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Greetings!

Welcome to the NetLetter!

We welcome you to allow the NetLetter to be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC, Wardair, etal, and share your experiences with us!

Terry Baker and the NetLetter Team

Our First 75 years - Compiled by Terry Baker

1945 - Dec 1st - Timetable issue number 22.

1945 route map.

1950 - April 2nd - inaugural service to Tampa.

1958 - April 2nd - Inaugural service to Brussels.

From the collector's edition and souvenir copy of "enRoute" magazine.

Front covers of "Between Ourselves" magazine issue nr 1 Nov 1941 through #12, Dec. 1943.

Star Alliance News

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) took delivery of its first Boeing 777 freighter, becoming the first 777F to be operated by an African carrier. The aircraft is being leased from GECAS.

United Airlines (UA), the North American launch customer for the Boeing 787, has taken delivery of its first of 50 Dreamliners.

Air Canada News

Announced a plan to hire 900 new employees over the next 12 months, plus 200 new pilots and
flight attendants for planned new LCC that is expected to be launched in 2013 (SPNWS; September 21).

Reader Submitted Photos - Compiled by Terry Baker

Reader Submitted Photos - The photos and information below have been submitted to us by our faithful readers.

John Rodger sent two more old photos from YUL Maintenance. I was able to name a few of them with some help. The DC-8 endorsement course that is numbered 9 means it was the ninth course for the endorsement license on the DC8.
Left to Right back row: Ted Cordwin,
Instructor; Larry Blandfield, ___? , Rocky Rockford, Jimmy Mitchel, Rollie Bustelli & Albert Siegmann.
Sitting: Stan Maslin, Pit Lepine, ___? , Johnny Lassard, ____?,Eddy Drea,____? Front kneeling: ____?, Robert Schmidt, Shorty Evans & Mike Burke.

Back row: ____?, Instructor; ____ ?, ____ ?, Doug Bruce, _____ ?, Albert Siegmann, Tony Eeg, Don Scholl, _____?, _____?. Seated: ____?, ____?, Harry Cowen, Howie Noel, _____?. Front: George Antony, Bill Buckley, Paul Papion, Alfie Tenant.

Here we have another photo from the Martin Betts family. Target for '53, from an article in "Between Ourselves" issued January 1953. This was probably the meeting held at the General Brock Hotel, Niagara Falls, Ontario, 1953.
No identifications.

And this photo of the interior of the TCA Lockheed aircraft.

TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker

Below we have musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, Air Canada publications from years gone by, as well as various in-house publications.

Jack Stephens alerted us to this web site and sends this information and photo:
Caption: "Garland Airplane", Posted 12/31/2010 by Bob George on www.ebrandon.ca.

No photo date, but possibly, spring/summer of 2010. It was in February of that year that I last talked to the owner, Don Fyk.
He mentioned the following: The cockpit was gutted in Teulon Manitoba, having been moved for dismantling at this small town north of Winnipeg. August 2009, vandals entered the aircraft, did some damage. Don purchased the aircraft, minus the engines and had it moved to Garland Manitoba as a wedding present for his sister. That is another story I will leave as a mystery! So there she sits in a small village, slowly aging, and all that seems to happen is that the grass is cut regularly.

Jim Bruce comments:
That is such a sad sight to look at given the history of this wonderful aircraft. I recall hearing that AC and TCA had a policy of going ASAP to their aircraft that suffered mishaps, crashes, and the like, and painting out the airline name. Thus, the news media wouldn't be offering up bad publicity for the company by displaying the corporate name. Obviously, this is the case here. I imagine every airline in the world does the same. Needs another coat of white, though. Poor 620.

Issue dated - January 1944
Located in the "Between Ourselves" magazine -

The staff of the St. John's Ticket Office left to right front: Walter Bennett, Dorothy Bishop, Margaret Pike, Reginald Beck. Second row: Leonard Earle, Lucy Noonan, Phyllis Rowsell, Patricia MacKLenzie, Clarence Houlton.

Missing Angus Crane.

Issue dated - April 1976
Found in the "Horizons" magazine -

The first system bowling event took place in Montreal on May 22nd, 1976 at the Laurentian Lanes. The mixed teams from across the system was a one-day event.

Looking pleased with themselves are these top suggestors. Shown with Senior VP Ralph Vaughan during a luncheon in their honor. From the left are: Bill Braidwood, Dorval; John Whiffin, Vancouver; Eugene Van Der Oord, Calgary; Ralph Vaughan; Ziya Ertug, Dorval; Glen Sheriff, Windsor; Clarke Peterman, Winnipeg; and Leo Cunningham, Montreal.

On January 16th 1944, the Moncton City Traffic office became a fully fledged CTO in the Brunswick Hotel. From left: Ruby McMurdo, Margaret Atkinson, Margaret Carroll, Kay Brown.

Alan's Space - by Alan Rust

Alan is still on vacation!

Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events

- Compiled by Terry Baker

News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and its "ancestry" of contributing airlines.

Robert Arnold has sent us this information from his collection:
The items in the case are from my Canadian Pacific Collection. The small envelope on the left is from Western Canada Airways Ltd. with a route map on the front. The other, as you can see, is from Canadian Airways. Unfortunately, there is no date on it. On the back is a map showing routes, radio stations, and main bases of the day like Winnipeg, Lac du Bonnet, Favourable Lake, Ilford, Gods Lake, Sachigo, Pickle Lake, Casummit Lake, Uchi Lake, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Kenora. The ashtray has been in my collection since the 1980's.

Issue dated - December 1983
Found in the "CP Air News" magazine -

The CP Air Pegasus system was built by Doug Caldbeck, Barry Thomas and Dennis Nickel. About a years work went into its development.

Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker

Every week we ask our readers for their stories or feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently.

Ken Pickford refers to NetLetter nr 1219 in this comment:
Interestingly, I also noted that the aircraft steps in that photo include the "Speedbird" symbol in the TCA logo, which was mentioned in a recent issue. They had to delete that after BOAC objected. Although those photos were taken 4 years before I was born, as a native Edmontonian, they were of interest as my very first flight about 13 years later at age 8 or 9, began from that old YXD terminal building, on a TCA Viscount to Calgary, soon after Viscount service began from Edmonton (probably 1956 if not 1955). My second flight a couple of years later was on a TCA Super Constellation from YXD to YVR, the last leg of the "Edmonton Mercury" (YYZ-YXD-YVR). After several thousand flights on dozens of airlines all over the world since then, those first two flights are still very clear in my memory.
Regards, Ken

Bob Ayotte sends us this information and photo: You and your team are doing a great job. I always enjoy your publication.
Regarding your #1220 NetLetter, I have further information regarding CPAir's charter flight's from Vancouver to Whitehorse in April 1985.

Whitehorse Greets its First Jumbo
The DC-10 (C-GCPE) was on both Shriner charter flights to Whitehorse in April 1985. On the first flight, the attached photo was taken just at touchdown (see smoke from main gear) by one of the CPAir airport agents.

I was the Captain on both flights and unfortunately I have misplaced my log book and cannot remember the names of my crew members. Many of the Whitehorse residents were at the airport to see this flights arrive and depart.

There were some who thought that the runway might be short in length for an aircraft of this size. It was decided to show them how much runway was needed for a light weight DC-10 with no passengers and minimum fuel. On takeoff, using full power before releasing the brakes, the aircraft accelerated and became airborne in a very short order.
Unfortunately for the photographers who had gone down to the end of the runway to get a close-up of the DC-10 as it became airborne... we crossed the end of the runway at a great height. They adjusted their photo location for the next takeoff three days later and were able to get a better picture.
Fond memories... Bob Ayotte

Norman Randall has sent us some photographs of afgans covering the
ex CPA DC-3 at Whitehorse. CF-CPY - these are pictures of old CPY as a weather vane in Whitehorse after it had been covered with many afghans by local ladies of Whitehorse. We have these.

Attending the 1983 Open House at the Vancouver Ops Centre held on November 5th, 1983 were this group: Phil Dibranou, supervisor, ground equipment maintenance, Ontario; and mechanics Frank VanderGlesen, Dave Moyle, Maris Smilga, Peter Curtis and Frank Black.

We have been trying to get identifications for those in this photo originally in NetLetter nr 1219 and then 1222, now
Bill Sansom has come up with some more id's: I have been able to have two of the flight crew recognized. At the top of the stairs is Capt. Gus Bennett. Below him are two unknowns (at this time), then Norm Donnelly, followed by 3 unknowns (1 Captain and two pursers) and last on the stairs is Capt. Al Ashcroft beside the two in suits. As to the flight attendants standing below the stairs, the 5th from the left is Suzanne McKenna. Will let you know when I have more.
Bill Sansom

However, Hans Marchand, who was a member of the crew, sends us this list: Re crew on airstairs, NetLetter nr 1219.
Picture was taken at LHR on June 25, 1973, which was the start of the Royal flights for Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Ontario, Prince Edward Island, YQR and YYC from June 25, 1973 to July 6, 1973.

Top of stairs to bottom: Capt. R.N. Bennett; 2nd Officer, Capt. D. Lamont; Standby Crew, Air Commodore, Archie Winskill; Capt. of Queen's flights, Norman Donnelly; Director of Operations, Capt. Jim Foy; Commander, Jean Rousseau; Flight Service Director, Hans Marchand; Flight Service Director, Capt. A.L. Quickfall; 1st Officer, two Air Canada reps, Flight Attendants left to right: Linda May Meckling, Lillian Stack, Heather Tregaskis, Elisabeth Burns, Susan Mckenna, and Dorothea Smith.
''Happy memories '' from Hans Marchand.

(Hans has confirmed that the name given as A.L. Ashcroft by Bill Sansom was actually A.L. Quickfall - eds)

In NetLetter nr 1222 we had a photo of the Viscount front office with a caption "for those pilots who sat behind the instruments". Len Kruller suggests, perhaps, a more appropriate caption:
Correction, Re; article; Robert Arnold collection; For those pilots who sat in front, instead of "behind" the instruments. Len Kruller

Odds and Ends.

Image Blank 200px Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!

Gord Croucher sends us this story:
A mid-air collision on February 1, 1943, between a B-17 and a German fighter over the Tunis dock area, became the subject of one of the most famous photographs of World War II. An enemy fighter attacking a 97th Bomb Group formation went out of control, probably with a wounded pilot then continued its crashing descent into the rear of the fuselage of a Fortress named All American, piloted by Lt. Kendrick R. Bragg, of the 414th Bomb Squadron. When it struck, the fighter broke apart, but left some pieces in the B-17. The left horizontal stabilizer of the Fortress and left elevator were completely torn away. The two right engines were out and one on the left had a serious oil pump leak. The vertical fin and the rudder had been damaged, the fuselage had been cut almost completely through connected only at two small parts of the frame and the radios, electrical and oxygen systems were damaged. There was also a hole in the top that was over 16 feet long and 4 feet wide at its widest and the split in the fuselage went all the way to the top gunner's turret.

Although the tail actually bounced and swayed in the wind and twisted when the plane turned and all the control cables were severed, except one single elevator cable still worked, and the aircraft still flew - miraculously! The tail gunner was trapped because there was no floor connecting the tail to the rest of the plane. The waist and tail gunners used parts of the German fighter and their own parachute harnesses in an attempt to keep the tail from ripping off and the two sides of the fuselage from splitting apart. While the crew was trying to keep the bomber from coming apart, the pilot continued on his bomb run and released his bombs over the target.

When the bomb bay doors were opened, the wind turbulence was so great that it blew one of the waist gunners into the broken tail section. It took several minutes and four crew members to pass him ropes from parachutes and haul him back into the forward part of the plane. When they tried to do the same for the tail gunner, the tail began flapping so hard that it began to break off. The weight of the gunner was adding some stability to the tail section, so he went back to his position.

(We will conclude this saga in NetLetter nr 1225, with photos. - eds)

Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker

The 75 Year contest which makes a daily selection and awards a pair of positive passes is for active employees, does not appear to include retirees, despite information passed to us and included in NetLetter nr 1223. The subject is becoming quite controversial. Any contact regarding this contest should be directed to the company and NOT the NetLetter. You may wish to utilize the Forum in www.acfamily.net to voice your opinions.

Andre emailed us to tell us that he contacted HR and they assigned case #1-1336945568. The outcome was to advise Andre that Air Canada has, for some obscure reasons, and after reconsidering, denied the retired employees to participate in the 75 Years Anniversary contest.

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Laszlo Bastyovanszky has come across this interesting information:

Tag your own bag

This summer Alaska Airlines became the first US airline to install machines that allow passengers to tag their own bags. After a successful trial at Redmond Airport in Oregon, the machines were put into use at the airline's hub, Seattle-Tacoma International, in Washington.
While the machines are standard practice outside of the US, automated baggage checking is a new process for Americans. Passengers use an airport kiosk to print out a bag tag, put the tag on the luggage and then hand the bag to an agent to put on the conveyor belt. While technically giving the traveler more work, the automated procedure gives frequent fliers a chance to avoid becoming mired in queues behind inexperienced travelers while checking luggage.

Alaska Airlines plans to add the machines this year to airports in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Monterey and San Diego, California. Other airlines are also investigating the technology. American Airlines is debuting the self-tagging kiosks slowly over the next two years, with airport devices already operational in Austin, Texas, and being added to New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Norman Hogwood in New Zealand sends us this trip report you may find interesting: I've just returned from a 3-week whiz tour of Europe. An organization I belong to asked me to represent them at a meeting in Toulouse hosted by Airbus and the UK magazine Ground Handling International to discuss ways and means of tackling the major problem of aircraft ground damage. The meeting focused on aircraft and ground equipment design/compatibility, and staff training. I think we may have achieved something, but the fruits will be some time developing.

I took the opportunity to spend a few days with my nephew and his wife and their two daughters and grand-kids in Rudgwick in West Sussex. From there I took easyJet to Toulouse for three days, after which I flew up to Amsterdam via Barcelona.

KLM/Air France have a direct flight from TLS to AMS, but the cheapest fare was over $NZ1300 - and in an old Fokker 70 to boot! By taking Vueling, the Spanish LCC, and popping over the Pyrenees to Barcelona, I found a fare of about $230 - a much better prospect! And they're a neat airline with good service although the leg room on their A319/320's is a bit tight!

In Holland I spent a few days with my wife's sister, her offspring and theirs - this took my score of grand-kids to 10. From AMS I flew up to Copenhagen to spend a few days with a good friend who is still gainfully employed by SAS. He took some leave and we got around a little. This was my third visit to CPH and the worst for weather. In fact the weather over the whole trip was, with the exception of TLS, lousy. Most places are having a diabolical summer.

Unfortunately, I arrived home with a nasty 'flu bug that I seemed to pick up in Denmark and the journey home on Air NZ via Hong Kong (same route as the outward one) was not comfortable, especially as there was no space in wither of the forward cabins. I purchased upgrades all round but none eventuated. I could have opted for the via LAX route, but chances were even slimmer in both directions.

Pleased to say I'm now recovered but it sure knocked me about for a few days. During my visit to TLS, we were given a tour of the A380 assembly line - most impressive. To see the massive individual sections being mated is quite awesome. This was my second such visit, the first was in 1982 when the A300 was in full swing - some change.
Cheers. Norman

Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker

As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.

Alan Evans in South Africa sends us this:

The NetLetter is an email newsletter published (usually) once a week and contains a mixture of nostalgia, current news and travel tips. We encourage our readers to submit their stories, photos and/or comments from either days gone by or from present day experiences and trips. If we think that the rest of our readers will enjoy it, we will publish it here.

We also welcome your feedback in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.

The NetLetter, which is free, is open to anyone that wishes to subscribe but is targeted to retired employees from Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and all the other companies that were part of what Air Canada is today. Thanks for joining us!

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!

Sincerely,

Your NetLetter Team

Disclaimer: Please note, that neither the NetLetter or the ACFamily Network necessarily endorse any of the airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers. We would be interested in any feedback (good or bad) when using these companies though and will report the results here. We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link.

E&OE - (errors and omissions excepted) - The historical information as well as any other information provided here is subject to correction and may have changed over time. We do publish corrections when they are brought to our attention.

First published in October, 1995

Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
Stewardess - Lisa Ruck, Brooklin, Ontario

To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The NetLetter #1223

The NetLetter

For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)

September 29th, 2012 - Issue 1223

First Issue published in October 1995!

(over 5,400 subscribers)

In This Issue

Women in Aviation

NetLetter Past Issues

Web Site Information

www.thenetletter.org

Donation Information

Send cheques payable to "ACFamily Network" to:

ACFamily Network
#800 - 15355 24th Ave, Suite 523
Surrey, BC V4A 2H9

Sponsors

ACFamily Links

ACFamily Airlines

Greetings!

Welcome to the NetLetter!

We welcome you to allow the NetLetter to be your platform, and opportunity to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC, Wardair, etal, and share your experiences with us!

Terry Baker and the NetLetter Team

Our First 75 Years - Compiled by Terry Baker

1953 - May - Introduction of a new line in uniforms called "TCA Blue".

Air Canada News

Air Canada (AC) executive VP and CFO Michael Rousseau told investors Wednesday the Montreal-based airline will launch a subsidiary low-cost carrier (LCC) next year with a branding announcement to come "within a couple of weeks."

Speaking to a CIBC World Markets conference in Montreal, available via webcast, Rousseau said the labor peace achieved by AC earlier this year with the help of government intervention (ATW Daily News, Aug. 8) enables it to launch an LCC that eventually will have a fleet of 50 aircraft. "We're working a lot on developing a low-cost carrier," he said. "We are currently developing those plans."

He said the LCC within "several years" will operate 20 Boeing 767s and 30 Airbus A319s, including 20 A319s sourced from AC's current mainline fleet. The LCC will be focused on transatlantic, US leisure and Caribbean routes. "There are markets we do not currently fly transatlantic that... we believe we can be very successful at [using reconfigured 767s]," he said, explaining that the LCC's 767s will have 20% more seats than AC's 767s. Higher capacity aircraft are "where about half the cost difference comes between low-cost carriers and mainline carriers," he said.
While the LCC (ATW Daily News, April 14, 2011) will operate new transatlantic routes for AC, some of its current US and Caribbean routes "will flip to the LCC," Rousseau said. Further details on the LCC will be revealed shortly, he added, but noted it has been decided "the model will be 100%-owned, separate leadership."

Women in Aviation - Compiled by Terry Baker

Miss E.H. Coxon, Secretary to the T.C.A. General Traffic Manager and the first woman in TCA to earn the 10 year service award, pictured here at Montreal 1951.

Reader Submitted Photos - Compiled by Terry Baker

Reader Submitted Photos - The photos and information below have been submitted to us by our faithful readers.

Bill Norberg tells us: While digitizing some of my slides and negatives, I came across some pictures I took on the delivery flight of our first L-1011 in spring of 1973. I went to Palmdale to accompany the flight home and had spent a delightful evening chatting with D.R. (Don) McLaren. Don was on the return flight as was Dan Haughton President of Lockheed, Pat Labrie and John McGill. I took several pictures during the flight, and have attached several that might be of interest.

John McGill

Pat Labrie

Picture of PVM as we circled it prior to landing at Dorval.

It was an auto-approach... auto-land and auto roll-out completely under the control of the auto-approach system. We had come a long way from the early days in 1949/50 when I was doing experimental work on the Flight Path Control system in North Star aircraft with Capt Ron Baker.

TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker

Below we have musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, Air Canada publications from years gone by, as well as various in-house publications.

The NetLetter has been fortunate enough to have our readers donate vintage Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada publications from as far back as 1941 to share with you. These have been scanned and are being prepared for presenting in a special area of the ACFamily Network for archival and genealogy research.

Robert Arnold sends this information:
A bit of news for those who might be interested. The long and illustrious career of Lockheed 10A, CF- TCC will be coming to a graceful end on Thursday September 20, 2012 as it will be permanently parked and take on a new roll as a permanent display at the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg. For those who don't know, the Western Canada Aviation Museum is located in the former Trans-Canada Air Lines headquarters and maintenance facility, the very same facility where CF-TCC was maintained while it was in service with TCA from 1937 to 1939 when it was sold to the Canadian Government. From there it went to the RCAF as part of the war effort. Following the war it was sold to a private owner. In 1983 Air Canada purchased the aircraft and the plane was flown to the airline's Winnipeg maintenance base where it spent two years going through a complete restoration. Pratt & Whitney Canada arranged for the complete overhaul of its two engines and for furnishing accessories and spares. Over the years, CF-TCC participated in many promotional activities, including flights to raise funds for a variety of charitable organizations. The photo I included is one I took from atop the WCAM on April 28, 1986 shortly after it arrived in Winnipeg from a cross country tour to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Air Canada. It's hard to believe that was 26 years ago.

I knew it was arriving at the WCAM as part of the 75 year ceremonies for A/C being held there on the 20th, but didn't know this was going to be its final flight. I was there for its first engine run-up and flight after restoration and now I will be there for its final flight and engine shut-down. This is a photo of it being towed out of the hangar at Air Canada for the first time and its first engine run-up March 17,1986.

Thought I would send along a photo of CF-TCC as it sat the next day at the Air Canada hangar on January 15, 1984. It still has the old markings on it. That was a cold morning as we headed over to the hangar. I believe it was about -29 with a strong wind that day.

Robert Arnold sends us this photo of CF-TCC final arrival at YWG.

Jim Bruce responded to Robert:
I read your comments and looked at the great restoration job done on TCC in your photo, and I recalled B/W shots I had from 1962 when we had just got the aircraft from Matane Airways. Al Hunt was in charge of getting it in shape for the cross country 25th Anniversary tour. This photo has a lot of issues with scratching and other damage. Anyway, that's me and a DC-8 (801) tail in the background. When it was in a corner of the Base hangar, it looked so tiny and vulnerable. There was so much surface corrosion on the aluminum that Al opted to paint it white: there was not enough time to do a proper restoration. I think Lindy Rood was Captain on the tour. Although, George Lothian was around then, too. It's wonderful to see how great it looks now with all that polish. Seems like yesterday. Jim

In a later email, Jim told us: There was only 1 ex-TCA Lockheed 10A in Canada in 1986, so that a/c 23 is CF-TCC. They must have done the switch as a promo thing (CF-TCA) during the 50th and put it back to TCC (25) later. Where the hell is all the paperwork covering these things? That's what drives me nuts. Who occupies the old RCAF hangars in the rear now?

Thought you might get a kick out of this 1962 shot I took of TCC (painted white) from nearly the same angle as yours. I noticed some things in your great photo: they haven't put the aircraft number 25 on the nose; the underwing registration is more inboard and the letters spaced wider; the tires seem narrower, and the port tire a little soft (get TCA line maintenance on this right away!). I include a nose cone photo: it might help if the WCAM ever wants to add the number. They seem to have added two nose cone lamps in c.1986 which weren't on the original 1937 TCC. And also removed the little antenna that was there.

The service building between the hangars in WG is where I used to work. Isn't it? Cafeteria on the ground floor and engineering on second floor. Boy, was that ever hot in the summer. My sweaty arms used to stick to the tracing paper. One summer day they were re-tarring the roof and the vibrations of all the men and equipment moving around caused a fluorescent fixture to come loose at one end. It swung down over Al Swain's drawing desk and nearly hit him in the head!

My camera was an early Minolta 35mm. The lens was f3.5 and fixed, not a single lens reflex. Took good pictures, though. I shot a lot of B/W because I had a darkroom at home for processing (but not colour). Cheers, Jim

Issue dated - January 1967
From "Between Ourselves" magazine -

The second annual Southern Ontario Regional sales meeting was held at the Skyline Hotel in Toronto and featured a special theme relating to the 1967 Centennial. In attendance were all Managers, Supervisors and Sales Representatives from Southern Region, the aim being to attain an excess of $100 million in sales during the year.
MORE THAN 400 YEARS of Company service is represented by the people flanked by Regional Sales Manager Eddy May and W. Gordon Wood, Senior Vice-President - Sales. All have at least 20 years Air Canada service. Left to right, standing: Eddy May, Roy Strachan, Howard Kennedy, Howie Deegan, Gord Smith, Bill Hind, Bob Hainstock, Ed Waud and Gordon Wood. Second row: Bob Nicholson, Reg Brewster, Marjarie Williams, Pat Ford,Trudy Gillis, Helen Patterson and Pat Patterson. Front row: H.B. Malcolm, Ron Reed, Jim McMurray, Greg Grant and Ran Lafthouse.

Issue dated February 1951:
Canada's Immigration Plan
It is possible that this month and next, TCA scheduled flights from the United Kingdom will be arriving in Montreal with every seat occupied. Many of the seats will be held by British and European immigrants taking advantage of the Canadian Government*TCA special $160 one*way fare The plan, which went into effect in December 1950 with the frank purpose of stimulating immigration. It allows a bona-fide immigrant to travel to Canada with TCA at a cost to himself of only $160, the government making up the difference between the special fare and the regular one-way fare. As the plan went into operation, TCA named G.B. Duhamel, General Supervisor Group Sales, to co-ordinate the effort in the Traffic Department and maintain liaison with Operations, while in Ottawa, L.D. Palmer, District Traffic and Sales Manager, has kept close contact with Col. Laval Fortier, Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. TCA is capable of handling 6,400 immigrants during 1951 if the $160 figure was maintained. It is valid at the moment only until the end of March. At this time the government and the Company will review the situation. And it is possible that the scheme will be extended to the end of the year. The figure of 6,400 immigrants to be carried by TCA is based on 85 second sections,
plus seats available on regular flights.

It was an all-traffic affair in Montreal when six TCAers received their ten year pins at a special party. Shown with the happy recipients and making the presentations are Anson C. McKim, and W. Gordon Wood, From left: A.E. MacKay, G. Denmon, Gordon Wood, Miss E.H. Coxon, Secretary to the General Traffic Manager and the first woman in TCA to earn the award, Anson McKim, W.G. Rathborne, R.E. Deyman, and J. Lone.

Alan's Space - by Alan Rust

Alan is still on vacation!

Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events

- Compiled by Terry Baker

News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and its "ancestry" of contributing airlines.

Vern Swerdfeger has passed us this information:
We have been informed that the 2013 recipient of "The Belt of Orion" award, from Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame - will be Canadian Pacific Air Lines, Limited.

Our Airline will be inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame at an Induction dinner in May, 2013 - location TBA. I initiated the nomination process and submitted the 'justification' documents in May, 2011. Gerry Manning seconded the nomination, and there were four or five individuals and organizations that provided 'letters of support' for the nomination.

CPAL came into existence in 1942 - 70 years ago, and ceased to exist in 1987 - 25 years ago. An appropriate time for the honour. It is gratifying to finally have the Company given recognition for 'substantial contributions to the advancement of aviation in Canada'. The official CAHF announcement to the public will take place in October, at an ATAC meeting in Vancouver, so we have been asked to keep the word 'low-key' in the meantime. But I thought you guys should know.
Cheers, Bill Cameron

Extracts from the "CP Air News" magazine
Issue dated May 1983
CP Air's last four DC-8s, all Series 63 "stretch" models, were sold earlier this month to Worldways Canada of Toronto for use on that company's charter routes. The DC-8s had been parked in storage on a Nevada desert since last spring when they were retired from service. CP Air is repainting all four aircraft in Worldways' colours and is performing B maintenance checks on two aircraft in Toronto, and a C check and a mid-D check on the other two in Vancouver. This work has resulted in the recall of 64 maintenance employees in Vancouver and an additional 10 in Toronto, mostly aircraft and sheet metal mechanics. The first two aircraft were delivered on May 10, and the others will follow May 28 and June 8.

BUENOS AIRES was the scene of the Latin America marketing meeting, where delegates from Vancouver, Mexico, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo discussed strategies for 1983. Front, from left: Willy Macklnson, Buenos Aires; Oscar Alberti, Uruguay; Olga Partridge, Buenos Aires; Betzabe Jimenez, Lima; Carlos Aceves, manager, exico/Central America; Raul Hudson, manager, Chile; Rodolfo Roggero, Lima. Back, from left: Marcelo Parrell, Santiago; Alberto Newman, Buenos Aires; Ian MacDonald, Buenos Aires; Bill Morgan, Buenos Aires; Pete Dowding, manager, Brazil; Raul Cifuentes, Caro Salers Manager Latin America; Dick Hulsman, Vancouver; Ralph Bradley, manager, Argentina/Uruguay/Paraguay; Bob Connor regional director, Pacific/Latin America, Vancouver; Ken Pickford, Vancouver; Angel Bracesco, manager Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador; Felix Yep, Lima; and Alejandro Ozaki, Lima. Also In attendance was Claus Ritter, Vancouver.

This group was part of a Sales blitz assigned to Toronto and ready for the charge. From left: Luc Prud'homme, Montreal sales; JoAnne Saran, CP Air Holidays; Ken Malley, first officer; Ellen Peers, passenger service director; Ray Tai, passenger agent, Toronto airport; Marisa Baraldin, flight attendant; Roger Cuillerier, Montreal sales; Peter Dinn, Edmonton cargo.

Photo by CP Air, B-737 Capt. George McNutt, of the Vancouver Ops Centre. Taken from his own aircraft. McNutt is an accredited aerial photographer.

Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker

Every week we ask our readers for their stories or feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently.

In NetLertter nr 1218, Robert Arnold sent us information regarding the BAe146 jet. This prompted Norman Hogwood in New Zealand, to relate this memory:

Regarding the stories about the BAe 146. I thought you may be interested in this excerpt from my memoirs:
Airbus Industrie in Toulouse in France hosted the Executive Committee of the Air Transport Section - US National Safety Council in June 1983. Once again, I decided to take some leave in order to attend and Cary was able to join me. We paid a quick visit to my sister and the family en route and then flew from Gatwick to Toulouse. This particular flight was my first in a British Aerospace 146, which was a relatively recent addition to the skies, and was made on a now-defunct airline, Dan Air.
The aircraft was being marketed as the "Whisper Jet" on account of its quiet external noise 'footprint' and was being targeted at airlines operating into noise sensitive airports. One had recently been on a sales tour of New Zealand where it was demonstrated to Mount Cook Airlines and a couple of weeks before we left home, Mount Cook and announced that they would not be buying it, although that was based on performance and had nothing to do with noise factors.

Cary and I had seats in the first row and the first thing we noticed was the engine noise in the cabin, especially where we were with the number 2 engine abeam of us. In fact, we found the noise level to be very loud by modern standards. During the flight, I introduced myself to the senior cabin attendant and asked if it would be possible to visit the flight deck (those were the days!), and I was duly ushered in. The captain was a Dan Air pilot and the pilot carrying out co-pilot duties was from British Aerospace. He had been on the demonstration flights in New Zealand and said how sorry he was that Mount Cook Airlines had decided not to proceed with a contract. He also asked me how I found the aircraft especially its quietness. I said I believed that British Aerospace had found a way of reducing the external noise by channeling it into the cabin! I explained where Cary and I were sitting and told him we found the noise almost intolerable. He reluctantly agreed that there were a few problems in that area and that they were working on them!

How typical it was for the UK aviation industry to ruin a great tradition and leave the entire market to the Americans until the Airbus concept came along. Cheers, Norm

Bob Ayotte sends us this information and photo: In NetLetter 1217, an article referred to an article in Netletter 1213 regarding CPAir's first DC10 direct flight to China on October 26, 1985 - Vancouver to Hong Kong. This article referred to several training/check pilots as being on-board to check-out first hand, the approaches and departures at the Hong Kong's old Kai Tak Airport. The check-out included several approach and landings (touch & goes) for each pilot, flying the DC10-30 (ER) C-GCPI. The photo is of the training/check pilots that were on board which included a MOT inspector. Left to Right: MOT Inspector Sid Quickfall, Capt. Bob Ayotte, Capt. D.C. Clarke, Capt. Nev Usher, Capt. Jim Mcpherson and Capt. Harold Cronk (squatting).

Odds and Ends.

Image Blank 200px Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!

Alan Evans has sent us this comment along with a photo:
The new guys have got it good. I remember when it was just 2 caves at the back on the B747 100 cockpit, with very little chance of sleep as the general cockpit noise and traffic was a major problem. Then there was the B74 200 with the cabin behind the cockpit. It had a bunk and a sleeper chair. Captain got the bunk, snoozed and the lowly second officer got the chair. The best I ever had was with THAI as the captain - had a bunk above the stairwell on the left side. Cozy and sort of quiet.

Inside the Boeing 787's funky crew rest 'loft'.

The crew's snooze zone is at the rear, with six bunks.

The 787 can have two rest areas, although neither is standard fit out on the Dreamliner. A rest area dedicated to the pilots is located just behind the cockpit and sports one seat and two bunk spaces (below). We can't help but wonder how long before an airline asks Boeing if they can install more of these bunks and start selling them to passengers as a space for group travel and private parties?

Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker

Andre has sent us this information:
After complaining to Air Canada that they did not let RETIRED employees "join" the contest , it was confirmed (by HR CONNEX) that it was "accidentally omitted and that the case has now been resolved." Please submit to all concerned. After all, Positive Passes are a welcome bonus these days. Regards, Andre

Recently, Aureen and Jack Morath from the U.K. took a cruise, here are their comments:

European Cruise on MSC Opera
This is an Italian Cruise Line and the fourth largest in the World, catering a lot on cargo liners as well. Aureen and I recently traveled on this ship out of Southampton which is only an hour drive from where we live. It was an 8 night cruise and for a very special price booked through TIS (Travel Industry Services) based in the UK. The price was only £350 for an outside cabin with balcony. We left a rather cloudy dockside and our first stop the next morning was at Ijmuiden in Holland. Tours could be taken to Amsterdam, but we decided not to do this as we had already explored that city. We decided to take a local bus to Haarlem about an hour and a half drive away. We walked around the old area and the markets before returning to our ship. Haarlem in New York is named after this town. Our next stop was Guernsey, a new place to visit for us. We called in at the local tourist office for advice, and they advised taking the local bus for one pound which took us all the way round the island. After a walk around the capital city of St. Peter Port, we came back to our ship.

A whole day at sea before arriving in La Coruna on the Spanish Coast crossing the Bay of Biscay which was very calm for a change! The area is famous for its many fishing villages. We explored the town on foot before walking back to the ship for a 4.30 pm departure. Next day our stop was in Bilbao, a city on the Spanish Coast. The weather was much better now and the sea was still calm. It is an Industrial port and in the city are many art galleries. La Rochelle on the French coast was next. A very picturesque University town. You could get a real taste of the true France here. It is one of the most attractive ports in France, and we sat for a while along the quayside watching the many tourists. Lots of yachts in the harbour to look at while we ate our excellent ice cream. Our second day at sea before arriving in Southampton having completed Immigration formalities on board during the day at sea, the Immigration officers having stepped on board in La Rochelle after flying out from Southampton. All the places we stopped at were new to us which we liked. One unusual thing about the cruise was that at each port a few hundred people got on and a few hundred got off. Just like a bus service. It was our first cruise on MSC, and felt that it catered more for the European market as far as the food and entertainment was concerned, but was popular with the guests because they liked the idea of getting on and off from their original embarkation point.
Jack and Aureen

Laszlo Bastyovanszky has come across this interesting information:
Instant Upgrades While Queuing for Your Flight
This autumn, budget carrier Easyjet will be testing "Halo" devices - tablet computers that are connected wirelessly to the airline's reservations system and enable the airline crew to walk among passengers in the terminal and process simple transactions without being confined to their podium's desktop computers. These transactions could include upgrades, such as priority boarding or more leg room, and the airline is testing the technology at airports in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Basel, Edinburgh and Geneva.

Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker

As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.

A Dave Mathias cartoon from "Between Ourselves" issued September 1943.

We also welcome your feedback in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!

Sincerely,

Your NetLetter Team

First published in October, 1995

Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
Stewardess - Lisa Ruck, Brooklin, Ontario

To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The NetLetter #1222

The NetLetter

For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)

September 23, 2012 - Issue 1222

First Issue published in October 1995!

(over 5,400 subscribers)

In This Issue

NetLetter Past Issues

Web Site Information

www.thenetletter.org

http://youtu.be/v9bVFkDhGPE

Donation Information

Send cheques payable to "ACFamily Network" to:

ACFamily Network
#800 - 15355 24th Ave, Suite 523
Surrey, BC V4A 2H9

Sponsors

ACFamily Links

ACFamily Airlines

Greetings!

Welcome to the NetLetter!

Terry Baker and the NetLetter Team

Our First 75 Years - Compiled by Terry Baker

1966 - December - The company became the first airline to install a covered passenger loading bridge at a Canadian airport.

Reader Submitted Photos - Compiled by Terry Baker

Reader Submitted Photos - The photos and information below have been submitted to us by our faithful readers.

George Brien has dug up a picture of the Fredericton YFC terminal building:
This building originally was located at another N.B. airport called Blissville located 35 miles SW. TCA used the Airport and terminal at Blissville from 1945 to 1947 to serve both YFC and YSJ. When the New Airport in YFC required a terminal building when it opened in 1952, the old terminal building from Blissville was cut in two and moved there. No AIF fees involved in those days of recycling Terminals!

From the Robert Arnold collection: For those pilots who sat behind the instruments, we have this photo of the Vickers Viscount front office.

TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker

Below we have musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, Air Canada publications from years gone by, as well as various in-house publications.

George Brien has sent us this photo of the inaugural TCA flight into YFC, February 1, 1952; Capt. C.M. Harper, F/O S.W. MacPherson and Stew. S.E. Kerr in front of their DC3. Original TCA ground staff included; Station Manager Wils Himmelman, and Operations Agents Jack Geldart, John Gandy, and Lou Releeder.

Issue dated - January 1967
From the "Between Ourselves" magazine -

UNLOADING THE LOADING BRIDGE - The transport and erection of the bridge on the site required much planning and dovetailing of effort. Here, two huge cranes place the door portion onto its hydraulic jack at gate 1 on the Domestic finger of the terminal at Montreal in December 1966.

Issue dated - December 1975
Found in the "Between Ourselves" magazine -

The first flight of the TriStar took place at Palmdale, California on November 16, 1970, and to mark the occasion, Bob Burns of Lockheed handed out giant fifth anniversary cards at the company's headquarters in Montreal. With him at the reception area In Place Ville Marie are, from the left Christiane Botos, Secretary; Lise Gauthier, Receptionist; Janet Pacheco, Secretary, and Marla Sanchez Receptionist.

Paris at work.
The sales staff of Air Canada-France were all dressed for action at a recent two-day meeting to setup their new sales campaign.

Sporting "Get a Friend to Fly" t-shirts are, from the left; John Barnes, General Manager, France and Western Europe; Michel Schott, Sales Manager, Lyons; Sales Representatives Jean Munoz, Martine Bridoux, Maurice Demont, Jean Rousse and Alain Pelle, as well as Passenger Sales & Service Manager Fernand Leroux.

Alan's Space - by Alan Rust

Yes, still on vacation, but the gang offers this for you -
Sent in by Brian Dunn editor of YYZNEWS
"A British Airways internal presentation remembering 27 years of Concorde."

Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events

- Compiled by Terry Baker

News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and its "ancestry" of contributing airlines.

Canadian Pacific Air Lines timetable nr 1 dated 1943.

Issue dated - March 1985
Found in the "CP Air News" magazine. -

Toronto had its worst storm of the winter Feb. 12th, 1985 when 12 centimeters (seven Inches) of snow fell, accompanied by howling winds. At the airport CP Air crews made a heroic effort to get Flight 81 off to Vancouver, but alas, the snow won
and the airport was closed most of the day. Sweeping the wing of B-747 aircraft No. 742 at Gate 50 are, from left, Rick Vodarek, avionics technician; Peter Sturge, mechanic; Ken McDonald, air engineer; and Joe Moniz, aircraft mechanic.

COPENHAGEN staffers held another big Canada West promotion early March 1985, giving a seminar for 102 travel agents from Sweden and Denmark. The object was to promote polar traffic to Western Canada via CP Air, and one of the events featured was Vancouver's Expo 86. From left, Jim Cowie, manager, Tourism Alberta, London; Sid Fattedad, comptroller, CP Air, Vancouver; John Pastuszynski, regional vice-president, Europe, Middle East and Africa; Jens Rlsgaard, junior passenger agent, CP Air, Copenhagen; Turld Blom, sales supervisor, CP Air, Copenhagen; John Lawson, assistant deputy minister, Tourism Yukon; Ell Anderson, senior passenger agent, CP Air, Copenhagen; Jim Willis, Manager, Tourism British Columbia, London; and Flemming Timmermann, manager, Scandinavia and Finland, CP Air, Copenhagen.

Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker

Every week we ask our readers for their stories or feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently.

In NetLetter nr 1217, Vern Swerdfeger submitted an early photo of United Airlines with no location. Ted West sends us this suggestion:
I think the city is Vancouver & aircraft could be a ford tri-motor. United had a long record of airline service between Seattle & Vancouver. Best regards, Ted West.

Bert Ollivier sends us this information after reading NetLetter nr 1219: Interesting issue... especially the parts to do with the good ole reliable noisy North Stars. And, of course, my wife Juanita (nee Scott) will also be interested, as she was a "Star" on the specialized North Star Desk res position in Toronto's Church Street office during the early 1950's. Also, I flew thousands of miles on those excellent airplanes. Even though they were noisy, the cabin staff in those days made sure that all pax enjoyed their flight to the utmost! Both Juanita and I enjoy The NetLetter. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Bert Ollivier (CTC emeritus)

We had this photo of the crew on the steps in NetLetter nr 1219 and Bill Samson has sent in this information: The individual in the upper left in the light coloured suit is Mr. Norm Donnelly. I believe his title was Director, Operations at this time. Bill Sansom

Doug Seagrim has come to the same conclusion with this email:
The gentleman on the stand in the Martin Betts photo who is wearing a light coloured business suit was J. Norman Donnelly. He was overseas regional manager about that time, but resident in Montreal (Baie d'Urfe), so the photo is likely also in Dorval.

As Ed Chorniak was aboard the first flight into Frankfurt. He supplies some more names with this comment: Just a note in response to the request of Tom Rogers as to the crew of the first flight into Frankfurt as was shown in the issue #1216. The captain was indeed Don (smokey) Patry; F/O Pete Rogers; S/O Barry Gard; and N/O Ed Chorniak (thats me, second from the left!) At the time, I was operating as a Navigator, also holding a position of First Officer and Second Officer until being promoted to Captain in 1967, retiring off the B-747 in 1991 after 34 years of service. Your hard work is much appreciated and enjoyable. Ed Chorniak (We also had the photo in N/L 1219 - eds)

Odds and Ends.

Image Blank 200px Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!

Brian Dunn editor of YYZNEWS has sent some photos by Eric Dumigan of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Hamilton Air Show 40th Anniversary: On June 14th the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum took their B-25 Mitchell and Avro Lancaster to Buffalo, New York for a brief photo-flight with the Commemorative Air Force's Boeing B-29 "FiFi" and the Cavanaugh Flight Museum's North American P-51 Mustang "The Brat III".

Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker

Laszlo Bastyovanszky has sent us some interesting information. Here is one of them:
Never lose another piece of luggage
Las Vagas McCarran's third terminal has also put in place a high-tech baggage-handling system, where airport workers attach a tag embedded with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip to each checked bag. The RFID chip broadcasts a unique signal, similar to a radio transmitter.

The RFID tags can be scanned more easily and quickly than tags with bar codes, helping crews correctly route bags and find misplaced ones. The airport has installed 55 sensors at the airport to track a bag at every stop, from conveyor belt to carousel. It is the first US airport to embrace the technology, though some non-US airports, such as in Lisbon and Milan, and airlines like Qantas, have experimented with RFID tags.

Some interline deals from Interline Vacations:
Prinsendam
16-night Europe - Mediterranean - Piraeus to Civitavecchia
* Oct 01, In/Out/Bal/Sup/Dlx us$699/699/699/1999/2999
[Piraeus, At Sea, Alexandria, Port Said, Ashdod, Haifa, At Sea, Antalya, Marmaris, Kusadasi, At Sea, Katakolon, Kerkira, Korcula, Brindisi, At Sea, Civitavecchia]
In U.S.A. or CANADA 800-200-7170 (toll free) or +1 512-691-4501

Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker

As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.

Alan Evans in South Africa sent this along:

A captains dream:
I had a bad dream last night.
In it was the FAA, crew scheduling, bad schedules, bad management, self-serving union, unserviceable aircraft equipment, changing weather, no extra holding fuel, ever-changing procedures, endless flight manual revisions, dead heading in the middle seat, broken luggage, lost luggage, nasty passenger agents, crabby old 170 lb. flight attendants that were axe-handle wide, all-nighters, foreign countries, sleep deprivation, mergers, seniority squabbles, company threats, food poisoning, no food, bad coffee, bidding, pulled away from my family for weeks at a time, fleabag hotels, late cabs and maniac cab drivers, bidding vacation, waiting for gates, weather, low visibility approaches, aircraft de-icing, PCs, Gestapo check airman, medicals, commuting to and from work in unspeakable weather, the parking lot from hell, parking lot buses, inter-terminal buses, spring break, Christmas rush, Easter rush, PA announcements, insurance, drug and alcohol testing, noise violations, customs lineups, dry cleaning, terrorism, security passes, rude security personnel, high gas/oil prices, pay cuts, rush hour traffic, that infernal alarm clock, crash pads, catching cold away from home, lackadaisical crew members, sexual harassment threats, flight attendants and co-pilots implying that they are a gift to aviation after being there three years, back biting, gossip, cell phones, aircraft cram courses, plus laying my job on the line several times a year with simulators, endless procedural memorization and annual recurrent training days.

Then I woke up and joyously found myself still retired!

Cartoon by Fernando Moure, Flight Attendant, YVR from "CP Air News" issued December 1982.

We also welcome your feedback in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.

The NetLetter, which is free, is open to anyone that wishes to subscribe, but is targeted to retired employees from Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and all the other companies that were part of what Air Canada is today. Thanks for joining us!

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!

Sincerely,

Your NetLetter Team

First published in October, 1995

Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
Stewardess - Lisa Ruck, Brooklin, Ontario

To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The NetLetter #1221

The NetLetter

For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)

September 16, 2012 - Issue 1221

First Issue published in October 1995!

(over 5,400 subscribers)

In This Issue

NetLetter Past Issues

Web Site Information

www.thenetletter.org

http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2012/09/viscount-memorial-inauguration-service.html

Donation Information

Send cheques payable to "ACFamily Network" to:

ACFamily Network
#800 - 15355 24th Ave, Suite 523
Surrey, BC V4A 2H9

Sponsors

ACFamily Links

ACFamily Airlines

Greetings!

Welcome to the NetLetter!

We welcome you to allow the NetLetter to be your platform, and opportunity to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC, Wardair, etal and share your experiences with us!

Terry Baker and the NetLetter Team

Our First 75 Years - Compiled by Terry Baker

1943 - July 22nd - At the request of the Canadian Government, TCA began the operation of a war time Trans-Atlantic service between Montreal and Prestwick.

1944 - May - T.C.A. Existing and future route map issued.

1946 - Apr 1st - Route map from timetable nr 23 with new Atlantic route.

1955 - Jan 1st - Employee monthly publication "Between Ourselves" changed from a booklet type of format.

Barb Dunn sends us this suggestion:
You might want to let everyone know that this month's issue of En Route is terrific - a real walk down memory lane. If they are on an aircraft, they should take one for a good read. Barb

Reader Submitted Photos - Compiled by Terry Baker

Reader Submitted Photos - The photos and information below have been submitted to us by our faithful readers.

Peter Baldry has sent us this memory: Reading the most recent NetLetter and wondered if you would be interested in a photo of the model struck for AC when AC had options to buy the Concorde. I have it in very good condition with the motif and wording, etc. The story is that a frequent traveler who knew me at LHR, inquired as to when our first baby was due - I said Martin was born last week, at which point he said "I have a present for him" and handed me the model - my son never saw it!! Because of AC's options, AC at LHR were invited by BAC to tour the Filton factory to view the production facility and we toured a full sized mockup (in plywood -but looked like the real thing) including going thru the cabin etc. We had a coach full of employees on their days off on two occasions who went on the "outing" (If anyone from LHR on that visit have any photos to share, we would be glad to see them - eds.)

Here are the photos from "Between Ourselves" issued January 1967.

Here we have two photos from the Martin Betts family. No known location or date, but we have these identifications, and we know the vessel is M.V. "Canadian Challenger"

Seated front row: Stuart Thompson, Renee Birch, Noreen Reilly, Dorothy Pitt, Jay Outerbridge. Standing: Martin Betts, W.G. Coutney, E.P.T. Tucker, CN Steamships; Robert Outway, Capt. Frank Smith, Capt. M.V. "Canadian Challenger"; Donald Hannant, Walter Jones, John Sinden.

Here is the same group, different pose.

TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker

Below we have musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, Air Canada publications from years gone by, as well as various in-house publications.

Issue dated - (Month) Year)
Some items gleaned from the "Between Ourselves" magazines.

Not much in the way of Sales action going on in the company, as most of the 100 top guns were living it up at the General Sales meeting held May 27 - 29th, 1964 in the Seigniory Club, Montebello, Quebec and to prove it, here are a couple of photos supplied by the Martin Betts family. These are the attendees in alphabetical order:

Atkins, K.D. (Donald), Chairman & Managing Director, Mather & Crowther, London; Bartok, Dr. A.J. (Andy), Dusseldorf; Betts, M.A. (Martin), Sales HQ; Birch, K.B. (Ken), Sales HQ; Brooks, V.A. (Vere), Barbados; Bryce- Buchanan, D. (David), Sales HQ; Callen, J.M. (Jack), Sales HQ; Campbell, W.R. (Reg), Sales HQ; Chamberlain, J.S. (Jack), Sales HQ; Charles, W.J. (Jack), Sydney, Australia; Churchill, G.J. (Gerry), Boston; Connolly, J.M. (John), Sydney, N.S.; Corsiglia, R. F. (Bob), Cleveland; Crocker, P. (Paul), Sales HQ; Dalby, W.J. (Jack), Vancouver; Dansereau, H.O. (Bert), Quebec City; De La Cour, L. (Larry), Copenhagen; Denman, K.G. (Ken), St. John's, Nfld.; Deyman, R.E. (Ted), Seattle; Duhamel, G.B. (Bus), Sales HQ; Eagles, M.W.S. (Max), Sales HQ; Edwards, J.I. (Ian), Kingston, Jamaica; Finlay, J.C. (Jim), Saskatoon; Foster, H.E. (Red), President, Foster Advtg. Toronto; Fowler, W.W. (Walter), Moncton; Gaffikin, J.G. (Gord), Los Angeles; Gallant, E.J. (Ed), London, England; Garven, W.M. (Bill), Sales HQ; Gehlsen, J.H. (Jim), Tampa; Goddard, J.B. (Jack), Sudbury; Grahame, J.S. (Jack), Ottawa; Gray, G.E. (Gerry), Sales HQ; Hilker, Dr. R.P. (Richard), Trinidad; Hooper, G.E. (Gord), Toronto; Horan, J. (Jack), Dublin; Horner, W.N. (Bill), Trinidad; Hucl, R. (Rudy), Antigua; Haas, Dr. K.E. (Kurt), Sales HQ; Jerome, P.L. (Pete), Paris; Johnson, D. (Doug), Sr. Account Executive, Mc Cann Erickson - New York; Johnston H. (Hugh), Sales HQ; Jotcham T.D., Montreal; Kantor H.H. (Jack), Vienna; Knight S.N. (Stan), Bermuda; Kolb R.A. (Bob), Edmonton; Labrie J.P. (Pat), Zurich; Laflamme F.R. (Tod), Sales HQ; Law M.J. (Murray), Sales HQ; Leather G.N. (George), Chicago; Locke E.A. (Ernie), Calgary; Lynch D. (Dave), Montreal; Mackay A.E. (Mickey), Sales HQ; Maxwell J.G. (John), London, England; May E.J. (Eddy), Toronto; Mooney S.G. (Stan), Victoria, B.C.; Moore J.T. (Torn), San Francisco; Morgan J.A. (Jack), Moncton; McDonald C.E. (Cec), Nassau; McElligott H. M. (Hugh), St. John, N.B.; McGee J.A. (Jack), Sales HQ; McGill J.W. (John), Sales HQ; McInnes R.C. (Rod), PVM, Montreal; McLarty A.G. (Grant), Montreal; McLean D. (Don), Glasgow; McLean J.A. (Jack), Regina; McLean T.A. (Terry), Sales HQ; McLeod D.E. (Don), PVM; McRobie D.R., Montreal; Nicholson R.J. (Bob), Windsor; Nickson J.E. (Jack), Sales HQ; Paillefer H.C. (Howard), Vancouver; Park G. (George), New York; Purves A.R., Montreal; Price Boyce P., New York; Rathborne W.G. (Bill), Sales HQ; Reid W.A. (Al), Rome; Richardson D.V. (Don), New York; Robinson J.J. (Jack), Vancouver; Sampson L.B. (Len), Winnipeg; Scullion M.J. (Mike), Tokyo; Sellors R. (Dick), Toronto; Smith H.R. (Harold), Port Arthur; Spalding D. (Doug), Sales HQ; Stainton W.M. (Murray), Sales HQ; Struthers J.E. (Jack), London, Ont.; Sutherland A.J. (Al), Halifax; Taylor C.I. (Claude), Sales HQ; Turner M. (Murray), Toronto; Walls L.H., Toronto; Ward A.T. (Al), Sales HQ; Warwick A.J. (Alec), Sales HQ; Whiteside L. (Len), Sales, HQ; Wiley A.T. (Bud), Sales HQ; Wilson. A.P. (Pat), Brussels; Wilson G.R. (Gord), New York; Wood W. (Gordon), Sales HQ; Woolley C.E. (Charlie), Sales HQ; Wotton A.J. (John), London, England; Young A.N. (Norman), London, England; Young D.E. (Dave), Vancouver.

Issue dated - December 1954
Found in the "Between Ourselves" magazine -

The recent opening of a new and larger reservations office in Ottawa marks another step in TCA progress. Shown posting a stop-sale on the standard VSIB is Miss Ann Hart, while other passenger agents and supervisory staff continue to handle the heavy flow of telephone contacts. Seated from the left are: Beverley Starkings, Barbara Taylor, Dione Bruneau, Carolyn Sims, Dawn Cleotor, Olga Pliske, Morley Ryder, Rolly Hawkins, Ethel Butler, Noreen St. Pierre, Ken McCord, Francis Quinn, and Mary Lou Houlahan. Standing are: Norma Wood and Arthur Shotbolt.

This new streamlined rotary table has been installed in nine reservations offices across the TCA system and is designed to simplify and expedite the handling of passenger files. The recent installation at VRT completes present plans. Other stations successfully using the rotary table include Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, New York, London Ont., Windsor, Winnipeg, Calgary and Cleveland.

An artist's conception of the proposed Malton Airport extension program in Toronto which will cost about $75,000,000. Included will be facilities for TCA's Super Constellations and the new propeller-turbine Vickers Viscounts. Planned to make Malton one of the most modern airfields in the world, about $22,000,000 will be spent during the next 20 years to provide dual runways and larger field space.

Alan's Space - by Alan Rust

Alan is still on vacation!

Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events

- Compiled by Terry Baker

News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and its "ancestry" of contributing airlines.

We got this email from Ken Pickford, referring to the following item in NetLetter nr 1220:
A few minor typos noted in the item on the CP Air DC-10 flights to Whitehorse.
1. The year was 1985, not 1895. (Re the DC-10, Donald Douglas, Sr., the founder of Douglas Aircraft, was 3 years old in 1895!)
2. The two references to "Shiners" should read "Shriners".
3. On the 3rd last line, referring to the Whitehorse Reunion, the word "infested" should presumably read "interested"

(Here we have the corrected version - eds):

Whitehorse Greets its First Jumbo

CP Air carried 279 Shriners to Whitehorse on a DC-10 charter April 11th, 1985, and in the process set a record - it was the largest aircraft ever to land in Whitehorse. The DC-10 returned as an extra section off scheduled flight 654 with 50 passengers on board. It returned to Whitehorse on April 14th to pick up the Shriners Northbound, it carried revenue passengers as an extra section of Flight 655.

(Those retirees who spent their early careers in Whitehorse may be interested to know that we understand tentative thoughts are in the works for "CP Air Whitehorse Reunion - 2013". Stay tuned to www.cedarcoast.ca/yxycp for information early next year eds)

Ken tells us: Coincidentally, I was a passenger on the northbound DC-10 extra section Vancouver-Whitehorse on April 14, 1985 (a Sunday). Since that flight was wide open, and the regular B737 evening flight back to YVR wasn't full, I decided to go for the ride on the DC-10 and spent the afternoon wandering around Whitehorse (where I'd been before). I remember it was a nice sunny day.

Brian Walsh also spotted one of the errors:
I know CPAir evolved from the CP family of ships and railroad, but was surprised to learn that CPAir had a flight in 1895! Must have been an early alternative for those heading to the Klondyke gold fields.

Issue dated - December 1982
From the "CPAir NEWS" magazine -

Two B727 were retired from schedule service on September 18th, 1981. Both have been leased to Dan-Air, a U.K. charter company.

ENTERTAINER Mel Torme took time out for a visit to CP Air's Operations Centre recently while performing in Vancouver. Being an aviation enthusiast licensed to fly small planes, he wanted to see the simulator for the B-747, the world's largest commercial aircraft. Luckily, simulator time was available! Above, from left, a glowing Torme chief B-747 pilot Capt. Bill Dunn, and senior secretary Marie-Andree Mathieu, a long-time Torme fan.

Issue dated - January 1985

A friendly welcome was accorded Sheldon Stollen when he visited Eastern Provincial Airways' Halifax ticket and area sales office shortly after the announcement on Jan. 8 that he had been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer succeeding Harry Steele who has become board chairman. From left, Chris Larsen, director of sales; Steele; Maxine Clarke, sales office coordinator; Stollen; Clara MacDonald, customer sales agent; Chris Lloyd, manager, corporate accounts area sales office; Derek Parker, customer sales agent; and Nova Scotia area sales manager John Sullivan.

Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker

Every week we ask our readers for their stories or feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently.

Ted West in Victoria has sent us this information regarding the photo from the Martin Betts family we had in NetLetter nr 1219:
I believe the group seated in rows could be a central region district traffic & sales managers sales meeting- probably YZ & the regional manager is Reg Campbell, shown as (?). I was a Chicago sales rep at the time. I should have estimated a date of the central region traffic & sales managers meeting. I think it would be 1950-51. Ted West

Dave Edward sends us this comment: Regarding the pics Ed Hill sent you, (NetLetter nr 1219). In the first one, I think the gentleman 2nd from us top left could be Bob Penrose. The big guy leaning forward top right sure looks like Jim Duncan. I had the pleasure of flying with Bob, Jim and Bing on the Viscount in the 50's. Thanks for the memories. Cheers, Dave Edward

After seeing the Constellation in the photos sent in by Jim Bruce featured in "Readers submitted photos" in "NetLetter nr 1216, we received this comment from Marty Vanstone:
What a glorious picture of the Super Connie. Certainly the most beautiful airliner ever! It is a shame there is not more color in the picture. That is definitely the YWG ramp in the early '50s although my memory does not recall the met equipment and shack on the south side of the ramp. I was employed by TCA's Division 5 from 1951 - 55 working on maintenance of the military aircraft from around the Prairie bases, but mostly those from # 2 Air Navigation School (2 ANS) at RCAF Station Winnipeg; the C-45s, C-47s and B-25s. The B-25s were used for Air Intercept training. There seems to be about eight or ten of them in the background and it's hard to see if they are running or not, but I think they must be lined up for take-off as they are in the general area of the button of runway 31. The two hangars in the background are the old WWII air force hangers which accommodated #2 ANS, #111 Communications & Rescue and #40? Reserve Squadron (then flying Mustangs). In 1954, 2 ANS moved to the new domed hangers to the west of runway 18-36. More dating of the photo may follow if anyone knows if the Connies were delivered with the tip tanks. As I recall, they were a later modification. Marty Vanstone

Bernard Desanlis goes back almost 70 years for this memory prompted by the item in NetLetter nr 1218: Thanks for the short video of the Junkers 52 from Ron Rhodes. It threw me back a few years, March/April 1943, when I flew a similar aircraft, with Luftwaffe markings, between Tunis (Tunisia) and Naples (Italy) with a fueling stop in Trapani (Sicily). This was my first flight ever, I was 6 and 1/2 years old. A month later, the Africa Korps, headed by Rommel, was giving up North Africa to the British coming up from Lybia and the Americans coming from Algeria.

We were trying to flee the bombing raids which eventually almost wiped out Bizerte, the city and Navy stronghold where we were residing. We had to go to the airfield every day to "hitchhike" a flight with some empty space, with of course no baggage allowed. We sat on crates, my newborn sister in a laundry basket between my mother and I, fearing attack from British fighter planes based in Malta, during this long (3 hours), very low flying and of course very bumpy flight almost seventy years ago. Bernard Desanlis

Odds and Ends.

Image Blank 200px Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!

Alan Evans in South Africa has sent this information regarding the Vickers Viscount memorial.

Visit:

From "Between Ourselves" issued December 1954:
Winnipeg airport experienced a busy two days with the S.A.S. polar inaugural November 16th. Shown here are crew members of the "Helge Viking" prior to the last leg (Winnipeg-Los Angeles) on the second day of the second day of the Arctic flight.

The voice over the public address system at Stevenson Field, Winnipeg, November 15th was matter of fact, but what it said had the true ring of history in it: "Scandinavian Airlines System flight 932 "Royal Viking" from Los Angeles to Copenhagen, via Greenland, has now landed. Thus was announced the first stop on what has been described as the first new travel route in a thousand years.

J.B. Graphics Inc. has published a soft cover book (laminated covers, perfect binding) AVIATION ART By JIM BRUCE, 8.5"H x 11"W. The book is 120 pages, 24 in black and white, the rest in full colour. The books are signed and personalized by the artist. Jim Bruce is widely known for his award-winning aviation art.

Books are sent Canada Post Expedited Parcel. Allow 10 working days for processing orders, handling and shipping. Order by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your coordinates, or mail your order to the address below with cheque payable to J.B. Graphics Inc.
The book price is $35.00 Cdn (plus $10 for shipping within Canada and the NWT, and $2.25 GST, total $47.25). For international orders, please email for shipping cost. The price without shipping is $36.75 CAN ($35.00 plus $1.75 GST).
(Some of the art has been featured in various Canadia>n staff magazines - eds)

Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker

Here are some World Airlines Club Association (W.A.C.A.) events:

Visit the Holy Land sites & have fun in Tel Aviv.
Israel Interline Club invites all Interline club members to visit. December 4 - 11th. Rates us$969.00 plus $20.00 WACA fee. Deadline is November 5th.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Early shopping tour and Christmas lights parade.
The San Diego Interline club invites all Interline club members
December 6 - 9th. us$375.00 plus $20.00 WACA fee.
Deadline October 30th.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WACA Interline Feastival 15 night cruise Maimi to Los Angeles through Panama Canal on NCL Sun"
April 21st to May 6th., 2013. Inside us$1099 Ocean view us$1499.00 Bal us$2299 all plus us$257.22 pp port taxes. Plus $20.00 WACA fee.
Deadline January 5th 2013. Organized by Dargal.

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

Full details of these events at www.waca.org.

Laszlo Bastyovanszky has sent us some interesting information. Here is one of them:

Do-it-yourself boarding at gates:On 27 June, Las Vegas' McCarran Airport opened a third terminal for domestic and international flights. At all 14 of the terminal's gates - where JetBlue is the primary airline -- there are self-boarding stations where passengers scan their boarding passes to open the automated clearance gates and board planes on their own. Other airlines are eyeing the same technology as a replacement for gates overseen by personnel. Last year, Lufthansa installed similar gates at its three hubs in Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich.

Some deals from Interline Travel:
Crystal Serenity - 12 Nt Med Cruise sailing from Istanbul to Venice stopping in Mykonos, Piraeus (Athen), Navplion, Corfu, Kotor and Zandar on Sept. 18, 2012 - $2,700/Oceanview $3,000/Verandah $4,500/Penthouse
Crystal Serenity - 12 Nt Med Cruise sailing from Venice to Athens stopping in ravenna, Kotor, Corfu, Mykonos, Istanbul and cruising the Dardanelles on Sept. 30, 2012 - $2,700/Oceanview $3,000/Verandah $4,500/Penthouse
Crystal Serenity - 12 Nt Med Cruise sailing from Athens to Venice stopping in Santorini, Ashdod, Alexandria, Corfu and Dubrovnik on Oct. 12, 2012 - $2,700/Oceanview $3,000/Verandah $4,500/Penthouse
Crystal Serenity - 12 Nt Med Cruise sailing from Venice to Istanbul stopping in Dubrovnik, Corfu, Cephalonia, Piraeus, Navplion, Mykonos, Kusadasi and cruising the Dardanelles on Oct. 24, 2012 - $2,700/Oceanview $3,000/Verandah $4,500/Penthouse Priced in us$. www.interlinetravel.com 817 481-8631 / 800 766-2911

flyzed.com is no longer operating, but www.flyzed.info provides

information about rules and regs. on various airlines for employee travel, also a link to www.id90.com which will give a price for a flight.

The ability to find loads also exists.

Watch the video which provides full details.

Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker

As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.

This was found in the "Between Ourselves" issued December 1954:

The receptionists at London, Eng., Airport (LHR) have undoubtedly offered their shoulders for crying purposes to, as they so aptly put it, "those poor lost souls" trying to plus out from the UK to UL. For they have composed and dedicated to those same souls the following song, which goes to the tune of "Three Coins in A Fountain."

Three cons up to Prestwick,
Each one hoping for a seat,
How wonderful 'twould be,
To have a first class seat.
Which one is it going to be?
Which one of the lucky three?

I MUST get to Prestwick,
Oh! the urgency is great,
He'll NOT wait forever,
If they bump me it's too late.

The next stop is UL,
Had to split the day before,
Sure hope he'll be waiting,
For ME at Montreal.
Will he wait?
No he won't,
Yes he will!!

We also welcome your feedback in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!

Sincerely,

Your NetLetter Team

First published in October, 1995

Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
Stewardess - Lisa Ruck, Brooklin, Ontario

To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The NetLetter #1220

The NetLetter

For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)

September 9, 2012 - Issue 1220

First Issue published in October 1995!

(over 5,400 subscribers)

In This Issue

NetLetter Past Issues

Web Site Information

www.thenetletter.org