Shareholder,

I wanted to get a few flights under my belt before responding to your challenge.

I wore the AC uniform for the first time Jan 17. It felt great to don new clothing that didn't sport shredded lining, shiny worn spots, missing buttons or frayed edges. The Cdn. uniform was over ten years old and we were all ready for a change. This has been a common reaction from many of my confederates. Knowing that we would be outfitted in AC uniforms soon, our supply depot stopped ordering Canadian cut pieces months ago. Many of us ended up wearing rags so if you didn't notice, we did a good job of hiding the flaws; and if you did spot it, thanks for not making an issue of it. Notices were actually posted in our checkin rooms asking f/a's to "donate" good uniform pieces to help the less fortunate employees.

The change in our new duds has been exhilerating and refreshing - physically and mentally. An added bonus is that the visual division line through colour specific recognition has been eliminated and a friendlier atmosphere is now being offered and cultivated as a result. Another advantage is that customers aren't talking to us in funeral tones anymore about the "death" in our family. You know of whom I speak: cash-strapped Canadian.

Onward, upward and outward.