The NetLetter
For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)
January 21, 2015 - Issue 1314
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First Issue published in October 1995!
(over 5,400 subscribers)
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NetLetter Past Issues
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Donation Information
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Send cheques payable to "ACFamily Network" to:
ACFamily Network
#800 - 15355 24th Ave, Suite 523
Surrey, BC V4A 2H9
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Sponsors
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Greetings!
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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
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| Star Alliance News |
 Air China and Air New Zealand announced they have signed a statement of intent that will pave the way for a strategic alliance on services between China and New Zealand. The proposed alliance between the two national flag carriers and Star Alliance partners would see Air China operate a new direct Beijing - Auckland service in addition to Air New Zealand's existing Shanghai United Airlines customers using Android devices can now use the latest version of the United app to access the airline's complimentary personal device entertainment service, which enables passengers to view hundreds of movies and television shows in flight on their Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices and laptops. SWISS to allow passengers full use of their mobile phone immediately after landing, it started on December 1st, 2014 |
| Air Canada News |
 Strategic enhancements in the spring of 2015 include expanding the North American route network with the addition of new non-stop services with Jazz Aviation LP under the Air Canada Express brand.
- from Calgary-Terrace starts June 1st
- the following services start May 1st Calgary-Nanaimo; Calgary-Halifax; Vancouver-Comox;
- starting June 18th Toronto-Austin
- Air Canada rouge seasonal service from Montreal-Mexico City starts May 2nd.
Boeing said Air Canada is the launch customer for its new landing-gear exchange programs for (17) 777-300ERs and (6) 777-200LRs. Air Canada, bolstered by a recent agreement with its pilots that clears the way to boost capacity at its leisure affiliate rouge, has decided to halt transfers of 136-seat Airbus A319s to its low-cost subsidiary and will instead mix in larger narrow body aircraft. |
| Upcoming Events |
 The 2015 ACRA System Golf event has been set for September 13-17, 2015 at Mission Inn Golf Resort in Florida (just north of Orlando). More details to follow.. |
| Women in Aviation |
 Shirlee Schacter has sent us this information about her sister - August 25th, 2014, marked a Milestone Anniversary for Gayle Graham, Air Canada Passenger Sales Agent at YYZ Pearson Terminal 1. Celebrating "50" years of service, first one in the whole operation, and always with a smile to accompany the same enthusiasm she had the day she started. The passengers she looks after have repeatedly attested to that. Also seen in the picture are Keith Dias (left) Director Passenger Service and Doug Martin (right) General Manager, Station Operations - Toronto. '.. AND she's still going strong! Congratulations, Gayle! |
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 Emily Howell Warner, the first U.S. female airline Captain. In 1976, Emily Howell Warner became the first female to command a major American passenger flight when Frontier Airlines placed her in the captain's seat, now she has a Colorado airport named after her.
The Grand County Board of Commissioners this month approved the name change of Granby-Grand County Airport (KNGB) to Granby-Grand County Emily Warner Field. A native of Denver, Warner, 75, kept a home in Grand County for more than 25 years and kept a Cessna 182 at the Granby airport. |
| Reader Submitted Photos |
 Shirlee Schacter sends this information and photos FRIENDS OF FRONT STREET (FoFS) celebrated their 10th Annual Reunion Luncheon at Hooter's on the Airport Strip in YYZ on Sat. Nov. 22nd, 2014. This get-together is a yearly tradition and gives these former colleagues of Air Canada Computer & Systems Services (C&SS) the chance to rekindle friendships and recall many memories. Shirlee Schacter is the keeper of an extensive master list of contact info for former C&SS employees and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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| 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.
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Issue dated - April 1951
Found in the "Between Ourselves" magazine.
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 WINNIPEG TRAFFIC staff members got together for this group photo. Back, from left: Stan Howe, Pat Donley, Frank Graceffo, Fran Smith, George Mitchell, Eleonor Smith, John Craddock, Beth Ferguson, Gene Zakala and Irene Wishart. Middle: Al Heaton, Lorraine Anderson. Eric MacDonald, Terry Spanier, Bury Drummond-Hoy, Army Taillieu, Ross Lowry, Murray Crowe, Ken Hunston, Brendy O'Brien, Bruce McDonald, Marion McPhail, Carl MacDonald and Daphne Brynelson. Front: Glen Milne, Helen Workentin, J.T. Moore (DT&SM), Yvonne Lough, Joe Warecki and Lee Sinclair. Absent were Barry Pirt, Doris Hallderson, Shirley Murphy, Edna Winterburn, Bill Martin, Bill Muir, Grace Humphreys, Pat Fletcher, Jane Gray and Bob Danaher when the photo was taken. |
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Issue dated - June 1979
Found in the "Horizons" magazine.
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 Atlantic attempt awry - If at first you don't succeed...
Paul Parsons dreams of' getting ''a first for me and a first for Britain" were dashed by a pod of whales. A Station Attendant at London, England, he had hoped to become the first man to complete a 4.800km trans-Atlantic crossing in a rubber dingy.
On June 16th, 1979 he set out from Halifax aboard "Puffa", his five-metre inflatable craft. Two days later, he was too busy steering to notice if there were any whales behind him. Suddenly the dinghy was hit in the stern and he fell forward. A lifeline to which he was attached prevented him from falling over-board. He noticed that the steering equipment was lying in the boat and the rudder was completely missing. I started to ship a Iot of water". He was plucked from the damaged and swamping dinghy by the National Sea Products Ltd. stern trawler "Cape Piciou" and signed on as a temporary deckhand for the duration of the Pictou's fishing voyage.
On a leave of absence from his job, Paul had hoped to complete the trip in 60 days but carried provisions for 80. Despite the experience, he said he might try again next year.
(Did Paul have another attempt later? - eds) |
 Union officials representing the membership in the master IAMAW agreement are keenly interested, fully attentive and absorbed watching a video for use at the Paris Air Show.
Front row, left to right are: Gord Biggar, Shop Committee member, (Dorval Base IAMAW); Matt Morrison, Shop Committee Chairman, (Dorvai Base (IAMAW); Stan Kisielewski. Shop Committee member, (Dorval Base IAMAW).
Back row. left to right are: John Skea, Acting Chief Steward, Power Plant Shops; Danny Sullivan, Acting Chief Steward, Purchasing & Supply; Robert Ouellet, Acting Chief Steward, Aircraft Maintenance Support Shops; Heinz Baumgartner, Chief Steward, Ground Equipment & Facilities.
(The person at the front right was not identified - anyone? - eds) |
 Some 40 golfers from those who work in Northern Ontario turned out for their annual golf tournament, held May 1979 in Sudbury, the tournament coinciding with the company's 25th anniversary of service to Sudbury.
Organized by Fern Lamoureux, Station Agent 11 and his committee, shown here, from the left: Norm Howard, Walter Bradley, Faye Wex, Fern, and Leo Moreau. Winners of the Low Gross and Low Net were two Austin Airways employees based in Timmins.
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| Alan's Space - by Alan Rust |
In our last NetLetter we had hoped to have our new system in place by now, this has been delayed for another few weeks. We would like to thank those that have already sent in contributions to support the NetLetter, it is greatly appreciated.
Many readers have asked where to send contributions, this information is in the left hand column of every newsletter and shown below as well.
For cheques, please send to;
ACFamily Network
#800 15355 24th Ave
PO Box 523
Surrey, B.C.
V4A 2H9
Please include your email address as well so we can properly acknowledge your contribution.
Below is a video from "60 Minutes" showing the last flight of a Quantas 767 being delivered to the Southern California Logistics Airport near Victorville, USA.
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| Qantas 767 on 60 minutes |
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Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events
- Compiled by Terry Baker
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 News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and its "ancestry" of contributing airlines. |
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Issue dated - May 1990
Items from the "Info Canadi>n" magazine -
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 Customers denied boarding will receive free flights
Canadian's new denied boarding product called "Patience Passport", was introduced May 14, 1990 by which customers denied boarding will receive free flights. "Patience Passport" provide front line employees with an opportunity to give on-the-spot compensation to a customer in a denied boarding situation.
In this photo, Kathy Mullen, payload control manager, regional, Vancouver and Dominic lannittl, lead station attendant, Toronto look through a customs brochure which outlines "Patience Passport", Canadian's new denied boarding product which was developed with their input. |
 Canadian takes delivery of newest B767-300ER.
Canadian accepted delivery of its newest Boeing 767-300ER (extended range) on April 27th, 1990. Paul Pelletier, left, Vice President, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, passed on the ceremonial keys to the US$70 million aircraft to chief B767 pilot Al Eden of Vancouver and B767 project pilot Hennann Lindner, also of Vancouver. The two pilots flew the new plane from the Boeing plant In Seattle to Vancouver. This is the ninth B767 to join the fleet.
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 Retirees get together
Nine hundred and eighty-two retirees attended the Association of Canadian
Airlines International Retired Employees annual luncheon in Vancouver May 7th., 1990. Among the retirees were, from left: Ed Mcananie, Bill Wiskin, George Reddy and George Robbins.
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Karin Fulcher would like some help -
Hi All, A very good New Year to everyone.
A friend of mine and former PWA and then CPA employee is trying to find out what happened to Reg Sargent who was apparently the head of the commissary in the early 70's. I figure if anyone knows it will be someone who reads the Netletter. Perhaps a reader can help?
Thanks Karin Fulcher.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Christine Hayvice, an Air Canada retiree, is writing a union history covering workers at Canadian Pacific Airlines, CP Air and Canadian Airlines from 1942-2000. In 1944 sixty workers - dispatchers and radio telegraphers - reached their first agreement with the airline. They were members of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers (ORT). Airport, cargo and reservations agents would soon join this group, followed by the crew schedulers.
Neil Burton, after reading the article in NetLetter nr 1311 regarding Victoria, dug up the following information from the "PWA Flightlines" magazine issued January 1987 - Victoria -
Pacific Western Airlines Staffing
Pacific Western employees Rod Weimer (YXE), Eileen Brown (YEG) and Neil Yasui (YVR) joined Customer Service Manager Gunnard Radford in forming the first PW compliment to staff Victoria. There may have been a PWA Sales office and PWA CTO. Start up day of January 15th went extremely well with all three flights leaving exactly on time. Ground handling services for Victoria will continue to be contracted. Air Canada had performed all passenger, cargo and ramp services since 1970 when Pacific Western was awarded the route. |
| 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.
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Ken Pickford sends us this comment -
Minor comment re NetLetter #1311 and the old YYZ Terminal 1 photo from Christel Weindl.
 I note you have a 1970 date printed on the photo. I'm fairly sure it's a few years older than that. By 1970 I'm almost certain they'd added loading bridges (note there aren't any in that photo). And, although the photo is very fuzzy, I think the aircraft near the bottom right hand corner is a TCA DC-8 in TCA livery. They would have been wearing the new AC livery well before 1970. I came across the following photo of the old T1 shortly before it opened in February 1964.
Regards, Ken.
Jim Pearce sends us this correction -
In NetLetter 1312, there is an item re: Kingston Staff. The gentleman on the left is Jack Angus, not Jim Angus. Unfortunately, Jack passed away in the late 1990's (1998 I believe). He is missed by so many people.
Jim Pearce
Michael Smith send this comment referring to NetLetter nr 1312 -
Thanks to all concerned re beautiful Boeing 787 photos. |
Brian Losito, photographer of the air-to-air Air Canada B787 photos in NetLetter nr 1312 sends this information to set the record straight -
Hi Netletter,
Nice job on your publication. Just a small correction on your cut-lines on the B788 images. This is the Washington State Coast not the BC Coast.
Thanks Brian.
(We have corrected the photos below - eds)
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Odds and Ends.
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 Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!
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Brian Dunn editor of Canadian Aviation News sent us this information -
It's good to have a hobby. Even better when it's useful, and a group of Pearson plane-spotters have proven themselves very useful to airport administration over the last decade. In a large parking lot on the east side of Airport Rd., just across the street from Runway 23, the view of airplanes approaching for landing - or "final" as enthusiasts call it - is prime. As planes swoop by, you get a good view of the nose, then the underbelly, then the tail before touch down. You can see, up close, the swaying effect of crosswinds, and marvel at the dexterity of the pilots that weather them. On January 1st., 2015 my friend Andrew Cline and I were interviewed by Global TV for their news broadcast at 1730-1830 on local TV. The link below will show you what was shown.
Western Canada Aviation Museum Receives "Royal" Designation
On December 19th., 2014, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has granted permission to use the term "Royal" for Manitoba's Western Canada Aviation Museum. The Winnipeg attraction, which began in 1974, will become known as The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada.
Contact us! Hangar T-2, 958 Ferry Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0Y8
Phone: 204 786 5503 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. web: www.wcam.mb.ca
 New Canadian ultra-low cost carrier Jetlines has ordered five Boeing 737 MAX 7s to build its future fleet. The order, valued at $438 million at current list prices, includes purchase rights for an additional 16 737 MAXs.
"This agreement with Boeing is a major milestone for Jetlines," Jetlines CEO Jim Scott said.
The new airline, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, plans to tap into passenger demand by offering low-cost airfares on routes that avoid direct competition with other airlines, according to Boeing Commercial Airplanes VP-North America Brad McMullen. "The 737 MAX 7 is perfectly suited to the airline's needs."
Marlie McLaren Kelsey sends us this information -
 New book out by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail with many interesting stories of the north called "Polar Winds- A Century of Flying the North". Also mentions a lot of current aviation people. Some stories are familiar and some are new. There are many familiar names in this book and anyone who is an aviation buff or and or has flown or worked up north will really enjoy it. It spans time from the 1800's to present day. The book is available through the CAHS website at www.cahs.ca/polar-winds
Futher information can be found on Danielle's website at www.daniellemc.com
Cheers,
Marlie McLaren Kelsey.
The Gander Automated Air Traffic System (GAATS+) has been implemented at the Prestwick Center in Scotland to complement the system already implemented across the North Atlantic at the Gander Control Center in Newfoundland. GAATS+ was originally installed in the Gander center operated by Canada's air navigation service provider (ANSP) NAV CANADA, and the shared system is now operational at the Prestwick Center operated by UK ANSP NATS. It will help controllers manage traffic across the North Atlantic-the busiest oceanic airspace in the world.
Dreams Take Flight
Montreal's 20th year anniversary flight on November 5th, 2014 brought 180 special kids from the age of 6 to 12 years of age from Montreal, its surrounding areas, Quebec City and eight kids from Lac Megantic to Walt Disney, Florida for a day of joy and fun at the happiest place on earth. The team presented to the kids a very special photo album and DVD from their special day during a special Christmas party December 7th, 2014.
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Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker
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Zonal boarding, a streamlined boarding process based on zone numbers launched at most airports for Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge flights, is replacing the previous standard of boarding aircraft from back to front by row numbers.
AIRBUS says it is considering closing the A380 production line as early as 2018 due to lack of orders. It currently has a backlog for 169 A380s, including 84 from EMIRATES, which refuted the idea of a shutdown and is asking for upgrades (re-engine and/or stretch).
Heather Johannson has sent us this information -
We recently spend 5 1/2 weeks in Australia. We rented a car from www.autoeurope.ca which allowed us to pay in CDN dollars before we left. They offer a 10% AC discount, and since they contacted us to say our rate had lowered, I would highly recommend them. You need to be aware that there are taxes and surcharges that cannot be paid in advance which can come as a bit of a shock as they are quite high. Just something to keep in mind when you check out various car-rental rates;
We still saved $300 over other company quotes.
We have been to Australia several times before, so other than the few days with relatives, we didn't bother to book accommodation in advance. We always ensure that we have a pool and a kitchenette. Even using the Surf, Bowling, Rowing or Ex- Servicemen's clubs which are reasonably priced, it is expensive to eat out.
Our first week was in Coff's Harbour and we stayed at a lovely motel which we booked through www.wotif.com the rate with them was actually $5 per night less than booking direct with the motel. Our next stop was suggested by a fellow we got talking to in the motel. Sounded good, so off we drove to Ballina, stopped at the Visitor Information Center which booked a quiet place in the town but only a block away from the water. I cannot tell you how often we have enjoyed the benefit of their knowledge and services . Using www.bookings.com and www.wotif.com , we managed to find two ocean front resort apts, just north of Coolangata, with reasonable rates for a week in each place. Now having returned to the cold, snowy Okanagan, the bills have been sorted, we averaged $115 AUD per night for hotels. This does not include the overpriced, but very convenient, hotel at SYD airport for 1 night.
Heather Johannson, Retiree
In the latest newsletter from YVR, here are the positions for sleeping on an aircraft.
Murray Wadden shares this story with us -
In this time of : JOY TO THE WORLD!" may I relate one of many Good
Experiences THANKS TO STAFF:
I am a Diabetic, who fortunately suffer very little inconvenience as a
result. Recently I took a trip from YQY to LGA via YYZ; starting with a 05:55 departure, very little sleep for fear of sleeping in and leaving home with NO breakfast. Arrived in YYZ and walked the Terminal from Domestic to USA Departures and Customs; still no Food as I scrambled to deal with the LINE-UPS. As I approached Customs by way of the Mobile Walkway; I took a Diabetic Reaction and Fainted! An AC pilot stopped and helped me up; I told him of my circumstances and asked him to just help me to an area where I could sit or gain support by a wall. This he did and went on to catch the flight he was scheduled to FLY out of YYZ. When I eventually boarded my LGA flight, which was delayed; the same GUY who helped me up was sitting in the Captain's Seat. How coincidental is that?
I always carry a snack when I travel however, since this was my first and only 'black out' panic set in "OLD MUR'S Head did not function normally. OUR industry is filled with people who HELP PEOPLE... God Bless US/THEM all!
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| 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.
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You will be very surprised...at the end!!!
Harlequin Romance Novel Updated...2014
He grasped me firmly, but gently, just above my elbow and guided me into a room. He quietly shut the door, he approached me from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice "Just relax."
Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing and moving upward along my calves, slowly but steadily.
His touch was so experienced, so sure. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage, Probing, searching, knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my back, slid them down my tingling spine. This is a man, I thought. A man used to taking charge. "OK Ma'am, you've cleared security, and can board your flight now."
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The NetLetter is an email newsletter published (usually) every two weeks. It 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
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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.
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