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Post by Scott on Aug 10, 2007 17:13:03 GMT -8
My wife and a number of family members have been on Facebook for a little while now. I've sorta been looking through the site recently and today I noticed there are a number of groups related to BC Ferries. One is sort of a fan club, one or two are for current and past employees, a couple are for people who hate BC Ferries... makes for some interesting reading (I think you have to have a Facebook account to read the discussions). The groups also have photo albums. The discussion parts are kind of inactive, but there are hundreds of people out there who have joined these groups. I noticed 3 or 4 of this forum's members in the "BC Ferries kinda rocks" group. The BC Ferries employee group has some good stories about the dumb questions people ask. There's also a group in memory of the Queen of the North. The fan group is here (I think you need a facebook account): www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2434316579I'm not all that interested in getting too involved in Facebook, but I think it might be a good idea to drop a link to this forum in some of the discussion pages. If no one else wants to do it, I will. I think there are more people out there who would find our forum interesting! P.S. Another thing I noticed was that the group memberships (unlike this forum) were overwhelmingly female... so if we could get some girls to join, you never know.. some of you young single guys who think the Queen of Esquimalt is the prettiest thing on earth might find a girl who thinks the Albert J Savoie is a handsome ship... and you'll live happily ever after! A ferry tale ending;)
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Post by Ferryman on Aug 10, 2007 17:35:29 GMT -8
P.S. Another thing I noticed was that the group memberships (unlike this forum) were overwhelmingly female... so if we could get some girls to join, you never know.. some of you young single guys who think the Queen of Esquimalt is the prettiest thing on earth might find a girl who thinks the Albert J Savoie is a handsome ship... and you'll live happily ever after! A ferry tale ending;) Hahahaha. Well said, John. I've been a part of some of those groups for a few months now. I've only forwarded one person a link to this forum, but I don't think he ever actually signed up...or did he? Other members from this board are also part of those groups as well.
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Post by Guest on Aug 15, 2007 12:51:44 GMT -8
Look at what one of the members of that facebook had done;
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Post by Curtis on Aug 16, 2007 9:55:24 GMT -8
I've got a Facebook now, Pretty Nice, Still haven't joined the group.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Aug 29, 2007 18:06:49 GMT -8
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Aug 29, 2007 19:58:25 GMT -8
Well some are making moutains out of mole hills of unfortunante circumstances and taking it out on the entire organization. Some for their immature actions too.
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Post by kylefossett on Aug 30, 2007 8:14:22 GMT -8
Well some are making moutains out of mole hills of unfortunante circumstances and taking it out on the entire organization. Some for their immature actions too. well seeing as this is not nazi germany, or the ussr these people have a right to voice any complaints they want using whatever method they want. karl maybe instead of going on these groups and wasting time and breathe you should have just read them and moved on. i am willing to bet that you have just added fuel to some of these peoples arguments.
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 18, 2007 22:43:38 GMT -8
Here's something interesting that I've discovered tonight.....Regular members (not that ther's really a status of members here) from this board (ie: Retro, Karl, Ship Tracker 16, etc...) appear to be the first set of people to show up on the first 2 pages of the group members section of the group, "Admit it, BC Ferries kinda rocks" group. Coincidence? It doesn't appear to be aware of me though, I'm on the 11th page .
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 18, 2007 22:49:27 GMT -8
Chris: You're the 2nd person on Page-1, when I view "all members" in that group.
Maybe it just puts you later when you are self-viewing?
I find myself on page-2, and I found Curtis on page-3.
Maybe it re-sorts each time it's viewed?
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Post by Northern Exploration on Sept 19, 2007 6:10:46 GMT -8
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Post by Dane on Sept 19, 2007 21:19:01 GMT -8
It sorts people on a network vs. friends order... and if either are a match it randomizes.
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Post by Ferryman on Sept 22, 2007 22:29:10 GMT -8
I've been doing a bit more of a deeper search into the BC Ferries groups on Facebook. I've come across a group dedicated to the loss of the Queen of the North. One of the pictures available to view the last time she left Tsawwassen for Port Hardy, on March, 3, 2006. It's interesting to read some of the accounts from various crew members that worked aboard the vessel. www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2373698423Another group I had a look at, was a group dedicated to past and present workers of the Ferries. In their photo albums are photos of the Norad, pre Northernization (aka Coastalization) to the interior, and photos of the Queen of Prince Rupert in rough seas in Hecate Strait. www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2371511421
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Post by Northern Exploration on Sept 23, 2007 7:13:03 GMT -8
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 23, 2007 8:48:03 GMT -8
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on Mar 17, 2008 21:28:02 GMT -8
Ack! You posted the pic of my tattoo. Now all the ferry nerds are going to yell at me for the inconsistencies of the artwork...you know...identifying the different v-class ships and all that. I am kinda scared that you guys are going to slag me for not having the image of the Queen Of Esquimalt as identical as possible. My tattooist had to simplify a lot, because she said that if she put too much detail into it, that it will blur over time and get really ugly. I also had to have my tattoo on my left arm instead of my right, because of a vascular lump that formed. When we transferred the pic to the other arm, the image was flipped. I know, evil...but I only had the one pic of her to work with at the time, and I was antsy to get my first tattoo. anyways, enough about me ranting. This forum is amazing and I am envious of everyone's knowledge of BC Ferries.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 18, 2008 6:32:32 GMT -8
Ack! You posted the pic of my tattoo. Now all the ferry nerds are going to yell at me for the inconsistencies of the artwork...you know...identifying the different v-class ships and all that. I am kinda scared that you guys are going to slag me for not having the image of the Queen Of Esquimalt as identical as possible. My tattooist had to simplify a lot, because she said that if she put too much detail into it, that it will blur over time and get really ugly. I also had to have my tattoo on my left arm instead of my right, because of a vascular lump that formed. When we transferred the pic to the other arm, the image was flipped. I know, evil...but I only had the one pic of her to work with at the time, and I was antsy to get my first tattoo. anyways, enough about me ranting. This forum is amazing and I am envious of everyone's knowledge of BC Ferries. Welcome aboard here, DS. Your tattoo is somewhat legendary with some of us. Here's a serious, yet nerdy question about the tattoo: It looks like you had it done with the "Expo colours". Was that your favourite colour scheme, as opposed to the original pastel-blue, or the current white-blue fleet colours? Was the Expo red-and-blue easier and more effective to see for a tattoo? Just curious, as none of us (other than you) have experience in seeing how a ferry's colours will turn out in a tattoo. And a general question on the Equimalt's "last day" on the Duke Point route: -from viewing your pictures, it appears that the bridge-crew treated you great, giving you lots of time & access. Was it just luck that you got an accepting and tolerant bridge-crew, that let you have your fun on that day? Did you just boldly go to the chief-steward and ask to see the bridge? Cheers!
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on Mar 18, 2008 11:36:41 GMT -8
I had the Esq portrayed in her Expo colours because that was the colour scheme she had for most of my travels with her. It also represents the pre-privatization and everything that goes with it. My mum said that I've been travelling on the ferries since I was a baby, but I only remember the expo colours....I am only 24 yrs old!
And about being at the helm of this ship: One of the customer service attendants saw my tattoo and then the gift shop girl saw it, they told me to show the Chief Steward. On the round trip back, everyone in the crew was talking about it, and they told me that the captain needed to see it. One of the CSAs told me that she was going to see if I could have a tour of the bridge. I had not even thought about asking for a tour before, I never thought it would have happened. Anyways, she escorted me to the bridge and told me that I had to be quiet while they steer, but I could definitely have a look around. When I got there, it was soo fun. It was definitely not quiet...but at the same time, not boisterous. The crew shared a couple fun stories with me...including one about having a "whistle war" with another passing ferry, trying to see which ship's whistle could produce the most variety of decibels. They showed me all the controlls, and I got to use the periscope and look down at the creepy old radar.They showed me how to steer the ship, and let me sit at the wheel for almost the whole sailing. They were definitely more than accepting and tolerant...they gave me their emails so I can keep in touch! The crew nagged at me to apply for a job at BCF, even the captian nagged me! I am considering getting my MEDs this year.
That trip was the most amazing experience of my life.
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Post by ferrytraveller on Mar 18, 2008 11:52:56 GMT -8
yah working there would be a pretty good job. The MED courses at BCIT Marine Campus are running all the time. so it would be quite easy and quick to take the course and get them.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 18, 2008 14:01:54 GMT -8
Thanks for the tattoo explanation, E-Queen. I'm glad that you got that last round-trip on your favourite ship.
I've had at least 5 "last trips" on that ship, where I thought for sure that it would be my last chance to ride it. This actually started in May 2006, so it's been a long-farewell for me.
My final final last-time was November 25th 2007, on the Duke Point route.
I like those old style ships. And for nostalgia's sake, I'll miss the upstairs lounges on the New Westminster, Esquimalt & Vancouver on that Duke Point route. With the Alberni & Cowichan on that route now, there's nowhere to hide upstairs inside, to get some peace & quiet. I suppose that the Coastal Inspiration will have a "peace & quiet" place, but for a $10 fee....
anyways, thanks for posting your story.
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Post by ferryrider42 on Jun 23, 2008 12:09:58 GMT -8
I just happened to pass by the BC Ferry and Marine Workers website and was pleasantly surprised; there has recently been a major refit. Not exactly sure when this occurred, but I believe more information is now being made available to the general public. As you might recall, the site previously had little more then an ugly green screen. You couldn’t do much unless you had an employee number and password. The new site appears to be significantly improved. Even now there is a great deal of information available, particularly the entire collective agreement. But, even more exciting is what appears to be space for regular news-releases and publications. Hopefully, the BCFMWU follows thru and does indeed make some sort of quarterly / monthly news letter publicly available. For those wondering what the address is: www.bcfmwu.com
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 24, 2008 20:42:41 GMT -8
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Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 25, 2008 10:33:06 GMT -8
Haha that is funny. That is actually computer generated gibberish to take the place of copy that comes later. You usually use that when you don't have final copy or in early design stages. The graphics world calls it "Greek". Except the words look more like latin. Go figure.
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Post by kerryssi on Jun 26, 2008 18:09:25 GMT -8
The site is still under construction. There was a public information site before but I think combining it with the union site will generate more interest. I think it is an improvement but some members would rather have a "Made in B.C." ferry as a headpiece.
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Post by ferryrider42 on Jul 20, 2008 18:29:55 GMT -8
Today I ran across a new source of information. It appears some people on Bowen Island have taken it upon themselves to setup an online forum; and discuss quite openly their views of the ferry system. As you could guess, there are some colorful commentaries. To make all of your lives easier, the link I provided runs a search on the entire forum for the keywords “bc ferries”. Over the past hour, I’ve found stuff on - experience cards - Overloading At Galiano - Incident Involving Paul Hooson [Bowen Clown Arrested] - Lack Of Upgrades At Bowen bowen-island-bc.com/forum/search.php?1,search=bc+ferries,author=,page=1,match_type=ALL,match_dates=30,match_forum=1,match_threads=
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Post by blackshadow on Dec 3, 2008 11:58:58 GMT -8
FSG has changed their main website page to include two Coastals class vessels. www.fsg-ship.de/
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