FEBRUARY 2011
Lion dance celebrates Year of the Rabbit
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On February 3, a traditional lion dance troupe converged on Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year with YVR employees, retailers, partners, travellers and visitors, and usher in the Year of the Rabbit.
The performers, clad in brightly coloured costumes, performed the traditional dance, whereby they mimic a lion’s movements. The lion dance is an important Chinese cultural tradition that is used to chase evil spirits, while opening the door for all good things: health, happiness, wealth and prosperity in the year ahead. The Chinese lunar calendar is based on solar and lunar cycles and thus each year their New Year falls on a different day of the Western solar calendar. Rabbit years are fourth in sequence on the 12-year Chinese Zodiac calendar, with the Year of the Rat being the first. According to Chinese tradition, the rabbit brings a year that is calming and an opportune time for negotiation. People born during rabbit years— 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011—are said to be reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends. Like the rabbit, they hop over obstacles
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and always land on their feet. Famous people born in the Year of the Rabbit include Albert Einstein, Confucius, Prince Charles, Winston Churchill,
George Washington, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Orson Welles, Arthur Miller, Whitney Houston, Sting and David Beckham.
lers safe and secure from terrorism,” said Minister Strahl. “We’ve listened to travellers and the aviation security community, and we believe these initiatives achieve the best balance of aviation safety and security, and passenger convenience.” The new equipment and lane configurations will be used to enhance the flow of passengers and bags at the security screening checkpoint. For example,the Canadian
Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), will be installing equipment that will automatically separate suspicious bags from cleared bags, to reduce congestion. In addition, CATSA is expanding the use of the Trusted Traveller CATSA Screening Line for pre-approved travellers who hold a valid NEXUS card. The new initiatives are the result of a recently completed review by the federal government of CATSA, the agency responsible for screening people and baggage at Canadian airports. The review, which followed the announcement of five-year funding for CATSA, was undertaken to ensure that travellers are getting value for their money. The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), a trade association founded by Canada’s largest commercial airlines, welcomed the improvements to airport screening. “Improving the overall passenger experience while maintaining the highest level of security is a priority for air carriers and we commend the federal government’s commitment in this regard,” said George Petsikas, president of the NACC. “We look forward to continuing a meaningful dialogue with the government to address critical aviation security issues in an efficient and consequential manner.”
Government relaxes restrictions on some carry-on items The Canadian federal government has reviewed its rules of restricted items in carry-on baggage and is now allowing passengers to once again carry small scissors and tools onboard aircraft. Scissors and small tools—such as eyeglass screwdrivers and nail clippers— allowed on board aircraft must be no longer than six centimetres, excluding the handle. According to Transport Minister Chuck Strahl, these items pose a “low threat to aircraft safety and security” now that cockpit doors are reinforced and security officers are present on some flights. Knives of any size or length will still be
prohibited, including box cutters and utility knives. Restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels will also remain. In addition to the changes in restricted items allowed onboard aircraft, there will also be new dedicated lanes at airports for families and those with special needs, with equipment specifically designed for bigger items like strollers. Both of these new lane configurations are an attempt to facilitate travellers’ convenience at the screening checkpoint. “Our government takes aviation security seriously, and we are unwavering in our determination to keep Canadian travel-
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Lion dancers mimic a lion’s movements to bring luck and ward off evil spirits.
Vancouverites clamouring for some sun, surf and a dose of Disney will be happy to learn about WestJet’s new daily non-stop service from Vancouver to Orange County, California, beginning in early May 2011. Flights will depart YVR daily at 10:30am bound for John Wayne Airport near Anaheim—the gateway to Southern
California fun including Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, surfing hotspot Huntington Beach and many other cultural and historical attractions. Return flights will depart Orange County at 2:15pm for YVR. In cooperation with WestJet, Vancouver Airport Authority and officials at John Wayne Airport are busy promoting this new service to their local markets.
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With the variety of attractions available in both Orange County and Vancouver, combined with low WestJet fares and a short flight time of just over three hours, it’s expected that Canadians and Americans alike will take advantage of this new connection. WestJet Vacations is offering packages to Orange County for as low as $439 for air and four nights’ accommodation. Details are available at westjetvacations.com. In addition to the new YVR-Orange County route, WestJet is ramping up its service to popular destinations throughout the network for the summer season. For more information on summer 2011 routes with increased service, visit westjet.com.
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