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I watched them (parts anyway) and compared with those of previous years, they were a pale imitation .

Cathay Pacific Exempts First And Business Class Passengers From Mask Requirement byAndrew Curran February 8, 2021 Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific is winding back the rules on wearing face masks for some of its premium…

Here you go Kip. The videos are all there: Super Bowl LV: A comprehensive ranking of the top-25 commercials (msn.com)

Beat you there, I started to watch and turned it off. ? Seems I didn't miss much of a game either.

Dutch team of de Bruin and Franjic crash at world championships (msn.com)

Nothing like a Shire, Belgian, Clydesdale or Percheron to make you feel really small and of course they were originally bred for War. Just imagine one of them coming at you with a well armed (sword / lance) soldier on board. If he didn't get you, the horses were also trained to use their feet to down you. Heritage park in Calgary had some Belgians and Percherons but not sure if they still do as the park has been mostly closed for the last two summer seasons due to the virus. The working horse harness is a piece of art:

My quarter horse was an ex barrel racer and could turn on a dime. Well trained to knee or neck rein and ground tie. She could not stand a bit so we had a well padded "hack a more" that she liked. When friends came out from the city, they always asked if they could ride her, despite my briefing re how well she turned, they were quite often left sitting on thin air as she turned faster than they anticipated. Excellent horse with children who could climb all over her but with adults she expected you knew what you were doing so as soon as your foot hit the stirrup, she was moving. If you **bleep** her off, she would either leave you hanging when she jumped a ditch or take you off under the nearest tree branch.... When it was time to bring our bull (purebred horned Herford) in, I would ride her up close to him and tell her to take him home. From that moment on, she was on automatic and I had nothing to do except to praise her efforts as we got closer to the barn area.

The Global Cargo Workhorse: Why The Boeing 747F Is Winning byJoanna Bailey February 5, 2021 48 shares The Global Cargo Workhorse: Why The Boeing 747F Is Winning - Simple Flying 48 3 minute read Advertisement: While passengers lament the loss of the Queen of the Skies from many airline fleets, as a type, the 747 has never been so prolific. Although passenger variants have been grounded, retired and scrapped, their cargo compatriots, the 747F, have become more important than ever.

Not many farmed in the 60s still using horses. What breed?

Sunwing receives takeover offer from unnamed buyer, CEO 5 February 2021Canadian Aviation News From The Globe and Mail – link to source story Eric Atkins, Transportation Reporter & Andrew Willis | February 5, 2021 Sunwing CEO Stephen Hunter said the integrated and interdependent nature of Sunwing’s divisions complicate the prospect of any sale. Handout Sunwing Travel Group has received a takeover offer for its airline division from an unnamed suitor. Stephen Hunter, chief executive of Sunwing, said a non-disclosure agreement with the would-be buyer prevents him from providing details, but more information should be available in the coming weeks. “We have been approached recently,” Mr. Hunter said in an interview. Sunwing is a conglomerate: Along with Sunwing Airlines, it operates 45 resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, tour providers, a luxury charter jet service, and other vacation and hotel brands. The group is 51-per-cent owned by the family of Mr. Hunter and employs about 3,000 people in Canada. Germany-based tourism and airline company TUI Group owns 49 per cent. Mr. Hunter’s disclosure comes as the Canadian government and the European Commission weigh Air Canada’s AC-T +0.41% increase takeover of Transat AT Inc TRZ-T +0.42% increase. A decision on the union of Canada’s No. 1 and No. 4 airlines is expected any day now. The deal will fall apart on Feb. 15 if the two companies do not agree to extend the deadline. Mr. Hunter said the integrated and interdependent nature of Sunwing’s divisions – the travel companies, resorts and airline – complicate the prospect of any sale. “The airline is a vehicle in order to get our package customer from point A to point B. So our airline really is the cost department within our tour operator. And therefore, one really can’t go without the other,” he said. “And of course, Sunwing vacations provides about 30 per cent of the customers to our own hotels.” Mr. Hunter said he also fielded a takeover offer “years ago” from a party he declined to name. WestJet Airlines Ltd. and Sunwing have held talks in the past, said an airline executive The Globe and Mail is not namingbecause they are not authorized to speak publicly. It is not clear whether the recent bid is from WestJet or another company. The source said it is in Sunwing’s best interest to disclose its airlinehas a potential buyer, as this demonstrates the value of the whole company to lenders. Bargain-hunting private equity funds are selectively investing in the airline industry during the pandemic, in expectation of a rebound once vaccination programs kick in and travel picks up. In October, aircraft lessor and operator Chorus Aviation saw its share price jump 30 per cent after the Halifax-based company said it received a “preliminary, non-binding acquisition proposal from a third party.” Analysts said a private equity firm likely made the offer. Chorus has not made any further announcements on the proposal. WestJet did not immediately respond to e-mailed questions. In good times, Canada’s airline market is dominated by Air Canada, followed by Onex Corp.-owned WestJet, Sunwing and Transat. The prospect of Sunwing bought by WestJet would pose a new challenge to the Canadian government as it mulls the Air Canada-Transat deal. Canada’s Competition Commissioner last year said the deal would limit competition and consumer choice and drive up airfares. The European regulator, which is required to rule on the proposal owing to the large market share of Air Canada and Transat, suspended its investigation into the deal in late December as it awaits more information from the companies. WestJet, in submissions to the Canadian government on the Air Canada-Transat deal, called for the takeover to be rejected or modified to reduce the combined companies’ market grip. In contrast, Mr. Hunter of Sunwing recently told The Globe he supports the deal because a larger Air Canada will be better positioned to fend off foreign rivals. Sunwing recently tappedfederal financing worth as much as $375-million under the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility program. It is the first Canadian carrier to tap the program, as other airlines have borrowed from banks and on credit markets. Mr. Hunter said the new liquidity will help the company as it awaits a sector-specific bailout from Ottawa. Like Transat and Air Canada Rouge, Sunwing Airlines has suspended its normal operations until April 30 because of the pandemic. Share this:

Farm hands and the tractors sure have changed since I operated a case tractor and hay baler pulling a stone boat.

https://www.businessinsider.com/frontier-airlines-hiring-pilots-what-execs-look-for-when-hiring-2021-2 Nearly 800 pilots have applied for jobs at Frontier Airlines with only 100 open spots - here's what execs look for when hiring tpallini@businessinsider.com (Thomas Pallini) 1 hour ago Frontier Airlines is looking to hire 100 pilots with nearly 800 applications already received. The ultra-low-cost carrier is one of the few hiring pilots during an industry downturn. We spoke to Frontier's vice president of flight operations to see what makes a great candidate. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. It's been nearly a year since Frontier Airlines froze pilot hiring in March, at the start of what would be a crippling period for travel. But as aviation enters a new year focused on recovery, the ultra-low-cost carrier is ready to bring more pilots into the cockpit. The application window for Frontier's latest round of pilot hiring opened on January 27 with prospective pilots having until February 17 to apply. Only around 100 pilots will get to join the airline's ranks this time around despite potentially thousands of applicants and nearly 800 applications submitted in the first seven days. While getting a spot at a major carrier like Frontier has never been easy, the pandemic is making it even more difficult as there's no shortage of unemployed yet highly-qualified pilots eager to get back in the air. Pilots looking to get a foot in the door at the Denver-based carrier will have to be strategic in how they present themselves when applying. Read More: Spirit Airlines' low-cost model puts it in the perfect spot to be the big winner of the pandemic, a Deutsche Bank analyst says Here's what the airline looks for when hiring pilots. A pilot ready to choose stability over glamour Frontier's primary focus is domestic leisure travel with a growing number of routes to the Caribbean and Latin America. For pilots, that means exclusively flying narrow-body Airbus A320 family aircraft mostly on domestic hops instead of larger wide-bodies on intercontinental flights to exotic overseas locales. Long-haul international flying is a glamorous perk enjoyed by those flying for the big three - American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines - but the pandemic and past economic crises have shown just how fragile that type of flying can be. Frontier's proposition is stability over glamour. "Some of the perks you may see at a larger international carrier, we don't have those," Brad Lambert, Frontier Airlines' vice president of flight operations, told Insider. "But in exchange for that, you get long-term stable employment, quick upgrade, and we think a very bright future in terms of schedule and basing and things like that, that are always important. Quality of life, really." Ultra-low-cost carriers are proving to be rebounding faster than their international-oriented competitors thanks to an increase in domestic travel, which Frontier believes will help pilots better weather economic storms. Frontier is also in growth mode with recently opened bases in cities like Miami and more to be potentially opened in 2020. New planned routes also take Frontier as far south as El Salvador in just one of many expansions announced in 2020. "With growth comes, more crew bases, quicker upgrades, better stability, better seniority to be able to bid better schedules, and instead of having a kind of a contracting business environment, we've really got an expanding business environment," Lambert said. A first officer can typically upgrade to a captain in as little as three years, Lambert says, which comes with an increase in pay and responsibility. More importantly for some, Frontier's model also gives pilots more control over their schedules. "Being home more often and spending more time with your family, those are the types of family values that you get when you fly Frontier," Lambert said. "And I think that's huge."

WestJet to lay off 120 cabin crew members as of March 2, citing flight suspensions | The Star CALGARY — WestJet Airlines Ltd. will lay off 120 cabin crew members as of March 2, blaming the measure on the lack of flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. WestJet spokeswoman Morgan Bell says the company's employees were notified of the additional cuts on Friday morning. https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/02/05/westjet-to-lay-off-120-cabin-crew-members-as-of-march-2-citing-flight-suspensions.html

Seems that they might have been in the future. Union calls move 'a slap in the face' to workers - Unifor for WestJet Workers Home - Unifor for WestJet Workers

Those of narrow minds may think so but the reality is that the Majority of older folks are still around .

Not aviation but Alaska has developed a reliance on Cruise Ship traffic during the spring/summer/fall to jump start local economy. Because of the Jones Act, the ships operating between the US and Alaska (unless American Registered) must stop in a foreign port before returning the the US. Canada has just announced that the Cruise Ships ban will now extend until Feb. 2022. Unless the US relaxes the Jones Act that means the economy of a lot of the Alaska ports will continue to be decimated . It will be interesting to see how this develops. Economic impact by region | CLIA Alaska (akcruise.org) Edited to reflect a correction from Dagger.

Was not long ago when they were "owners" ...... ?

Canada Will Use 'Security Companies' To Ensure Travellers Follow Quarantine Rules (msn.com)

Sunwing extends validity of future travel credits to Sept. 30, 2026 4 February 2021Canadian Aviation News From TravelWeek – link to source story By Travelweek Group | Feb 3 2021

Sunwing Airlines leases two Boeing 737 MAX jets from Air Lease Corp 4 February 2021Canadian Aviation News From Air101 – link to source story 4 February 2021 Look closely and you might just make out the 737 MAX 8 painted out on the rear fuselage Photo ALC Air Lease Corporation has delivered of two new Boeing 737-MAX aircraft on long-term lease to Sunwing Airlines. However, the global leasing firm and Sunwing are trying to hush up the fact that there are the 737 MAX models, by using the now commonplace 737-8 designator. These aircraft, featuring CFM International LEAP-1B27 engines, are the third and fourth new Boeing 737-MAX aircraft to deliver to Sunwing from ALC’s order book with Boeing. “ALC is pleased to announce these two new Boeing 737-8 deliveries to Sunwing Airlines today,” said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation. “These aircraft mark ALC’s first 737-8 deliveries since the grounding and will provide state-of-the-art efficiency, cabin comfort, and advancement of Sunwing’s environmental sustainability initiatives.” “We thank ALC for the delivery of two new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, and look forward to integrating them into our existing fleet,” said Mark Williams, President, Sunwing Airlines. “The new planes provide advanced technology, comfort and fuel efficiency, and will undoubtedly offer Sunwing Airlines customers an enhanced travel experience when they are placed into commercial service.” Sunwing Airlines currently has two 737-800s and two other 737-8s on lease from ALC.

Police Remove Mask Refuser From Lufthansa A330 In Frankfurt byTom Boon Police Remove Mask Refuser From Lufthansa A330 In Frankfurt - Simple Flying February 4, 2021 9 shares 9 3 minute read

WestJet Adds Extra Flights to Canada From Caribbean and Mexico 3 February 2021Canadian Aviation News From TravelPlus Canada – link to source story JIM BYERS | FEBRUARY 02, 2021 WestJet Boeing 737 MAX WestJet has added extra flights from destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, following the airline’s announcement to suspend flights to the regions at the request of the Canadian government. A new landing page is available and will be updated as flights are added: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/advisories. WestJet will continue to operate scheduled flights northbound from destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean up to and including February 14, 2021 to return guests to Canada, after which time the airline will cease all operations to both areas through to April 30, 2021. Any remaining seats on WestJet’s extra flights are now available for booking on westjet.com. Travellers are encouraged to make reservations online before contacting the contact centre for assistance.

It seems that a lot but not most are not driven by the instinct for self-preservation but rather by their belief that they are somehow special and immune. So those misguided folks become infected and then spread the virus to the rest of us, unless somehow prevented from doing so or made to observe basic precautions. You only have to take a look at the increase in infection / deaths of those under 50 to confirm that Changing Age Distribution of the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, May–August 2020 | MMWR (cdc.gov)

Perhaps but it has now been confirmed. Notice of intent vs reality...

Perhaps but it is the positivity in the major centers of population that remains and should be the concern as without barriers to intra provincial travel the contagion could spread to the smaller communities.