2003-11_skytalk

GoodbyeSupersonic

By Joan Stewart

ast month, after more than three decades of luxury travel, flights on the world’s only supersonic passenger aircraft ended.

British Airways (BA) retired its last Concorde Supersonic Transport (SST) on October 24, while Air France retired the last of its fleet in May, 2003.

While few of us ever flew on this marvel of aviation technology, just seeing this beautiful ‘bird’ in flight was a thrilling experience. Even in this high-tech age the

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SEE CONCORDE, PAGE 6

On Sept. 23, 1998, BA Concorde G-BOAE stopped at YVR for fuel and catering.

Photo: Jim Jorgenson

F R E E NOVEMBER 2003 • Your Airport Community Newspaper – Vancouver International Airport

Victor T.K. Li New Air Canada Zoom Airlines Launches Direct Transatlantic Flights Equity Plan Sponsor Vancouver to Gatwick and Glasgow

ast month, Ottawa-based Zoom Airlines announced it will offer scheduled transatlantic flights to both Glasgow Airport and London’s Gatwick Airport from Vancouver, beginning May 2004, with lower fares than the current charter options available.

In addition to Vancouver, Zoom Airlines will fly yearround, direct from Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Calgary, and Edmonton to Gatwick and Glasgow, using its fleet of Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 268 seats.

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Equity of $1.1 Billion to be raised, including $450 Million Rights Offering ir Canada’s Board of Directors has selected Trinity Time Investments, controlled by Victor T.K. Li, from the two equity plan sponsor finalists. The Agreement contemplates a $650 million equity investment, which will represent approximately 31 per cent of the common equity in a restructured Air Canada.

Rights will be offered to all creditors of Air Canada to acquire new shares on the same economic terms as Trinity. The Rights Offering, in an amount of $450 million, will close contemporane-

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ously with the Trinity Investment and will be underwritten by Deutsche Bank as standby purchaser. Rights not purchased by creditors will be purchased by Deutsche Bank at a premium determined in accordance with a formula not to exceed 15 per cent, to benefit non-exercising creditors.

Between the Trinity Investment and the Rights Offering, an additional $100 million is being raised over the previously announced $1 billion, which would avoid having SEE AIR CANADA CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Zoom Airlines was founded in May 2002 by Scottish-born entrepreneur Hugh Boyle, now of Ottawa, and a team of travel and aviation experts. Boyle has a proven record in developing travel businesses, which feature low fares and direct-toSEE ZOOM AIRLINES consumer selling. His Direct CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Holidays was a brand leader in

Pretty in Pink

One of the most attractive aircraft in Canada, this fuchsia Boeing 737 C-GCPP ZIP aircraft was photographed air-to-air over the Lower Mainland during a test flight from Vancouver in September. The aircraft is shown airborne over Crescent Beach, White Rock, and was photographed by air-to-air specialist photographer Henry Tenby. Additional images can be viewed at HenryTenby.com.

ZIP Air Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Canada. The airline’s signature look features a full, vibrant, four-colour palette — fuchsia, blue, green, and orange – for each of its aircraft.

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Zoom Airlines, the UK, capturing 10 per cent of the British holiday market, before Boyle sold it to Airtours (Sunquest’s parent company).

Boyle has hired Kristopher Dolinki, a former executive with Boyle’s travel company to become Zoom’s chief executive officer.

“There is tremendous opportunity for Zoom to penetrate a market that saw over 121,500 B.C. travellers visit Britain in 2002 alone,” said Dolinki.

“Zoom Airlines will provide Canadian customers with the lowest scheduled fares and booking flexibility and convenience without sacrificing service quality or comfort.”

All flights will include full meal service and in-flight entertainment as well as a cabin configuration with increased seat pitch for economy passengers and a premium economy section with larger seats and even greater pitch for a superior in-cabin experience.

Additionally, Zoom’s airfares are one-way enabling customers to fly into one destination and fly out of another at no additional cost, with no Saturday night stopovers or minimum/maximum stay.

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“Zoom’s business model could revolutionize the way airline tickets are sold in Canada,” said Boyle, chairman of Zoom Airlines. “Our approach to ticket sales is to sell direct to consumer — skipping the travel agent — resulting in a more streamlined and cheaper product.”

Furthermore, Zoom’s approach to airfares is consistent with the model employed by the low-cost carriers in Europe. The earlier a passenger books their flight with Zoom, the lower their fare.

Flights from Vancouver-Glasgow will be non-stop one week, with a stop in Calgary on the second week.

Vancouver-Gatwick flights stop in Calgary one week and Edmonton the other. All flights will include full meal service and in-flight entertainment as well as a cabin configuration with increased seat pitch for economy passengers and a premium economy section with larger seats and even greater pitch for a superior in-cabin experience.

Travellers can book flights on the Web at www.flyzoom.com or by calling 1-866-FLY-ZOOM (359-9666).

Every Monday, Tuesday and now Wednesday we will offer a special menu for a spectacular price (no coupon required)

Downed Pilot Rescued in Georgia Strait

By Marcia Strang lying his Cessna 170 from Pitt Meadows to Nanaimo airport was a common trip for local pilot Keith Stewart, and his flight on Monday, November 3, started off like any other. However, at 11:15 a.m., over the middle of Georgia Strait and without much warning, Stewart’s aircraft engine stopped.

Vancouver International Airport air traffic controller Ross McTaggart was monitoring Stewart on radar when he saw his plane descending. McTaggart immediately radioed Seair pilot Evan Davies, who was in the vicinity flying a passenger to Thetis Island, that Stewart was in trouble. Davies was quick to spot Stewart’s aircraft on its descent to the icy waters of Georgia Strait, approximately one mile east of Galliano Island.

Stewart, who has been flying for more than 20 years, has owned and flown his C170 CFHUP for the last 10 years. Many years of teaching and flying Air Cadets reinforced the importance of emergency procedures, and this training kicked in as he went through his emergency checks, trying everything to restart his engine.

Convinced it wouldn’t restart, and with his seatbelt tight and flaps lowered to slow his airspeed on touchdown, Stewart’s plane hit the water and immediately flipped onto its back.

“Everyone should fly with a fourpoint harness,” said Stewart, crediting his seat belt with stopping him from being knocked unconscious upon hit-

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Photos: Rob Allison.

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Keith Stewart flying his Cessna 170 from Pitt Meadows on his way to Nanaimo airport, before engine trouble caused its descent.

Stewart, and his C170 starting to sink, Stewart jumped into the frigid waters of Georgia Strait and began swimming towards the C180. “My plane was under water before I got to the float plane,” said Stewart.

Another float plane Seair pilot Evan Davies flying this C180 CFVVV res- and two BC ferries had cued Keith Stewart from the frigid waters of Georgia also been routed Strait, flying him back to the Seair base at YVR. towards Stewart’s location to assist. ting the water. “I climbed out onto the Suffering only mild hypothermia, wing, standing on the underside as the he was flown back to the Seair base at Vancouver International Airport, plane started to fill with water.”

Davies was already on his descent where he was met by a BC to the crash site, when Stewart saw Ambulance crew.

Stewart credits Davies and him overhead. “It seemed like within 15 seconds of me climbing on the McTaggart with saving his life. After wing, the Seair C180 flew right over commenting how lucky he was, Stewart shrugged and said: “I guess it top and returned to rescue me.”

As the Seair aircraft taxied toward wasn’t my day to be fish food.”

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N O V E M B E R

Air Canada,

Continued from page 1

to issue certain convertible debt instruments on emergence.

The Agreement contemplates that creditors with aggregate claims of $8$10 billion will receive approximately 56 per cent of the common equity, after taking into account the Rights Offering. Existing shareholders of Air Canada will receive in the aggregate a nominal .01 per cent stake.

Two Investment Commitments “I am extremely pleased that we received two firm investment commitments from leading international investors at this difficult time in the history of the airline industry,” said Robert Milton, president and chief executive officer of Air Canada.

“Both offers valued the company in a similar fashion and both supported the company’s restructuring business plan and its management. Given the success of Victor Li in his global business endeavors, we look forward to the opportunity to benefit from his participation in fully realizing Air Canada’s true potential.”

“We are very excited to have been selected as equity plan sponsor to work with Air Canada to complete its restructuring,” said Frank J. Sixt, speaking on behalf of Li and Trinity.

“We believe Air Canada is a solid platform and can successfully emerge from the current process as an industry leader in terms of service standards as well as in terms of profitability and growth. We have full confidence in the company’s senior management team, and will continue to work with them over the coming months to complete the steps which will reshape Air Canada into a leading competitor in the air transportation sector globally.”

Subject to conditions The Agreement is subject to a number of conditions including: (i) satisfactory resolution of the funding of the pension deficit; (ii) the obtaining of regulatory approvals and understandings; (iii) the entering into of satisfactory agreements to acquire and finance the 70-110 seat aircraft acquisition program; (iv) approval of the Plan by creditors and the Court; and, (v) the absence of various facts and events that would depreciate

equity value.

The Agreement provides for a closing date of no later than April 30, 2004.

Under the Agreement, Air Canada’s Board upon emergence will consist of 11 members of whom five will be designated by Trinity, two by Deutsche Bank, two members of management and two others by a selection committee, which will include a representative of creditors.

Upon closing, base salary and bonus programs for continuing executives is to be no higher than currently in effect. A management stock option program will be established of up to five per cent of total issued and outstanding shares, of which no more than three per cent shall be issued on emergence at an exercise price equal to Trinity’s buy-in price. As was the case in both offers, so as to ensure the continued long term commitment of Robert Milton, president and CEO and Calin Rovinescu, executive vice president to implement Air Canada’s Business Plan, Trinity will provide these senior officers from its own holdings with one per cent each of new equity vesting in stages over four years. This ownership interest will come from Trinity’s equity stake following emergence.

Trinity Provisions Trinity has required various transaction protection provisions. Air Canada has agreed not to solicit any competing proposals for an equity plan sponsor. Under certain circumstances up to $19.5 million may be payable as a “break fee”. In addition, Air Canada has agreed to pay Trinity certain closing fees and to reimburse Trinity for certain expenses until closing.

Air Canada anticipates seeking Court approval for the Agreement and the Rights Offering and will seek Court direction for convening the requisite meeting of stakeholders in the near future.

The Investment will be funded from Li’s personal financial resources and may include investment from other family holdings and foundations and is not subject to financing conditions.

Diverse Controlling Interests

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ictor T.K. Li, a Canadian citizen, is the deputy chairman of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited.

He and his family hold controlling interests in Cheung Kong as well as Hutchison Whampoa Limited, Hongkong Electric Holdings Limited and Husky Energy Inc. of Calgary.

The Cheung Kong Group’s businesses encompass such diverse areas as property development and investment, real estate agency and estate management, hotels, telecommunications and e-commerce, finance and investment, retail and manufacturing, ports and related services, energy, infrastructure projects and materials, media, and biotechnology. The corporation ranks among the top 100 in the world, with businesses in close to 40 countries and over 165,000 employees.

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER

By LARRY BERG, President and Chief Executive Officer

Future Looks Bright for Asia-Pacific Region For Pacific Region airports, 2003 was a year in which underperforming economies, war in Iraq and SARS had a debilitating impact. Traffic for some air carriers and airports was decimated, with losses of 80 per cent.

Last month, Airports Council International – Pacific Region held its annual Regional Assembly and Conference. More than 150 people attended, representing airports from 17 countries and territories on the Pacific Rim. Given the challenging times we’ve had, you might think that the conference mood would be subdued at best. However, delegates were decidedly upbeat and with the SARS crisis behind us, there is much reason to be optimistic. The 21st Century has been called the Asia-Pacific century. This honour reflects the emergence of the region as an economic powerhouse.

As president of ACI-Pacific, I had the honour of welcoming delegates to the conference, and I took the opportunity in my address to outline why the future looks positive for our region.

First, many of the region’s air carriers, while currently under stress, entered the SARS crisis with some of the healthiest balance sheets of any air carriers in the world. Overall, passengers and cargo traffic is on the rise and many airlines are operating at pre-SARS levels. Total flights are actually 10 per cent higher in the Pacific Region compared with the same time last year. In China, domestic flights have increased by 21 per cent year-over-year.

Second, the region is beginning to experience the impact of the low-cost carrier phenomena, particularly into Southeast Asia. As mainline airlines decreased capacity on intra-regional routes, this has opened up many opportunities for low-cost airlines as the industry recovers. Governments in Asia have also shown

their support by allowing the introduction of new services to help rebuild domestic and international tourism. The emergence of low-cost carriers has unsettled established mainline carriers, and many have responded by setting up subsidiaries that offer their own low-cost services.

Third, this is the only region in the world that has made widespread significant investment in large scale new airport capacity. New airports have opened in Korea, Japan and Malaysia, with other countries, such as Thailand, developing their own plans. On this side of the Pacific Rim, airports, such as here in Vancouver and down the coast in San Francisco, have made major investments in airport capacity to service transPacific traffic.

Fourth, the economic fundamentals of the region are strong. China’s sustained annual growth rate of eight per cent, when combined with a very low population growth rate, is resulting in cumulative growth in per capita incomes. Its growing middle class is expected to develop into one of the world’s top four tourism markets. A recent study by the World Tourism and Travel Council in Geneva has estimated that within 20 years, there will be over 100 million Chinese travelling internationally…per year!

In addition, Japan, Korea, India, the Philippines and many other nations are emerging as major tourism exporters, as well as attractors of tourists from all over the world.

The effect of short-term crises on the region’s air travel market has helped to make carriers, airports and the tourism industry leaner and smarter. Even with the impact of SARS, economic estimates for growth in the region are being shaved only slightly. The Asia Pacific economy simply cannot be held down.

Your Airport Community Newspaper NOVEMBER 2003 ISSUE • VOL. 11 • NO. 1 YVR SKYTALK, the official newspaper of the Vancouver International Airport, is published monthly by Westco Marketing Ltd. for the more than 26,000 people who make up the airport community at YVR. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher.

Publisher: Associate Publisher: Editorial Liaison: Editorial Board:

Contributing Writers: Creative / Production: Photography:

Patrick Stewart Joan Stewart Ralph Eastman John Korenic, Heather Madden-Johns, Ralph Eastman,Ali Hounsell, Kim Abrams, Erin Sills Arnold Klappe, Phil Melnychuk, Jim Jorgenson James Martin Jim Jorgenson

VANCOUVER OFFICE: Suite 306 - 5400 Airport Road South Richmond, BC V7B 1B4 Tel (604) 736-6754 • Fax: (604) 736-6750 Email: jstewart@westerndriver.com Printed on Recycled Stock using vegetable based inks Please recycle this product.

www.yvr.ca/news/skytalk

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Boeing to Halt 757 Jetliner Production

By Helen Jung s the Boeing Co. expanded its bestselling 737 passenger airplane into a bigger jet that could fly farther, the role of the larger and pricier 757 slowly began to fade.

Orders dried up, and many began writing the 21-year-old jet’s obituary. So it came as little surprise to many last month, when Boeing said it will stop building the 757 late next year, after delivering more than 1,000 of the jets.

“It’s been thought for a couple years now that the 757 program could be shut down due to lack of new orders,” said Peter Jacobs, an analyst with Ragen MacKenzie in Seattle. “It was just a matter of whether it was next year or three years from now.”

Tremendous Airplane The announcement came hours after Continental Airlines said it was seeking to convert six orders for the jet to less-expensive 737-800 jetliners, a trend that has plagued the 757 in the commercial aviation downturn of the past two years.

“Clearly the 757 has been a tremendous airplane and has served the airlines of the world very well,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Alan Mulally.

Airlines have been increasingly turning to the newer 737 models, whose size and range now rival the 757 — for roughly US$20 million a plane less. The price of a 757 ranged

Photo: Boeing Aircraft. Co.

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from US$73 million to US$90 million.

Mulally said the 757 — popular for its fuel-efficiency and versatility in handling everything from short runways to high-altitude airports — had come to its end.

“It really is a decision made by the airlines and the marketplace, in addition to us,” he said.

The end of the once highly popular 757 reflects just how significantly the commercial aviation industry has been transformed since the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The 757’s traditional buyers — the biggest U.S. airlines — have been struggling to stay in business while low-cost carriers, who fly 737s and similar smaller planes, have been more adeptly weathering the downturn.

Existing planes weren’t the only threat to the 757. Boeing’s proposed new 7E7 jet, if built, has been touted as an eventual replacement for the 757 and the widebody 767, making some airlines less willing to buy a jet on its way out.

The single-aisle, twin-engine 757 is built in south Seattle. Boeing builds two versions of the jet, the 200-passenger 757-200 and the 240-passenger 757-300, along with a freighter model.

The airplane first flew in February 1982 and entered service with Eastern Airlines on Jan. 1, 1983.

There Has Never Been a Better Time to Buy Your First Home his past year has proven to be a benchmark year for those making the jump from renting to home ownership. With interest rates at record lows and rental costs at all-time highs, the benefits are obvious.

A recent CMHC decision knocked over the final hurdle for those seeking to build equity in a home of their own. Previously, those seeking to purchase with a five per cent down-payment were hindered by a price ceiling of $300,000 in Greater Vancouver.

Any property selling for $300,000 and above would have required a

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10 per cent down-payment or more. Those of you who follow the Greater Vancouver housing market will be aware that $300,000 doesn’t go far these days.

Thankfully, that cap has been lifted and now any property can be purchased with five per cent down, offering the first time homebuyer greater flexibility in the homes available to them.

For further information contact Bryan Johnstone, mortgage specialist, RBC Financial Group (604) 779-7007 or David Bregani, MacDonald Realtors Westmar (604) 880-7484.

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Customer Service of the Year Award J erri Broadbent’s outstanding professionalism and positive demeanour has earned her the inaugural Securiguard Customer Service Award.

The award was presented October 29 at Securiguard’s first annual Airport Employees Appreciation Gala in the Galaxie Lounge of the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. The event

was held to formally thank all Securiguard employees at YVR for their continued hard work and dedication to aviation security in 2003.

In operation in British Columbia for almost 30 years, Securiguard Services Limited began its contract at the Vancouver International Airport in April 1997.

Review Your Travel Insurance Before Leaving the Country

By Peter Kutney f you are leaving the country and trading loonies for star-spangled U.S. dollars or pumped-up pounds, don’t forget to add travel health insurance to your currency exchange costs.

In a classic understatement, a British Columbia government information pamphlet concedes that health services provided outside Canada “often cost more than the amount paid by the Ministry of Health.”

The maximum the B.C. Medical Services Plan (MSP) will pay for emergency in-patient care is CDN$75 a day. Contrast that with the average cost for a hospital stay in the United States at US$1,000 a day and more. It can in fact be as high as US$10,000 a day for intensive care.

Illness strikes and accidents happen on short trips as well as vacations. For example, the out-ofprovince claims office in Victoria recently heard from a British Columbian who suffered a heart attack during a day trip to gamble in Spokane, WA. His bill, for four days in hospital until he was stable enough to return home, was US$50,000. The man was distressed to learn that the bulk of that will come from his own pocket because he didn’t buy supplemental travel health insurance.

The health ministry paid out CDN$7.1 million in 1998 for about 40,000 out-of province claims, mostly for treatment in the U.S. On average, MSP picks up less than 20 per cent of each bill.

Even if you have travel insurance, you should read the fine print, as British Columbians with private coverage can fall afoul of the fine print.

You may be covered by an employee plan or credit card insurance but you should review a current brochure for conditions. Some credit card issuers have cut 30-day coverage to 21 days and you may not be covered at all unless you charge a flight or car rental to the card.

Many cards restrict coverage if

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you are over 65 or if you have a preexisting health condition. Also, don’t forget to check the card’s expiry date.

Remember, too, that credit card coverage starts the moment you leave home. You can’t use one card for 21 days and then piggyback with another card for the next 21 days.

Some insurers won’t honour a claim unless they are notified within 24 hours. Make sure you have your insurer’s toll-free international telephone number for the country you are visiting.

Also, be sure to save the original receipts for claims — most insurers will not accept photocopies.

There may also be a ceiling on coverage. One young Victoria resident who fractured his skull in a skateboarding accident in San Diego racked up hospital and transportation bills of more than US$200,000.

Fortunately, it was all covered by travel health insurance, which Mom had bought on his behalf.

If you are a frequent border-hop-

Thinking of

per, ask about multi-trip coverage.

You will likely save money with an annual premium, making it one less thing to worry about if you like to take off at short notice. A 40-year-old could pay as little as $35 a year for worldwide coverage up to $2 million for an unlimited number of trips up to 10 days, but would need to upgrade coverage if leaving for a longer period. These plans are available from most travel agents.

For more information, ask your travel agent—or visit the Web site www.clhia.ca. The Web site of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association.

I admit that buying extra insurance premiums on top of your holiday expenses is not fun, but a financial disaster that wipes out your life savings is even less fun, so get protected before you leave.

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Flu Shots Available at Airport Walk-in Medical Clinic nfluenza – commonly called the “flu” – is a disease that can spread quickly. It is transmitted by coughing, sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces such as telephones, computers, office supplies, door handles and food equipment.

Vaccination against the flu has been shown to protect 70 to 80 per cent of those inoculated, reducing work absenteeism. Five million people in Canada may fall ill from the flu this year and the vaccine saves, on average, about $400 per person in lost productivity.

Vancouver International Airport’s (YVR) Medical Clinic is encouraging busy travellers, YVR employees and other Sea Island workers to get a jump on this year’s flu season by getting their flu shots early, right at the airport walk-in Vancouver Airport Medical Clinic. Flu shots at the Clinic started October 15, and cost $15 each.

The clinic is conveniently located on Level One of YVR’s Domestic

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Terminal building. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Although it is recommended to make a booking (604) 207-6900, no appointments are necessary.

Companies that require large supplies of the vaccine for its employees are encouraged to contact the clinic as soon as possible so that adequate supplies of the vaccine can be ordered.

The Vancouver Airport Medical Clinic is a state–of-the-art facility that provides quality health care to meet the needs of the entire airport population, including YVR employees, other workers on Sea Island, as well as travellers and the general public needing medical attention.

Principal physicians at the Clinic are fully certified Family Practice physicians with a variety of language skills. Specialized services include Massage Therapy, Ophthalmology, Podiatry, Aviation Medicine and Travel Vaccinations.

Peter Kutney is a financial planner with Equinox Financial Group in Burnaby. He can be reached at (604) 438-1603 or at kutney@aebc.com.

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N O V E M B E R

Concorde,

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Concorde still had the ability to evoke awe and wonder.

I remember driving along Point Grey Road in Vancouver in 1986, and getting my first sight of this sleek machine. Every driver stopped right where they were, in the middle of the road and we all looked heavenward, strangers turning to each other expressing admiration and swapping tidbits of information.

“It flies from New York to London in just under 3-1/2 hours.”

“It holds 100 passengers.”

“Its take-off speed is 250 mph.”

“It goes faster than a rifle bullet.”

“It cruises at 1,300 mph.”

“I wonder what Mach 2 feels like?”

After simply seeing the Concorde, flying on it became No. 1 on my “If I win the Lottery” wish list.

Here was an aircraft that was so

Photos: Jim Jorgenson

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powerful it could fly at the edge of space, crossing an ocean before the sun made it across. The Concorde epitomized the heights to which mankind could reach.

On October 24, the flagship of the British Airways fleet was retired, and the final 450 passengers, who snapped up tickets for the flights between London-Heathrow and New York-JFK at the stratospheric prices of CDN$10,222 one-way; and up to CDN$19,486 return, enjoyed champagne, vintage red and white wines, caviar, truffles, and meals that would rate five-star in the best of restaurants.

Recent high-profile technical problems and the infamous crash near Paris of an Air France Concorde in 2000 in which 113 people died, subsequent failing passenger numbers and spiraling maintenance costs caused both BA and Air France decided to retire their supersonic jets.

BA has announced the retirement homes for its seven Concordes will be Airbus UK, Filton Bristol, Manchester Airport, Museum of

Flight, near Edinburgh, Heathrow Airport, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, New York, Grantley Adams Airport, Bridgetown, Barbados and closest to Vancouver, The Museum of Flight, Seattle.

In Seattle, Concorde will be open on Saturday, November 22 for museum members only, and on Friday,

November 28 to the general public.

These dates are subject to change; contact the Museum, located just off of Interstate 5, at (206) 764-5700.

One bitterly disappointed fan in an Internet chatroom summed it up: “So the dream is over, Concorde’s future indeed is solely as an exhibit in museums in the UK and overseas.”

Concorde Visits Vancouver • JULY 1, 1986: During Vancouver’s Expo ’86, BA Concorde G-BOAD took part in the 25th anniversary Abbotsford airshow on Canada Day, and also made several passes over Vancouver Harbour and the False Creek Expo site.

• APRIL 20, 1990: An Air France Concorde visited YVR. • SEPT. 23, 1998: During a charter flight, BA Concorde G-BOAE visited YVR for fuel •

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and catering.

OCT. 23, 1999: During an around-the-world charter flight for 90 affluent New Yorkers, BA Concorde G-BOAD made a 90-minute technical stop at YVR. In that year, Concorde celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first test flight made on March 2, 1969, from Toulouse, France.

NOV. 5, 2003: BA Concorde G-BOAD flew over YVR to its final destination at the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, WA. An attempt at a low-level pass along the south runway was aborted because of a shortage of fuel needed for the display.

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N O V E M B E R

Appointments Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada International Aviation Terminals Inc president and C.E.O. Rick Turner has been appointed for a three-year term to the board of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.

The Tribunal was established to serve the best interests of the air and rail sectors (and in time the marine sector) by providing a means through which decisions and actions enforced under federal legislation may be reviewed or appealed.

The Tribunal reports to Parliament via the Minister of Transportation.

Parties who want to request a review or appeal should contact the registrar at www.cat-tac.gc.ca.

2010 Winter Games Jack Poole has been appointed as the 20th member, and unanimously elected as chairman of the Board of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Organizing Committee.

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Condé Nast Rates YVR No. 3

The 20-member board includes International Aviation Terminals Inc. president and C.E.O. Rick Turner, who was one of three people nominated by the Province of British Columbia.

Poole noted that the Board includes people from diverse backgrounds. “We have an experienced and dedicated group that’s ready to move us from the Bid phase to the organization and delivery of the 2010 Winter Games.”

The Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from Feb. 12-28, 2010.

The nominating entities of the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee are the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Lil’wat and Squamish First Nations.

VR has been rated the world’s third best airport in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

This recognition is significant.

Condé Nast Traveler, with a monthly readership of two million, is considered the world’s top travel magazine.

Additionally, readers were not provided with a list of airports from which to choose, meaning YVR was among the top-of-mind choices.

YVR was the only North American airport in the top 10.

Readers were asked to rate their favourite airport based on a number of criteria, among them cleanliness, shopping and duty free facilities, location, accessibility, food and restaurants. Dubai finished at the top with a 90.30 per cent score, Kuala Lampur was second with 88.72 per cent and YVR was close behind with 88.68 per cent.

This confirms what other surveys have shown: YVR is among the world’s best airports.

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Nanaimo Airport

Smithers Regional Airport

The Gateway to Vancouver Island Smithers Regional Airport is situated in the Bulkley Valley of northern British Columbia along Yellowhead Highway 16, approximately half way between the cities of Prince Rupert and Prince George.

Smithers is a member municipality of the Bulkley Nechako Regional District.

The Smithers Regional Airport serves nearby communities of Telkwa, Houston, Hazeltons, Kispiox Valley, Stewart, Granisle, Moricetown, Burns Lake and rural areas in between. The Airport has a catchment area of 45,000 people and is considered to be a regional service centre for the entire Bulkley Valley and offers a great variety of amenities.

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ocated centrally on scenic Vancouver Island, the Nanaimo Airport is a thriving and modern air transportation gateway that offers an extensive range of amenities to the travelling public and aviation industry.

■ We have office space and counter space for airlines ■ We’re a designated Canadian port of entry so you can do direct stateside business ■ We have airside and groundside land available ■ We’re a not-for-profit entity, ready to work with you and your aspirations to achieve mutual success.

Contact

David Hunter, General Manager Tel:(250) 245-4191 Fax:(250) 245-4308 E-mail:dhunter@nanaimo-airport.com

The airport is serviced by Hawkair and Air Canada who offer flights to Vancouver daily.

Central Mountain Air offers flights to Terrace, Prince George, Kelowna, Kamloops and Abbotsford and Northern Thunderbird offers flights to Terrace and Dease Lake.

There are also two helicopters companies, a tanker base for the B.C. Fire Service, a drilling, a construction, and a mining company on the airport premises.

Nanaimo Airport Commission PO Box 149, Cassidy, B.C. V0R 1H0 www.nanaimo-airport.com For leasing information call 250-847-3664 during office hours.

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YVR PEOPLE

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by Jim Jorgenson

Tricks, Treats and Pumpkin Carving

Air Canada Dreams Take Flight ave Stafford, a retired Air Canada sales employee, was on hand last month to greet the kids, family members, and escorts on their late evening return to YVR from a full day at California’s Disneyland.

Dreams Take Flight is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers from the Air Canada family in Canada and the United States. Teams in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa,

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Montreal, Halifax, Los Angeles and Tampa each organize the trip of a lifetime for physically, mentally or socially challenged children. The destination — Disney World, Florida or Disneyland, California — for a day.

Air Canada donates the aircraft and the employees do the rest. The adventure is funded through fundraising efforts, corporate sponsors and donations.

(Left to right) Angelique Ng and Claire Wang as pregnant nuns, Arrow Tyras as the stitch girl and Jennifer Charters as a bathtub.

YVR’s Kim Abrams poses with the winning jack-o-lantern.

VR merchants, employees and airline staff captured the spirit of Halloween by dressing in costumes and parading around the Haida Gwaii statue to appropriately spooky music. In addition, pumpkins donated

by HMSHost and CARA Operations, were carved and displayed for judg-

Nuns) • 3rd-Arrow Tyras, MAC (Stitch Girl).

Winners of the pumpkin carving contest: • 1st-Big Apple Bagels • 2nd-Fairmont Hotel • 3rd-Absolute Spa at the Fairmont.

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ing by contest MC Phil Reimer, a CKNW radio host.

This year’s costume contest winners: • 1st-Jennifer Charters, HMSHost (Bathtub) • 2nd-Angelique Ng and Claire Wang, Sweet Factory (Pregnant

HMSHost Receives Starbucks Award tarbucks Coffee Canada has awarded HMSHost, located at YVR’s Domestic Departures Concourse C, the Siren’s Service Award for their outstanding results in a customer service program, the Customer Snapshot.

The program measures results in accuracy, speed of service, cleanliness, product quality as well as over-

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(Left to right) Daryl Hrynkiw, general manager, food and beverage HMSHost YVR; Mylanie Lumitap, associate; Anita Tse, associate; Simon Tse operations manager; Greta Sumallo, associate; Carolyn Jeffrey, account representative; Michael Hooks, Starbucks manager.

all favourability of the service experience. The Siren’s Service Award recognized this HMSHost team for achieving the highest results for all licensed locations across Canada.

Congratulations go to the entire team at HMSHost for their commitment and passion in delivering a legendary Starbucks Experience.

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Board of Directors Appointed for RAVCo ast month, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (TransLink) together with the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project announced the appointment of a Board of Directors to oversee the management of the Project. The Directors elected Larry Bell as the chair of RAVCo at their first meeting.

“The Richmond-AirportVancouver Rapid Transit line will help us meet the transit needs of both local commuters and visitors along one of the region’s busiest corridors.

It has been one of the transit network improvements in transportation plans for over a decade and will serve key employment centres, providing an alternative transit mode to single occupancy vehicles,” said TransLink chair Doug McCallum. “This is an important component of our regional rapid transit network. I am pleased that this qualified group of people, led by Mr. Bell, has committed their time and energy to ensuring that the RAV Project is a success.”

“With a project as import as this one is to the region, it is vital that we build it on time and budget, and in

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doing so, meet the public’s expectations for accountability,” said RAVCo chair Larry Bell. “The RAVCo Board will provide oversight to management and ensure that the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project meets its commitments to contributing agencies, stakeholders, the procurement process and the public.

The appointments made by TransLink include: • Larry Bell, chair BC Hydro (independent director, nominated by the Vancouver International Airport Authority); • Larry Berg, president and CEO, Vancouver International Airport Authority (representative director, nominated by Vancouver International Airport Authority); • Pat Jacobsen, CEO, TransLink (representing TransLink); • Doug Mackay, P. Eng. (independent director, nominated by TransLink); • Eva Matsuzaki, Matsuzaki Architects Inc. (independent director, nominated by TransLink); • Sheri Plewes, P. Eng., vice president, Capital Management,

TransLink (representative director, nominated by TransLink); and • David Unruh, vice chairman, Duke Energy Gas Transmission Canada (independent director, nominated by the Province of B.C.).

The directors of RAVCo are appointed by the TransLink Board for three-year terms. In making their nominations, each agency considered the balance of skills, knowledge and experience required to effectively

Newest Entrant to Business Jet Market

he Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Business Aircraft Association (CBAA) held its October meeting at the Piedmont-

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Online Poll Reveals Shipboard Tipping Patterns A lthough three quarters of travellers polled by a new Travelers Advantage® online survey understand that tips are a significant source of income for a ship’s onboard employees, about a third say, “A tip should only be given to reward exceptional service.”

Travelers Advantage launched the Don’t Rock the Boat online poll so that travellers could weigh in on how much passengers should tip shipboard staff. “Travellers can use our survey to guide how much they tip the shipboard staff that serve the meals, clean the cabins and mix the drinks,” Travelers Advantage vice president Julia Ryan said.

“Three quarters of those taking our Don’t Rock the Boat online poll realize that tips are a significant source of income for shipboard personnel,” Ryan said. “Yet between 10 and 60 per cent of those responding said they never tipped a specific group of shipboard staff. In terms of being likely to get a tip, waiters fared best in our survey, followed by bartenders and then housekeepers. The shipboard maitre d’ and housekeeping manager were least likely to be tipped.”

According to the Don’t Rock the Boat online poll: • More than half (55 per cent) of those responding tipped their waiter

govern the RAV Project.

The Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project is the proposed rail rapid transit line connecting central Richmond, the Vancouver International Airport and Sea Island, along the Cambie corridor to central Broadway and to downtown Vancouver. The line will connect with existing rapid transit lines at Waterfront Station and with major east-west transit services.

Ric Cadd of Innotech-Execaire gave CBAA members tours of the newest entrant to the business jet market, Citation XLS. Hawthorne FBO on YVR’s southside.

The meeting included a presentation

by Cessna representatives and a tour of the new Citation XLS executive aircraft, a faster and longer-legged derivative of the Citation Excel, described as “a logical step up for customers moving up from smaller light jets.”

Autoplan

Renewal Centre The Holland America Line has 12 luxury ships sailing more than 280 ports of call and scenic cruising destinations on all seven continents, including Antarctica. or waitress between US$3 and US$4 a day, less than a quarter tipped US$2 a day, and only seven per cent tipped US$1 a day. More than 10 per cent reported they did not tip their waiter.

• Half of those responding tipped their housekeeper between US$3 and US$4 a day, almost 20 per cent tipped US$2 a day, and 11 percent tipped US$1 a day. More than a quarter did not tip their housekeeper.

• More than half of those responding tipped the bartender between US$1 and US$2 a drink, but 30 per cent did not tip their bartender • Almost 40 per cent of those responding tipped their maitre d’ between US$2 and US$4 a day, almost a quarter tipped between

US$1 and US$1.50 a day, and 38 per cent did not tip their maitre d’.

• More than 60 per cent of those responding did not tip their housekeeping manager and those who did were likely to leave between US$1 and US$4 per person per day.

More than 300 surveys were completed at the www.travelersadvantgage.com survey.

Members of Travelers Advantage (www.travelersadvantage.com or 1877-841-1335) can save money on air travel, cruises, car rentals and accommodations, as well as earn five per cent cash back on eligible travel booked through the service with preferred providers. A three-month trial Travelers Advantage membership can be enjoyed for only US$1.

in your neighbourhood • House Insurance • Commercial Insurance • Life Insurance • Travel Insurance

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Canada Customs Seizes Over 19 Kilos of Opium he Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) customs officers at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have seized more than 19 kilograms (kg) of opium since Oct.1, 2003. The amount of opium in four separate shipments is more than all the opium customs officers in British Columbia and the Yukon seized in 2002.

On Oct. 1, 2003, customs officers at YVR intercepted a courier shipment consisting of a suitcase and clothing. The shipper declared the items as gifts. When customs officers examined the suitcase more closely, they noticed it was unusually heavy.

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The officers peeled back the inside lining of the suitcase and found opium covered in plastic wrap weighing a total of five kilograms.

The following day, customs officers at YVR discovered a second false-sided suitcase that contained opium, weighing approximately 7.5 kilograms of opium.

On Oct. 3, the RCMP made arrests in connection with the first shipment.

On October 29 and November 3, customs officers at YVR intercepted two more shipments and seized a total of seven kilograms of opium. In both of these cases, the officers discovered the opium concealed inside

decorative pictures that had been added to shipments of clothing and melons.

“Customs officers are Canada’s first line of defence in keeping illegal drugs and other contraband off of our

awkair has announced that starting this month, Sandspit, QCI, will be added to its family of northern communities served. A Hawkair 37-seat Dash 8 will provide non-stop daily (excluding Saturdays) service between Sandspit and Vancouver.

Hawkair plans to offer more flights during the busier summer season should demand warrant it.

According to Hawkair’s chief operating officer, Rod Hayward, Sandspit was a natural choice for the airline’s next expansion. “The facilities at the airport are an ideal match for the type of aircraft we operate. Serving Sandspit with our Prince Rupert-based aircraft fits well into our existing schedule.”

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(former YVR Air Canada employee)

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Through targeting and intelligence gathering, and with the help of stateof-the-art contraband detection equipment, customs officers in British Columbia made 2,027 drug seizures last year.

Sandspit Added to Hawkair’s Northern Schedule

Grant McDaniel

(604) 273-3766 Cell: (604) 868-5875

streets,” said Brian Flagel, customs director at YVR. “The CCRA takes its enforcement responsibilities seriously and works in partnership with the RCMP to keep our homes and streets safe.”

Hawakir’s customers enjoy free light meals and snacks and the convenience of flying out of Vancouver’s South Terminal.

“Our northern customers really prefer the smaller South Terminal, it is similar in size and ease of use to the airports in their home towns,” said Dave Menzies, chief executive officer. “And Vancouverbased customers also enjoy the near-by parking, the quick walk to the baggage carousel, the short wait for security screening. It’s fast and convenient.”

Prince Rupert retains Hawkair’s full-business-day schedule, with a non-stop flight to Vancouver in the morning and a non-stop return in the evening,

seven days a week. Residents of Prince Rupert also have the option of taking the short hop over to Sandspit at midday, six days a week.

Prince Rupert-Masset flights will continue with partner airline TK Air. Hawkair is a regional airline based in Terrace, B.C., which serves Grande Prairie, Alberta, and the British Columbia communities of Dawson Creek, Smithers, Terrace-Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Sandspit.

The airline currently operates three Dash 8s with a staff of approximately 100.

For more information on Hawkair, or to book flights online, visit www.hawkair.ca.

The Shape of Things to Come

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The first tenant at the Northlands commercial zone at YVR is United Parcel Service (UPS), now lodged in a new 125,000-square-foot facility. Built to house more than 400 employees and 100 delivery vehicles, the new UPS facility will bring most of UPS’s Vancouver-area employees under one roof. The operation utilizes state-of-the-art package scanning technology, and has the capacity to sort 10,000 pieces per hour, three times the sort capacity at the current UPS Vancouver facility.

The YVR Northlands commercial zone consists of approximately 200 acres of land to the north of the north runway – designated for airside commercial and air cargo when the north runway was approved in the early nineties.

ascade Aerospace president David Schellenberg has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC).

One of 30 AIAC board members, Schellenberg has been elected for a three-year term.

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada is the national trade association of Canada’s aerospace manufacturing and service sector. The Association represents the interest of 400 companies, in all regions of Canada. Since 1990, Canadian aerospace industry sales have more than doubled, reaching $22 billion in 2002.

“It is an honour for me to join this Board, and I look for-

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ward to working with the variety of aerospace industry representatives from across the country,” says Schellenberg.

Cascade Aerospace Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company specializing in the maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification of narrow body transport aircraft. With approximately 500 people, the Abbotsford-based company operates from a modern, eight-bay facility and provides services to Southwest Airlines and other major North American airlines, and to leasing companies such as Boullioun Aviation, GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), and International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

N O V E M B E R

Canadian Snowbirds Net Rewards from RBC Expansion New Package Combines Banking, Insurance, and Mortgage Offer

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lients of RBC Financial Group are now able to take advantage of the Group’s expanding North American presence through a special offer designed exclusively for Canadians who spend their winters in the U.S. RBC’s Snowbird Package is the only one of its kind available from a Canadian financial institution, and offers special rates on banking, travel insurance, mortgage and foreign exchange services for long-stay travellers.

The Snowbird Package is designed to give clients a worry-free stay south of the border by making it easier for snowbirds to handle their financial transactions from either side of the border from a single point of contact, while benefiting from an expanding network of RBC Centura branches (RBC’s U.S. retail banking division) and ATMs in the U.S. southeast, particularly in Florida.

“RBC snowbird clients can now avoid the cold and snow as long as they want and feel comfortably connected to home by banking with a familiar face,” said Paul Smith, vicepresident, Client Strategies. “Now, they can bring their bank with them no matter where they winter in the U.S.”

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The RBC Snowbird Package is available from RBC Royal Bank branches throughout Canada. It encompasses a U.S. bank account and ATM card; discounts on foreign exchange; a no-fee U.S. Visa card; an out-of-country medical insurance plan that covers an expanded range of pre-existing medical conditions; a $250 rebate toward closing costs of U.S. properties arranged in the U.S. through Chicago-based RBC Mortgage Company, and a dedicated toll-free assistance line for queries from within Canada and the U.S. “Many long-stay snowbirds fall in love with property in the U.S., but have trouble getting financing because they lack credit history in the United States. RBC Mortgage lets our clients take their Canadian credit history with them and avoid that hassle,” said Smith.

RBC Centura currently has 12 branches in popular Florida snowbird destinations such as Orlando, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Coco Beach and Tampa. RBC expects to increase the number of branches to 25 after the acquisition of the Florida branch network of Provident Financial Group is completed.

Richmond Hotel Celebrates 30 Years

CLASSIFIED 49,000 READERS EVERY MONTH • $17.50 per col inch

Tel: 604 736-6754 • Fax: 604 736-6750 • E-mail: pstewart@westerndriver.com

RECREATION PROP FOR SALE

SPACE FOR RENT

CABIN FOR SALE MOVE IT TO YOUR PROPERTY.

Meeting Rooms (2-6 pp)

Buy this beautifully crafted portable cabin for your recreational property.

Cabin is currently located on the sunshine coast as part of a cabin village rental resort.Owner will transport to buyers property anywhere in B.C. Built to a high standard by a reputable Vancouver company it has strong laminated arched ribbed interior with pine finish.

The exterior is cedar with a maintenance free aluminium shake roof. Includes wood stove and all fixtures plumbing, electrical and furniture.Just connect the utilities and move in. Lease expiry. Must sell. $45,000.00 OBO. 604 644 9067.

Meet overseas clients or agents in private meeting rooms (9.5’ x 11’) 8 min. drive to Richmond Downtown, 2 min. walk to everything $30/hr or $95/day Free Internet access Free parking Complimentary coffee & tea Call Vivian to book yours @ 604-278-3251

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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49,000 READERS EVERY MONTH

Mail / Fax / E-mail to: Fax: 604 736-6750 E-mail: pstewart@westerndriver.com

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Airport Job Training Check-In/Customer Service Agents At YVR Class Starts Late January 2004 To Register call:

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Richmond School District at 604 668 6123 Burnaby School District at 604 664 8888

Successful candidates will receive complementary security training.

Send Your Résumé Via E-mail: recruiting@securiguard.com Fax: 604-685-0013 Or In Person At #300 - 1575 W. Georgia, Vancouver For more info visit our Web site @ www.securiguard.com

ACCOMMODATION FOR RENT

STEVESTON VILLAGE - OCEAN FRONT! *** CENTURY ROYALE APTS: 604 277-7368 ***

(Left to right) Len McDonald, director of catering; Ken Murray, executive chef, and Andy Loges, general manager, prior to cutting the special 30th anniversary cake. ast month, the Best Western Richmond Hotel and Convention Centre, formerly known as the Richmond Inn, celebrated its 30th anniversary. Many long-time clients, suppliers and guests attended the function, which included speeches by Richmond Mayor, Malcolm Brodie, and MLA Greg Halsey-Brandt.

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7 ACRES OF PARK-LIKE SETTING! ** CARLTON PARK GARDENS: 604 277-7271 **

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