The NetLetter
For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)
December 02, 2013 - Issue 1283
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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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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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| 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.
Historical Events
The pre-inaugural flight Vancouver to Edmonton and Saskatoon by North Star CF-TFI on April 30th, 1949, with scheduled service commencing May 1st, 1949.
The TCA ticket office in North Bay was moved to the Empire Hotel and opened on February 1st, 1949.
On June 3rd, 1978, CPA and Nordair schedules became officially available in ReserVec.
Winnipeg International airport celebrated its 50th anniversary during May, 1978.
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Issue dated - March 1949
Some items gleaned from the "Between Ourselves" magazines.
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 January 1st, 1949 - New pass privileges introduced. Trans-Atlantic service for employees having 5 years service or more. UK National employees may, after 5 years service or more, fly to Canada once a year.
(With the introduction of new travel privileges, GOAC etc introduced April 1st 2013, we thought you may like to compare - eds) |
 Sent to us by Archie Furzer in LHR are two photos of the document required to request passes.
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| On January 9th, 1949 TCA staff moved from the older premises to the new Malton terminal which was opened to the public. |
Western Region Station Manager's Meeting - Lethbridge, Alberta January, 1949
Standing left to right: P. O'Flynn, Medicine Hat; H. Slater, Edmonton; N. Hepburn, Saskatoon; D. Weir, Lethbridge; H. C. Chase, Brandon; S. N. Knight, Winnipeg; J. A. MacDonald, Pat Bay; W. R. Rowan, Calgary: Seated left to right: G. A. Saunders, Yorkton; E. P. Wells, Vancouver; Mrs. W. Phillips, Secretary, Vancouver; E. W. Stull, Operations Manager, Vancouver; T. W. Kirkham, Regina; J. A. Ames, Swift Current.
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"Grocery Van on Wings" was the caption.
Here is a short story concerning one TCA North Star, thirty-thousand eggs and incalculable generosity. All three were involved in a special shipment containing 2,500 Easter Breakfasts, made up in packages of a dozen eggs and one pound of best Canadian bacon that were sent by Canadian housewives to friends and relatives in Britain in time for their Easter breakfasts.
This novel idea originated with James A. Ogilvy, a Montreal Department store, early in spring 1949. To attract attention to the proposed shipment, this special eye-catching display was created. The charter flight was under the command of Captain Jack Hames.
 
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Issue dated - June 1978
Some items gleaned from the "Horizon" magazines.
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David Johnston and his bride, Fiona took an unexpected honeymoon thanks to the crew of flight AC855/27 in May of 1978. Boarding at Presswork, bound for Winnipeg, Mr. Johnston asked Flight Service Director Paul Coates of Toronto for help in finding a window seat so that he could wave to his bride whom he had married a few hours earlier. Mrs. Johnston's travel documents had not arrived in time for the departure and her husband had to be at work in Flin Flon, Manitoba the next morning. She stood crying on the observation deck.
Coming to their rescue was Paul, Captain K. M. Yates of Vancouver, and the rest of the crew. After a minor flight delay and a good deal of scurrying about, arrangements were made to board the bride, who was still wearing her wedding dress. In the excitement she had lost her passport, but was able to get through Customs and Immigrations by producing a newspaper cutting of her engagement details. Her arrival on-board was welcomed by cheers from the passengers, who had passed a hat around and collected $220.00 to help Fiona as her luggage was left behind.
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| Alan's Space - by Alan Rust |
 Amazon shows off drones that could deliver packages to doorsteps, but it's doubtful the project will take off anytime soon. Also, Facebook tinkers with feed flashbacks and #GivingTuesday gets a push from Google+ Hangouts.
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| CNET Update - Questions hover over Amazon's drone plans |
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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 - 1970
From an Eastern Provincial Airways brochure"Come fly with us"
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 Information about becoming a Flight Attendant - Basic Requirements (1970)
Age minimum 20 years; maximum hiring age 26 years. Height minimum 5'3" - maximum 6'0 ". Weight in good proportion to height. Education- minimum Senior Matriculation. Health - an excellent state of health without reliance upon medical accessories. Contact lenses are permitted, but not glasses. Must pass Company medical.
General
A pleasant, fresh appearance plus poise and a natural, tactful friendliness are necessary attributes. Participation in school activities and a varied social life contributed greatly toward the development of self confidence and charm. Working experience is an asset. Citizenship Canadian. Languages English. French is a great asset.
Training
Four week training courses for new Flight Attendants are conducted in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Subjects covered include highlights of the story of aviation and background on EPA, the art of handling passengers, meal service and general flight duties. Further training period is conducted covering Safety and Emergency procedures and First Aid instruction. Transportation, meals and hotel expenses, are paid by the airline during training courses.
Working Conditions and Hours
Considered to be excellent. The most modern conveniences and supplies are utilized in efficient, compact working areas on EPA's jets and commuter aircraft. Daily hours vary depending upon the service schedule with which the Flight Attendant is engaged. Monthly flying time averages between 65 to 70 hours.
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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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 Loretta Blencowe sends in this report -
The 10th annual DTF Toronto Chapter (Dreams Take Flight) Golf Tournament held at the Royal Ontario Golf Club on August 28th was very successful. In the final days, golfers were being turned away as we were told the course couldn't take more than 152!
With holidays and computer problems, we only recently had our debriefing and started plans for the next Tournament, in August 2014.
The weather was bearable as a storm was "promised" for several days, but on the day, it was quite warm and humid with a few showers in late afternoon. The Course was a challenge for many, with excellent golfers saying they simply could not hit a ball properly, but had the most fun ever!
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 In NetLetter nr 1254, we had an article regarding the TCA Employees Flying Club (Toronto), and ended with this comment - we, at the NetLetter, wonder if this club still exists-eds.
Roger Slauenwhite responded with this information - The flying club here in Toronto was dissolved several years ago, but it sure received lots of recognition when we flew it. Air Canada gave us DC-8 hangar. A small bird amongst the big ones! Roger sent this photo showing the flying club representatives presenting Claude Taylor with a picture of our Cessna 172, in the background on the ramp, for giving the club permission to allow us to paint the aircraft in Air Canada colours.
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The participants, at one of their fly-ins, and looking unruffled are,
standing from the left: Captain P. L. Windh, Jerry Milek, Reed Aiken, Ron Paterson, George Warriner, Jim Beloshesky and Don Morrison.
Front row, from the left: Lars Jensen, Roger Siauenwhite, Bob Rathwell and Don Washington.
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Jack Cooke spotted this statement in a NetLetter "The TCA Alumni was formed in 1971.
Does anyone have any information about the Alumni? Does it still exist?" and this is his response -
I believe that termination came with the election of their last President. She did not communicate with the membership, did not gather/appoint other people to assist in running the Alumni, and no one has heard anything about the organization since November 1998.
I believe it is safe to say that the Alumni has disappeared into oblivion. Very sad, and I think that the Pionairs' AGM is going in the same direction (lately becoming only a one-day affair).
Regards, Jack Cooke (retired C&SS YYZ)
(The last information in the NetLetter was in nr 414 and 467 - eds)
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Ken Pickford has sent us his comments and findings regarding the article in NetLetter nr 1280 - Just comments re Norman Hogwood's photo of the 3 Emirates A380s at Auckland and his statement that "Auckland is the only airport outside Dubai that has 3 x A380's on the ground at one time."
I'm afraid that's not correct. London Heathrow has as many as 6 on the ground at the same time and Los Angeles and Sydney both have at least 4 at once. I checked the current schedules for those. For example, LHR has 6 A380's arriving between 4:50 AM and 7:10 AM and the first A380 departure isn't until 9:10 AM so those 6 aircraft will be on the ground at LHR at once from 7:10 AM until 9:10 AM. And for a while in the evening there are up to 5 there at once. LHR currently has 13 daily A380 departures (Emirates 5 and British Airways, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines 2 each). Interestingly, 7 of the 13 A380's are to Dubai (the 5 Emirates and 2 Qantas flights). I didn't check but I think there's a good chance Singapore may also have more than 3 on the ground at once since Singapore Airlines now has 19 A380's in service. There may be one or two others. Regards Ken
We sent Ken's comment to Norman prior to publishing, and this was his response -
Hi Terry. Well, what a whopper! I guess we both took the comment at face value without thinking it through. When you do think about it stands to reason that there must be a strong possibility, now that there are so many of them around, that other airports have as many if not more. SYD would be another example of where there must be 3 or more as they have two a day QF from LAX I think, in addition to those from LHR. Below in italics is the e-mail from my friend who works for Menzies at AKL and I've just brought his mistake to his attention. Cheers, Norm
"A great picture which I would like to share with you - we are the only Airport outside Dubai that has 3 x A380's on the ground at one time!!"
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Grant Wilson sends this comment referring to the article from Norman Hogwood in NetLetter nr 1280 - Noted your piece on the A380 operation at AKL & the only thing to add is I believe that Emirates was asked to go onto the Tasman to Auckland by the governments of NZ & Australia, around 2005. At that time QF & NZ were talking about an equity swap and the 2 governments were worried about no competition across the Ditch at all.
Yes, things have changed in the last year & a half with the commercial arrangement between QF & EK and we will see where that goes in future. I do enjoy your newsletter, please keep up the good work. Regards, LGW Grant Wilson. Retired AC.
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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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 Alan Evans in South Africa sends this for the Viscount aficionados - Please be advised that ORAFs has uploaded a new story supported by photographs and we hope you will take a few minutes of your time and either click on the link below to view or read the article.
Click here for article.
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Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker
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Some Nordair memorabilia collected by your Chief Pilot.
 
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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.
Bob Mellis sends this comment about the article which appeared in the NetLetter nr 1281 - got a kick out of Bob Barry's story about engines. I agree that the sound of the old piston pounders on start up was quite something - all that clanking of loose metal trying to get free - and then finally a big burst of sweet smelling smoke and then a great roar. I miss them. Love the NetLetter. Always interesting. Thanks, Bob |
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 Roger Slauenwhite sent us this cartoon which he saved from The Toronto Telegraph issue Jan 7th, 1963. The top left caption reads "TCA Cutting Those Smiles. There will be fewer pretty smiles for passengers on Trans-Canada Air Lines in the future. TCA confirmed today it is reducing the number of stewardesses on a large number of flights "for economy reasons".
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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
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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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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.
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