as a nurse in Victoria BC and upon joining the army worked
as a nursing sister in Perugia, Italy during the War and I think she may
have been the only ex stewardess who had overseas duty.
The reason that these ladies were together was a meeting of the Members of
the Canadian Wings Association.
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" ' "
. Remember when?
First CPAir flight to Tel Aviv was made from Rome on Apr 2nd 1971 with
DC8 equipment CF-CPF fin 802 c/n 45927. This aircraft was sold to Worldways
YYZ in May 1973.
CPAir's DC8 CF-CPM was one of the first commercial jet from the western
world to fly into China on Aug 13th 1972 - the first of 4 charters.
July 5th 1974 saw CPAir's last DC3 CF-CRX being ferried from ASbbotsford
BC to Vancouver BC. The previous July this aircraft was used to fly a group
of Air Cadets on a tour out of Abbotsford, but had to return due to being
anable to retract the undercarriage. The aircraft was sold Oct 24th 1974
making CPAir a truly all-jet airline.
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. Star Alliance news.
Events for the Employee Group of STAR ALLIANCE are now on a web site.
www.startrips.tv
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" ' "
. Terry's travel tips.
Visiting the U.K. next year?
Seniors can obtain an 'advantage50 coach card' from National Express
for gbp10.00 which will allow thiose holders to travel anywhere in the UK
for gbp10.00
This is available mid January. Check web site www.nationalexpress.co.uk
While in LHR, try this offer sent to us by John & Teresa Glew in the UK -
The Post House Hotel at LHR has just been taken over by the Holiday Inn
group and is now known as the Holiday Inn M4 junction 4 Hotel. There are now
three Holiday Inn Hotels at LHR (very confusing). They offer a Travel
Industry rate of £ 35.00 per room including two excellent buffet breakfasts.
If there is only one person in the room the charge is only £ 17.50 including
breakfast. These rates are only available at the M4 hotel and are of course
subject to availability. There is transport to and from the airport, which
is only a 5 minute bus
ride, and costs £ 2.50 per person one-way. Not a bad deal for airport
accommodation eh !! Telephone number: 0870 400 8595
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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.org/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 a service of the ACFamily Network
**************http://www.acfamily.net
**************
================================================================