 The NetLetter
For Air Canada Retirees
May 1, 2010 - Issue 1118
5557 Subscribers
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First published in October, 1995
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Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson, Victoria, B.C.
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Co-pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
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Flight Engineer - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
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Ground Technician - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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| About us |
Terry, Vesta & Alan Pionair's AGM 2007
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The NetLetter Web Site
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| Sponsors |
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| ACFamily Links |
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| Greetings! |
Vesta Stevenson
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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 etal. and share your experiences with us!
The NetLetter is an email newsletter published every weekend 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!
Vesta & your NetLetter Team
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In the "Between Ourselves" issued June 1952, a reader asked the question
"Why don't we hire as Stewardesses young women other than graduate nurses?"
Here is the company's answer at that time -
Any young woman who graduates from three years rigid training for a nurse brings to TCA full realization of the necessity for discipline. She is also completely accustomed to meeting all types of people. Most important, she is trained to handle situations that are not ordinary ones. A nurse's training develops in a young woman a sense of responsibility which is important for a Stewardess. The training also teaches the young woman the difficult trick of maintaining a cheerful disposition under trying circumstances.
Coming to TCA as graduate nurses to take jobs as Stewardesses, young women have the common denominators of education, training and background. Their professional ability to assist passengers with small children is important to TCA as well as their knowledge of how best to tend to the needs of sick passengers.
Incidentally, the Stewardess profession was conceived and originated by a nurse called Ellen Church. She became the first Stewardess on this continent when she became employed by United Air Lines.
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| Our first 70 years - Compiled by Terry Baker |
1996
- June - Air Canada and Swissair simultaneously introduce direct service between YVR and YYC to ZUR
- June 15th - Code share with Lufthansa between YVR and FRA.with B747 equipment. Non stop code share between YYC and FRA with B767 equipment.
- August 1st - Code share with All Nippon Airways between Vancouver and Osaka.
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| Star Alliance News - Compiled by Terry Baker |
Star Alliance
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US Airways announced that it had "discontinued recent discussions with" United Airlines regarding a "potential merger."
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| Air Canada Related News - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Introduction of WebSaver Fare Alerts, to become the first airline worldwide to offer email service to find best available fares! |
| TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Musings from the "Between Ourselves" magazine an Air Canada publication from years gone by.
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Stewardesses 1951
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Most recent class of Stewardesses to graduate from the training school at Montreal is shown left to right: Joyce Campbell, Alison Cuthbertson, Janet Cummings, !nez Dodge, Los Beck, Hazel Wharram, Betty Grant, Joan Wrigley, Peggy Lazelle, Florence Grey, Evelyn Lohey and Gloria Clark .
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YWG Traffic Staff 1951
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Most of the Winnipeg Traffic staff assembled for this group photo.
Back from the left: Stan Howe, Pat Donley, Frank Graceffo, Fran Smith, George Mitchell, Eleanor Smith, John Craddock, Beth Ferguson, Gene Zakala, Irene Wishart.
Middle: Al Heaton, Lorraine Anderson, Eric MacDonald, Terry Spanier, Bury Drummond-Hay, Army Toillieu, Ross Lowry, Murray Crawe, Ken Hunston, Brendy O'Brien, Bruce McDonald, Marion McPhail, Carl MacDonald, Daphne Brynelson.
Front: Glen Milne, Helen Warkentin, J. T. Moore (DT & SM), Yvonne Lough, Joe Warecki, Lee Sinclair.
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Issue dated - October 1951
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Mileposts 1951
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TCA announced the order of 5 Super Constellation aircraft for service in 1953 on the trans-Atlantic route.
In the interim, 3 Canadair4 aircraft will be acquired from Canadian Pacific Airlines to ease the pressure by the public for air transportation.
The Canadair aircraft are presently being used on the Korean airlift and on CPA's Pacific service. These are the first major orders for new equipment placed by TCA since 1947. Here are the mileposts in Canadian Aviation.
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YEG Traffic 1951
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Edmonton Traffic recently held their first 'Double Pin" ceremony. Here is a picture of the gang when they got together to honour Miss Audrey Thompson on the occasion of having completed "FIVE" years with the Company and Mr. Gregory Loney "TEN" years.
That lovely corsage on Audrey's lapel was presented with the pin. OF course Greg didn't get a corsage but he was presented with the Official Certificate by Mr. Grahame on behalf of the President.
Reading left to right: Ruth Bell, Bonar 8ain, Bob McBain, Jean Cunningham, Jerry McHale, Mary Cunningham, Jack Grahame (DT & SM), Marg Cameron, AIf Fiske, Sedora Wickstrom, Jack Cronin, Bunny Blakely, Don Caves, Marg Pratt, Bill Dunning. Seated are: Audrey Thompson, Gregory Loney and Lillian Fit!.
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Issue dated - January 1952
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TCA Scrap Book
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This issue, number 100, has these photos from the TCA scrapbook and recall some of the "inaugural flights".
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Trans-Atlantic tourist fares between YUL and LHR for period May thru Oct 1952 set at $283.60 and return $510.40 (No tax involved - eds)
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YVR 50's photo
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Two photos from the early 50's Vancouver.
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Seattle 50's photo
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Seattle-Tacoma
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"New Canadians" fly TCA.
TCA played an important part in bringing new Canadians to settle in Canada during 1951 and previously in 1947 and 1949. An agreement was entered into with the government whereby all seats not sold to regular passenger on our west-bound Atlantic flights would be available to immigrants. The fare was set at $160 with the government assuming the difference in cost of the normal one-way fare.
It took very little advertising and publicity to produce a veritable flood of requests for space. In a matter of weeks the estimated allotment of seats for the entire year was sold out.
The volume of this traffic may be judged from the fact that TCA carried over 7,500 adults, children and infants on 369 westbound flights.
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| Alan's Space - by Alan Rust |
Alan Rust
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New NetLetter Web site Online!It's taken a lot longer than expected, (doesn't everything?) but we have finally completed the first stage of the new & improved NetLetter Web Site. For Phase 1 of development we concentrated on the archives of the NetLetter itself. The NetLetter has grown in content and readership so much since 1995. A few years ago, we realized that we were also building an archive of online airline history for TCA/Air Canada and also gradually adding CP Air/Canadian Airlines, etc. as well when we began to receive content from these retirees in addition to what we already had. So, if you have missed an issue, are a new subscriber, or want to find a back issue that we, now you can view our archives back to 2003. Eventually, we will be adding right back to 1995. You can also use the search function to find specific people, places or years. Phase 2 will involve adding all the "Between Ourselves" magazines to the site with cover images and completely scanned PDF's of the issues we have in our possession. We'd like to thank all of those that donated to the NetLetter and made the creation of the archives and ongoing improvements possible. We will be adding a special thank-you section and list all of those that have donated there as well.
Type caption text here.
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The NetLetter Web Site
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Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events
- Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Extracts from the "Canadi>n Flyer" magazine Issue dated July 1997 - Routes started since January 1997 -
- March 3rd Calgary - Los Angeles
- April 3rd Toronto - Buenos Aires
- April 6th - Vancouver - Dallas/Ft. Worth
- May 5th Calgary - Chicago, Vancouver - Boston
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Louise Schebel
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Louise Schebel held 'slumberparty' with BA passengers during storm.
What Louise Schebel calls a "normal day's work" earned her Premier Awards For Excellence, the highest corporate award given by British Airways. Louise is a Vancouver-based Canadian Airlines CSA who works as a dedicated BA agent.
When a snowstorm brought Vancouver to a standstill this past December, the YVR CSA found herself with 40 unhappy passengers in the airport's BA lounge. Following several delays, she had to advise the elite flyers that their flight to London, England - which was originally to depart at 0810 hours - was not going airborne until the next day.
Louise also had to share the news that BA would not cover accommodation costs because the cancellation was due to weather. A few of the passengers raised their voices in dismay, asking what they were supposed to do with cabs scarce and hotels heavily booked. The rest of the group agreed and indicated that they would not leave the lounge. She arranged meals with catering and blankets from an aircraft. She turned on the 19-inch TV and everyone watched the programs.
The BA flight left at 1800 hours. the next day. "At the end the passengers didn't want to leave" BA was grateful and she was awarded the BA Award For Excellence and a weekend in Venice.
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Issue dated - August 1997
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Vancouver Concierges
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Members of the Vancouver Concierges team,
left to right; Maryann Potschka, Marlene Sokalski, Jim Melidones, Karin Christensen.
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Shuttle Team 1997
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The Shuttle Team met recently in Toronto to update the project plan, which is now 25 per cent complete, and discuss accomplishments and issues.
Clockwise from left: Vat Findlay, CSM YYZ, Sylvie Carrier (out of picture), CSM YUL; Lorne Key, Jim Burden, Jill Morison, Al Ross, Antoinette Carnevale, John Cook, Paul Troyan, Ric Bentkowski, Leanne MacMaster (out of picture), Bob Robertson, Helen Donovan, Shelley Sackney, Diana Ward.
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Manila 1997
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Manila is the eighth Asian destination.
Here are the Manila airport staff Left to right. Arnel Adraneda, Raymond Hicarte, Gil Andrada, Chris Geronimo, Sitting Cristina Sta.Ana, Raquel Calignas, Ossie Bandoy.
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Manila Staff 1997
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Our downtown airline staff in Manila
Standing, left to right: Len Rivera, Joel Aquino, Bochie del Rosario, Ana Abela, Maritte Encarnacion, Sally Pineda, Malou Dulay, Don Sarmiento, Sheila Mendiola, Anggie Tagura, Graham Perkins
Sitting, left to right: Sunshine Mirabueno, Sol Abelardo, Liezl Magtibay.
Missing: Jep Arenas.
(Someone had to look after the store - eds)
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| 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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Brussels, 1958
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Dick Vandam has sent us this information and a couple of photos - The first picture shows the original staff in Brussels with the start of TCA/ Air Canada service between Montreal and Brussels with Super Connie, April 1958
L/R Bob Van Ysendyck Passenger Agent, Georgette De Deken Secretary, Joe Pirnay Sales Rep, Johnny Lefebvre Certificated Mechanic, Patton Wilson District Manager Belgium, Sid Dirks Sales Rep, Jacky Staessen Secretary, Dick Vandam Passenger Agent.
Picture taken from "Between Ourselves".
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Reunion, 2010
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Second picture shows Johnny Lefebvre during a visit recently to Brussels. Shown are Bob Van Ysendyck, Johnny Lefebvre, Dick Vandam.
Missing - Georgette De Deken.
The four remaining from the original staff are looking forward to the reintroduction of service to Brussels this coming June. It will make it more convenient to get together.
Dick Vandam
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VISCOUNTS IN THE ATTIC?Here we have this appeal from Jack Stephens - As the Canadian researcher for the web site: www.vickersviscount.net I am part of a small international team of Viscount researchers. As volunteers, we are gathering photos, history and personal testimonies on the 444 Viscounts manufactured by Vickers Armstrongs. My focus is on the 51 that TCA/AirCanada flew, plus the 3 Transport Canada, and various others, such as the Royal Bank of Canada's aircraft. For the past four years many retired Air Canada individuals from air and ground crews, station managers and ordinary Canadians that love the Viscount, have sent me their photos and stories. These were sent to the web site, and added to the appropriate aircraft's history. Personal stories and testimonies are in the process of being added to the site. Our aim is to have an image of every single aircraft, together with images showing significant moments in each Viscount's history. We need photos of our Viscounts, so I ask, "Are there any Viscounts in your attic". If so could you dig out and send them to me? You will receive full caption credit for each photo used, and they cannot be downloaded off the Site, so they are secure. Any photo, even a poor quality one, is better than not having one at all. Our graphic systems can restore all but the worst image. It may be a photo on the ramp, or an interior shot, all are necessary for a complete history. Some photos just show the tail or the nose, but we can then trace their numbers. Please include place and date, for historical purposes. Please scan them to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 600dpi. Perhaps, snail mail would be better for you. If so I promise to make copies and send them back to you as soon as possible. My address is: Jack Stephens198 Arbour Meadows Close, NWCalgary, AB, T3G 5J3. Phone: (403) 239-6078 Time marches on and us Viscount veterans are slipping away, so let's preserve the history of this great aircraft. I invite you to see the TCA/AirCanada aircraft at: www.vickersviscount.net Sincerely, Jack Stephens Jack Stephens also sends this information - A new item on www.vickersviscount.netwhich you would be interested in. Go to PHOTOS....drop down to "Viscount Film From British Pathe News" In particular the one where the Duke of Edinburgh visits Vickers-Armstrongs April 1958, and the TCA aircraft on the line. Jack
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Odds & Ends - Compiled by Terry Baker
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For the DC-3 buffs -
DC-3 STORIES ABOUND
As details firm up for the huge gathering of DC-3 and C-47 aircraft just before AirVenture, those with a personal attachment to the venerable aircraft are telling their stories. Organizers of the Last Time, a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the aircraft, have opened a diary section on their Web site www.thelasttime.org/diaries.htm that encourages the swapping of yarns about the iconic aircraft. |
DC-2
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Meanwhile preparations continue for the mass formation flight of 40 aircraft from Rock Falls, ILL to Oshkosh for the opening day of AirVenture on July 26 which will include one of the last flying DC-2s in existence.
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Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker
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Terry Baker
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Here's a deal to visit the Okanagan for a 25% discount
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Destiny Beach Resort
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Chris Arbique an Air Canada retiree (YYCAP) together with his wife Trish are offering active and retired Air Canada employee's an opportunity of discovering the South Okanagan town of Osoyoos in British Columbia by offering 25% off accommodations at their hotel entitled, The Destiny Beach Resort.
View this lovely little property and the special rates they are offering here: "Destiny Beach Resort"
www.destinybeach.net/AC_Employees___Retirees.html
Interline Deal available through Caesar Hotels Airways
Hawaii with confirmed air!
From LAX
Oahu from $349* Castle Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki
Maui from $411* Kaanapali Ocean Inn
Kauai from $507* Aston Aloha Beach Hotel
Hawaii's Big Island from $557* Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa
FREE Hertz Car Rental with a minimum 5 night stay For travel 5/1 - 5/31 and 9/1-12/15/10
Hotel upgrades available
From SFO
Oahu from $369* Castle Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki
Maui from $399* Kaanapali Ocean Inn
Kauai from $539* Aston Aloha Beach Hotel
Hawaii's Big Island from $573* Royal Kona Resort
FREE Hertz Car Rental with a minimum 5 night stay For travel 5/1 - 5/31 and 9/1-12/15/10
Save up to $100 with a Hertz Car Rental with a minimum 5 night stay
For travel 4/1 - 4/30 and 6/1 - 8/31/10
Hotel upgrades available
Includes round trip confirmed air and 3 nights accommodations. Additional nights, car rentals and other city departures are available. Airline taxes are additional. Travel 4/11 - 6/7/2010
Prices us$ pp
Call Today! 1-800-422-3727
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Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker
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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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Image Caption
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Another cartoon by Dave Mathias from "Between Ourselves" issue May 1952.
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Image Caption
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Laszlo Bastyovanszky sent us this one from the Denver Post.
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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!
Sincerely,
Your NetLetter Team
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