Archives 1999

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*************************************************************************
*(As not all Pionairs or retirees have direct access to this NetLetter, *
* may we suggest that those of you who have, pass a copy of this        *
* information along to your fellow retirees. Thank you. - eds)          *
*************************************************************************

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. That's it for this time, please we need your input, send
comments and email addresses of any others who may be
interested to:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

/------------------------\               |--\_____/--\__ |
| Between Yourselves     |______________ \______====== )-+
|       NetLetter         |                      ---|/-- |
\------------------------/                         ()

==================================================================
|\^/|
_| TCA |_        B E T W E E N   Y O U R S E L V E S
_|\| AIR |/|_              N E T L E T T E R
> CANADA   <
>_./|\._<           for Air Canada retirees
|

Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.acfamily.net/between/vesta/

Co-pilot     - Terry Baker         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.acfamily.net/between/terry/

Mailing of this "NetLetter" is courtesy of Alan Rust
administrator of the "AC Family Network" at:
http://www.acfamily.net

Number 406   Date Sept 16th, 1999 BYN 1st Published in October 1995

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. Need to know.
Both your Chief Pilot and Co-pilot are AWOL from Sept 19th until near
the end of September, so things will be awfully quiet around the
NetLetter flight deck! We might add that we are in different locations<g>.

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Just a reminder, for articles or comments to the editors of this
NetLetter, please mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. We welcome -
Donald Scott retired Maintenance Planner lives in
Dollard Des Ormeaux, Que emailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
John Franklin retired Pooling & Allotment Coordinator lives in
Ottawa, ON   email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bob Lynch retired and lives in Wokingham, Berks, UK
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
J. Gallant retired Cat 30 mechanic lives in Dorval, QC
email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. News from the districts.
A group of Pionairs and spouses from the London England district will
be visiting Vancouver arriving on Sept 29th and departing Oct 1st.
The group will be staying at the Airport Travelodge on St. Edwards Drive
in Richmond. The group will be having dinner in the attached restaurant
on the evening of Sept 30th.

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. Message from Tom Grant -
As editor of the A-Crew Website I would like to "publicly" acknowledge
Charles MacKie's contribution to the website. His weekly updates on the Ham
radio connection in the "On Air" page of the website has made the site
relevant and timely for many of the websites readers. I thank him for
taking the time each week to compile and send me the Tuesday contacts on
the AC radio network for posting. Thanks Charles.
Tom Grant, Editor http://www.acfamily.net/acrew/
(Why not 'tune in' to this web site to view this and other
information - eds)

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. Lois North shares some more of her memories -
Here are a few of my memories about my time as a flight attendant.
In the Canadian Maple Wings Association (a national group of former/
retired/current flight attendants of TCA/Air Canada) chapter here in
Victoria, we are lucky to have our membership include women who flew in
the 1940's, as well as the'50's to '80's, along with current 1990's
flight attendants. So we really get a good perspective on flying through
the years up to the present day. I'm sure it's still a wonderful job,
but I kind of think it might have been more fun in the 'old days'.
Some of the women in our CMWA "Dogwood" chapter tell of working the
Lockheeds and having to climb over the main spar on the journey from
the galley to the front of the aircraft, no mean feat in a uniform skirt.
Many of us who worked the Montreal Alouette football team charters in
the 1950's can recall how those big guys thought it quite funny to pick
up the stew and plop her into the overhead rack on the North Star. Then
they'd stand back and grin while the poor stew tried to maintain her
decorum while attempting to extricate herself wearing that straight
uniform skirt.
I remember one flight in the Maritimes, we had an old gentleman on who
had boarded in Newfoundland. When we stopped in Halifax, he tried to
give me a $5.00 tip. I thanked him, but explained that it was company
policy that we did not accept tips. He was most reluctant to accept
this and kept pressing the bill into my hand. Finally I seemed to
convince him and he returned to his seat. When we stopped in St. John,
he got off the aircraft for the station stop, and when he reboarded he
was holding his hand behind his back. As he showed me his boarding
pass, he whipped his other hand from behind his back and presented me
with a big handful of wild flowers he had picked from along the fence
leading into the terminal. He said if I couldn't take the tip, then he
wanted me to have some flowers. These I accepted with a big smile.
I worked mostly North Star flights in the Maritimes and Newfoundland.
Irregular operations were often the normal situation because of the
weather and crews often spent days on end in Sydney, Gander or St.
John's waiting for the fog to clear. We quickly got to know the best
places to eat and drink (Joe's Steak House in Sidney, the Big Dipper
and the Airport Club in Gander and of course, the Crow's Nest in Torbay).
The North Star seems so small now when compared to today's wide-bodied,
stretched aircraft capable of holding several hundred passengers. A
North Star first class flight held 44 passengers with two flight
attendants. The Tourist version of the Star held 66 passengers with
one stew. Our meal service on these flights consisted of box lunches
(no trolleys in those days) and often occurred during short flight legs,
so speed and efficiency were the orders of the day. The stew would load
up a bunch of boxes, tuck them under her chin and deal them out like a
deck of cards. We were a lot more circumspect when it came to serving
the coffee.
Best Wishes, Lois North

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. Your Chief Pilot sends this -
Subject: Pembroke airport
PEMBROKE, Ont. - When one of Japan's commercial flying schools went
looking for a North American partner, it insisted on a carrier that
could provide a first-rate classroom in the skies, and keep their
trainees away from busy air traffic until they were ready. That's how
Pem-Air -- a tiny, family-run carrier based in Pembroke, Ont. -- became
the Japanese airline industry's finishing school of choice. From a
remote airfield in the Ottawa Valley, the first two Japanese students
are working toward a Canadian commercial pilot's licence that
eventually will allow them to fly at home as well.'
(Perhaps future AC pilots in the making! - eds)

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. Phil Pawsey set the poser, now here is his answer -
This is it. I promise to be silent on the subject of the Cone of
Silence from now on. It was a pleasure to hear from so many of you
regarding this terminology and must say that all answers were sincere
and well thought out, all but one, that is.
The answer I was looking for (there are probably others) is that the
modern meaning of the Cone of Silence pertains to AWAC.
These airborne radar surveillance aircraft have a tremendous coverage
from all directions except that which is directly below the aircraft
and the AWAC boys call this the Cone of Silence. According to a TV
series that I watched recently, they have to rely on ground based radar
to observe any enemy threat from directly below them.
I find that rather difficult to believe but that is what they tell the
public anyway. Bick and Brownee could go down this cone of silence with
power off and even at their present zero fuel weight.
Phil Pawsey E mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Terry's travel tips.
From Dargal -
October 21 ~ 9 Nights ~ Holland America ~ ms MAASDAM
New York City, Newport/Rhode Island, Boston, Portland/Maine,
Bar Harbor/Maine St. John/New Brunswick, Halifax/Nova Scotia,
Martha's Vineyard, New York City
Inside $540   Outside $580
All rates are US$ per person, based on double occupancy
and subject to availability and eligibility.
Port charges/Govt fees are additional.
For more information on this and other specials - contact us at:
DARGAL Interline 1-800-690-3223

CANADIAN INTERLINE TRAVELS LTD.
Making plans for Christmas or Millennium 2000?
Christmas Cruises
December 23 1999 - Horizon 11 Night Ultimate Caribbean
(Fort Lauderdale, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados,
Antiqua, Gala Fireworks Display off Labadee, Nassau, Fort Lauderdale)
Outside from $2454.00 usd pp dbl
Plus $145.00 usd Port Charges pp dbl
Millennium Cruises
December 26 1999 - Rhapsody of the Seas 7 Night Mexican Baja
(Los Angeles, San Diego, Catalina, Ensenada, San Franscico, Los Angeles)
Inside from $1074.00 usd pp dbl Outside from $1274.00 usd pp dbl
plus $125.00 usd Port Charges Per Person
December 26 1999 - Zenith 14 Night Westbound Trans-Canal
(San Juan, St. Thomas, Aruba, Cartagena, San Blas,
Panama Canal, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego)
Inside from $1079.00 usd pp dbl Outside from $1279.00 usd pp dbl
Plus $220.00 usd Port Per Person Double Occupancy
December 27 1999 - Viking Serenade 7 Night Mexican Baja
(Los Angeles, San Diego, Catalina, San Franscico, Ensenada, Los Angeles)
Inside from $974.00 usd pp dbl Outside from $1174.00 usd pp dbl
Plus $125.00 usd Port Charges Per Person Double Occupancy
December 28 1999 Splendour of the Seas 10 Night Southern Caribbean
(Miami, Grand Cayman, Labadee, Aruba, Curacao, Miami)
Inside from $1459.00 usd pp dbl Outside from $1659.00 usd pp dbl
plus $ 140.00 usd Port Charges Per Person
Call Canadian Interline Travel Ltd. for more details and more trips.
Toll Free: 1-800-665-3100

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. Smilie from the RAPCAN email newsletter by Duane Frerichs -
*** Which Exit Did You Say That Was? ***
A DC-10 had an exceedingly long landing roll out after landing with his
approach speed just a little too high. San Jose Tower: "American 751
Heavy, turn right at the end if able. If not able, take the Guadalupe
exit off of Highway 101 back to the airport."

*** Mmmm-mmm, Good! ***
Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on 124.7."
Eastern 702: "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure...by the way,
as we lifted off, we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the
runway."
Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on
124.7...did you copy the report from Eastern?"
Continental 635: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff...and yes, we
copied Eastern and we've already notified our caterers"

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. That's it for this time, please we need your input, send
comments and email addresses of any others who may be
interested to:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

/------------------------\               |--\_____/--\__ |
| Between Yourselves     |______________ \______====== )-+
|       NetLetter         |                      ---|/-- |
\------------------------/                         ()

==================================================================
|\^/|
_| TCA |_        B E T W E E N   Y O U R S E L V E S
_|\| AIR |/|_              N E T L E T T E R
> CANADA   <
>_./|\._<           for Air Canada retirees
|

Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.acfamily.net/between/vesta/

Co-pilot     - Terry Baker         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.acfamily.net/between/terry/

Mailing of this "NetLetter" is courtesy of Alan Rust
administrator of the "AC Family Network" at:
http://www.acfamily.net

Number 405   Date Sept 10th, 1999 BYN 1st Published in October 1995

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. DID YOU KNOW?
You can read or retrieve back issues of the BYN?
Just visit our web site at:
http://www.acfamily.net/between
and click on the "Archives" button.
This area is only open to "BETWEEN YOURSELVES - NetLetter" subscribers
and you will need the following password to enter -
User Name: byn Password: vesta

Why not check out the Air Canada Retired Employees Web Site
http://www.acfamily.net/acrew/
webmaster is Tom Grant.

Don't forget the new web site forum on THE MERGER!
http://www.acemployee.com

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. Need to know.
AIR CANADA LAUNCHES DAILY NON-STOP SERVICE BETWEEN HALIFAX AND
WASHINGTON DULLES.
With the introduction of the airline's 52nd route since Open Skies,
Air Canada flight AC681 will leave Halifax at 1420 and will arrive in
Washington Dulles at 1540. From Washington, flight AC682 will depart
at 0945 and will arrive in Halifax at 1255.
The airline will operate 50-seat Canadair Regional jet aircraft.

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. Tom Grant sends this information -
In case you would like to email your MPs re: the ONErous/AMR
takeover, here is where they find the addresses:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/senmemb/house/MemberList.asp?Lang=E
http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/senmemb/house/MemberList.asp?Lang=F
Regards, Tom

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. Here are some of those memories from Lois North -
I had been a passenger agent in Sidney for several years before
transferring into Flight Operations, and I knew a lot of the passengers
and the ground staff in the various stations, so flying in the Maritimes
was a bit like 'old home week' for me. There was a lot of fun and
camaraderie amongst all the employees. Some of the practical jokes
played by people, who shall remain nameless, are legendary. A better
storyteller than I might perhaps be able to recount some of the more
famous stunts.
I suppose one of my most vivid memories is of a flight in a Viscount
from Montreal bound for Halifax and return. When we took off from Dorval
the weather was CAVU (Clear Air Visibility Unlimited). However, enroute,
the Maritimes started to go down including our alternates. Boston
remained open so we proceeded to head there as this was the ultimate
destination of many of our passengers who were to connect in Halifax to
the Boston flight. About half-way there, Captain David Mills who was the
skipper, advised us that Boston too had gone down and we were going back
to Dorval. Most of the passengers took it in good spirit as they
understood the uncertainties of Maritime weather. (It may also have been
because we did not serve liquor on board at that time!) As for me, an
aspiring pilot myself in those days, I didn't really care if we went
anywhere, just as long as we flew around. A few years ago, David Mills
and I met at a RAPCAN Convention and recalled that flight and had a good
chuckle about it.
My association with the TCA/Air Canada family has been a happy one. The
operative word here is "family", having been an employee myself, and
married to a pilot, my sister, Genie Cossitt Wright was a flight
attendant in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, based in Calgary, Winnipeg and
Vancouver, and I am now the parent of an employee, son Reigh who is a
station attendant on the ramp in Vancouver.
Regards Lois North. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. From 'Between Ourselves' dated April 1062 kindly loaned by
Margaret Cantwell.
Article entitled ' The first group travel' - tickets issued by
London's Regent Street, CTO at the new, reduced fares, were for 36
Salvation Army bandsmen travelling the length and breadth of North
America for a month. Working in shifts, five Agents took a total of
16 hours to write up 180 tickets shown (in the photo) with Agents
Audrey Blencowe, Jill Whiston, Brian Crombleholme and Ralph Walker.
(No mention made of the fifth Agent - maybe they were off due to
exhaustion! - eds)

Also in the same issue -
The End Of An Era ...
The last maintenance check for flight AC353 on March 15th 1962 of
Super Constellation fin 405. Mechanics Gerry McDougall, Al Scammel and
BillSimka of the Radio Shop are shown in a picture, and in another were
Station Attendants George Finley, Tom Pacione, Leo Calzavara,
Harry Bryburgh and Al Stolcers all from Toronto.
(Fin 405 CF-TGE ended up as a restaurant in rural Quebec, then at the
Constellation Hotel in Toronto, and now resides at the Millardair
area at Pearson Airport - eds)

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. News from the districts.
Sheila Moscoe sends an update on the T2CK -
The last monthly meeting of the T2 Coffee Klatch was to celebrate
the first Anniversary on Sept 7th - just one year ago Sheila started
these monthly meetings to help keep those retirees from the Terminal 2
at Toronto in touch with each other.
Anyhow, just to let you know, we did have a great turnout and I brought
a fabulous chocolate cake (Tim Horton's) and we had a wonderful time.
Imagine one year already that we've been getting together.
Also, in one year, we've had a total of 259 retirees in attendance!
Those of you who attend these meetings - spread the word!
Sheila can be contacted by emailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Help!
Gayle Graham asks us this -
Subject: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA
Is there anywhere in Toronto one can purchase 1 day passes to Universal
Studios Orlando, Canadian at par? I have contacted Universals toll free
nr and all they could offer me was the US amount for tickets.
We are planning to go in Nov and we will have visitors from England
wanting to visit Universal.
Of course the best price we can get .... the better.
Thank you for any information you may be able to give.
Gayle Graham (C.S.S.A .   Toronto Airport) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Earl & Doris Cummings send us another answer - <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Re: Phil Pawsey's Cone of Silence query:
The "cone of silence" was associated with Radio Range Stations
(the old four-legged, aural navigational aid used for airways and
approaches) ... it was a cone-shaped zone, (pointy end at station level),
in which there was no aural signal ... over   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Information from Brian Dunn in his YYZ email newsletter -
Air Canada sent an A340 to Istanbul Turkey with emergency relief
supplies for the earthquake victims. The Canadian Red Cross chartered
the aircraft which left YYZ Sunday at 1800hrs(Sep 5th) via CDG to
Istanbul. The aircraft was then planned to be ferried back to
Paris-CDG, then loaded with revenue cargo for Montreal on the 6th.
Another first happened on Sunday the 5th when Air Canada sent an
A340 to Moncton NB and operate back to Montreal as an extra-section
flight....primarily for the various dignitaries attending the
Francophone Conference this weekend. It is believed to be the first
A340-300 to fly into Moncton NB.
(Just hope someone did some lobbying whilst on an
Air Canada flight! - eds)

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. Captain Alan MacLeod sends us another update on CF-TCC -
Tango Charlie Charlie is now home in Winnipeg, where it started its
career in 1937.
Over Labor day weekend it flew out of the museum at the Edmonton City
Center airport. Ninety eight people experience a tour of the area which
took in the city core, naturally, out to Cooking Lake (where many bush
pilots started their careers) then around the Twin Island Air Park, back
to the city area and over the west Edmonton Mall. Weather was ideal.
Passengers ages varied from 2 yrs to 82 yrs! People were so ecstatic at
the finish of their tour they didn't want to leave the aircraft.
Comments in support of the Dreams Take Flight, program, and Air Canada
staff were ongoing. People praised Air Canada for making it happen.
Perhaps the most special passenger we carried was a "Stewardess" (as
they were known then), who retired in 1941 !! Gladys was her first
name. Her last escapes me now.
She brought along a log book listing every flight she did and the names
of pilots. Also aircraft fin numbers. Appropriate comments were written
about such places like Armstrong, Kapuskasing, etc. Gladys came and had
a look at the flight deck and said"
not much has changed, just the faces". She asked about Capt. L. Rood,
Capt. Seagrim, Capt. Hollick Kenyon, Capt. Geguere. These were some of
the names in her logbook.
Gladys went home a happy lady with memories refreshed, and another entry
in her logbook.
Monday evening we flew to Winnipeg arriving about 21:30 local. We were
able to do it nonstop having following winds of about 40kts. Time
enroute was 4 hrs 15 min. We managed it without Phil Pawsey's navigating
assistance!
Capt. Gerry Norberg, Capt. Harvey Reid and yours truly were flying over
the four days. C.A.T. Dan Stefanson, from Winnipeg was with us.
The next DREAMS flying will be in Winnipeg on the 16th, 17th, 18th and
19th of this month. Operating out of the museum hangar, from the
original TCA departure gate/check-in counter, where TCC operated in
1937.
Make an effort to come out and see your aircraft before it goes back
in the museum for the winter.
Should anybody remember Gladys, please let us have her last name.
Alan MacLeod. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Terry's travel tips.

Effective September 11, 1999, Air Canada will extend its network in
Mexico by codesharing on Mexicana flights between Mexico City and
Guadalajara, Cancun, Ixtapa as well as Puerto Vallarta. Air Canada
will also put its code on Mexicana flights between Los Angeles and
Guadalajara, offering customers convenient connections from and to Calgary.
Mexicana will begin codesharing on Air Canada flights between Winnipeg and
Chicago, Calgary and Los Angeles as well as between Toronto and Halifax.
The airline will also increase its codeshare service on Montréal-Chicago
and Toronto-Chicago by offering a second daily flight on each route.

Duane Frerichs in his RAPCAN email newsletter tells us -
All Nippon Airways joins the Star Alliance network!
Air Canada along with the other Star Alliance airlines are delighted
to announce that Japan's All Nippon Airways will become part of the
Star Alliance network on October 31, 1999.

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Ryanair Ltd. won't fly on New Year's Eve. According to Aviation Daily,
citing lack of demand and not computer problems, Ryanair of Ireland
will follow Virgin Atlantic and LOT Polish Airlines and won't be
flying at the bewitching hour. Ryanair does not normally operate
flights after 10:00 pm.

Air Ontario are commencing their new YYZ to Rochester NY service on
September 19th with four flights per weekdays. One trip each way will
go through Syracuse (SYR). The airline is also starting a new direct
service from Windsor to Ottawa with a stop at London enroute, and a
weekends only new non-stop service between London and Montreal.

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. Smilie spotted by Lawson Tremellen -
As the jetliner was taxing down the tarmac, it abruptly stopped and
returned to the gate. After waiting over an hour, it finally took off.
A concerned passenger asked the flight attendant what had happened.
"The pilot was bothered by a noise he heard in the engine," said the
flight attendant. "It took an hour to find another pilot."

and one from Sheila Moscoe -
Have you seen this cute little note which was handed to a flight
attendant on Qantas?
"Dear Captain
My name is Nicola I'm 8 years old, this is my first flight but I'm not
scared. I like to watch the clouds go by. My mum says the crew is
nice. I think your plane is good. thanks for a nice flight don't screw
up the landing Luv Nicola xxxx" (The note had a hand drawing of an
airplane, stick person,and the sun).

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. That's it for this time, please we need your input, send
comments and email addresses of any others who may be
interested to:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

/------------------------\               |--\_____/--\__ |
| Between Yourselves     |______________ \______====== )-+
|       NetLetter         |                      ---|/-- |
\------------------------/                         ()

==================================================================
|\^/|
_| TCA |_        B E T W E E N   Y O U R S E L V E S
_|\| AIR |/|_              N E T L E T T E R
> CANADA   <
>_./|\._<           for Air Canada retirees
|

Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.acfamily.net/between/vesta/

Co-pilot     - Terry Baker         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.acfamily.net/between/terry/

Mailing of this "NetLetter" is courtesy of Alan Rust
administrator of the "AC Family Network" at:
http://www.acfamily.net

Number 404   Date Sept 7th, 1999 BYN 1st Published in October 1995

====================================================================
Just a reminder, for articles or comments to the editors of this
NetLetter, please mailto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. This is a special edition. We do not wish to have the NetLetter used as
a forum for the angst being expressed by our readers over the Onex and
AMR bid for the skies of Canada, but felt this article by Don Demeza
should be aired.
We urge those of you with concerns to contact the Canadian government.

We would also point you to a new web site that has been set up for the
expressed purpose of providing such a forum. Try it!

http://www.acemployee.com

The following is Don's message -

To: The Government of Canada

The great Liberals of the past, who recognized Canada's vulnerability
to U.S. aviation interests, must be turning in their graves as today's
cabinet ministers support the takeover of Canadian Aviation by American
Airlines. Air Canada is a national icon, a world class airline, conceived,
built, owned and operated by Canadians. I find it hard to believe that my
government is actually throwing roadblocks in front of this Canadian
success, Air Canada, so that not only will the failed airline, Canadien
Airlines, be rewarded, but American Airlines will control aviation in
Canada forever. American Airlines have positioned themselves to not only
control Canada's airlines but to improve their own financial position
through the progressive outsourcing of Canadian work and jobs to the U.S.
This is a direct repeat of the "generous?" help they provided to Canadien
Airlines in 1993. How can we be so naïve?

American Airlines (AMR Corp) strategists are the best in the business.
They have planned their every move to control aviation in Canada and must
be rubbing their hands in glee as even the Canadian Government lends them
a helping hand. Is it too much to ask for my government ministers to pose
the question, "What's in this for American?" I don't think it is
necessary for me to even mention ONEX and Mr. Schwartz. He is simply
their new front man as American keep a low profile and watch Canada
self-destruct with east/west controversies. They listen with delight as
some of our superficial press simply pick Air Canada as the traditional
villain but understand little of either the past or the present.
American is putting up most of the money. American is setting the terms
and completely controls the agenda. Let no one think otherwise.
It's not difficult to predict the future. Let's look at their record.

* As far back as 1973 Bob Crandall of American stated, "He who has the
biggest and best computer reservations system will succeed the most".
The American Sabre system and the Air Canada Reservec system were
developed in parallel. Reservec, a recognized Canadian achievement, was
world class. The vision was for a world-wide system, owned and operated
by Canadians, to sell Canada through the travel agents of the world.
It provided a hosted reservations service to almost every Canadian
airline (Pacific Western, Eastern Provincial, Nordair etc). Only Canadian
Pacific Airlines refused to have anything to do with the Canadian
objectives of their arch enemy, Air Canada. By the early 80's there were
40,000 terminals from Europe to Japan. They were located in Canadian
cities both large and small - even the far north was included. The system
provided reservations services to hotels, the Canadian military, VIA Rail,
and was even testing a system for Canadian parks. One of the objectives
was to stay sufficiently strong to prevent any of the five American
systems from taking over our Canadian travel business. This Canadian
vision began to crumble about 1986 when Canadian Pacific Airlines
threatened to bring the American Airlines system, Sabre, into Canada.

* In order to keep the network as a Canadian business, Air Canada agreed
to a joint reservations computer company called, "Gemini". During these
negotiations PW Corp (Pacific Western Airlines) purchased Canadian Pacific
Airlines and the negotiations continued. Air Canada provided more than
80% of Gemini's up-front capital and market share, with the understanding
that PWA was committed to a long-term relationship. The highly skilled
technical team, under a new joint management, set out to improve their
system to keep competitive with American's Sabre.

* American wasn't finished with Canada. They very much wanted the
$2.50 or so, for every ticket sold on Sabre. With such incremental
revenue they hardly needed to run an airline. They know Canadians very
well and invariably come up with a, "Heads I win - tails you lose" type
of position. Their attack this time took the form of a court order of
some kind which claimed that the Gemini system was not fairly displaying
the flights of American Airlines. They lost this legal approach even
though they had the full support of Canada's own Competition Bureau.
However, they didn't really lose because they succeeded in keeping the
technical people of Gemini completely occupied for two years. Instead of
building their Canadian product to better compete with Sabre, their
attention was diverted to legal briefs and the training of lawyers in the
complex business of computer systems and displays.

* Around 1993 Canadien Airlines purchased Wardair and this was the move
which set the stage for their financial problems. Everyone came to their
rescue - the Canadian Government, the governments of some western
provinces but most of all, their own employees. American Airline
strategists were ready to help and Canadien Airline's executives welcomed
them with open arms. If ever there was a "Trojan Horse" arrangement,
this has to be considered a masterpiece.
It was another, "Heads I win - tails you lose" deal. It didn't really
matter to American whether Canadien Airlines became a howling success as
an airline or failed completely - their strategies were safe either way.
They made the same statements they are making today, "We have no intention
of running the airline" or something along those lines.

* American's first condition was that Canadien Airlines must withdraw
immediately from its partnership in the Gemini Reservations System.
Unfortunately Canadien's contract with Air Canada still had several years
remaining so how do you do this? Well, you walk into a meeting of the
Gemini board and simply announce that as far as you are concerned Gemini
is bankrupt and on that basis you are withdrawing. This was not true,
of course, but it suits the strategy. The day before, you program the
system itself to, simultaneously with this action, send a network
message to all Canadian Travel Agents suggesting that the Sabre System is
ready to accept their business. If this strategy had been fully
successful American Sabre would have realized something in the order
of $400 million per year. Inasmuch as American was only investing
$246 million they could hardly lose. It was only partially successful
but one of the conditions from American was that all Canadien oriented
travel agents would leave Gemini and go to Sabre. This was sufficient
for American to realize their investment many times over.

* The second condition was that as long as Canadien Airlines was
losing money that their representatives on the Canadien Board would have
a veto to control all major decisions. This obviously would include such
decisions as the outsourcing of work to American. American tried to
maintain a low profile and insisted that they had no intention of running
the airline. I now read in the Globe and Mail that a number of
Canadien's top managers are former American Airlines officials and its
Chief Financial Officer, Douglas Carty is the brother of American's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Donald Carty. How gullible are we
as we listen to these same calming statements being made by American and
Schwartz. Of course they intended to run the airline then as they do
now and to provide the maximum benefit to American.

* A third condition was, that in order for Canadien to be more efficient,
a number of departmental responsibilities (jobs) would be outsourced to
American. Presumably this means that Canadien was strapped with paying
for services to American with an ever decreasing Canadian dollar value.
I wonder if the employees of Canadien knew how little the help really was.
It was the employees who took the risks - not American.

* A fourth condition has only recently been discovered by the press.
It illustrates just how far sighted these American strategists are.
They were fully prepared for Canadien Airlines to approach bankruptcy
and knew the battle would be fought with the stockholders. In order
to make it difficult, perhaps impossible for Air Canada or anyone else
to match the arrangements they would make, they protected their stock
holdings in a way, which under sale conditions, would multiply its value
several times over. Of course this requirement has been waived for
their ONYX partner, Mr. Schwartz.

I have presented you with this background as briefly as I can.
If my Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament read this and then
continue to give Canadian Aviation to American Airlines and their friend
Schwartz then I am ashamed to call myself Canadian. Have you forgotten
completely that you are supposed to work for Canadians and Canada?
Every week I read more of how the Corporate U.S. is swallowing the jobs
in Canada. It's not good enough for our Members of Parliament to simply
respond by saying to each successive community, "We're seeking a good
compensation package". We are talking about our country and of stability
for our families. You got the aviation business into this mess by
blindly following the U.S. with deregulation. You now have a
responsibility to come up with something creative instead of turning
it over to American Airlines.

The airline unions are threatening a strike. This will never be
supported by the public and will only divert attention away from the real
problem. But the union people are frustrated and cannot find anyone who
is speaking for Canada and Canadian jobs.

I now read that the Royal Bank, as a major creditor of Canadien Airlines
is using its investment funds to buy Air Canada stock. Another supposedly
"Canadian" company which may even be operating in a conflict of interest
position in order protect their loans by helping American.
How short-sighted can we be.

I beg you (and I shouldn't have to beg a Member of Parliament) to not
treat the information I am providing as simply a statistical vote against
what you seem to be doing but to consider it in depth. Your are all we
have and our country is at stake. I do not want Canada to become another
of the poorer U.S. states. Is it too much to expect for our members of
parliament to put Canada and Canadians first?

D.H. Demeza, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. That's it for this time, please we need your input, send
comments and email addresses of any others who may be
interested to:

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

/------------------------\               |--\_____/--\__ |
| Between Yourselves     |______________ \______====== )-+
|       NetLetter         |                      ---|/-- |
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ernie Rushton is now at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Frank Takasaki has changed his email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rene Lanthier was This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and now changed
to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Help!
David Baker sends this information -
I have an early vintage tugger "Brown Betty" which was residing up at
YUL ACRA Camp Four Winds until about a year ago.
It sure would be a good addition to the TCA/Air Canada promotional fleet.
The tugger is powered by a flat head six [believe it is a Chrysler engine]
and was fully serviceable when parked at the side of the Stores annex.
Seeing as they have a tub cart and a Jeep painted in TCA grey livery
colours and logos, it would be very nice to add a vintage tugger to the
display set.
If you know anyone connected with TCC and the ground support vehicles,
could you pass on the message and my email hopefully before the winter
sets in...
Thanks Dave Baker   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Found on the internet.
AIRTRAN WINS GOVERNMENT CONTRACT:
Who woulda thunk it? AirTran, formerly ValuJet, has been awarded
$8 million in government contracts.
In its former incarnation as ValuJet, the airline was blasted by the
government for cutting corners and for a string of mistakes that led to
the crash of a DC-9 in the Florida Everglades. How times change.

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. System Darts Tourney -
Any retirees wishing to play on a pioneers team in the AC System Dart
tourney (men or women) to contact Jim Douglas at 604-513-1677
or email jim_This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Date Oct 15-17
Venue Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel
Cost $181pp    inc 2 nites room 3 meals
Best regards Jim Douglas

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. News from the districts.
Bernie Danis sends this -
Subject: What`s up in the Okanagan
I thought we would give you an update of our coming activities.
1] Every first tuesday of the month at ten a.m. some of us meet to
discuss and solve many worldly problems at the Muffin Break,
1950 Harvey [HWY 97] in Kelowna.
2] Our next function is on September 15, at 11 a.m. which is a wagon
sitdown tour of the Kelowna Land and Orchard co. 3002 Dunster rd. in
Kelowna, followed by a buffet lunch at the Bunkhouse restaurant at
1 p.m. for an all inclusive price of $12.50...
3] Our fifth annual Christmas luncheon is on December 6,1999 at the
Ramada Lodge Inn in Kelowna. I shall give you more details later.
Thank you All the best Bernie This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Lois North sends this information -
The Maple Wings group are a group of retired and active Flight
Attendant and have several Chapters across the system having one in
Victoria, Vancouver, Kelona, Calgary, Lethbridge, Winnipeg, Toronto and
several others in Ontario, Montreal, Halifax.
The Chapters meet regularly amongst themselves, the Victoria group have
regular monthly get-togethers, and include a couple who are both 80 year
olds now, and have many memories which they share.
And a short biography from Lois North:
I worked with TCA as a passenger agent at Sidney, NS and as a flight
attendant based at Dorval in the 1950's before marrying Capt. Ernie North.
In those days when a woman joined in holy matrimony, she also joined the
ranks of the unemployed. TCA/AC has been my extended family for nearly
45 years. My son Reigh carries on the tradition as a station attendant
at Vancouver. Also, my sister was a flight attendant based in Calgary,
Vancouver and Winnipeg in the '60's and early 70's.
I receive both the Rapcan and Between Yourselves Netletters.
E-mail address for Lois is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Tom Martin sends this -
While we airline people enjoy reading the efforts of Vesta and Terry
telling us what's going on in our world, those of us lucky enough to live
on the west coast might want to pay a visit to another mode of transport
and see the excellent replica of Capt. Cook's ship Endeavour.
Unfortunately its left Victoria but will be spending some time in
Vancouver.
When I visited TCC when it was here (in Victoria), I thought bending over
to get up the aisle was tough on the back, but that was nothing compared
to creeping below decks on the Endeavour where the head room is
4ft. 7 inches.
If you want to have a look at the ship try its web site
www.barkendeavour.com.au
Tom Martin   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. From RAPCAN email newsletter issued by Duane Frerichs -
*** Spanish pilots ignore smoking ban
MADRID, Spain (AP) - In tobacco-happy Spain, Iberia airlines expected
some whining over its new blanket ban on smoking - but not outright
defiance from the people who fly their planes. The Spanish flagship
carrier went smoke-free Wednesday, banning tobacco consumption on all
domestic and international routes. Iberia's pilots, however, vowed to
keep lighting up in the cockpit. "Passengers can choose their
airline. We cannot," said Carmen Thaus, a spokeswoman for the Spanish
Airline Pilots Association. "The cockpit is our workplace."

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. Terry's travel tips.
South America. Prices pp dbl.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
7 days/4 nights, hotel accommodations with private bath, half day
sightseeing tour, taxes and service charges.
Round trip space available interline air transportation via Delta or
Aerolineas Argentinas.
us$529 at Luxor Regente, us$589 at Mirasol Hotel, us$619 Rio Othon.
Santiago, Chile
7 days/4 nights, hotel accommodations with private bath, buffet
breakfast daily, taxes and service charges.
Round trip space available interline air transportation via
Aerolineas Argentinas.
us$479 at Hotel Galerias or us$599 at Carrera Hotel.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
7 days/4 nights, hotel accommodations with private bath, half day
sightseeing tour, buffet breakfast daily, taxes and service charges.
Round trip space available interline air transportation via
Aerolineas Argentinas.
us$529 at Crillon Hotel or us$609 at Claridge Hotel
Call 1-800-935-9444 for more details.

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. Smilie
from the RAPCAN newsletter produced by Duane Frerichs -
Any More Complaints?
The controller working a busy pattern told the 727 on downwind to make
a 360 (do a complete circle, usually done to provide spacing between
aircraft). The pilot of the 727 complained, "Do you know it costs us
two thousand dollars to make a 360 in this airplane?"
Without missing a beat the controller replied,
"Roger, give me four thousand dollars worth."

*** What the...?!
PSA was following United, taxiing out for departure. PSA called the
tower and said "Tower, this is United 586. We've got a little problem;
go ahead and let PSA go first."
The tower promptly cleared PSA for takeoff before United had a chance to
object to the impersonation.

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. That's it for this time, please we need your input, send
comments and email addresses of any others who may be
interested to:

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

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